Five Past Midnight - James Thayer [32]
General Eberhardt said, "At this point in the war the enemy can accomplish virtually all of its military objectives by using their bombers. There is simply no need for the Americans to go to extreme lengths to free this commando unless they had some very delicate but very important task in mind."
"Like a murder," Golz added.
"You are only making suppositions about this American's mission," Dietrich said.
"We do not preclude the possibility he may have some other mission, some other target," Golz said. "But, we must assume the worst, and so we will undertake a massive effort to find and defeat this Jack Cray. Everyone around this table will be involved."
"You have very little evidence," Dietrich persisted.
Eberhardt replied, "That's the difference between your job and mine, Inspector. As a policeman, you must find enough evidence for a jury to convict a criminal. But my duty is to protect the Führer, and I can and must act on supposition, on the slightest of suspicions, on the hint of a rumor."
"If the Reich is to survive, the Führer must survive; it is as simple as that," Himmler said. "Director Golz tells me you are the best man- hunter in the Reich. You are to stop this American."
He removed a pen from his breast pocket and opened the folder. As he wrote on a piece of stationery, he continued, "I have spoken with Jodl and Goring. They agree with me regarding the urgency of your task, and they have pledged that whatever you need for your search — manpower, communications, equipment — will be yours instantly."
He passed the letter to Dietrich, who lifted it to his eyes. At the top of the page was the embossed emblem of the Reichsführer-S S above Himmler's printed name. The letter read in scratchy handwriting: "This is Chief Detective-Inspector Otto Dietrich. You are to obey his orders as if they were my orders. Himmler."
The Reichsführer said, "This note will assist you, I trust."
Otto Dietrich would go to his grave wondering where he found the courage to next say, "Where is my wife?"
Himmler's eyebrows rose. "General Müller?"
"At a facility outside Munich," Müller said. "She is being detained pending investigation as your accomplice." His eyes had not left Dietrich since the inspector had entered the room.
"I won't do anything until she is set free."
"You are hardly in a position to bargain," Gestapo Müller said in his gravel voice.
Dietrich brought a finger around like a turret gun to Müller. "You release her from that place or I won't do a goddamn thing."
Müller colored and half-rose from his chair. His mouth opened, but Himmler's cold glance cut him off.
The Reichsführer waved his hand airily. "She will be released within one hour, and will be brought directly to Berlin. You have my assurance."
General Eberhardt handed the detective the RSD file about the American. Eberhardt said, "This American, this Jack Cray."
"Yes, sir?"
"He is a genius at military violence. It will be far too dangerous for you to try to take him alive."
"Don't let Cray even get a look at you," Director Golz cautioned. "It might be fatal."
Eberhardt advised, "Put a bullet in him. From a great distance, if possible."
"I understand, sir." Dietrich started toward the door.
He was brought up by Müller's piercing voice. "You are to report your every move to me."
Dietrich hesitated, then turned back.
Müller added, "Your wife will be released. But the Gestapo is like the Lord. What it gives, it can take away. Remember that."
Reichsführer Himmler clucked his tongue at Müller's boorish threat. But he added in a pleasant tone, chilling only if the source was considered, "Now, Inspector Dietrich, kindly begin your work, and do not fail us."
11
“AHEAD," Otto Dietrich urged. "They aren't poisoned."
Lieutenant Heydekampf translated his words to English.
Dietrich had spread out the French crullers on butcher paper on the table. The tops of the doughnuts were ridged with white icing. The ward was filled with the rich scent of the pastry.
David Davis and Harry Bell held their breaths