‘My friends.’ Jane replied. ‘They promised they would rescue me.’
‘Do you have a name for your friend?’ Frederick asked.
Jane shook her head.
‘She’s like this most days.’ Mrs Lamb said. ‘Completely delusional.’
‘According to our report other voices have been heard coming from her room.’ Frederick pointed out.
‘A deception I can assure you gentlemen.’ A voice said from the doorway. Frederick and Cones turned to see a man in a doctor’s coat. ‘She is able to invent characters and put on a voice to create the illusion that she is talking to someone else.’ Jane curled up into a ball as soon as the man entered.
‘May I present our resident doctor, Richard Merkel.’ Mrs Lamb introduced.
Merkel walked up to Jane. ‘And how are we today Jane?’ He asked smiling at her.
Jane deliberately went out of her way to avoid eye contact.
Merkel looked at Frederick. ‘As you can see gentlemen she has a classic case of depression. A common trait amongst teenagers.’
‘Where are you from doc?’ Cones asked noting Merkel’s European accent.
‘Vienna.’ Merkel answered abruptly.
‘How long have you worked at this orphanage.’ Frederick asked.
‘I don’t see how this is relevant questioning considering you are up here regarding this subject.’ Merkel indicated to Jane.
‘Subject!’ Frederick said. ‘You realise that the children here are human beings don’t you doctor.’
‘When you work in a place like this Professor Frederick you learn to detach from any emotional bond you may form with these children.’
‘Really!’
Merkel nodded. ‘It helps me to do my job more efficiently.’ ‘And exactly what is your job here doctor?’ Cones asked.
‘My job is to look after the health of these children and help them to thrive.’
‘I’m sorry doctor but I don’t see how locking these children up all day long is helping them thrive.’ Frederick said. ‘This doesn’t look like your typical orphanage to me.’
There was a short pause before Merkel answered. ‘I’m sure Mrs Lamb has explained that the children here have suffered some kind of emotional trauma. I am here to oversee their treatment.’
‘Treatment?’ Frederick said.
Merkel took a deep breath. ‘Professor Frederick when I was told the ministry of health would be sending specialists I was not expecting the third degree.’
‘There’s no need to show hostility doc we’re all on the same side here.’ Cones said.
‘Are we?’ Merkel replied glaring back at the American.
‘Our job was to interview the patient but she seems unwilling to speak and I noticed since you entered the room she seems afraid of you.’ Frederick mentioned.
‘I think Professor you and your colleague should leave.’
‘We’ll report our findings back to the ministry.’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘I beg your pardon!’ Frederick said.
‘I telephoned the ministry this morning, they said that they had not sent anyone, which leaves the question of who you are.’
‘Are you journalists?’ Mrs Lamb asked.
‘No.’ Frederick said.
‘Then who exactly are you?’ Merkel demanded to know.
‘I’m afraid we cannot divulge that information at this moment.’ Cones answered.
‘Then in that case you can leave my hospital.’ Merkel ordered.
‘Hospital?’ Frederick said. ‘I thought this was a children’s home.’
‘They are coming!’ The young girl cried out without warning. The group looked towards Jane.
‘Who is coming?’ Frederick asked.
‘Them.’ Jane answered pointing at the ceiling.
‘I suggest you leave now or I will be forced to call the police.’ Mrs Lamb warned.
A few minutes later Frederick and Cones found themselves standing outside the orphanage’s main entrance. Two burly looking staff stood at the door glaring at them.
‘Looks like we won’t be getting back in there anytime soon.’ Cones sighed.
Frederick started to walk back to the car.
‘You giving up Professor!?’ Cones shouted after him.
‘I need to look for a telephone.’ Frederick replied.
Chapter 75
The Huntsman Inn – Warwickshire – 1:23pm
Frederick and Cones had found a place to eat and had booked two rooms for the night. Frederick had spent quite a bit of time talking to Dr Henry Forbes who had managed to make a few enquiries about Richard Merkel.
‘I can assure you Ralph this Merkel is not from Vienna.’
‘I’d say he’s German judging from his accent.’ Frederick answered.
‘Yes, and still on the wanted list. Apparently he was nicknamed the travelling doctor during the war. He’d go from death camp to death camp carrying out trials of different drugs.’
‘And now he’s running an orphanage in middle England.’
‘After you phoned earlier I contacted the ministry of health. They stonewalled me when I mentioned Merkel.’
‘You think that someone high up at the ministry knows about Merkel’s background?’ Frederick asked.
‘Probably and they are determined to keep him a secret.’
‘Why would the ministry of health employ a former concentration camp doctor?’
‘That’s a question I have been asking myself since the war Ralph.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Merkel is just one of many former Nazi physicians to have escaped the hangman’s noose at Nuremberg. I know for a fact that quite a few have moved to America I had a telephone call with a wartime colleague last week who works in New York. He told me that a former Nazi doctor is now one of New York’s top minds.’
‘Most of the children at that orphanage were orphaned during the war.’
Forbes nodded. ‘Unclaimed by relatives, I’m afraid there are more than a few places like that around.’
‘Which makes it a perfect opportunity for the likes of Merkel to carry out research on these children without fear of being discovered.’ Frederick added.
‘You kicked over a real ants nest here Ralph, I’d watch how you proceed.’
‘I’d like to know how Majestic came across this case.’ Frederick said.
‘If I was you I’d ask your partner in crime. He’s been assigned by this Majestic group to keep an eye on you.’
‘I’ve worked with Agent Cones for several months now, he doesn’t strike me as loyal, bit of a maverick.’ Frederick said.
‘Nevertheless he may know something Ralph.’ Forbes said his goodbyes before hanging up. Frederick returned to the bar.
‘Any luck Professor?’ Cones asked.
‘According to my source Doctor Merkel is a former Nazi doctor.’
‘Why doesn’t that surprise me?’
‘Do you know how Majestic came across this case file?’
Cones shook his head. ‘I know about as much as you do Professor. You know what Majestic is like they do whatever they please.’ Cones thought for a moment. ‘This Doctor Merkel could be part of operation paperclip.’
‘I thought all Nazi scientists were shipped to the US.’ Frederick said.
Cones took a deep breath. ‘The answers we are looking for Professor are inside that orphanage and it doesn’t look like we’re going to get back in there anytime soon.’
Frederick pondered Cones’ words then broke out into a smile. ‘I might have an idea which may gain us access to that orphanage.’
‘I’m all ears.’
‘We call the press.’
‘You want to run that by me again Professor.’
‘Think about it, this man is a former concentration camp doctor. The last this he is going to want is the press asking questions.’
‘And that’s the last thing Majestic is going to want. You risk pissing off Jacob Barnes.�
��
Frederick took a deep breath. ‘There a man in that orphanage who is running experiments on those children. I don’t think even Barnes would want to be connected to something like that.’
‘So which paper did you have in mind?’
Chapter 76
Warwickshire – 1:13pm
Friday 27th July 1955
George Rayman listened as Frederick relayed his account of the last few days. He had arrived at the Huntsman Inn before driving out to the orphanage. Rayman looked at Frederick. ‘You’ve a knack for turning up in all kinds of places Professor. The press is familiar with your exploits. I don’t suppose you would care to tell me what happened to Jessica Price in London. There’s been no trace of her since you showed up at her house. And her father has since been hanged for the murder of Jessica’s mother. Or perhaps you would care to explain the disappearance of British United Airlines 632. The Authorities say that it was a tragic accident that the plane lost altitude due to decompression, yet no wreckage has been found.’
‘I cannot divulge any information about the girl or what happened to flight 632. I have sworn an oath of secrecy to Her Majesty’s government.’
Rayman turned. ‘It’s been a pleasure.’
‘Wait!’ Frederick called out. ‘Mr Rayman don’t you want to know what’s going on here?’
Rayman looked at the Victorian building. ‘How do I know you’re not stringing me along?’
‘Because Mr Rayman we wouldn’t drag you all the way from London just to play some practical joke. The London Evening examiner has been nipping at my heels for a story. I’m handing you this one on a plate. There’s a former Nazi concentration camp doctor in there experimenting on children. This kind of story will get you recognised by every major newspaper.’
Rayman took a deep breath before eventually nodding. ‘Ok gentlemen lead the way.’
Flanked by two orderlies Mrs Lamb glared over her turtle shell spectacles at the three visitors. ‘I thought Doctor Merkel had made it quite clear that you two gentlemen were not to come back.’
‘He did indeed.’ Frederick pointed out before looking at Rayman. ‘This is Mr George Rayman a journalist from the London Evening Examiner, we telephoned him yesterday concerning the conditions that the children and this so called orphanage are kept in. We have also received information about Dr Merkel’s questionable past.’
Mrs Lamb pursed her lips. ‘Questionable past.’
‘Yes, I don’t know whether you are aware of this but Dr Merkel is a former Nazi doctor.’
Mrs Lamb stood rooted to the spot, her eyes widened.
‘But you did know this didn’t you.’ Frederick said.
The woman took a deep breath before turning and disappearing back into the building. A few minutes later Frederick, Cones and Rayman found themselves seated in Dr Merkel’s office.
‘Exactly what do you want from me?’ Merkel growled.
‘We would like to know what you are doing at this orphanage for a start.’ Frederick asked.
‘And why would I divulge such information?’
Frederick indicated to Rayman. ‘Because Mr Rayman will write a full exclusive regarding the conditions the children at the orphanage are kept under. It’s more like a prison.’
‘I thought I had explained yesterday Professor Frederick that these children are disturbed.’
‘So you keep them locked up like lab rats.’ Cones said.
Rayman scribbled vigorously hanging on to every word.
‘We’ve done a little digging into your background doctor, it seems that you were a doctor during the war in Nazi Germany.’
Merkel’s eyes widened at Frederick’s words, he shifted in his chair and fidgeted. ‘I was a doctor yes.’
‘Known as the travelling doctor.’
‘That was a long time ago, since then I have come to regret my actions.’
‘It was ten years ago doctor.’ Cones said.
‘I will ask you what I asked yesterday, what is your role here doctor?’ Frederick said with a demanding tone.
‘My role here is to monitor the children, to make sure they thrive.’
‘And yet you keep them behind locked doors.’
The door to the office suddenly opened and four men stepped in through the door. Norman Hinshelwood glared at Frederick.
Frederick got to his feet and looked at the group of men before glaring at Merkel. ‘What’s going on here?’
‘I’ll tell you what’s going on Professor.’ Hinshelwood remarked. ‘You’re being detained until further notice.’
‘What!’ Cones exclaimed.
Frederick pointed at Merkel. ‘Do you know who this man is?’
Hinshelwood nodded. ‘Yes Doctor Merkel is a very well respected physician.’
‘You are joking aren’t you Norman!’ Frederick said with a rising voice. ‘This man is a former Nazi doctor.’
Hinshelwood took a deep breath. ‘Professor Frederick I thought I had made myself clear several weeks ago. You’re constant meddling in other people’s affairs will cost you your position at Cambridge. Since your reputation is already in tatters I will once again remind you that your position at the University hangs by a thread. If I were you I would consider all the hard work you have put into your career.’
‘You cannot let this man do whatever he wants!’ Frederick shouted. ‘He should have been tried with the rest of those bastards at Nuremberg then strung up.’
None of what Frederick said seemed to phase Hinshelwood.
‘You cannot detain us we’ve done nothing wrong.’ Rayman protested.
Hinshelwood glared at him. ‘And who might you be?’
‘George Rayman, I work for the London Evening Examiner. I am currently assisting Professor Frederick and Mr Cones in an investigation into this man’s past.’ Rayman pointed at Merkel. ‘A past I can assure you that will soon be plastered all over the front pages of the Examiner.’
Hinshelwood glared at Frederick. ‘I suggest Professor you make better choices concerning your associates. I would have thought the warning I gave you would have made you think about pursuing the more bizarre aspects of science.’
‘I can assure you Mr Hinshelwood this is anything but bizarre. This man is a wanted Nazi war criminal and you are letting him continue with his experiments. Does the Royal Society know about this?’
Hinshelwood ignored Frederick’s words. He glanced at the three men who had accompanied him. ‘Take them to a more secure location. We’ll hold them there for a few hours and let them consider their positions before releasing them.’
‘You won’t get away with this Norman.’ Frederick shouted. ‘I will tell every senior member of the Royal Society that you’re harbouring a Nazi war criminal.’
Hinshelwood grinned. ‘Who do you think gave him safe passage to this country in the first place?’
‘As I have explained before Professor.’ Merkel gloated. ‘I am far too important to lock away. I do the work people like you are too afraid to do.’
‘It’s not about fear Doctor, it’s about having a moral compass.’ Frederick glared at Hinshelwood. ‘Which some of you appear to be lacking.’
Frederick, Cones and Rayman were herded out of Merkel’s office.
Chapter 77
3:23pm
A key turned in the lock and Dr Merkel stepped in. He looked at Frederick and sat down on the bed next to him. ‘You and your colleagues will be held overnight. You will be allowed to leave tomorrow.’
‘By which time you will be long gone.’ Frederick said.
Merkel took a deep breath. ‘You don’t realise the damage you have caused Professor.’
‘I have caused!’ Frederick raised his voice. ‘What about the damage you are doing to these children doctor?’
‘The research we do here is vital and will have repercussions for generations to come.’
‘It doesn’t matter how much you justify your so called research doctor it won’t wipe away the stain of who you really ar
e.’
Merkel ignored Frederick. ‘Imagine a world without pain Professor. A world where medicine has eradicated all disease. A world where medical science has advanced so much it will be possible to extend the lifespan of a human being by decades even hundreds of years. One day it will be possible to replace body parts and even organs so that people can live longer lives. New drugs will make it possible to enhance the human condition making an individual more resilient to disease. We may even find a cure for ageing.’
‘Inspiring speech doctor were you saving that for Nuremberg?’
‘You and I are both scientists we both know that science is the key to moving forward. To advancing mankind’s understanding of the world around him.’
‘Most of us doctor understand that even science has ethics and as scientists we know that there are lines that can never be crossed.’
‘That is when science will fail, what we achieved during the war will have implications for generations to come.’
‘The only thing that the Nazis achieved during the war was genocide.’
‘If that is so then would I truly be standing here. Tell me Professor how many men were tried at Nuremberg? Hitler had tens of millions of supporters and thousands of men and women who helped finance him. Yet just a mere handful were put on trial, why?’
Frederick was at a loss for words.
‘I’ll tell you why, because the work that the German scientific community carried out was too important to be dismissed as butchery. The British, the Americans and the Russians were locked in a race to obtain as much information as possible. Project Paperclip sole purpose was to obtain as many scientists as possible, but Operation Surgeon was to obtain all information relating to work carried out by our scientists during the war.’
‘You will never be able to justify your actions to me doctor.’ Frederick said.
Merkel nodded. ‘True, but there are others in the scientific community who are more open minded.’
Frederick smiled at Merkel as memories of the last three years flooded his mind. ‘Believe me when I say this Dr Merkel mind is wide open.’
Two men entered the room and walked towards Frederick.
The Angel Conspiracy (The Angel Cronicles Book 2) Page 19
