Incredible, thought Jack. He turned off his iPad and closed his notebook, the staggering implications of what he had just witnessed racing through his head, throbbing with possibilities. The Hoffmeister interview, admittedly a longshot, surpassed all expectations. It had turned into a goldmine of events long past. I owe you, Jana, thought Jack, drifting back to the present.
It was almost dark, and a lot cooler. Kobo stuck his head through the open kitchen window. ‘Dinner’s ready,’ he said. ‘Come inside.’
‘Do you recognise this place?’ asked Jack, after Kobo had cleared away the plates. He turned the screen of his iPad towards Kobo and showed him a close-up of a postcard, front and back. It was the single most important item supporting Hoffmeister’s extraordinary revelations about Sturmbannfuehrer Wolfgang Steinberger and his brother. It was the only piece of tangible evidence corroborating his story. We bought this for thirty grand, thought Jack. It better be worth it.
Kobo looked at the postcard. On the front was a picture of a large, bungalow-like building with wide stone stairs leading up to a sprawling veranda with latticework and an imposing entrance. The building was surrounded by exotic vegetation and a park-like garden. There was a Nairobi address at the bottom. Kobo recognised the building at once. ‘This is Mukuyu Lodge,’ he said, pointing to the screen.
‘What can you tell me about it?’
‘It was very popular during the fifties and early sixties here in Nairobi. Wealthy tourists, mainly from England and America used to stay there before going on safari. It was a kind of exclusive country club for the rich.’
Jack smiled. This was exactly what Hoffmeister had said in the interview about the building on the postcard. ‘Does it still exist?’ Jack asked.
Kobo laughed. ‘Oh no. It was pulled down long ago. We have a supermarket and a car park there today. Progress. I can show you if you like.’
Jack turned to the reverse side of the postcard. It was dated 25th October 1960, and addressed to Hoffmeister in Buenos Aires. The text, written in German, had been translated by Hoffmeister during the interview. It read:
Dear Anton,
I have sad news. Life has taken a dark turn. Erwin was killed by the Mau Mau at the farm last week. We don’t know exactly what happened, but the farm and the clinic have been burnt to the ground. Siegfried is safe and staying with me here in Nairobi. These are troubling times. I don’t know yet what we are going to do, but at least we have the lodge. Siegfried is strong and a great support.
Greta
Jack realised his next question was critical. ‘Does the name Van Der Hooven mean anything to you?’ he asked, watching Kobo carefully.
‘Oh yes. The Van Der Hoovens were a prominent family here in Nairobi before independence. Kenyan nobility, if you like. Big landowners. They owned Mukuyu Lodge and ran safaris for rich tourists for years. Very exclusive.’
Jack’s heart almost missed a beat. Once again, this corroborated what Hoffmeister had said about the Van Der Hoovens in the interview.
‘So, there was Erwin Van Der Hooven, his wife Greta and Siegfried, their son,’ said Jack. ‘Is that right?’
‘I’m afraid I don’t know their names. I only know of the family. Everyone who lived here for some time knows about the Van Der Hoovens. But that’s about all. We didn’t mix in those circles. Africans were merely servants …’
‘I understand. This has been most helpful, Kobo. Thank you. And your cooking is superb, by the way. My turn tomorrow, if you don’t mind. You’ve got some fabulous veggies here. That has given me an idea already …’
After Kobo had gone to bed, Jack sat down at the kitchen table and watched the Hoffmeister video a third time. Now that Hoffmeister’s account regarding Steinberger’s brother had been largely substantiated, Jack was looking at the whole story in a different light. He decided to proceed on the basis that everything Hoffmeister had said was in fact true.
Jack slipped the rubber band off his notebook and carefully went over the notes he had made so far. He had tried to create a loose timeline by organising key events in chronological order:
1. Steinberger, his brother Erwin and Hoffmeister grow up in Berchtesgaden, a mountain village in Bavaria.
2. Erwin, the bright one, is sent to study medicine at Heidelberg.
3. Wolfgang and Hoffmeister join the Hitler Youth, advance rapidly through the ranks and become prominent members of the Nazi Party. Wolfgang joins the Waffen SS and is admitted to the Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler, Hitler’s elite bodyguard.
4. Encouraged by his brother, Erwin also joins the Nazi party. He meets Dr Mengele and later goes to Auschwitz to conduct controversial medical experiments.
5. Erwin meets Göring and becomes his personal physician.
6. Wolfgang and Erwin are both staying at the Ritz in Paris during the scandal of the crystal skull in 1941.
7. Wolfgang has an affair with Dolores Gonzales and covers up the theft of the skull.
8. Dolores falls pregnant by Wolfgang and gives birth to a boy in 1942.
9. Wolfgang and Erwin are ordered back to Berlin and leave Paris in a hurry. Wolfgang takes his son and the crystal skull with him. Mother and son are separated and Dolores never sees either Wolfgang, or her son ever again.
Enter Anton Hoffmeister … thought Jack. He sat back, rubbed his tired eyes and opened another beer. The house was silent except for the dog snoring under the table. So far, most of what Jack had written down was background information already well-known to him from before and gleaned from the information recently provided by Señora Gonzales. However, all of it was relevant and preparing the way for the ultimate question; what happened after the brothers left Paris with the baby?
Jack had carefully jotted down Hoffmeister’s answers to the questions put to him by Jana before she increased her offer:
Question: ‘Did you know that Wolfgang had an illegitimate child, born in France in 1942?’
Answer: ‘Yes.’
Question: ‘Do you know what happened to Dr Steinberger after the war?’
Answer: ‘Erwin left Auschwitz just before the collapse of the Third Reich in 1945 and made his way to Rome with his wife Greta and the boy. Erwin and Greta were a childless couple. Because Wolfgang couldn’t look after the baby, they adopted the boy and brought him up as their own. Wolfgang was already in Rome waiting for them and prepared the way for their escape.’
Question: ‘Did Erwin leave Europe just like his brother?’
Answer: ‘Yes, he did. He stayed in the Vatican with Greta and the boy for almost a year under the protection of Cardinal Brandauer, an old friend, who made this possible by hiding them in a monastery.’
Question: ‘Do you know where they went to live?’
Answer: ‘Yes; Kenya.’
Question: ‘Did Erwin change his name like his brother did, and do you know what name he used in his new life after the war?’
Answer: ‘Wolfgang provided new identities for them all and obtained the necessary papers to back them up. The three of them – Erwin, Greta and the boy – travelled as a family under the name Van Der Hooven.’
Question: ‘Do you know what Erwin did in Kenya?’
Answer: ‘He bought a farm not far from Nairobi and established a clinic there to treat sick natives. However, this was only a cover. The real purpose of the clinic was to conduct lucrative medical experiments for certain Swiss pharmaceutical companies. He was testing new drugs and surgical procedures on patients without their knowledge or consent. Much the same as Auschwitz. His brother, Wolfgang, helped him set up the clinic and financed the venture. Apparently, it was very profitable.’
Question: ‘Do you know anything about an exotic Aztec artefact, a rare crystal skull?’
Answer: ‘Yes. Wolfgang had it with him in Rome. He showed it to us many times. It was quite extraordinary. He said it belonged to the boy and should be given to him one day. He gave it to his brother to take with him into his new life.’
Question: ‘Do you know what happen
ed to the boy?’
Answer: ‘Only vaguely. Apparently, he disappeared suddenly, not long after his father was killed. There were rumours that he too had been killed by the Mau Mau like his father. There were also rumours that he survived and was somewhere in hiding. No one was sure. Unfortunately, this was all too much for Greta. She died soon after. Some said of a broken heart, others that she took her own life. After that, there was no more contact.’
Early the next morning, Kobo found Jack asleep at the kitchen table, slumped over his iPad and his open notebook, with the dog snoring at his feet.
69
Alexandra was an early riser, but not quite as early as Jana and Carrington. Despite having returned from Buenos Aires only the night before, Jana was already in the kitchen squeezing oranges and Carrington had gone on his morning run in the Botanic Gardens just below the apartment block.
‘I just had a strange phone call from Jack in Kenya,’ said Alexandra, walking into the kitchen.
Jana handed her a glass of orange juice. ‘Oh? What about?’
‘The connection was really bad, but he said that Lola was on her way here with Tristan. The plane had just taken off and would arrive later today.’
Jana looked at Alexandra, surprised. ‘He isn’t coming?’
‘Apparently not.’
‘How odd. Did he say why?’
‘He only said that it was very important and that Lola would explain everything. Something about life and death, and apparently it somehow involves my work. That was it. He also said to tell you that Dr Rosen sends her regards.’
‘Dr Rosen? Now, that is interesting …’ said Jana. Another blast from the past, she thought. First Hoffmeister, and now this. The Steinberger brothers and the Nazi past? What’s going on here? Jana shrugged. ‘But then, we shouldn’t be surprised. It’s classic Jack,’ she said. ‘You never know what he’s up to, and he likes drama and suspense.’
‘He’s quite a guy, isn’t he?’ said Alexandra.
‘He sure is unique.’
‘Like an incorrigible—’
‘Rascal. Yes, that’s it,’ interjected Jana, laughing.
‘What exactly is an incorrigible rascal?’ asked Alexandra.
‘A likeable rogue set in his ways, who knows he’s a rogue and doesn’t care. Does that make sense?’
‘Sounds just like Jack.’
‘Well then, there you have it. More juice?’
‘Don’t mind if I do. Thanks.’
Pegasus landed just after nine o’clock in the evening. Lola rang Alexandra from the airport and told her she was on her way. An hour later, she walked through the door of Jack’s apartment with an excited Tristan by her side.
‘A little different from our last meeting,’ said Alexandra, ‘but still surrounded by mystery. Last time you took Jack with you; this time you return without him.’
‘A lot has happened since we last met,’ said Lola, turning serious.
‘You must tell us all about it,’ said Carrington. ‘Drink?’
‘Thanks. Make it a stiff one, please.’
‘I flew the plane, almost all the way here,’ interjected Tristan excitedly.
‘You did what?’ said Jana.
‘I flew Pegasus. Tell them, Lola.’
Alexandra shot Lola a disapproving look. ‘Is that true?’ she said.
‘I’m afraid so. Tristan’s a natural. He can actually fly the plane. Well, almost. With a little help from his friends in the cockpit.’
‘Katerina will have a fit,’ said Alexandra, shaking her head.
‘We don’t have to tell her. Please, Alexandra,’ pleaded Tristan. ‘This is secret aviator business. She doesn’t even know we are here …’
Jack needs his head read, thought Alexandra. ‘When I left France a short while ago, I was wishing for some excitement in my life,’ she said. ‘Be careful what you wish for, is all I can say!’
A couple of drinks later, Lola began to relax. She told them what had happened since they parted company at the Kuragin Chateau after that fateful phone call from Mexico. She told them about Isis’ illness and the sea voyage to Boston, and explained how the clues and the twisted trail Jack was following had taken him to Kenya.
‘My head’s spinning,’ said Alexandra. ‘I’m confused.’
‘Not surprising. It’s all rather complicated,’ conceded Lola. ‘So much is going on here and only Jack knows all the facts and the bigger picture. I really think it would be better if you could wait a while. You should really hear this from him, not me. I only know bits.’
Suddenly, Lola looked quite exhausted. Overcome by fatigue, she sank back into her chair and for a while didn’t say anything. Her eyes were almost closed.
‘Makes sense,’ said Carrington quietly, breaking the silence. ‘But you still haven’t told us why you’ve come here so suddenly.’
‘A matter of life and death, I think you said, somehow involving my work?’ interjected Alexandra. ‘Remember?’
‘Two reasons. Both involve life and death, in a way. The first has do to with this,’ said Lola. She reached into her handbag, carefully pulled out a small plastic container and an envelope, and placed both items on the table in front of her. ‘It’s precious. According to Dr Rosen, a lot of suffering – even death – has gone into this. She wants to make sure it wasn’t all in vain.’
‘I don’t understand,’ said Alexandra, looking perplexed. ‘What is it?’
‘Some kind of experimental cancer drug, trialled illegally in a death camp in Somalia by a ruthless drug company,’ said Lola, and pushed the container towards Alexandra. ‘It’s a long story. Jack and Dr Rosen discovered it accidentally. They were almost killed …’
‘I still don’t understand,’ said Alexandra. ‘What has all this to do with me?’
‘It’s all in here,’ said Lola. She reached for the envelope on the table and handed it to Alexandra. ‘A letter from Jack to you. I’m sure he’ll do a much better job explaining it all than I. Once again, I’m only the messenger,’ said Lola, a wry smile creasing her weary face.
‘You said there were two things …’ said Carrington, who had followed the exchange with interest.
‘The second matter concerns Isis. Her operation in Boston isn’t a cure. At best, it will only buy her a little more time,’ said Lola close to tears. ‘The tumour will return, unless—’
‘Unless what?’ interrupted Alexandra.
‘Isis needs your help.’
‘My help? In what way?’
‘Professor K’s work …’
‘Now you’ve really lost me,’ said Alexandra, shaking her head.
‘Please read the letter.’
‘Why don’t we continue this conversation in the morning?’ said Carrington. ‘Lola and Tristan must be exhausted. They’ve just flown halfway around the world to see us and deliver this.’
Lola looked at Carrington gratefully. ‘I think that’s a great idea,’ she said, and got up.
‘How long are you staying?’ asked Jana.
‘Not long. We were planning to return to Kenya as soon as possible to pick up Jack and Dr Rosen. Jack called me just before we landed. He sounded concerned. They have to get out of Nairobi, quickly …’
‘Did he say why?’ asked Jana.
Lola pointed to the container on the table. ‘It’s all to do with this,’ she said.
Alexandra put her arm around Lola. ‘Come,’ she said. ‘Let me show you to your room. Tristan can sleep here on the couch. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.’
Alexandra went to her room, closed the door and opened Jack’s letter, his bold, familiar, handwriting bringing a smile to her face. For a while she looked thoughtfully at the little glass bottle she had taken out of the plastic container, and then began to read.
Dear Alexandra
I don’t quite know where to begin. So much has happened to both of us since Lola burst into our apartment in Sydney and I followed her to Mexico. However, strange as it may seem, all of it is someh
ow connected. I almost feel like a puppet on a string, manipulated by fate and compelled to play a part in a drama I cannot quite work out – yet. I recognise some of the other actors and parts of the plot seem familiar, but that’s about all – for now.
Certain events of long ago, which I thought had been well and truly put to rest, have re-entered my life in unexpected ways and are closing in from all sides. There is a strange feeling of inevitability hanging over all of it, and I’m being swept along by what I can only describe as destiny … I’m not explaining this very well, am I? It’s all a little too complicated at the moment and some of the pieces of the puzzle are still missing. So, instead of telling you more, I will focus on the most pressing matter that has brought Lola to you. She has very generously agreed to undertake this long journey for one reason only: to do the right thing and help the one she loves most; Isis.
Dr Rosen and I have accidentally uncovered what we believe to be a monstrous wrong that has caused unimaginable suffering to countless souls here in war-torn Somalia. To make sure that the world learns of this and the suffering hasn’t been in vain, we need your help. But there is more, a lot more.
When you hear who appears to be behind it all, and where, and how it all began, you will refuse to believe what I am telling you and dismiss it all as fanciful speculation. I too have struggled to accept what I discovered, but the facts speak for themselves and cannot be ignored …
Alexandra had to read the letter several times to make sense of it. She was desperately trying to piece together the often confusing snippets of information Jack had hurriedly crammed into the pages, to understand what he was trying to tell her.
Jumping from topic to topic – often without explanation – Jack took Alexandra on a breathtaking rollercoaster ride. He referred to Auschwitz and the horrible medical experiments. He mentioned Professor K’s father and a Dr Steinberger, who ended up in Africa after the war, and suggested that she should look at the Hoffmeister video Jana had brought back from Buenos Aires. He called it a ‘missile from the past, ready to explode and change the present.’
The Hidden Genes of Professor K: A Medical Mystery Thriller (Jack Rogan Mysteries Book 3) Page 35
