A soviet made revolver and flag filled the box. “My God, they want me to kill the British Prime Minister and make it look like communists did it.”
He closed the lid on the box. “Think, Jacob, think. You never shot a pistol before. It would be feasible to miss.”
After some thoughts ran through his mind, “Maybe they want me to miss. Or perhaps they want me to be captured.”
Jacob paced the floor back and forth. He watched the clock, not sure what to do. The words of Prescott Bush played over in his mind, “Your name will be in the next mission.”
“That was a threat. A direct threat.” He paced some more before deciding to go home. If I do not leave for Germany, they are not providing me any help. Therefore there is no need to return any favors.
Jacob grabbed his suitcase and packed his toiletries. The phone rang, and he froze.
The phone continued to ring, but he hesitated to answer. He cleared his throat, “Yes?”
A raspy voice asked, “Did you understand your instructions, Herr Geiger?”
“Yes.”
“And you have found all the necessary tools to complete your task?”
Jacob pleaded, “You have the wrong man. I have never even held one of those things before. I cannot do this. I'm sorry, I am going home.”
A gunshot fired on the other end of the line, piercing Jacob's ear.
“Do this or you won't make it home. Neither will any of your family. We know where they all live on both sides of the ocean, Herr Geiger.”
“Please, don't do this.”
“You must do this. It is for the good of the Fatherland. Heil Hitler.” Then the line went dead.
Jacob paced some more while glancing at his watch. It was almost four. He needed to think.
“This might be why Hedwig is staying with the colonel. They won't release her until I do this. I have to do this. Have to.” Jacob muttered to himself.
He dressed in the waiter pants and shirt but placed the folded uniform jacket and gloves into a bag with the gun and Soviet flag. The Waldorf-Astoria was a few blocks from his own hotel so no transportation was needed.
Jacob approached the hotel and observed the fanfare surrounding the building. Police and crowds gathered as the Prime Minister arrived in a motorcade.
Jacob's respiration increased, and his veins soon throbbed in every section of his body. His heart pounded so loudly, he feared someone else could hear it. He wiped the perspiration from his forehead as he tried to build the courage to complete his task.
Jacob pulled out his map of the exits and studied it. Once he memorized the map, he tore up the paper and tossed it in the nearest trash bin. “Okay, Jacob. You can do this for the family.”
The oldest brother of the siblings pulled the waiter jacket out of the bag. He then tucked the gun and flag down the back of his pants and covered them with the jacket. Slowly he walked down an alley toward the service entrance when a guard stopped him.
“You there. What are you doing? You need to produce identification.”
A door from the side of the hotel opened and a man shouted out, “Come on. Hurry up. We don't have all day.”
The guard shouted back, “Wait, he needs to be approved.”
The man in the door retorted, “I approve him, how is that? We have 200 people waiting for their dinner and you want formalities?”
The guard yelled back, “And who the hell are you?”
The man left the doorway and approached the guard. Before Jacob realized it, the man pulled a knife from his sleeve and cut the guard's throat. The dead guard fell to the ground.
“Are you going to just stand there or are you going to help me?” The man commanded Jacob, “Grab his feet. Be careful not to get blood on you. We can put him behind that dumpster.”
Jacob froze.
“I wasn't asking. So here is your choice: Help me or wind up behind the dumpster with him.”
Jacob grabbed the guard's feet and did as he was told. He stood looking at the dead guard while the other man headed for the door.
The man looked at Jacob and said, “Come on now, do what you are supposed to do.”
Jacob quickly entered the door. Thousands of thoughts raced through his head as he entered.
Another man handed Jacob a tray, “Here, you are going to serve the first three tables. Do what comes naturally.” The man winked and Jacob knew. He knew he was being watched by many. And possibly being set up to take the fall.
Jacob did his best to mimic a professional server. He held the tray with one hand while passing out glasses of champagne. He lost his nerve and returned to the kitchen.
The man from the doorway drew near. “Is there a problem, sir?”
Jacob tried to catch his breath. “I'm sorry, I am no good at this. This is not for me. You are good at this, though. I saw you outside. Can you not do this?”
The man got close to Jacob's face, “Even I must do things I do not enjoy. But I promise you, I will do them. Unless I am given a reason not to. Now get out there and do as you were told.”
This time Jacob had a plan. As he rounded the tables, he passed out more drinks. His tray was empty when he reached the Prime Minister. Jacob threw the empty tray across the room, creating a loud crash.
As all heads turned toward the noise, Jacob pulled the gun out and shot his target in the back of the head. The gun and flag fell to the floor as he pushed through the crowd that gathered.
He started screaming, “Help. We need a doctor. Help. The Prime Minister needs a doctor.” No one looked at him, all were focused on the scene of the crime. As he ran out the side exit of the kitchen, he flung the jacket and gloves onto the ground and ran.
Chapter 26
The captain entered the interrogation room to find Edmund seated. Gustav followed closely behind him.
Edmund stood at attention, “Heil Hitler.”
“Heil Hitler. You may sit.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Edmund got comfortable in his chair.
“Tell me of your relationship with Lieutenant Reinhard.”
“He was my instructor at the youth camp, sir.”
“What interaction did you have with him outside of camp?” the captain inquired.
“He visited my house a few times to speak with my sister.”
“Geiger, when did Lieutenant Reinhard and your sister first meet?” The captain squinted as he analyzed Edmund face.
“During my first weekend of leave from the camp, sir. I would say approximately six months ago.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes sir. He came to our house the morning I returned to camp. I introduced him to Hedwig, but she had been very ill. He sent me back to camp and called a doctor for my sister.”
“This doctor is the father of Lieutenant Gottlieb?”
Edmund was unsure, “He called after I left, sir.”
The captain nodded his head. “What can you tell me of the relationship between your sister and Lieutenant Reinhard?”
Edmund thought, “The first time I remember them going out, Lieutenant Gottlieb and our family friend went with them. They went out dancing, sir.”
The captain watched Edmund carefully. “Do you remember your sister saying anything about Lieutenant Reinhard that night?”
Edmund shifted in his chair, unsure how to word his answer. He did not want to lie, but he did not want to endanger Hedwig either. “Captain, she said she wanted to continue socializing with him and planned something special for him. At one point she asked if Lieutenant Gottlieb was a good man.”
“Do you know what she meant by special plan?”
Gustav threw his arms up and interrupted, “She brought him a picnic to work that Monday. Are these questions necessary? The boy was at school with me and Johann more than at home.”
The captain got up from the chair and stood nose to nose with Gustav. “I will not warn you again. Any question I ask is indeed necessary. One more outburst and I shall lock you in a cell—or w
orse.”
“Yes, captain. I apologize. Lieutenant Reinhard was my good friend. He was like my brother, and he cared for these people as he did family.”
The captain gritted his teeth, “We are all family here. You would do best to remember that. Family has nothing to hide from family.”
The captain returned his attention to Edmund and sat. “Isn't that right, Geiger?”
“The Fuehrer is my father, sir. The Nazi Party is my family.”
The captain raised an eyebrow and said to Gustav, “At least you train the students to behave better than the example you display for them.”
“Edmund, did Lieutenant Reinhard ever discuss your sister with you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What did he say?”
“After they went dancing, he asked me for a report of her.”
The captain shot a smug look at Gustav. “A report? What was her infraction?”
The room got tense. Gustav could not remember Johann mentioning this.
Edmund scrunched his nose, “She was not guilty of any infraction, sir. He asked me what kinds of things she liked, and if she spoke positively of him.”
Gustav burst into laughter.
“Silence.” yelled the captain as he pounded on the desk.
“Edmund. This is really important for you to think. I received a report about you talking to your sister at Lieutenant Reinhard's funeral. What did you say?”
“I do not remember, sir. We had not seen each other in some time. She told me he proposed and they were to be married. Colonel Reinhard and his wife asked me to come stay with them.”
“What else?”
Edmund twisted his mouth, “She asked me about school. Then Frau Reinhard asked the colonel if I could take some time off from school to be with Hedwig.”
“What did you say about death?”
“Sir, it was a funeral? The whole day was about death.”
Gustav laughed again.
Pounding his fist on the table, the captain stood, “I am losing my patience, boy. Someone overheard you say that your sister killed him and she was just like them. Your silly sister wants me to think this is about a goldfish dying.”
Edmund began searching his mind. A goldfish? We never had a goldfish. She killed him, and she was just like them.... a goldfish?
“Do you deny saying those words?”
“No, sir.”
“Were you referring to a goldfish?”
Gustav nodded his head slightly while standing behind the captain.
Edmund still searched his mind for the answer.
The captain slowly issued the next demand, “For the last time, what did you mean by those words?”
Edmund excitedly yelled out, “She killed him. She killed him. She was just like them.”
The captain broke his pencil in frustration.
“What does it mean?” he screamed an inch from the boy's face.
“She killed my goldfish. She was just like my brother when he murdered the fish. When we went fishing, Jacob used to murder the fish, but Papa threw them back.”
Gustav broke out into uncontrollable laughter. “Captain, I would gladly sign your full report of these witnesses' statements so you can forward it onto the general. I am sure it will please him how you exhausted every possible avenue in this investigation.”
The captain headed to the door but stopped at Gustav. “This is not over. Remember, your Fraulein could be involved in this as well. Or perhaps yourself.”
“I admit it, I kill fish. I give up.” he continued laughing as the door slammed.
Gustav sat at the table, “You were great. I'm going to talk to your sister now. Hopefully I can get you out of here soon. Do not speak to anyone else. From now on say you don't know or that the officer is scaring you.”
Chapter 27
Jacob returned to his hotel. He was careful so that no one followed him. His body pumped with adrenaline. All of his senses seemed to be sharpened.
When he entered his room, he leaned against the door. He bent forward grabbing his knees, trying to catch his breath. “What have I done? What have I done?”
The phone rang. He stared at it for a moment.
“Mission complete, Herr Geiger. Mission complete. Your travel papers are waiting at the hotel's front desk. Well done. If you ever need our services again in the future, please feel free to call.” CLICK.
Jacob did not sleep that night. He tossed and turned wondering if anyone could identify him. He hoped and prayed he would make it to the ship without incident.
The next morning, he slinked the lobby desk to check out. Nervously, he looked around at everyone. Finally he realized he was the only one vaguely suspicious. He calmed down.
The clerk at the desk finalized his paperwork then handed him his envelope containing his travel tickets. “You do not want to forget these, Herr Geiger. Travel arrangements can be quite expensive these days.” The man gave him a wink.
Only half of Jacob's mouth moved when he said, “Yes, indeed. Thank you.”
Jacob raced to the ship, hoping to feel more secure once he set sail. As he looked through the crowd, every face seemed to be staring at him.
Did that guy just wink? Is he one of them? I'm going crazy, he thought.
He boarded the ship and trotted to his cabin. The entire way he expected someone to grab his shoulder. But no one did.
Waking in a sweat with his pulse racing, he scanned the room. He could not remember his dream but knew he was living a nightmare.
Chapter 28
The captain entered the interrogation room Hedwig still occupied. Without saying a word, he sat across the table from her and opened some folders. She crossed her arms, unsure what had transpired since he left the room.
“Frau Schultz, you stated you met Lieutenant Reinhard on the day you were ill. That was six months after your husband's execution by Reinhard's hand. Correct?”
Hedwig scoffed, “You say Johann killed Fritz, but I don't believe it. I was there, and it was not him. Your papers are a bunch of lies.”
“So you deny spending time with Lieutenant Reinhard on the day of Herr Schultz's death?”
“Yes. I emphatically deny it.”
The captain examined her face. “Would you also deny having known Lieutenant Reinhard before that incident with your husband?”
Hedwig distorted her face in annoyance. “Are you listening to yourself? How could I know him before I met him?”
“What I am asking Frau Schultz is if you and Lieutenant Reinhard conspired to killed your husband, because you were having an adulterous relationship.”
Hedwig stood, “Are you insane? I am a citizen of good standing and a member of the Nazi Party. I am grieving the loss of my fiance who was an honorable member of the SS. The SS found him so desirable they placed him in charge of shaping the youth of our society. And you have the audacity to smear his name in front of me? Not to mention attempting to implicate me in a murder? Who is your superior? I want the name again.”
That sounded pretty good, I'm proud of myself, Hedwig thought.
The captain stood again, and met her eyes. “Feign all the outrage you want, Frau Schultz. I will get to the bottom of this. I will get to the truth.”
“I told you the truth. That is the bottom.”
His hand flew across her face, and she flung against the wall.
“I am growing very tired of these games, Frau Schultz. Very tired.”
He left the room.
Gustav entered to find her mouth bleeding as she stumbled for the chair. “Let me see? Are your teeth okay? Did he hurt you in any other way?”
“No. That man is laughable.”
Gustav muttered to himself, “Yes, agreed.” He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed her lip. “What did he say, Hedwig?”
“This time he accused me and Johann of killing my husband on purpose. I swear, I did not know it was the two of you that day. I did not recognize Johann as the officer who killed Fri
tz.” She buried her head in his chest as he wrapped his arm around her.
“We did not recognize you either.”
Her eyes narrowed, Amazing. Kill a man in front of his wife, then neither of you recognize her?
“What is it?”
Pretending again to sob, “It's just...You don't agree with anything the captain said, do you? You don't supposed I had something to do with Johann's death?”
“No, of course not. Whether you know it or not, he loved you from the first time he saw you.”
Well, not the first time, she thought. “How is Edmund? Is he all right? When can we go home?”
“Edmund is fine. His responses did not please the captain. I am going to call Colonel Reinhard and give him an update. Perhaps his contacts may be able to help now that the initial accusations have been rebuked.”
“Thank you, Gustav. You have always been kind.”
Gustav left the room. He headed to a desk with a phone. As he picked up the receiver, he asked the captain, “How low are you going to sink? I can attest they did not meet each other before the death of her husband. And they had not spoken to each other until six months later when she was ill.”
The captain approached him, “You can attest to nothing. There is something strange going on here, and I will find out what it is.”
Gustav turned his back to the captain and called the colonel. “Yes, Colonel. The accusations are baseless. They are now accusing Hedwig and Johann of conspiring to kill her husband.” He paused, listening to the other end. “I do not want to leave the two of them here alone.” Another pause. “Yes, colonel. Right away, sir.”
Gustav left headquarters and drove to the colonel's home. When he entered the house, he found the colonel sitting in his study. He was holding a picture of Johann. “He was my only child.”
Gustav sighed, “Yes, I know.”
The colonel looked up at Gustav with teary, droopy eyes, “You look terrible. Did you not clean yourself up?”
“Forgive me, sir. Hedwig and Edmund have been in interrogation for over thirty six hours. I did not want to leave them.”
“Ah,” the colonel said, almost as if he was oblivious to the situation.
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