“Wait, what?” Faust’s mouth dropped open. “Complicit in an act of war? Are you out of your mind? And you said two other people are dead. Who else besides Sgt. Herring?”
Thompson broke his silence. “The EMS responder, the one who performed CPR.”
“Christ!” Heinz replied. “Herman, you were in contact with her too.” Joseph looked at him.
“Yes and no. I’ve already been checked. So have Helga and Therese. It seems to be transmitted through blood. Not airborne as was feared.”
Heinz was visibly relieved. “Thank God.”
“Indeed,” said Miller, “but the virus, once contracted and activated, is only one step away from becoming airborne. Apparently, there’s an incubation period. Our own team discovered this not two hours ago from the samples confiscated from the hospital coroner.”
Heinz thought quickly. “And what about those in the hospital and the morgue who’ve had contact?”
“Already seized and quarantined,” said Miller, who looked at Faust, “including your doctor, I’m afraid. I’m sure another has already taken over your daughter’s care. At least she’s been cleared. Be thankful for that. Officer Faust, do you know of anywhere Captain Rheinhardt could be? Anyone he’d go to?”
Faust tried to think. His mind was racing ninety miles a minute and getting nowhere. “I couldn’t begin to say... All I know is he seemed well-informed about Solomon Hoffmann. He knew the name and seemed quite interested. He said our own LKA would be very interested in speaking with her. That’s it. He charged me to writing up my report.”
“Did he mention any names? Call anyone?” Miller pushed.
Faust’s eyes lit. “Yes. He was calling someone when I left his office. I mentioned this to Captain Schneider. He said he would have the outgoing call log checked, but that’s all I know. There’s nothing else.”
“Okay.” Miller looked at Thomson. “We need that call log.” He glanced back at Faust. “We’ll be in touch. Don’t go anywhere, and don’t speak of this to anyone,” he pinned Heinz with a stare, “and that goes for you too, Officer Heinz.” The agents turned, leaving Faust and Heinz standing in the middle of the lounge, stunned.
“Goddamn Americans!” Heinz muttered. “Don’t let them intimidate you, Herman. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Except help bring in a deadly contagion from the Soviets. Dammit, Joseph! I nearly got my family killed!” Knowing how close he’d brought Helga and Therese to death felt like a punch to the gut. “And Therese is not even out of the woods yet. An induced coma, Joseph, all from a small bump on the head. What the hell am I going to do?”
Heinz patted his back. “You’re going to calm down, go back to your family, and then,” he paused, “pray.”
Faust nodded, emotions simmering beneath the surface. He drew in a steadying breath. “Yes, that’s all I can do right now.”
“And don’t forget Helga’s coffee.” Heinz turned, finding a couple of Styrofoam cups and the pot of complimentary coffee offered by the hospital.
“Christ, almost forgot. Thank you, Joseph.”
“Anytime.” Heinz held the door open, waiting as Faust passed through. “Was there some other deadly crisis you wanted to discuss with me or was that it?”
“No, just that one,” Faust grumbled, “Smartass.”
With cups of hot coffee in hand, they returned to his daughter’s room, preparing for a long day.
AFTER EIGHT HOURS, Faust headed home. Helga remained at the hospital insisting she not leave Therese’s side ‘in case she improved, and the new physician brought her out of her coma.’ The staff brought in a rollaway bed for her, and Herman promised to return with a fresh change of clothes after a few hours of sleep. For her part, Helga promised to call immediately if there was any change. His mother-in-law had apparently dropped by earlier in the day leaving a casserole in the refrigerator. Herman was too tired to eat. Instead, he grabbed a beer, popping the cap off the bottle. He downed it in a few gulps, and then ambled off to bed. He could barely keep his eyes open.
Joseph left the hospital earlier in the afternoon to sneak in a nap before reporting in to work. They both worked the night shift, but in light of the recent situation with both the Hoffmann woman’s death, his Captain’s disappearance, Sgt. Herring’s death, and Faust’s own family emergency, he’d been given the next few nights off. Several other boroughs had volunteered officers to fill in to cover the shortfall. Herman knew it would probably be a mess by the time he got back, but at the moment, he didn’t care. His bed welcomed him, and the silence of the house calmed his tattered soul. Within moments, he was sound asleep.
At 11:33 p.m., the phone rang. Faust’s eyes shot open. For a moment, he was confused, unaware of where he was or the time of night. Consciousness seeped into his brain by the third ring. Helga! He rolled over, grabbing the receiver.
“Hallo. Helga? What is it? Is Therese awake?” He rubbed his eyes.
Static crackled on the line. “Nein, nor will she ever wake again if you help the American agents.” A deep voice on the line warned him, a voice Herman did not recognize.
“Who the hell is this?” Faust sat up, alarm flooding his body with adrenaline.
“That is not your concern. What is your concern is the continued well-being of your wife and child,” the voice continued as if he and Herman were old friends. “She is quite lovely, your wife, as is your daughter. She is such a small thing.”
Faust sucked in a breath. “What the hell do you want?” Anger shot through him and suffused his being.
“Calm yourself. What we want is simple. Do not cooperate with the American CIA, and cease searching for Captain Rheinhardt. We know they contacted you today. If you help them in any way, I’m afraid we will not be forgiving,” the voice lowered, “and your family will pay the price.”
Pain seized Herman’s heart, constricting the muscles in his chest. He gripped the blanket on the bed, twisting it, wishing it was the neck of the coward on the other end of the line.
“Do we have an understanding, Officer Faust?” The caller waited.
Nostrils flaring, Herman nodded, and then realized he needed to speak past the lump in his throat. “We do.”
“Good.”
“Wait!” Herman stopped him before he could hang up.
“What is it?”
“Just what the hell are you doing? The CIA already knows about the virus. They have it contained. Whatever it is you’re up to, it has already been stopped.” He felt the need to push the man’s buttons, to throw cold water on whatever scheme he and whoever he worked with had cooked up.
“Has it?” The man sounded amused. “We still have a ball in play, Officer Faust.”
“Rheinhardt?” Faust didn’t want to believe it. His captain was an honorable man, one he was proud to be working under. Rheinhardt was a decorated officer who’d advanced to the rank of police captain in a record number of years. The man was respected by all who worked for him and with him. It was inconceivable that he might be a foreign agent.
“No more questions. Good night, Officer. Remember, keep your mouth shut, and your family will remain safe.” The line clicked, going dead.
Faust sat there, shaking. Whether it was fear or rage, he couldn’t fathom. It felt like a mixture of both, and he didn’t like it. Someone had threatened his family. Their safety was his top priority, but he’d also taken an oath to uphold the law and protect the citizens of Germany. He would not take the man’s threat lying down, but first, he needed to get back to the hospital. Arrangements needed to be made to protect Therese around the clock, and Helga would need protection as well. He dialed Joseph’s station asking to be patched through to his patrol car.
“Joseph, it’s Herman. A situation has come up. I need your help.”
For the next ten minutes, the men made plans. Afterwards, Faust collected a change of clothing for Helga, her personal items, and packed them in a bag. He changed clothes, and then armed himself with his sidearm, and two backup handg
uns; one at his back, and the other in his ankle holster. He’d trained for this, but it was the first time he’d carried all three on his person. As he walked out the door, a police cruiser pulled up. Joseph sat inside waiting for him.
“Ready?” he asked, throwing open the passenger door from inside.
Faust stepped in. “Yes, let’s go.”
Chapter Seven
THE PRIVATE HOSPITAL room was more guarded than the Chancellery, Berlin’s answer to the White House and ten times its size. Located in a wing utilized only for government officials and celebrities, it provided the best possible way for Faust to ensure his family’s safety. He did this by calling in a favor.
“Who are these men again, Herman?” Joseph looked at the six brawny bodyguards who arrived on the fifth floor of the hospital. They stood in formation, like soldiers, waiting to be briefed.
“I never did fully explain about Helga’s uncle, did I?” Faust glanced at the men, and smirked. “Anton von Friedrich was a decorated army colonel, a former special operations expert. You know, he threatened me to within an inch of my life not five minutes before I walked out to stand at the altar to await my bride. He said if I, in any way, hurt his niece, he would, and I quote, fuck me up in ways that would make me wish I’d never been born. Then he smiled and kissed my cheeks, congratulating me. I nearly pissed myself.”
“You’re joking!” Heinz raised an eyebrow. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
“Because I was actually a little afraid of the sonofabitch. Anyhow, after Therese was born, old Uncle Anton was so happy to have another child in the family,” Faust paused, and then quickly explained, “he never did have any children of his own, but he was happy for us, and after Therese’s christening, he said if ever I needed anything to call on him. Well, I figured this qualified. Any threat to Helga and Therese will not be tolerated, by myself or Colonel von Friedrich.”
Heinz was stunned. He’d never known this about Helga’s extended family. “These men look like mercenaries.”
“They are.” Faust stepped forward to address them. “Gentlemen, I’m sure the Colonel gave you a rundown on why you’re here?”
One man stepped forward. He had a squared jaw and stood a head taller than Faust. His shoulders filled out his black suit jacket to capacity and then some. The cold expression in his hazel eyes could stop a bullet in its tracks and make it turn tail returning to the gun barrel from whence it fired. “I’m Major Matthias Beck, and these,” he glanced back, “are my men. The Colonel said his niece and grand niece are under threat by a foreign adversary. We’re here to keep them safe. We will lay down our lives if necessary,” Beck’s deep voice boomed.
“I hope that won’t be necessary, Major.” Faust stood with his hands clasped behind his back. “Helga and Therese are in this room.” He pointed behind him. “This is a list of hospital staff cleared to enter to attend to my daughter’s care.” Faust handed the Major a folder containing the names of approved staff ranging from Therese’s new doctor to nurses, and even one orderly. Each person had a background check along with a picture to identify them. “No one else goes in or out except for me and Officer Heinz here.” He looked at Joseph. “I’ve made arrangements for meals to be brought in from the outside. Here’s the vendor, his information and a picture.”
“Isn’t that Jasper from The Hoffbrau?” Heinz asked, recognizing the chef from their favorite restaurant.
“It is.” Faust chuckled. “Helga loves their menu, and Therese isn’t eating right now. The physician has her on TPN intravenously. Until she comes out from under, that’s all she gets, but when they do bring her out, I’ll have Jasper bring in her favorite meal.”
“Currywurst and pomme frites?” Joseph asked.
“You know it.” Faust smiled.
Major Beck looked over the file, and then handed it over to the mercenary behind him. That man was huge with a shaved head and several visible tattoos on his neck. “Find a copy machine at the nurses’ station and make a copy for everyone. No one comes onto this floor except those on the list. If anyone else tries, apprehend them and bring them to me.”
The man nodded, taking the file and walking down the hall, disappearing around the corner. Beck addressed the remaining four. “You two take up post by the elevators. And Voigt and Graf, you two take first shift guarding this door.” He pointed at Therese Faust’s room. “Stein and I will be here across the hall,” he pointed to the empty room opposite, “and we’ll relieve you at 0700. Twelve-hour shifts, gentlemen, until I inform you otherwise. Get to it.” Beck returned his attention to Faust. “I expect you will keep me up to date?”
“Of course. And I’ll have Jasper bring in meals for your men as well.”
“That’s appreciated, thank you. What else can I do to help?”
“I need as much information as possible on Captain Rolf Rheinhardt, both his service information and civilian. I cannot go through usual police channels for this right now. The captain is compromised, and I don’t know how far up this goes,” Faust explained.
Beck nodded. “Understood.”
“I need to know who he knows, who he might be in contact with, and anything at all that might connect him to Edith Meyer Hoffmann, Solomon Hoffmann or Gunter Meyer.”
“On it. I’ll contact you as soon as I find anything.” Beck waited, ever the soldier, even in his current civilian state.
“Oh, sorry. Carry on, Major.” Faust dismissed the man, noticeably unfamiliar with being at the top of any chain of command, and yet, until that moment when he was made aware, fell into the role naturally.
Heinz noticed, but kept the observation to himself. “And now what do you want to do?”
Faust looked him in the eye. “Now, we go to Gunter Meyer’s home, and from there, we’ll search Rheinhardt’s.”
“Without a search warrant?” Heinz was surprised.
“One is dead and the other is missing. We don’t have time for a warrant and notifying a judge for the need would invite too many questions, and possibly alert the one who threatened my family. Until we know what we’re dealing with, we’re on our own, Joseph.”
“What about the Americans?”
“I don’t trust them. They still haven’t even explained why they’re involved.” Faust shook his head. “An act of war, they said. What the hell does this have to do with the American CIA anyhow? Hoffmann came here to Berlin, not to the United States. If an act of war has been committed, it’s against Germany, not the U.S. No,” he chewed the inside of his cheek, “no, Joseph. I don’t trust them at all, and I can’t involve Captain Schneider. There’s no way to know who is watching me, who all the players are. If Captain Rheinhardt is involved, he has information. If he’s not actively complicit, then he may be being used by the Russians which could mean he’s infected, has been infected by them somehow, and if that’s the case, we don’t have a lot of time. Agent Miller said the virus hadn’t fully matured, was still in some sort of incubation period, but once that passes, it will go airborne. We need to find Rheinhardt. I won’t be responsible for more people dying.”
“What will you tell Helga?” Heinz glanced at the door to Therese’s room.
“As little as possible. I have my pager. She can contact me at any time.”
Joseph nodded. “Scheisse. Well then, what are we waiting for? Let’s go break into a few homes.”
Herman led the way. “Indeed.”
THE SMALL HOUSE IN Steglitz sat at the end of a row on a corner lot. A cobblestone street ran along the northern side separating the brick Bavarian-styled cottage from dark green forested area growing wild on land designated as a conservation site. The lane dead-ended a half block down in a turnaround. It was the best point of entry for would-be burglars since there was no one on that side to witness such activity. Faust directed Joseph to part just off the turnaround in the dirt along the shoulder.
“Nice house,” said Heinz. “What did he do again?”
“He was a banker.” Faust checked his sid
earm before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a rolled-up cloth.
“Figures,” he replied. Faust grunted his agreement. Joseph glanced down at the cloth. “What’s in there?”
Herman unrolled the beige cloth revealing small picks of various size, an old credit card, and several keys. “A lock picker’s must-haves.”
“And where the hell did you get those? Are you keeping something from me? A secret life as a cat burglar?”
Faust snorted. “Hardly, but in our line of work, we pick up all kinds of tips from the criminals we arrest.”
“True. The best way to thwart a criminal...”
“Is to learn how to think like a criminal.” Faust finished Joseph’s sentence. “It’s not like I’m going to be moonlighting on my off nights burglarizing homes.”
“Just tonight.” Joseph eyed him.
“Exactly. Just tonight, and to save lives, beginning with my own family’s.” Faust rolled the tools back up and shoved them into his coat pocket. Outside, the wind picked up, scattering light snowflakes on the ground. A front was moving in bringing arctic air and freezing wind chills expected by the morning.
Heinz put his car keys into his own pocket, and stepped out, locking the door. The cold wind whipped his face. He pulled a knit skull cap down onto his head, covering his ears. With his dark overcoat on, no one would see the police uniform beneath. He knew he was supposed to be patrolling, but what his own captain didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. He wasn’t far from his zone and could keep in contact as needed via his police radio. As a precaution, he turned the volume down. The last thing either of them needed was unwanted attention.
The Checkpoint, Berlin Detective Series Box Set Page 77