The Honor of Spies

"Kortig is a lieutenant colonel. He tells me that he is privy to a very important secret with the code name Valkyrie. He also told me that he was sent on this duty--ostensibly as a suboficial mayor--to keep an eye on Moller, who was sent here because he was getting too close to the Valkyrie secret." He paused, then asked, "Have I succeeded in confusing everybody?"

"I will tell you what I can of this later," Peralta said to the Gendarmeria officers, then gestured to Frade. "Go on, please, Don Cletus."

"What we know now is that Moller cannot be trusted."

"If he can't be trusted, kill him," Nowicki said.

"You and Enrico think alike," Clete said. "But right now that wouldn't be smart. There is another German officer here, another lieutenant colonel, who is privy to Valkyrie. I know about this man. If he recognizes Kortig, then Kortig can be trusted."

"That's the South African?" Peralta asked. "The wine expert?"

"Uh-huh."

"I wondered about him."

"How did you hear about him?" Frade said.

"Subinspector Nowicki heard he was here. He asked me what to do. I asked Subinspector Nervo, who asked Colonel Martin, who asked Inspector General Nervo to back off. We backed off."

"I'm glad you did."

"Before I get them in here, I want to make it clear that I don't want Moller to know that the wine expert is anything but a wine expert, or that I put him--he's using the name Fischer; his real name is Frogger--together with Kortig."

"That's presuming your man knows Kortig, right?" Peralta asked.

"What if your man, the one you trust, knows Kortig as a goddamn Nazi?" Nowicki asked.

"That's a possibility," Frade admitted. "If that happens, I'll turn both Moller and Kortig over to you and Rodriguez."

"Clete, you better make sure they understand that was a joke," Madison R. Sawyer III said. It was the first time he'd opened his mouth.

Frade met Sawyer's eyes. "It wasn't a joke, Captain Sawyer."

"But they have their wives and children . . ."

"Nothing will happen to the wives and children."

"Jesus Christ, Clete!"

"Enrico, go get Kortig. And, Stein, you go get Fischer."

"Clete, I can't believe you're serious," Sawyer said.

"I have heard your comments, Captain Sawyer. Don't question any decision I make, or order I give, ever again."

Sawyer looked at him incredulously.

"The answer I anticipate, Captain, is, 'Yes, sir. I understand, sir.' "

After a long moment, Sawyer exhaled audibly, then said, "Yes, sir. I understand, sir."

Fischer came into the bar first.

He looked curious but not concerned.

"Gentlemen, this is Senor Fischer," Clete said, "who came all the way from South Africa to help us improve our grapes."

The handshaking took about a minute.

"A little grape for the grape expert?" Clete asked, holding up a bottle.

"I could use one," Fischer said. "I have had a hard day."

Rodriguez led Kortig into the room a minute later.

Neither German could conceal his surprise.

"Ach, du lieber Gott!" Fischer said softly.

"Willi," Kortig said, "we heard you were captured in North Africa!"

"I gather introductions are not necessary," Clete said.

Both Germans turned to look at Frade.

"Colonel Frogger, I presume you are prepared to vouch for Colonel Niedermeyer?"

"Absolutely! Absolutely!"

"And you would say that Colonel Niedermeyer knows that Valkyrie means more than some oversexed woman on a horse?"

"Major Frade," Niedermeyer said, "Colonel Frogger has been part of Valkyrie from the beginning."

"Sorry, Nowicki," Frade said. "It doesn't look as if you're going to get to shoot him."

Peralta chuckled.

"From this moment, Captain Sawyer," Clete said, "while he has the freedom of the compound, I want someone watching Moller twenty-four hours a day. If he tries to escape, kill him. And tell him if his wife tries to escape, we'll kill both of them."

"Yes, sir," Sawyer said.

XV

[ONE]

Calle Talcahuano 207

Buenos Aires, Argentina

1020 4 October 1943

When SS-Brigadefuhrer Ritter Manfred von Deitzberg had telephoned the German Embassy almost immediately after stepping ashore from the motor vessel Ciudad de Cadiz in Buenos Aires, he asked for "Commercial Counselor" Cranz.

"One moment, please, Senor."

A moment later, a voice announced somewhat arrogantly: "Herr Cranz is not available."

"With whom have I the pleasure of speaking?"

"This is Assistant Commercial Counselor Raschner."

"He's not available, Raschner, or he can't be troubled talking to ordinary people?" von Deitzberg snapped.

"Who is this?" Raschner had asked. Most of the arrogance was gone from his voice, telling von Deitzberg that Raschner had recognized his voice.

Von Deitzberg hadn't deigned to reply directly.

"I need to talk to you, and Cranz, somewhere where we won't be seen together, without the ambassador knowing, and right now. Do not use my name or rank when you reply."

There was only a moment's delay.

"At the rear of the Colon Opera House, Mein Herr, is the Cafe Colon. We can be there in thirty minutes, if that is satisfactory, Mein Herr."