Выбрать главу

“And what about her files in Liegnitz? Didn’t the district commander there see this? How could she even come to Berlin, being part Jew?”

“She must be protected. The only official knowledge of this was in Goebbels’ office, and by some odd coincidence, that’s where she is working.”

“That’s strange.”

“Indeed.”

“If we could prove Goebbels was aware of this, that could open many doors. What is it about this girl that is so special, I wonder?”

“Let’s find out.”

The two began going over files of the abstract connections between all of the known parties. A minister’s secretary – Bettina – now became the second element that united them.

* * *
“…I think my interest in British military matters just increased.”

Lt. Pennington made a prolonged smirk to the Captain as he entered the windowless basement office room in front of an odd looking man. “Captain, this is the gentleman who came by to see you this morning.” Once the civilian entered the Captain’s office, Lt. Pennington wiped the funny expression off his face and resumed the proper air of one who served in Her Majesty’s Royal Navy.

“Ah, yes, I did hear about you dropping by earlier, sorry I wasn’t here then, mister…?”

“DeWohl. Count Louis DeWohl.”

“Yes. Pleased to meet you, Mr. DeWohl, Captain Edward Jameson, at your service.”

Surprised, DeWohl wondered why the Captain did not address him as ‘Count’, but was not offended since the title was phony anyway – aided by his friend the Count when making his false papers transforming him from an average German citizen into Hungarian nobility.

“Please have a seat.” The Captain motioned to a comfortable looking chair, then turned to his subordinate, “Lieutenant, I believe that will be all.”

Lt. Pennington gave a snappy British salute, wheeled 180º and then took three large steps to leave the room. Despite the high-powered exit, Lt. Pennington closed the door very delicately behind him. Captain Jameson could see the Lieutenant’s huge smirk as his face disappeared.

“Now, how may I help you?”

“I believe rather, the issue is, how I may help you, Captain Jameson.”

Captain Jameson did not respond, but instead waited for DeWohl to continue.

“Didn’t the Lieutenant inform you of the reason for my visit?”

“Lt. Pennington mentioned you were aware of a secret weapon the Germans are using, and you have the knowledge to neutralize its affects.” The Captain came right to the point. “Now, Mr. DeWohl, pray tell what is the secret weapon and how can you stop it?”

“Well,” DeWohl cleared his throat, “secret weapon is not exactly the word I used in talking with the good Lieutenant, but no matter.” DeWohl only now realized Captain Jameson’s piercing eyes made him nervous and hoped the captain could not hear this in his voice.

“As a Hungarian diplomat living in Berlin for fourteen years, I have seen many, many things I’m sure you could find useful.” The Captain’s expression and manner did not change. “Three weeks ago when Hungry renounced its neutrality and became allied with Germany and Italy – against my advice, I might add – I was forced to flee my diplomatic post.”

“Because of your advice?”

“Because I am part Jewish.”

“Oh, I see.” Not aware in late-1940 of the Nazi persecution of the Jews in Germany or in any of the lands they controlled, Captain Jameson simply reasoned that everyone seemed to have something against Jewish people, so it was common to them leave some place whenever any upheaval occurred.

One of the most interesting things I saw in Berlin occurred just a few months before the invasion of France, right in front of the German High Command building.

“And what were you doing in front of the German High Command building?”

“Waiting for a beautiful woman.” DeWohl responded immediately.

Captain Jameson tried to control a disbelieving smile.

“Her name is Andrea Holt, secretary to General von Eschl, who works in the German High Command building.” DeWohl lied.

Jameson’s eyebrows rose in recognition of the name von Eschl. It was only two days ago the Captain and several other British Intelligence officers were wondering what this little known general in charge of German Counter Intelligence was up to.

“You were seeing von Eschl’s secretary?”

“Well, you could even say we did more than that.” DeWohl teased, feeling bold now that he had the Captain’s attention.

“Did she every tell you anything about her work, or what von Eschl had…?”

DeWohl interrupted, “In good time, Captain, in good time. I’m sure the snippets I have to share will certainly assist in you being promoted to admiral, but let me tell you something that will really have your bosses jumping up and down. Let me tell you who I also saw on this lovely day walking out of the German High Command building with a certain Dr. Fesel.”

“Fesel? Dr. Heinrich Fesel?”

“The same.” DeWohl could see the Captain holding back his excitement.

“Excuse me for a moment, won’t you?” Jameson leaned into a black box that housed his speakerphone. “Rachel? Could you bring me that K6 file on Dr. Heinrich Fesel? Yes. The photographs… the entire group. Yes. Yes. And right away, please.”

While Jameson engaged on the speakerphone, DeWohl noticed and studied all the elements in the young captain’s room. An Eton graduate diploma, the Queen’s Royal Guard emblem and certificate, photos and models of several ships he apparently had served on.

“Nice boats.” DeWohl commented when the speakerphone switched off.

“My first command.” Jameson pointed to the photograph of the HMS Bradley. While DeWohl inched up towards the photo for a closer look at the sleek little destroyer, Jameson began his test. If DeWohl passed it, then no doubt British Intelligence would swing the door wide open for this almost comical, yet odd character. The Captain’s test would begin with some opening statements to see what exactly could produce on his own.

“You, know, not even many Germans know about Heinrich Fesel.”

“Most certainly. He deals with more than just military or political secrets, he is in fact in charge of the Nazi party’s dark operations… and secrets.”

“Did you ever meet Dr. Fesel?”

Meet him? He tried to recruit me!” DeWohl exaggerated.

Good. Jameson thought. He committed to actually seeing and talking to Fesel. If he points him out in a photograph, then DeWohl here might actually be for real. Jameson stood up while pulling out a cigarette and offered one to DeWohl, who declined.

“Recruit you? For what?”

“Astrology. Horoscopes, you know… predictions, descriptions and all. Fesel has an entire department just for that, I’m told.” DeWohl could see it in Jameson’s eyes the interest was growing. “While I was there in fact, I ran across one of the best astrologers in Europe working for Fesel, Goebbels, Himmler, Hess, and the Führer hiyself!”

“And who is that?”

DeWohl was amused the captain didn’t know. “Why, Karl Ernst Krafft, of course.”

Jameson had never heard of Krafft, and at the moment, had no interest in him. He wanted more on Fesel as this relatively unknown name appeared to be showing up more and more in reports – yet so little was known about him.