“Makes sense to me,” said Bear.
“Except,” said Professor Bale, “I believe there’s still work to be done.”
“The money,” muttered Gunner.
“Yes, exactly. You go to the head of the class. The Nazi hunters were so focused on finding people to bring to trial in order to exact justice, they didn’t investigate what happened to the stolen artifacts, gold, and money.”
“That would be impossible to do at this point, right?” asked Cam.
“Difficult, but not impossible as you suggest. Here’s why.”
Chapter Thirteen
Lyon G. Tyler Department of History
William & Mary University
Williamsburg, Virginia
“For at least two decades, every trial of a former Nazi has been dubbed likely Germany’s last,” Professor Kala Bale began to explain. “The last took place a decade ago when a centenarian, who at the time was a sixteen-year-old conscript forced to work in a concentration camp, was found guilty of over thirty-five hundred counts of accessory to murder. In that case, the prosecutors acknowledged the man had shown no indication of being an ardent worshiper of Nazi ideology. Nonetheless, he was a small wheel in the machinery of murder.”
“How does that relate to ill-gotten gains?” asked Gunner.
“The prosecution, using a newly passed German law, sought to seek reparations for victims’ families from the defendant’s assets,” the professor replied. “This statute opened up the possibility of reviewing all the prior cases dating back to the Nuremberg trials to trace the monetary assets of those defendants.”
“Has anyone done that?” asked Cam.
“Not to my knowledge,” Professor Bale replied. “It would be an enormous, costly undertaking.”
“I understand the purpose they’re trying to achieve,” said Bear. “But how can they prove it after all these years?”
Gunner paced the floor as he thought. “I’m not sure they could, but for our purposes, we don’t have to. At least from a high legal standard. We’re just looking for leads into who could’ve financed the salvage operation and why.”
“My suggestion is you start at the beginning. The center of the Nazi universe. Berlin.”
“Do you have someone who can help us there?” asked Gunner.
“Without a doubt, the top German historian who’d have the most knowledge of this is Alexander Brandt. In fact, he is a descendant of Rudolf Brandt, a former Nazi SS officer who was executed for war crimes. Professor Brandt almost lost his tenure at Humboldt University in Berlin because of his blood relationship to his grandfather. Had other members of the faculty not vehemently supported him, he might have been without a job.”
Gunner studied the map of the Odessa ratlines. “Would you mind opening the door for us?”
“I’d be glad to.”
Suddenly, Gunner had second thoughts. “No, actually, don’t call him. We’re going to Berlin anyway, and let’s not give the professor a heads-up.”
Professor Bale seemed puzzled by the request, but she didn’t question him. “Well, okay. Just let me know if you change your mind.”
Gunner gave her a smile and then asked, “By the way, why do so many of these ratlines lead to South America and especially Argentina?”
“Most believe it was because of the relationship between the Nazis and the president of Argentina, Juan Perón. His wife and first lady was Eva Perón, an Argentine actress. She was a huge believer in equality, and during a visit to Europe, it’s believed she gave an ear to those who were trying to shield the Nazis from prosecution. In 1947, she visited Pope Pius XII, General Franco of Spain, and other key leaders in Italy and Switzerland. They were precisely the people who likely played a role in facilitating Nazi escapees throughout the forties.
“During that same time period, the Swiss were under tremendous pressure to turn over the Nazis they were harboring from prosecution. The Swiss authorities didn’t want to violate their own neutral stance by handing these killers over to the Allies, but they found their mere presence in the country to be a blot on their reputation.
“The solution was offered by Eva Perón. Argentina was in dire straits financially. Citizenship was granted to the Nazi fugitives using false identification after hefty payments or infrastructure investment agreements using stolen assets were agreed upon.”
“Maybe we should start in Argentina?” asked Bear.
“Personally, I believe your investigation may lead there eventually,” said Professor Bale. “However, to trace the ill-gotten gains, you have to go to where it all began. Berlin.”
Gunner smiled and nodded his appreciation. “One last question. Can you tell us anything about this U-boat wreckage?”
Professor Bale reached for a file folder provided to her by the Den. She thumbed through the images and notes regarding Kwon’s theory about the type of U-boat they’d discovered. “No, not yet. There are some who’ve made a career of tracking each and every last U-boat that left German-occupied territories. I’ll make some inquiries.”
Chapter Fourteen
Bariloche, Argentina
Around the world, every major city had its accessible, serene getaway. New York, for example, had the Catskill Mountains. Tokyo residents could escape the hustle and bustle of the world’s largest city for Shosenkyo Gorge. For Londoners, the gently rolling hills of the Cotswolds were home to quintessentially English villages built from honey-colored stone from centuries ago.
For residents of Buenos Aires, Argentina, one of the favorite places to visit was San Carlos de Bariloche, or simply Bariloche. The small city was tucked away in the mountains of northern Patagonia along the southernmost shores of Nahuel Huapi, a startlingly crystalline glacial lake.
Early in the twentieth century, German, Swiss, and Austrian settlers found their way to the unsettled lands, lured by the invigorating alpine air and stunning resemblance to their European homelands.
Visitors who took the two-hour flight out of Buenos Aries to the local airport enjoyed walking tours of the town, exploring the old buildings and the European-style atmosphere. Many would find their way to La Calle Mitre, which was lined with quaint shops for picking up local souvenirs and especially chocolate, the town’s specialty.
The outdoor cafés were a favorite of tourists and locals alike. The fresh raspberries dipped in both white and dark homemade chocolate by descendants of the Rapa
