The Ghost

by Henry Kellerman

  Surprised with the suddenness of it, they both looked at the coat and then at one another. The coat was stained. It turned into a bright dark red spot. Al quickly handed her one of the napkins he was holding and Gloria quickly blotted the spot and scraped the portion of the tomato that was gently lingering on the coat, soaking as much of the tomato juice into the coat as possible.

  Al profusely apologized and offered to pay for the cleaning bill or even to pay for the cost of a new coat. Yes, he did say that. But Gloria declined. Al was persistent and asked her if he could at least buy her some lunch. That she accepted. They later confessed that they were immediately attracted to the other. Obviously, both were happy about the incident and of course a relationship developed. It was a relationship that developed as though both were hit by lightening. They began a torrid love affair acting on it not far from Van Cortlandt Park itself. Their meeting place was the Van Cortlandt Motel where they had their furtive assignations. Boy, were they in love, in sex, in a rhapsodic thrall, and, well, in everything.

  Since the motel was where they met for their romantic encounters, it was a natural for Gloria to have it pop into her head in one of her quick decisions—to decide to get to this safe harbor. ‘Hide at the motel,’ a simple four-word sentence is what popped into her head.

  * * *

  Everyone was flying everywhere. The Whartons—father and son—were now on a flight to New York. Al was on a flight from London to New York. The ‘uncles,’ as it were, were on a plane from Idlewild to Rome and were whispering to one another conspiratorially.

  About two hours into their flight one of the uncles, the one holding onto the package was eagerly anticipating what he would see if he opened the package. Then he could no longer restrain himself. He looked at his counterpart who returned the look with a knowing glance and they both looked at the package as the uncle holding it began to carefully nudge it open.

  Inside was the other package which he also deftly opened. Nothing. The inner package was stuffed with strips of crumpled newspaper. All filler. Nothing else! They stared at the empty package, then looked at one another both feeling obviously taken. Their next reaction was to get worried and in their mother-tongue they began talking speedily—which in their broken English would be translated as:

  “Karl, vee in dis trouble?”

  “Yah, I tink so. Vee vill needing to explaining dis.”

  “But dis vas no vee fault. It must be dat dis teacher has dis real package or dat dis little girl fooling us. It ist possible dat little girl fooling us?”

  “No, ist no possible because she knowing her father und brother could be danger if she doing someting like dat. No. No. It ist teacher. Vee must reaching Bishop. Vhen vee due to landing?”

  “More hours.”

  * * *

  “What?” Hudal shouted. “What?” He then held his stomach and slumped over in a crouched postion as though he was shot—hit with a shotgun dead-on. “God, Oh God. They have the microfilm. Oh God. What can we do? We need to know what to do? How could you let this happen,” he shouted at them?

  The ‘uncles’ were speechless but Karl regained his senses and reminded Hudal that they were instructed not to do anything with the package except deliver it. Karl confessed that he couldn’t resist seeing what was in the package and opened it. It was then he told Hudal that he realized they’d been deceived.

  “But given the circumstance, you could have had the sense to disregard the instruction and to open the package. It would have been the intelligent thing to do. You both are not novices. You’ve been through many adventures together. You should have known to open the package given the strange circumstances of the child, the school, the teacher, and so forth.”

  Hudal was out of his mind with blame and anger. He was barely listening to them. Then suddenly—he knew what he wanted to do.

  “We must get the teacher. She has the microfilm. What do you think? Karl, what do you think?”

  In a flood of realization Karl instantly said he thought it was complicated, because the Whartons and the teacher, undoubtedly were about to be, or were already in some safe-house. His reasoning was that such a strategic decision would be the only thing open to them—knowing full well that once he and Wenzel opened the package, that they would just as instantly understand what had happened. He also predicted that the teacher would no longer be in possession of the contents of the package because she would have necessarily handed it over to the police or to that private detective who himself must now be on his way, or even has already arrived at whatever secluded destination—possibly that same safe-house—in all likelihood agreed upon in advance. And as a conclusion, Karl stated that he didn’t think he was giving them too much credit for possibly planning it that way.

  Hudal then knew he must contact Monsignor Montini immediately and he set out to do just that. In their conversation Hudal was awkwardly trying not to convey his underlying panic. He was, as were most at the Vatican, aware of Montini’s influence. However, Montini was not at all disturbed by the news. He knew it was simply an inconvenience. He also knew that the plan to retrieve the package was lost before it began. He had another idea.

  “Hudal,” he intoned. “Please realize we have two options: The first considers the fact that we have the means, the organization, and the ultimate patience for informing those we need to inform that we and they have been compromised. Because of that fact, we will suggest to them that for all concerned, both with respect to safety and potential incrimination—and that means us as well as them—should immediately seek shelter in their pre-planned secondary locations. This is true especially for I would guess about thirty of the most infamous of our clients. It is not possible even with our organization that ten-thousand individuals will move, with such short notice. Of great importance is that Eichmann, Mengele, Priebke, Stangl, and the others must move immediately because if they are caught they will without a doubt be tried in the courts or could easily be assassinated. I would think that Eichmann and Mengele are the two most sought.

  “I know that Stangl, would leave Syria and relocate to Brazil, to Sau Paulo. Mengele will need to travel from Argentina to Brazil as well. We can’t be concerned about the thousands here and there all over South America in Uruguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, or even located in the Middle East like Beirut and Damascus, not to mention Cairo. Remember, Hudal, we are talking about perhaps nine or even ten-thousand who have already been sent to primary locations. Obviously, Eichmann must now immediately be alerted to this breach. The only question for Eichmann is his stubbornness. Will he move to his second location? That is the question. Mengele, of course would move in a second. I know we wanted his secondary place to be Paraguay but he also insisted on Brazil. Same for Brunner in Syria. Brunner will not want to move. His power there is immutable. Rauff in Chile, I don’t know. But of course, whoever—it’s up to them. We have done our part, except for this fiasco, in the best possible way. Now it is up to them.

  “What I’m afraid of,” Montini continued, “is that once people are settled, they may be reluctant to move again and will use any excuse about why they shouldn’t move, thinking that it will all pass over—that with our power they would be unreachable.

  “At the moment, I’m now also thinking of some others like for example, Roschmann in Buenos Aires. He must absolutely relocate to Paraguay. I seem to remember Paraguay as his second location. But I don’t remember where in Paraguay. Most likely Asuncion. But I’m not sure where Kutschmann’s secondary is. I know he’s now in Buenos Aires. Of course, it is of the utmost importance for Priebke to leave Buenos Aires and get to Bariloche. They are after him in a determined way. This we know. Stangl should leave Syria and relocate to Brazil. As I’ve already said, I know that Brazil is his secondary location. Again, the question is will he leave? Also, Kurger in Cuba must leave Batista and head for the United States. He’ll be safe in the U.S. with a new name just blending into the country’s middle southwest landscape.

  “Let me thi
nk—a few more. Yes, Wagner, Sao Paulo to Paraguay—I don’t remember where in Paraguay but we can be sure he will remember. Oh yes, Barbie. He’s trouble shooting all over South America but we have him targeted with a secondary refuge in Bolivia. Whether he stays put or resettles there is going to be a dilemma for him. We shall see.

  “We only need to inform perhaps twenty-five or thirty of the most wanted, and tell them to run! And, of course, for these twenty or thirty we need to emphasize the ‘run’! The only problem for us is that if any are apprehended, we and the entire enterprise we conduct would be revealed.

  “There is a truth we need to face,” continued Montini. “The truth is there’s no doubt that no matter the commitment to it all, when offered a deal for freedom in exchange for certain information, the deal will be made. You understand? People will only want to save themselves even at the expense of spoiling everything we’ve done. Of that we can be certain!

  “Therefore, as far as the package is concerned, it’s an issue that may be out of our hands except for the second option. And the second option means that you don’t call off your dogs. The point I’m making is that the question remains as to where the actual microfilm is? There still may be time to retrieve it so that we need not go to all the trouble of contacting all of our, shall we say, clients. I know you believe that our only chance of retrieving the package would most likely involve theft—theft that is supported by shooting, killing and intrigue. However, I believe, in contrast, that it can be done in a relatively peaceful way where our contacts in the United States simply tell us where the package is kept and only then do we need to confiscate it?”

  Again, in his calm manner, Montini continued logically.

  “In our terms, the package is probably located at what we would characterize as a convent—a place receded, concealed; a refuge impossible to breach. Yet, this presumed impossible place can quite possibly be found, provided we get in touch with our very informative mole. Therefore, I’m telling you to get the plan into motion immediately. Tell him to send us the information as to where the microfilm is hidden. He will be able to do it.”

  With that, Montini ended his dystopian disquisition.

  “Yes, of course. That’s good,” Hudal answered. “Of course, that is the thing to do. That will put everything back on track. Yes. Anyway, Monisnor Montini, how would the Allies be able to round up ten-thousand men and put them on trial. They couldn’t. And even if they could, they wouldn’t. So, if the second option doesn’t work, and we cannot contact them all, we must concentrate on securing those twenty-five most important—those who most likely would be put on trial, and certainly found guilty and then executed. Therefore, the first option you suggest solves the entire enterprise. The point is to just think about the twenty-five or thirty to rescue.”

  “Excellent,” Montini declared. “And since it’s these twenty-five or thirty that the Allies, as you rightly say, might actually be put on trial, then our job to protect such a small number becomes immeasurably more realistic. And to be blunt, even if one or two were assassinated, it would similarly subtract from our problem. It would mean, no rush, no extra urgent secretarial work, no phone messages to be sent. That means ultimately, fewer to worry about.”

  This conversation between Hudal and Montini raised the question as to who was really ‘the ghost,’ It had been believed by all that Hudal was the ghost. Now it was becoming gradually clearer that there possibly was a true King Ghost—Montini!

  * * *

  A phone call from Hugh O’Flaherty in Rome to Alex Kaye, who Hugh expected might still be in London, reached the desk of Loris McIver—Mac—who was in New York, in the Bronx. Before that, in London, Jimmy had advised Al to have his phone messages automatically transferred to any police authority Al felt he could trust. Al named Mac at the 48th precinct in the Bronx and obtained the 48th precinct number through an information operator in the U.S.

  Of course, Al liked that idea so to set that all up, he first called Sgt. Silverstein at the 48th, relayed the request about the transmission of his phone messages to Mac, was given an okay by Silverstein, and very soon after the call, Al boarded his flight. Thus, Hugh couldn’t reach Al directly.

  Simultaneous to this, on the other side of the world—meaning at the Vatican, and in broad daylight, and without a concern in the world, Alois Hudal asked to see Hugh O’Flaherty. After all, they were colleagues and since both Hudal and Hugh knew that neither of them could be tampered with or hurt in any way, they could be frank with one another each fully aware of the other’s politics, theological understandings, sympathies, and so forth. And so, quite naturally, they addressed one another in a familiar way—by given names: Hugh and Alois.

  “Hugh,” Hudal said, “for the moment, let’s not be repelled by one another’s commitment to certain agendas. We both know what I mean. I want you to know that we’ve called off any need to recapture anyone who was involved in any aspect of the microfilm adventure. Yes, I know you know about it. There is no more adventure of that sort to be concerned about. Therefore, please, at your pleasure inform your friends that they need not fear anything or anyone. I’m telling you this because I assume such information will be important for you to have. But I’m a bit self-interested here because it occurs to me that at some later date, should I need a favor from you, provided it does not compromise others, that perhaps you would be amenable.”

  With that little exchange, Hudal bowed slightly and left Hugh’s office.

  Naturally, Hugh had listened to Hudal with interest but not only was he not convinced, rather, he was revolted to think that Hudal would consider some alliance. In fact, Hugh felt that this may have been Hudal’s way of constructing a bit of disinformation. In all, and because of Hugh’s doubt concerning what Hudal conveyed, Hugh was left, at the least, feeling uncomfortable.

  Hugh then called Al but instead, of more directly reaching him, his phone call was transferred and it reached Mac at the 48th in the Bronx. Hugh told Mac that the ‘ghost’s’ chase for the microfilm might have been called off but then again perhaps not. He didn’t tell Mac why he was doubtful and Mac didn’t ask. Even had he told Mac the why of it all, there might be a chance that it sounded so complicated that Mac wouldn’t have believed him or just wouldn’t want to deal with it.

  On Hudal’s side, however, there appeared to be a problem. Hudal was usually prideful of his command status with all who worked for him—with all of his operatives complying with his commands. He didn’t ever count on personality features of individuals. What this meant was that Karl and Wenzel, Hudal’s emissaries to London and the United States, the ‘uncles’, were terribly humiliated and desperately wanted to regain Hudal’s respect and confidence.

  Hudal had originally dismissed them with a touch of contempt, but in the moment, had informed them of the decision to again go ahead, and this time finally retrieve the microfilm. Hudal stated that this should be done with subtlety, and quietly, and with the help of the person they had in America who could get any kind of information needed, anytime, anywhere.

  Without any hesitation or delay and before anyone knew it, both ‘uncles’ were now on their return trip to New York City, to The Bronx. They were determined to repair their reputations with Hudal and were going to overcome any obstacle that interfered with that goal, no matter how impossible it may all seem. Although Hudal said to do it quietly—meaning in the absence of any conspicuous fanfare—the uncles swore to one another that they were going to get the microfilm any which way because the basic issue was primarily to regain favor with Hudal.

  Predicting what the uncles would ultimately do in order to achieve their stated goal could be seen in the mistaken sentiment expressed by Mrs. Wharton who had said that these ‘uncles’ were civil both in attitude and tone so that it appeared they would never do anything violent.

  What Mrs. Wharton didn’t know was that psychopaths in the service of a tyrannical leader will do anything necessary to achieve whatever the goal was. Anything! And to i
llustrate this point, the ‘uncles’ Karl and Wenzel although told to do the job with subtlety and quietly, nevertheless were overjoyed in getting the assignment. Thus, in their quest for respect and perhaps adulation, they were ‘juiced’ and ready to do anything necessary to get the microfilm. In this sense, and despite Hudal’s warning, the uncles were ready and hopeful for a victory party—Nazi style!

  * * *

  Another kind of victory party was unfolding at the Van Cortlandt Motel. A large table was brought in that seated all of them in one room. Ten altogether. Gloria, Al, Stevie, Stevie’s brother Nate, Mr. William Wharton, his wife Mrs. Ruthie Wharton and Mac and Lyle and their little duo gang of Detectives Jack and Harry. When Al arrived, Gloria was visibly relieved to see him. They embraced very personally. Mr. Wharton, in an attempt at humor said:

  “Hey, why are you so shy about everything?”

  The point is they were all relieved, but before they ate—hamburgers, French fries, and cokes—Gloria took Al into the bathroom and finally showed him the microfilm. She showed him where she had stored the film, in the rear of the towel cabinet, hidden by stacks of towels. Al looked at her with a broad grin, took the package, and before they rejoined the others they embraced—tightly.

  When they rejoined the others, Al asked Mac and Lyle to walk him to the door. He told them he was off to the police lab at Headquarters and was taking the package with him, and that he needed them to clear him both at Headquarters and at the 48th.

  “I’m going to have them make an exact replica of the package and I’ll drop the empty duplicate at the holding pen back at the 48th. When it’s ready I’m getting on a plane and taking the real one to London. I’ll meet with Jimmy and Imi. From there, the three of us will get the film to Simon. Tell Willy and Frankie I needed to go somewhere and I’ll see them later.”