Newborn Nazi

by Rhoda D'Ettore

  Not now he isn't. I killed him. Jacob thought as he sighed.

  During the Great War, Reinhard and MacDonald would shared intelligence. To their respective superiors, they each appeared competent and resourceful. The truth was that each was treasonous toward his own country.

  Colonel Reinhard forced me to kill his old buddy? Jacob thought.

  The telegram I intercepted is enclosed. It reads that Reinhard was to deliver the design plans of the Waffen airplanes to MacDonald in England. It ended by the Prime Minister referring to Colonel Reinhard as 'General Reinhard'. This is indicative of the reward Reinhard would receive.

  I later followed Reinhard from Germany to New York where he met with the head of the The Friends of New Germany, Herr Strauss. It appeared to be official business. After the meeting, Reinhard used an American passport issued in a fake name to enter England where he met with MacDonald. Enclosed are pictures I took of them together in a hotel kitchen. Reinhard traveled back to America under the fake name, then to Germany under his real name.

  The Prime Minister should have stayed away from hotels, Jacob thought.

  Reinhard wants these pictures and the telegram to prevent detection. He is the highest ranking member of the SS to have committed such treasonous acts, and it would send a shock wave throughout The Third Reich.

  Keep this information safe. I have enclosed passports for all four of you under fictitious names. Your mother and I have an old friend in Argentina who can help you make a new life. All you need do is register at the Hacienda Hotel in Buenos Aires under the names on the passports. The friend will contact you.

  A telegram will be sent to Reinhard informing him that you are safe and have the information. It will tell him to leave you to your lives, and you will not disturb his.

  What the hell does this have to do with death camps? Jacob thought.

  Your sister has her own agenda, but it is a dangerous one for all of you. I insist you all follow this plan.

  Your parents and I loved you all. And we loved each other. Do not allow any of our past mistakes to interfere with your relationships as siblings. You are all the children of Herr and Frau Geiger. And you are all my children as well.

  Fritz

  Jacob scoffed, “Well if we didn't have parents like you, we wouldn't be in this mess.” He shook his head as he skimmed the papers and photos. He wondered how Fritz was able to get photographs made of them all. He also wondered how he got the account card for the box to match his and Alois' signatures. Alois and I were adults, we signed documents after our parents deaths, he realized.

  When he lifted the envelope, there was $10,000 American dollars under it in a money belt.

  “Shake it off, Jacob,” he muttered to himself. He wrapped the money belt around his waist but under his shirt. Then he pushed the service button, and shoved the envelope down the back of his pants, covering it with his jacket.

  Jacob darted for the door of the bank. His fast pace caught the attention of Prescott Bush who was behind a counter. Jacob did not see him.

  Prescott Bush picked up a phone and said, “You will never guess which friend of ours was just here. He came out of the vault.” After a long pause, “No, he did not appear to have anything with him.”

  Bush continued, “Do you want me to have him picked up? It would save a great deal of time and energy. I could simply eliminate him now.”

  On the other end of the phone was a very irritated Colonel Reinhard. “NO. I want to know who killed my son. And I need to know what evidence this man has regarding other matters.”

  The colonel slammed his fist on the desk and hung up the phone.

  Chapter 36

  Jacob headed to Philadelphia by train. He had no idea how he was going to explain all of this to Alois. When he entered the apartment, some friends of Jacob's from the local beer hall sat waiting for him. They also paid dues as members of The Friends of New Germany.

  Jacob froze.

  Alois shouted to Jacob, “Come in. Come in. They stopped by looking for you. Would you like a beer?”

  Jacob squinted his eyes, scrutinizing the two men. “No, thank you. No, I do not want a beer.” He knew the men of course, but he now suspected everyone of wrongdoing. “Forgive me. I had a long journey and need to get some rest. Could you visit later this week?”

  The men smiled, carrying their beer bottles, “Yes, Jacob, my friend. We can always see each other.”

  The other man headed toward the door, “We will see you soon.” Then they left.

  Jacob quickly locked the door behind the men and pulled Alois as far away from the door as possible. “Do not speak to anyone you do not know. There is so much to tell you, and I do not even know where to begin.”

  Confused, Alois asked, “What is the matter with you? Get your hands off me.”

  Jacob scolded his brother, “Shut up. We can't talk here. We have to find someplace safe.”

  Alois worried and touched Jacob's forehead, “I'm growing concerned for you. Do you remember when Hedwig had that fever as a child? She was delusional, just like you.”

  Jacob swatted Alois' hand away. “I am not delusional. I have been through so much in the past few weeks. Things you cannot possibly fathom.”

  “Watch it brother, that Nazi Party membership card is affecting you,” mocked Alois.

  Jacob wrote on a piece of paper, “Keep your mouth shut, people are following me. We are in danger. Follow me out of here.”

  They headed to the beer hall where the loud music and occasional shouts drowned out their conversation.

  Jacob leaned into Alois, “You won't believe this, but Mama and Fritz worked as German Intelligence operatives. Fritz got evidence that Colonel Reinhard was selling secret plans to Britain. I think Reinhard had his own son kill Fritz, then they searched the house looking for the evidence against the colonel.”

  Alois blurted out with laughter. “Your sense of humor is improving, brother. I don't think anything so funny has ever come from your mouth.”

  Jacob grasped Alois by the throat then whispered in his ear, “This is not a game. I need you to listen and understand.” He released his grip.

  Alois looked suspiciously at his brother. Jacob had never been cross with him in the past. “Does this have to do with your job, the one I don't like?”

  Jacob huffed. “In a way, yes.”

  Alois then replied, “Okay. Tell me from the beginning what happened.”

  Jacob went on and on in detail about all that had happened. About Hedwig killing the Lieutenant, and about being questioned. Jacob spouted off about the contents of the box, and even about how he assassinated the Prime Minister.

  When Jacob was finished, Alois sat back in his chair, speechless. Alois finally uttered, “What are we going to do?”.

  Jacob rested his hand on his brother's shoulder, “You are going to leave for Buenos Aires tonight and register in the Hacienda Hotel. Someone will meet you there.”

  Alois nodded, “What about the three of you?”

  Jacob gulped, “I have to go back for Hedwig and Edmund. They need these passports to get out of the country. This is their only way out of the country.”

  “Will Hedwig leave? She is so strong willed. If she wanted to thwart the camps, she might not go,” Alois pointed out.

  Jacob knew his brother was right. “Let's get back to the apartment. I need to catch some sleep before I travel again. Zeppelins are now providing air service to South America from Germany. The three of us might have an easier time taking one than going by ship. I do not know. I'm too tired to think.”

  They did as Jacob suggested and the next morning prepared to leave. They packed as much clothing as they could in a couple suitcases. Jacob handed Alois his new passport and $3,000 American dollars.

  The brothers arrived at the ports and lost each other in the crowd. They headed for different destinations, unsure whether they would ever see each other again.

  Alois followed instructions and departed for Buenos Aires that
evening. Days later, he arrived in South America and made his way to Buenos Aires' Hacienda Hotel. Alois waited there for contact from a stranger.

  Jacob could not get a ship bound for Germany until the next morning. He worried whether Hedwig would agree to leave the country, as per Fritz's orders. He also wondered about the timing of Edmund's leave from school. How long would they have to stay in Germany before Edmund returned?

  Jacob finally drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 37

  Heidi and Gustav walked along the street holding hands when she asked him, “Tell me what happened with Hedwig and Edmund that night at the colonel's home.”

  “She did not tell you?” Gustav asked.

  “No. She has been quite a recluse. I worry for her. I thought something other than a normal interrogation occurred.”

  Gustav looked at her puzzled, “If Hedwig is acting strange, I would imagine it is because she saw Johann murdered in her house. This was her second love in a year to be killed in the home. Perhaps that is causing her mental distress.”

  Heidi delved deeper, “I assume she has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the death of your friend?”

  “She was released. You know that. What is this about?” Gustav asked.

  “I am glad. I hoped she was not involved. She had been acting so strangely lately. I could not be sure.”

  Gustav stopped walking, “Heidi, what are you saying?”

  “At the funeral when Edmund said what he did, I thought for sure he was right. I had not thought about it until that point,” Heidi explained.

  Gustav squeezed both her arms, “What are you saying? What did you do?”

  “Gustav, let me go. You're hurting me.” Heidi demanded. “I did nothing wrong. I mentioned to the colonel that I thought Hedwig was acting strangely. I suggested he ask her some questions about Johann.”

  Shaking his head in disbelief, Gustav boomed, “You are the one who reported them to the Gestapo?”

  “I did it for us. How would it look if my best friend killed your best friend? This way, I did my duty as a Nazi Party member, and we know for sure she did not do it.”

  Gustav looked into the air, “My God what is this country becoming? Is nothing sacred?”

  He walked away from her.

  Heidi chased after him, “What is it? What did I do? If she didn't do it, then there was nothing to fear?”

  “You have no idea what you have done. They both could have been killed that night. Hedwig might be an adult, but Edmund, even at fifteen, is still just a boy. You would have let them kill a boy?”

  He continued walking from her.

  “I didn't know. Please. I thought they would just ask them questions. She is my best friend. She's like a sister to me. I would never want her harmed.”

  Gustav gritted his teeth, “If she is like your sister, then how could you have thought her to be a murderer?”

  Confusion covered her face.

  “I never thought she did it. Didn't you just hear me say that?”

  “I heard you say that you turned her in for killing her fiance who is an officer. You based your report on half a conversation you overheard at a funeral.” He let out a deep sigh, “And you expect me to trust you? Have a good day, Fraulein.”

  Heidi cried, “Please don't walk away. I did this for us.”

  Gustav stopped in his tracks, his fists clenched. He turned on his heels and sprinted to her.

  “So you want to marry an SS Lieutenant? Do you want a demonstration regarding the future of Germany? I'll show you.” He back handed her across the cheek. Through clenched teeth, he said viciously, “You did this for yourself. Not for us. Yourself. You thought being involved with me could improve your own status.”

  She reached for her cheek, trying to rub the pain away.

  Gustav continued on his tirade, “Keep in mind, I learned much about you and your family over the last year. Would you really want me to report every infraction committed by your parents? Would you like a list? You could use it as the epitaph on their headstones when they are executed.”

  He raised his fist as if to strike, but weakened at the sight of her crying. She pleaded, “Don't. Please. I'm so sorry. I only did what I thought was right.”

  He lowered his hand and pointed in her face, “For the rest of your life, you live every day wondering if today could be the day I turn you and your family into the Gestapo. Never contact me again, or I will report your family—for it is my duty. Welcome to the SS, Fraulein.”

  He turned and walked away.

  This time she did not follow him. She fell to the ground crying.

  Chapter 38

  Jacob arrived at Hedwig's home, found the house empty, and panicked. He dropped his bags on the step then looked up and down the street. The distraught man hoped to catch a glimpse of his sister. Jacob's heart pounded. Various scenarios of Hedwig's arrest or execution went through his mind.

  Jacob realized there was no notice on the door from the Gestapo as there was before. Had she been arrested or executed, they would have taken the house. Hedwig was unaware of when he would be arriving, so perhaps she was at the market.

  Finally Jacob saw her skipping out of the neighbor's house across the street, as if life was carefree. His respiration and pulse began to slow.

  When she reached him, he asked, “What are you doing?”

  She replied, “Acting normal, you should try it some time.” She winked. It reminded him of the men in New York who kept winking at him about the mission. “I borrowed a recipe for dinner this weekend. Edmund should be home.”

  “Good, we need to talk,” Jacob declared as he headed to the house. Once inside, he descended the basement steps and headed for the secret room.

  “So what did you find in the box?” Hedwig asked once inside the secret room.

  Rolling his eyes, Jacob said, “What didn't I find in the box?” He took a deep breath then continued. “Fritz expected either Alois or me to get the box. He left a letter explaining how Colonel Reinhard is a double agent. He has been giving away German Intelligence secrets for years.”

  “NO. I don't believe it.” Hedwig protested.

  “It's true. There was a picture of him with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Along with a telegram where they discussed top secret airplane diagrams and the Prime Minister called him General Reinhard.”

  “Wow. Guess we know where his motives lie.” Hedwig scoffed.

  “I can tell you, your Daddy was always prepared. He left all four of us passports in fake names to get us out of the country. He also arranged for a rendezvous for us with one of his contacts in South America.”

  “South America?” Hedwig questioned.

  Jacob knew the hard part was coming. Trying to convince Hedwig to leave the country would not be easy. “Fritz said once we reached safety, his contact would telegram the colonel. He will be informed we are in possession of the items and told to leave us alone. Otherwise, the items will be turned over to the proper authorities.”

  Hedwig pondered his statements. “Now that the Prime Minister is dead, I guess he has no plans to leave Germany. That is why he cannot let this get out. He has no exit plan.”

  “True, but he is the one who had the Prime Minister killed. My guess is the colonel had him killed trying to tie up loose ends. The colonel was not sure what information Fritz had or didn't have, so it was better to eliminate the Prime Minister than leave Germany before he was ready.”

  “Okay, Jacob. After we thwart the building of the camps, we go to South America to live happily ever after under assumed names. How do we destroy the plans for the camps?”

  Jacob pressed his lips together. He knew the argument was coming. “There won't be any thwarting of death camps. Fritz gave explicit instructions to get out of Germany.”

  “No. I'm not leaving here without destroying those camps. How many people will they kill?”

  “Hedwig, please. Be rational. Fritz was a professional, and they killed him. What chance d
o we have?”

  She shook her head, “How could you live with yourself if we don't try?”

  His eyes grew as wide as saucers, “Live. That is the keyword. I would get to live.”

  She huffed, “You are supposed to be a man. Grow up and realize this is much bigger than us.”

  He folded his arms, “Okay Frau Agent. What is your plan? How do we thwart the construction of dozens of death camps and save millions of lives with no information or resources?”

  She twisted her mouth, “I don't know.”

  “You are the more devious of the two of us. I suggest you come up with something before you think I am deviating from Fritz's instructions.”

  Hedwig's eyes got bright. “What if we used the photograph and telegram to our advantage? That captain at Gestapo Headquarters did not care for the colonel at all.”

  Jacob then said, “Go on.”

  “What if we admit Fritz was a German operative. That he gave us evidence that the head of Nazi Intelligence in our area is a double agent. That would increase our standing with the Nazi Party, would it not?”

  Jacob paused before answering. “It could also get us shot. They might assume we had some involvement with him and his dealings in some way.”

  Hedwig retorted, “Well, you did. You are a member of Nazi Intelligence, are you not?”

  “Not exactly. Not the way you and Alois make it sound.”

  She laughed, “That stamp on your passport means something. Don't be a fool. You are a part of Nazi Intelligence. So use your intelligence and turn in Colonel Reinhard.”

  He shrugged. “Then what? Discrediting him and getting him out of the way does nothing towards your cause of the camps.”

  “True. But think of the status you will receive for bringing down the head of Nazi Intelligence as a double agent. Don't you think you will be given a reward? Plus it gets the colonel off our backs. Permanently.”