“So you will be building a new empire here?” The Countess wasn’t surprised.
The Count knew what this question really meant – would he be devoted to his ventures or to her. “No, not at all. This is just a few coffee and banana plantations, and some manufacturing holdings in a few cities. They are already built. We will simply relax and enjoy life.”
“Do you really mean that?” The Countess could hardly believe her ears. For over fifty years she wondered if he would ever see that money and power were of no use unless enjoyed.
“Yes, dear, I do. Sometimes the world needs to be turned upside down to learn what is important. Let’s quietly enjoy life… let the rest of the world tear itself apart.”
“But don’t you think the war will eventually come here?”
“Politically perhaps. But having armies invading and planes fighting overhead? No, I don’t think so.”
“Another drink, señiorita, señor? The waiter passing noticed both had empty glasses.
“Yes, please,” the Countess answered. “…and I’d like the house salad.” She said while looking at her husband.
The Count smiled. “I’ll try one of your famous Argentinean steaks. A T-bone, please medium-rare.”
“Yes, gentlemen, what seems to be so urgent?”
“Herr Minister, we have uncovered some shocking evidence in one of our investigations. We are truly sorry to disturb you, but we thought you should know immediately.”
“And I take it this information is top secret since you could not tell me over the phone?” Goebbels was a bit miffed since he had to ‘put on hold’ a meeting with a general in the next room who was arranging stolen art treasures from France to be delivered to Goebbels country home.
Lt. Schiller tried to fake his concern. “Herr Minister, our investigation of Bettina Meyer’s boyfriend, Otto Huber, revealed that Frau Meyer has Jewish blood!”
“What?” Goebbels tried to fake his surprise.
“Herr Minister.” Lt. Kriederman handed the Minister of Propaganda the entire file of the Meyer family, a set of documents Goebbels thought he had buried for good.
After leafing through several pages and pretending to read select parts, Goebbels gasped, “How can it be this was overlooked?”
Kriederman and Schiller simply continued to look at Goebbels with blank faces. They wanted Goebbels to sweat a bit, for both lieutenants already knew this file was the work of Goebbels himself.
“I want an investigation into this oversight!” Goebbels acted outraged. “I want both of you to handle this personally, and to report directly to me to find out who is responsible for this over sight!”
“Jawohl, Herr Minister!” Both lieutenants shouted in unison, as if they both were completely loyal to him.
Goebbels took a deep breath, his mind racing on how he could control this situation and these two Gestapo agents.
“Herr Minister, I believe under the circumstances we ought to take Fraulein Meyer out of the picture as soon as possible.”
“Yes, yes, you are right. But I don’t want anyone in the Reichstag to be aware or involved in this, she has many friends here, and…” Goebbels could not think of anything else to add.
Kriederman used the pause to make his planned suggestion. “Herr Minister, we have a safe house in Rüdersdorf we could keep her until this is all sorted out.”
“Yes, good thinking Lieutenant. We may need her later to finger out any accomplices in this matter.”
“We’ll pick her up at once.” Schiller lied, since they already had her.
“Very well, call me when she is secure.” Goebbels pretended to study the files intensely again.
“Jawohl, Herr Minister.” Both men gave the Nazi salute and left. In the hallway Schiller and Kreiderman broke into smiles. They both had exactly what they wanted:
The appearance to Goebbels they both were doing their duty
The appearance to Goebbels they were trying the help him
They had Bettina Meyer – the Achilles Heel of Goebbels – in their possession
“Do you think he had sex with her?” Kriederman asked.
“Of course he did.”
“Then we really have something on him. We can show he was the one who overlooked her background…”
“And sex with a Jew would ruin his standing in the Reich, that ought to keep him under our thumbs!”
Again, both men laughed at their fortune in finding Bettina Meyer.
Karl Ernst normally did not sleep past 9:00 am, but his weakened state from the camp and the rationed food in Berlin had him mentally and physically exhausted. The bombing raids over Berlin, which only a year ago were just a scattered nuisance from time to time, were now a regular part of daily life, and becoming more and more deadly. Many of their friends, both old and new, fell victim to the American bombings by day, or the British ones by night.
A knock came on the door as Elaine was stirring the last grams of sugar into her morning tea.
“Krafft residence?” The two men were not in uniform, however Elaine sensed they were police, military, or Gestapo.
“Yes…?”
“Karl Ernst Krafft’s residence?”
“He’s sleeping.”
“Get him up.”
Elaine turned around to get him, but Karl Ernst opened the bedroom door before she took a step. He was partially dressed in a shirt and pants, but without his socks and shoes.
“Karl Ernst Krafft, come with us.”
“What is this about?” Karl Ernst asked, obviously still half-asleep.
Both men remained silent.
“My husband is serving the Third Reich in a special program with General Schmidt-Prange, why is he being taken away?”
“There is no trouble, we only need him to answer some important…” the taller one said to Karl Ernst, then turned to Elaine, “…and confidential questions.”
The shorter one, who had a large scar on his neck, reached down by the shoes near the door and held them out to Karl Ernst. Elaine then walked over to the radiator by the window and pulled off a pair of socks that were being dried.
“And when will he return?” She asked while handing them to Karl Ernst.
“It shouldn’t take long, if he cooperates.” The taller one answered.
Elaine instinctively did not like either man. “My husband has always gave his full cooperation and service to the Third Reich!”
“Then there shouldn’t be any problems.” The shorter one said as they walked out with Karl Ernst.
Chapter 25 – The End
“Admiral?”
Admiral Payne took a breath. “What is it Captain?”
“Confirmation, sir.” The Captain handed the Admiral a telegraph. “I’m sorry, sir.”
“Thank-you, Captain, I think I can handle it from here.” Payne had been expecting this confirmation after the initial report his son had been killed.
“Is there anything I can do, sir?”
“Thank-you, Captain, no, your thoughts are appreciated.”
The Admiral returned to his desk and rested his face in his hands and dozed off. The fog from outside somehow filtered into and filled his room. As air raid sirens could be heard in the distance, a light began glowing in front of his desk. Payne could feel the warmth of the light and looked up.
“So nice to see you.” It was Lady Hightower’s voice.
“What?” The Admiral was confused. He could not see her clearly and did not notice her entering the room.