Newborn Nazi

by Rhoda D'Ettore

  She shook her head. “No. He never told me. I hoped we could find something here. As far as trusting someone to help, you are the only person I can name.”

  “We need to find any proof he had of the camps. Any kind of maps with their locations. Any pictures or drawings of the designs.”

  Hedwig nodded as she read over the papers.

  “We need to find anything with Reinhard's name on it. If you suspect he killed Fritz, then the colonel did so for a reason. He would have known or suspected Fritz to have proof of something.”

  Both sets of eyes landed on a box which housed a single key. The inscription on the key made Jacob's eyes widen. It read: “Bank of Manhattan”. The key rested on an envelope.

  Chapter 33

  Edmund sat in class with the new instructor. Johann spent most of the time asking them to report others and boasting about German pride. This instructor seemed to specifically dwell on race relations and discussed those deemed undesirable.

  The instructor pointed to one boy, “Can you tell me about the Nuremberg Laws which passed earlier this year?”

  The boy stood immediately, “Yes, sir. The Nuremberg Laws renounced non-Aryans of German citizenship. They are no longer permitted to own businesses or properties. They are no longer afforded the rights of Aryan citizens.”

  “Very good, sit.” The instructor pointed to another boy, “Tell me, who are considered to be Jewish under these laws?”

  The boy stood, “Anyone having three Jewish grandparents, sir. Those with two grandparents are considered mixed breeds.”

  The instructor swelled with pride. “Good.” He then pointed to Edmund. “Tell me, what are the symbols the Nazi Party uses to identify undesirables?”

  Edmund stood, “Sir, a yellow star of David must be worn by Jews so they are easily identified.”

  The instructor raised an eyebrow, “And?”

  Edmund cleared his throat, “And...” he thought for a moment, “And homosexual deviants must wear pink triangles.”

  “Yes.” The instructor snapped his fingers with excitement. He then pointed to another boy, “Who else is considered undesirable besides Jews and homosexuals?”

  The boy stood, “Sir?”

  The instructor got into his face, “Did you not hear the question?” Gritting his teeth, “Perhaps I should have your ears checked. Only perfect Aryans are fortunate enough to participate in these classes.”

  The boy's eyes darted around as if trying to think of the answer, “I heard you, sir. I just do not know the answer.”

  The instructor slammed his ruler on the boy's desk. “THINK. Use that perfect brain of yours.”

  The boy's eyes teared, “I don't know, sir.”

  “Is that what you are going to do, when the Jewish horde come with the rest of the deviants to take over Germany? Are you going to cry like a baby and call for Mama? Or are you going to stand and be a man? Will you fight for the future of our country?”

  Another boy stood and said, “Sir, he said he does not know. Just leave him alone, please.”

  The instructor smacked the defiant boy in the face with the ruler, leaving a mark. With a raised eyebrow he threatened, “When I need your assistance, I will order you to provide it. Now sit down and shut your mouth.” The boy rubbed his cheek, and tried to hold back the pain-produced tears as he sat.

  The instructor turned back to the standing boy, “The answer is Gypsies. In the future, if you do not know an answer, I will make you spend time with some Gypsies or Jews. They have a tendency to eat the flesh of children. You might survive, you might not.”

  The instructor walked back to the front of the class and stood behind his desk. “You are to know this and breathe it. It must become as ingrained in your minds as the names of your parents and siblings. If even one undesirable--even one deviant--is permitted to thrive within our nation's borders, chaos can ensue.”

  The man pulled down a screen that covered the chalk board. It had a picture of Adolf Hitler on the left and exaggerated drawings of Jews, Gypsies, and homosexuals on the right.

  “The Fuehrer is committed to removing the filth of our society. They are like cockroaches. One set of cockroaches can breed tens of thousands. If we permit one couple of non-Aryan heritage within our country's borders, we are jeopardizing the future of our nation.”

  Edmund looked around the room, seeing the prideful expressions on most of the boy's faces.

  The instructor went on, “What does your father do if he sees bugs in your home? He crushes them.” He slammed his fist onto the picture of the non-Aryans behind him.

  Some of the boys clapped and cheered. The instructor nodded with pride.

  “Dismissed. Report to the athletic field for your afternoon physical training.”

  The boys grabbed their books and scurried out of the room. The instructor grabbed Edmund's shoulder. “Wait.”

  “Yes, sir?”

  “Do you have anything you want to talk about?”

  “No, sir.”

  The instructor sat in his chair, “Keeping abreast of my student's activities is part of my job. The interrogation you and your sister endured probably frightened you.”

  “No, sir.”

  The instructor blinked his eyes, surprised at the answer. “The interviews took place at Gestapo headquarters, yet you experienced no fear?”

  “No, sir. Lieutenant Reinhard taught us that as long as we tell the truth and report all infractions, we never have anything to fear.”

  The instructor eyes burrowed into Edmund, “Are you sure you told the truth? Are you sure you reported all infractions?”

  “I know nothing of the situation regarding Lieutenant Reinhard, sir. As far as infractions, my family only associates with loyal Nazi Party members. Therefore, I have no infractions to report, sir.”

  The instructor nodded but decided to change tactics. “What did you think of my display here today? With the boy who did not know the answers?”

  “You provided a necessary display of authority, sir. We must remain strong for Germany. We must prepare as best we can for any and all surprise attacks. We can show no weakness, sir. The enemy will exploit any weakness.”

  The instructor huffed, then rose from his chair. “I am impressed, Geiger. I am undecided whether you are indeed accepting of the Nazi agenda....or if you are an incredibly intelligent boy who spouts off the correct answers to make others believe he is accepting of the Nazi agenda.”

  The instructor leaned over the desk with his knuckles resting on the edges. “Remember, Geiger. I am watching you.”

  Edmund remained still, “Yes, sir. I expect nothing less than for you to observe my imperfections and weaknesses. You must know them in order to a better officer.”

  The instructor began laughing. “You are good, the best yet. But I will break you, and you will embrace the Nazi agenda before this year is over.”

  Gustav walked past the classroom doorway when he noticed Edmund being questioned by the instructor. He entered the room, “Why are you holding him? He will be late for my physical instruction.”

  The instructor looked at Gustav, “He is not your student until I am finished with him in my class.”

  “Your class is over. Or perhaps the empty room did not give you cause to recognize that fact.”

  Gustav ordered Edmund, “Get to the changing rooms and head to the athletic field.”

  Edmund paused, expecting a response from the other instructor. He quickly darted his eyes from Gustav to the instructor and back again.

  Gustav leaned into his face, “NOW.”

  “Yes, sir.” Edmund replied before leaving the room.

  Gustav addressed the instructor. “I understand you are new here, but that does not give you the right to keep my students from me. If in the future you desire to do so, I expect you will first send me a proper communication. Out of respect.”

  “And you, sir, will give me the respect to not discuss our conflicts in front of the students.”

  �
�Fair enough. We have not been properly introduced. Please call me Gustav.” He held out his hand.

  “Nice to meet you Gustav. I am Norman,” he said with a smile.

  “From which division have you come to us?”

  “The Ausberg Division. It is centered many miles from here.”

  “Ausberg... Ausberg. I recall Lieutenant Reinhard had a friend there. Wolfgang Holtz, I believe. Did you know him? It's been years since I spoke with him.”

  “Ah. Wolfgang. We used to call him Blitz because of his lightning speed on the athletic fields.”

  Nice try. I invented the guy, Gustav thought.

  “He is now training men to drive tanks. Very good man,” Norman added.

  Gustav examined him, looking for a reaction. “Perhaps I will call him. We could all have a nice dinner together. It will be nice to see his wife, Barbara, again.”

  The man seemed to hesitate for a moment but met Gustav's eyes without fear. “Yes. Perhaps you should. I would like to see my old friend.”

  “It was nice to finally meet you. I will be late for my class. Have a good day, Norman.”

  “And you as well, Gustav.”

  As Gustav walked down the hall he thought, Who is this man? He lied, then showed no fear. He must be Gestapo. But is he here to watch me or Edmund?

  Chapter 34

  Jacob said to his sister, “I recognize that kind of key.”

  Hedwig looked at him, “You do? From a bank in Manhattan?”

  “I stopped there before I arrived in Germany.”

  “Why did you go to a bank in New York?” she asked.

  “Never mind. It is a long and unbelievable tale.” Jacob paused. “I need to go back there. I need to get whatever Fritz hid in this box.”

  Jacob opened the envelope and found a box number and the name Two Brothers Beer Hall. “What the hell is this?”

  “He never told me anything about it,” Hedwig said with disappointment.

  Jacob looked at her, “The German passport Colonel Reinhard issued me gave me some sort of importance. I do not know how or why. The Gestapo Captain told me not to leave the city, but the passport does have some sort of clout.”

  Hedwig then asked, “What do you think we should do?”

  Jacob shook his head, “I don't know. I have both the American and the German passports with me. I am unsure which I should use. The German passport with privileges might get me out of here faster, but they may be able to record when and where I am going.”

  Hedwig thought or a moment. “Use the American to get you out, and the German to come back.” She continued, “That way, upon your return, you won't be questioned. Most likely they will be watching you anyway. They will see you leave.”

  “What if they question you about my departure?”

  Hedwig laughed, “Let them question. I do not know anything. I am here and have never been to the United States. What could I know about New York City?”

  Jacob looked at her in awe, “My God, you are a strong woman. Much stronger than me. How did this happen?”

  “Easy, you went to the land of the free, and I stayed in the land of the fearful.”

  Jacob searched for the proper words. “There is something I must tell you. It is possible I could be arrested in America. If I am arrested, I want you to take Edmund and find a way out of Germany. Get away from here. Forget this desire to stop them.”

  Hedwig laughed, “Where would I go? They plan to take over the entire world anyway. This is a fight for survival, Jacob.” She moved some more papers, then asked, “Why do you think you could be arrested?”

  Jacob ran a hand over his head and sighed, “They made me kill the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in New York City. I did it because they threatened to hurt you and Edmund. They even alluded they would get Alois in Philadelphia. When I got word you temporarily moved in with Colonel Reinhard, I assumed it to be an intimidation tactic against me. I'm not even sure why they wanted him dead or why they needed me to kill him.”

  Hedwig scoffed. “They wanted him dead so they can blame the communists. This is a tactic they have been using here for quite some time. If the UK and the Soviet Union are distracted by war with each other, no one will be paying attention to what Germany is doing.”

  She looked at her brother with pity. “As for why you? The answer is that it gave them leverage over you.”

  “You don't seem surprised that I killed someone.”

  “Who am I to point fingers? I killed my fiance.”

  “Hedwig, this is not a time for jokes.” His sister shrugged off the comment.

  Jacob and Hedwig continued looking through the papers for hours. They separated the items into a stack for people and a stack for places. Hundreds of photographs and cryptic messages filled boxes and folders.

  Jacob finally said, “I'm not sure what to make of all this. I don't know who most of the people in the pictures are. Nor do I recognize these buildings in the blueprints. Do you see any indication as to where the buildings are located?”

  Hedwig dropped the papers from frustration, “I bet whatever is in that box holds the key to the mystery.”

  Jacob grimaced. His apprehension about returning to New York exuded from his face. He remained unsure if he would be greeted by an armed escort to prison.

  “Please, Jacob. It is the only way. I would go myself, but you know the Gestapo will stop me.”

  Jacob replied, “They might stop me as well.” Jacob shrugged. “Can't we just mail this stuff to British or American Intelligence... even a foreign newspaper and just be done with it?”

  Hedwig shook her head in astonishment by the naivety of her brother. He's too Americanized for this after all, she thought. “Do you really think the Gestapo is going to let either one of us walk out of this house with a large box and mail it to a foreign anything?” She paused for a moment, “And they will have you searched before you leave. You cannot take any of it with you either.”

  After some deliberation, Jacob replied, “All right. I will go purchase my ticket back to America. I have spent more time traveling on ships over the past few months than I have my entire life.”

  “Thank you brother.” she wrapped her arms around him. “And be safe.”

  They left the safety of the room Fritz built and began again with mundane conversations through the house. Jacob took the couch out of the house, while Hedwig cleaned up the bloody room.

  Jacob eventually left to make arrangements for his long journey. Unsure whether he would be returning, he took his bags with him.

  As Hedwig knelt on the floor scrubbing, she remembered she did this once before. She once scrubbed the blood of Fritz from the same floor. As she swirled the rag around on the ground, she imagined her father's blood mixing with that of the SS Lieutenant who killed him.

  Rage filled Hedwig until she pondered the situation. She smiled in the satisfaction that Johann Reinhard was dead. Even better, she killed him with her own hands—with his own weapon.

  She smiled as she scrubbed she began to sing, “Zicke-zacke, hoi, hoi, hoi...”

  Chapter 35

  After almost a week at sea, Jacob arrived in New York and registered at a cheap hotel. He stopped at a newsstand and searched for any description of the suspect who killed the Prime Minister.

  He found nothing.

  Pictures of the funeral held in London and crowds of mourners sprawled across the pages. Not one article described the assailant nor guessed his identity. Jacob visited a bar that played a radio for patrons. Again, no indications Jacob was considered a suspect.

  He lay awake wondering what he was going to find in the box and if anyone would question his right to it. He also hoped to avoid Prescott Bush since he was obviously on the wrong side of this game.

  The next morning, Jacob sat at a diner across from the bank. He tried to eat a light breakfast but had no appetite. His knee bounced nervously as he looked at his watch, hoping 9 o'clock would come faster.

  Finally, the doors to the
bank opened, and he darted across the street. He scanned the room for Prescott Bush but did not see him. He asked a woman at the counter to assist him with a safe deposit box.

  “Yes, of course. I can help you with that, sir.” The woman smiled and grabbed a pen and paper. “Could you please write down the number of the box and the name the account is under?”

  Jacob jotted down the number and wrote “Two Brothers Beer Hall”.

  “Thank you, sir. I will just be a moment.”

  She returned with a folder, and placed a card in front of him. “Please sign your name here, and I can retrieve your box.”

  What do I do? Do I sign my real name? He thought. With no other clue as to what name to use, he signed his own.

  “Thank you, sir. The signature matches the account card.” she smiled.

  It does? Jacob thought.

  “Would you follow me please.”

  Jacob followed her to a small room. Then the woman pleasantly said, “Please wait here, and I will bring your box.”

  “Thank you,” replied Jacob.

  After a few minutes she returned with a shiny box and said, “Please take your time. When you are ready, you can push that button and I will return to take the box.” She left the room.

  Jacob took a deep breath. He opened the box to find a letter resting on top of a large 9 inch by 12 inch envelope.

  The letter read:

  Dear Alois and Jacob,

  If you are reading this then I am already dead, and your sister has shared some shocking information with you.

  Jacob thought, That is an understatement.

  The contents of this box will not only provide you with protection from those who are pursuing you, but will give you new passports and identities.

  Pursuing us? Fritz really had a knack for trivializing things, didn't he? Jacob thought.

  The envelope contains a telegram I intercepted between Colonel Reinhard and the present Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Ramsey MacDonald.