“Silence, Fraulein,” he hissed. The door opened and the figure pulled her inside. He was strong. She lashed out with her foot and caught his kneecap, but he didn’t budge.
“Aubrey, it’s me,” the man said. He removed his hand from her mouth and she stared at him, dazed. He flicked a lighter and brought it up to his face.
“Hewitt!” she exclaimed.
“Aubrey Endeavours,” he said, smiling. “Look at you, alive and well.”
Before she could stop herself, she grabbed Hewitt and hugged him. Then she slapped him hard on the chest.
“You scared the devil out of me. I thought I was done for. Thought those goons had their hands on me again.”
“I heard about your time with the authorities, Aubrey. SD, was it? Nasty bunch. So…” He gave her a piercing look. “Why have you disobeyed your orders? You should have been back in France two days ago.”
“It’s complicated, Hewitt.” Her eyes grew accustomed to the darkness and she saw they were in a furniture store. He must have picked the lock. “How did you know I was going to walk down this street?”
“I’ve been following you ever since you left your hotel. You looked like you were going out with a purpose.”
“Seems like everyone is following me.”
“I told you they would. I saw you get in that car.”
“I didn’t see you.”
“I didn’t want you to. What the devil is going on?”
“I went to the exhibition. I made contact with your Agent Starlight. Why didn’t you tell me he was an officer in the SD?”
“I didn’t know. I’ve never met him.
“But you told me—”
“That I didn’t want you travelling into Germany with that information in your head. That was our prerogative, Aubrey. He’s our asset. Starlight is an unknown to us, but his product is genuine.”
“You used me to suss him out. What was so important he had to break cover? And to an amateur?”
“Did you get the package?”
“No. We were interrupted, by the Count von Villiez.”
“The Count von Villiez?”
“Yes, Helmut. I was at his house here in Berlin, in Wannsee. He was having a reception for Hermann Goering.”
“You met Goering? Oh dear. What was that like?”
“Yes, I was an honoured guest. He knew me, knew of my flying.”
Hewitt stood back and raised his eyebrows. He was genuinely impressed.
“Anyway, I met Goering. Big deal. Big fatso with a twinkle in his eye. And after that, I made contact with your agent, Starlight. Great code name, by the way. Although I could think of a few better ones. He was about to hand me something when the count walked into the room. The exchange never happened. And the next time I saw this Starlight, he tried to kill me in the basement of Gestapo headquarters. Helmut saved me.”
“Aubrey, I am truly sorry. I had no idea.”
“I’m not sure I believe you.”
“Where have you been the last two days?”
“With the count, at his ski lodge in Berchtesgaden. It’s south of here, in the Alps.”
“I know where it is.”
“We saw Hitler.”
“Come off it.”
“No, seriously. Through a telescope. At least I think it was him. Just a little figure walking slowly along a mountain path. Anyway, I spent two nights with the count as his guest, and then he drove me back. Don’t think I’ll be seeing him again.”
“We need to get you out of here, tonight.”
“I’ve missed the eleven PM train.”
“I have a car; we’ll drive to the border.”
“I can’t.”
“Why the devil not? You’re in too deep here, running around with counts and Nazis.”
“No, it’s nothing like that.” She paused, unsure how much to tell him. “I gave my word.”
“This is ridiculous. You’re coming with me.” He grabbed her again and tugged her to the front door of the store. She pulled away.
“No way. I’m not going, not yet. There’s something I have to do.”
“What could it possibly be?”
“Not telling. I don’t think you have a need to know.”
“This is no time to get cute, Aubrey. You’re in more danger than you realize.”
“Oh, I realize it. I’ve been to hell and back, and it’s not boiling hot. Quite the contrary, actually. It’s damp and cold, and the devil wears a black uniform.”
“That’s not the only one he wears. Aubrey, there’s something you don’t know. This Count von Villiez is second in command of the Abwehr. He reports directly to Admiral Canaris.”
“What’s that?”
“The Abwehr? It’s Germany’s secret intelligence service. Aubrey, Count Helmut von Villiez is head of counter-intelligence. He is Hitler’s number one spy catcher.”
Aubrey swallowed hard. Thoughts of the past few days swarmed through her head.
“Is there a chance he is just manipulating you?” Hewitt asked.
“To what end?”
“What are you caught up in?”
“Lazarus is being released tomorrow.”
“That German scientist you asked me about.”
“I’ve been asked to go sign for him. His daughter can’t. She’ll be….”
“Arrested. Oh, Aubrey.” He shook his head. “You’re going to wind up back in the basement of Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse if you’re not careful.”
“Or worse.”
He gave her a long look, and then appeared to have made up his mind. “I’ll be at the Berlin Savoy for another night. Do what you have to do, and then let’s get the hell out of here.”
“I will. I promise.”
26
Aubrey stifled a yawn as she manoeuvred the German automobile out into the countryside. She had not slept. Upon returning to her hotel, she had managed to get her train reservation moved to the late morning train. Then she had straightened the room as best she could. She’d even shoved the stuffing back into the mattress and covered over the large rip with the sheet and blankets. She’d considered sewing up the mattress with the kit she always carried, but she did not have enough thread. Besides, no matter what kind of
