“Me, on the other hand, I am a registered member of SDECE, known to the police and with authority to use lethal force in order to protect myself, or anyone else in the vicinity. Paul is well aware of that, and no action is required on his part other than a brief hearing before a magistrate.”
“Thank you,” said Sybilla, sounding thoroughly depressed. “You have certainly saved me a pile of trouble. I owe you one.”
“With the greatest respect, Agent Skadi, you owe me two!” Rahn said, laughing. Sybilla joined in, remembering the time in Berques during the war when she was undercover and posing as a German spy. Rahn had had the opportunity of shooting her but had deliberately fired wide to allow her time to escape.
“There’s a place up ahead where we can get a quick meal, which is usually edible, before we go on to the gendarmerie,” said Rahn, then added as an afterthought, “And remember, tell the same story you told at the pottery, and all will be well.”
When they arrived at the gendarmerie, Fournier was already there.
“We’ll have you in separate rooms, I think. I want all staff to see that the correct protocols are being followed.”
Sybilla was ushered into a small room with no windows, the only furnishing being a table and two wooden chairs. A young detective entered and sat opposite. He began by taking her details and raised his eyebrows when handed her MI5 section IIA credentials. Sybilla kept her answers short and to the point:
Yes, she was working with the French SDECE on this investigation, also the Protectorate Security Chief was aware of her presence in the Saarland. Sybilla wasn’t entirely sure about the latter, but her mission had been cleared at the highest level, so it was very likely that he was aware.
Yes, she had witnessed the shooting.
Yes, Agent Rahn had fired the shot.
Yes, she had thought her life and that of Agent Rahn were in danger. The gunman had fired two shots before Agent Rahn fired back in self-defence.
The whole interview had taken no more than fifteen minutes and Sybilla was escorted back to the waiting area where she found Rahn and Fournier chatting.
“Have you been ‘done’ already?” she asked Rahn. Rahn glowered at Fournier from under his eyebrows.
“Yes, and this monster used thumbscrews and needles under the nails!”
Fournier, with a half-smile, replied, “Wolf, I think I would rather interview a chimpanzee.”
Rahn looked thoughtful for a moment. “Yes, I can understand that point of view.”
“Right!” said Fournier, becoming serious. “I have already telephoned a magistrate I know who is always extremely accommodating, and he will convene a hearing tomorrow morning. There is no need for either of you to attend. I will deliver your statements myself. However, please do not leave town until the hearing is concluded.”
“In any case,” he said, addressing Rahn, “I assume you will want to interrogate our other friend in the cells?”
“Let me interview him,” interposed Sybilla authoritatively. “I think I can get him to tell me what we want to know.”
Fournier looked quizzically at Rahn, who thought for a moment then nodded.
“Yes, I think that would be a good strategy,” he said.
“Paul, I wonder if I can ask you to do something for me, as way of preparation?” Sybilla asked.
“If it’s within my remit, then of course I will.”
“What is he likely to be charged with?” she asked.
“The best we can do is possession of an unlicensed firearm. He didn’t fire a shot and did not actually assault anyone, so that’s probably the best we can hope for.”
“Does he know that yet?” asked Sybilla.
“Not yet, I was just on my way to tell him.”
“Could you tell him that he is to be charged with the attempted murder of a policeman and the harbouring of a Nazi war criminal? Not actually charge him of course, just tell him that is what you intend to do once you’ve seen the magistrate tomorrow afternoon. Would that be stretching your remit too far?”
“It probably would, but I can see where you’re going with this. You want him to sweat?”
“I want him to sweat, and I don’t want him to sleep tonight. I want him to be tired, hungry and frightened when I meet with him tomorrow, so no food until I finish tomorrow afternoon. Water only, no coffee and no cigarettes.”
“Very well, Agent Skadi, I will ensure your instructions are followed to the letter,” said Fournier smiling. “I’ll now go and tell him the good news.”
Sybilla arrived at the gendarmerie promptly at 9.30 a.m. the following morning. Rahn had not yet arrived, and Fournier was at the law courts with the magistrate. She was greeted by the young detective she had met the previous night, who, being a Saarlander, carried the very German name of Hans Schuster. He informed her that he had received instructions from Fournier that she was to have access to the prisoner whenever she wished … and would she like a cup of coffee?
Sybilla sipped her coffee slowly then sat at a vacant desk and made notes in a folder.
A couple of hours later, she indicated to Schuster that she was ready to interview the prisoner. Motioning to a gendarme to follow, Schuster escorted Sybilla to the interview room, leaving her there while he and the gendarme unlocked the prisoner’s cell and escorted him to the interview room. Once Sybilla and the prisoner were sitting either side of the small wooden table, the detective left them, closing, but not locking, the door and instructing the gendarme to take up a position just outside, but not to enter unless called for by Agent Skadi.
Sybilla’s method was slow, deliberate and low key. She would ask a question, look up and try to make eye contact, pause, look down at her notes, then ask another question. She never raised her voice and kept it well modulated. The fact
