Five Past Midnight - James Thayer [94]
After a moment he was able to release his fingers from the nozzle. He looked sheepishly at his subordinates, clucking his tongue by way of apology, then to the document on his desk, marked boldly in red across the first page. "State Secret" and "Top Secret," below which was the title, "Führerbunker Fire-fighting and Rescue Plan." General Eberhardt had provided him with the copy. It set out which organization had which responsibility, and who would make the determination to initiate fire fighting or a rescue or an evacuation. General Eberhardt had the ultimate responsibility for the decisions, and was to consult with the guard captain at the bunker. The document was signed by the Führer, so presumably Hitler would comply with whatever emergency decisions Eberhardt might some day have to make. Any rescue would be attempted by the Technical Emergency Corps from their station closest to the bunker, on Mauerstrasse. Fire-fighting teams would come from Berlin No. 1 Station on Kaiserhofstrasse near the Hotel Kaiserhof. If either the Rescue Squad or the firefighters were ever called to the bunker because of Jack Cray, it would of course mean that Dietrich had failed.
"There's something about the American I can't figure out," Hilfin- ger said after a moment, pushing aside a telephone so he could sit on the front of his desk facing Dietrich.
"Only one thing?"
"Why didn't he hide his progress toward Berlin?" Hilfinger asked. "I mean, he had that conversation with that old lady, and he let those two Wehrmacht soldiers live, Sergeant Keppler and Private Enge. The American must have known they'd report to the authorities."
"I think it's Jack Cray's way of boasting. He is telling us we can't catch him, even if he gives us glimpses of himself." Dietrich scratched his chin. "Or maybe he doesn't care if we catch him."
"What sense does that make? Why would he go to all the trouble of traveling to Berlin if he doesn't care if we find him? He could have saved himself and us a lot of trouble by getting caught nearer Colditz."
Dietrich shook his head by way of an answer.
"Do you think Jack Cray is a feint? That the enemy has another plan underway, and Cray's purpose is only to distract us? Maybe that's why he let those folks live, when he knew they'd report him."
Dietrich replied, "Maybe he let those people live because he doesn't like to shoot down someone in cold blood."
"You're suggesting Jack Cray is a nice guy?" Hilfinger laughed.
"I don't know if he is or not, and I hope never to have to put that suggestion to the test. But, feint or not, I'm only in charge of finding Cray."
Hilfinger said, "We'll have our hands full with just him, it looks
like."
"General Eberhardt can worry about the others, if Cray is a feint." Dietrich toyed with the fire nozzle. "One of the few things I'm certain of is that Jack Cray is almost certainly still disguising himself in a German uniform. Not in a refugee's clothes, or some other civilian's clothes."
"What makes you think so?" Hilfinger asked.
"Jack Cray is most comfortable in a uniform. Soldiers the world around think and act alike. Cray knows the soldier's walk and mannerisms. Because he doesn't have to be an actor when he's in a uniform, his job is easier."
"What else do you know, Inspector?" The new voice at the doorway was dreadfully recognizable.
Dietrich spun in his chair to see Rudolf Koder, who had pushed aside Haushofer. Dietrich tightened, as if expecting a blow.
The Gestapo agent smiled, perhaps in recognition of his effect.
"This is my office," Dietrich managed, trying to make himself sound angry rather than afraid. "Get out."
"I'm your case officer," Koder said in a tone of finality, as if that explained everything.
"I'm done with you." It was more a prayer.
Koder lifted half-frame reading glasses from his coat pocket and inspected them a moment before replying. "You are unfamiliar with our procedures, Detective