The Haigerloch Project

“To be honest with you, Sig,” he said quietly, “I wasn't sure what — or whom — I'd be running into here. I–I thought they'd nabbed you.” He looked at them, one at a time “I sure am glad I was wrong.”

He suddenly frowned.

“Shit!” he said heavily. “The radio I—”

“We know,” Sig said.

Dirk looked up in surprise. “Something sure as hell has gone wacky, Sig,” he said worriedly. “I can't figure it. They knew just where I was They—”

“No,” Sig interrupted. “They didn't.”

Dirk looked at him questioningly.

“It just — happened,” Oskar said. “I heard about it at the yard. There was quite a commotion. A slimy little creature we call the Raupe was bragging that he started the whole thing. I was told they had found your radio….”

“Did you get the message off?” Sig asked anxiously.

Dirk shook his head wearily “Hell, no. Didn't even get the damned set warmed up.”

Sig frowned. “Now that they have it, they can use it. Send false information.”

Again Dirk shook his head “I've got good news for you,” he said ironically. “Along with the bad. The set is squashed. Fini. Flattened under the wheels of a railroad car. Nobody's going to transmit on it. Not they. Not we!”

Sig stared at him.

“Jesus!” he said. “That's right. How do we contact Corny?”

“We don't.” Dirk sounded bitter. “We don't know who Otto's contact is in Stuttgart, or we could have tried him. And we sure as hell can't risk trying to buy the parts to build a new set Not in this burg. Or anywhere else in the Fatherland, for that matter.”

“They told me the town is sealed up,” Oskar said “Tight. Even I was questioned when I left the yard. That never happened before.”

Dirk nodded slowly. He felt utterly weary. He looked at Sig.

“We're on our own, Siggy baby,” he said evenly. “You and me.”

Sig frowned. For a moment everyone was silent, each engrossed in his own gloomy thoughts.

“What the hell do we do?” Sig asked finally.

Dirk shrugged. “We lie low for a couple of days. Till the glow wears off the fun and games. Then — we try to get out. Back to our own lines. Back to Corny. And hope we won't be too late….” He stood up. “Right now — I'm going to flake out. I'm beat. But good…”

* * *

He was lying on his bunk in the stuffy little basement room. He could not sleep. His mind was churning. They'd gotten the information. Vital information that should reach Washington at once. And no earthly way of getting it out… The whole fucking mission had caved in around their heads. It wasn't going to be easy to get out — and cross the lines.

He tensed at a small sound at the door. Slowly, cautiously it was pushed open. In the doorway stood Gisela, a tray in her hands.

She looked at him uncertainly.

“I–I did not know if you would be asleep,” she said, her voice low. “I did not want to disturb you.” She held out the tray. “I made you some hot soup. It will be — comforting.”

He smiled at her.

“You bet,” he said. “Really hit the spot!”

Gisela looked puzzled. “You would like it, yes?” she asked.

“I'd like it, yes,” he said He sat up.

The girl brought the tray to him. He took the cup of steaming soup. He sipped.

“Terrific,” he said. “Thank you, Gisela.”

“Bitte,” she said softly. “If you please.”

He took another sip. The soup was damned good. And hot. It felt great. He looked closely at the girl, standing uncertainly at the bed. Flustered, she looked away. Nervously her fingers played with the ribbon on her dirndl blouse.

“Please,” she whispered “I — wish to say something.”

Dirk remained silent. He just looked at her.

“You must know this,” Gisela said earnestly. She searched his face. “I did not wish you and your friend harm. I — was afraid.”

He started to speak, but she cut him off.

“No, please. You must hear me out.” She drew a quick breath. “I knew what Otto and Onkel Oskar were doing. I knew how dangerous it was for them.” Her words came tumbling out. “I knew…. And then Otto had his — accident.” She gave a little sob, unaware of doing so. “I–I loved my brother. He was a good man. And — I love my uncle. I do not wish to see harm come to him.”

She took a deep breath. She blinked her eyes to stem the gathering tears. Dirk watched her gravely.

“I did not wish for him to call the police,” Gisela went on. “Even though I said it. I knew he would not do so I said it only because I thought perhaps you might be frightened. And leave. And not make Onkel Oskar do dangerous things. He — he is all I have. I—”

Her voice broke.

“Gisela,” Dirk said gently. “It doesn't—”

“No. You must listen to me,” the girl implored, her huge eyes beseeching. “You must understand. I do want the men to be stopped who can do such horrible things as they did to Wanda. I do!”

The tears brimming in her eyes rolled down her cheeks. She seemed oblivious to them. “She is only seventeen….”

She sobbed.

“And then — today, when Onkel Oskar told us—” She could not go on. Gently he reached out to her and pulled her down on the bed to sit beside him. He searched her lovely face, distraught and moist with tears.

“Gisela,” he said softly. “It's all right. I do understand.”