Vengeance 10

He shook his head impatiently. Why delay any longer? The general had said three hours. He looked at his watch, then sat down at the writing desk and thought about what to tell Janet. After a few moments he scribbled a brief note to the effect that he had been called away and would be back in a few weeks. He thought briefly of telling her about Hawaii, decided that it sounded too much like a bribe, then did so anyway.

Memling dressed quickly in the bathroom, found his overcoat in the closet, and felt along the top shelf for his knife. He paused in the bedroom doorway for a moment while he strapped it to his leg. When he left the flat, the gleaming Buick was waiting for him in Montague Street.

As they sped north out of London the general gave him a quick rundown on the mission. ‘The Russians have had agents active in the Peenemunde and Nordhausen areas for several months now. We believe they made their first contact with the German scientists in Poland and are trying to follow up. In any event, your friend Englesby at MI-Six is of the opinion that unless we take immediate action, we may come out of this with little more than a handful of broken rocket parts while the Russians carry off everything else. He pushed very hard and General Eisenhower is concerned enough about this matter to give it the go-ahead. SHAEF has set up the mission and code-named it Project Paper Clip. When SHAEF asked SOE for an agent, they suggested you. The Big Ben committee and MI-Six endorsed the suggestion, and SHAEF asked me to sound you out.’

Memling swore violently enough to cause the driver to jump. ‘For seven years everything I’ve said has been ignored. Each time I’ve been proven correct and still no one cares. Now they come up with this ridiculous idea and everyone points to me. Why, for God’s sake?’

‘Don’t be a damned fool,’ the general snapped. ‘There is no one else with your qualifications. You know Wernher von Braun personally and you’ve been to Peenemunde. Because of that, von Braun might listen to what you have to say.’

‘Or throw me to the Gestapo.’

Simon-Benet snorted at that. ‘You will be wearing your uniform. They can’t shoot you as a spy. For God’s sake, the war is almost over.’

It was Memling’s turn to snort. ‘Has anyone told them yet?’

‘You will do it, won’t you?’ Simon-Benet said.

‘You know damned well I will.’

‘Good.’ The general sat back, satisfied. ‘You’ll be given brush-up training at Northolt and then sent over by air. They’ll drop you right on the island this time. Agent reports and reconnaissance indicate the place is nearly deserted. We’ve infiltrated a few people who will be able to help you. All you have to do is persuade von Braun to come to us and bring anyone he, and you, trust. A submarine will be standing by in the Baltic to take you off. If for some reason the submarine cannot come in, there will be an aircraft standing by in Sweden. We have the full co-operation of the Swedish government in this matter. They don’t want to see the Russians in possession of these people any more than we do.’

‘There is one thing you have to do for me,’ Memling said, turning to face the general. There was a full moon and the sky was ice-clear; he could see Simon-Benet watching him.

‘I want you to tell Janet where I’ve gone and why.’

When the general started to protest about security Memling cut him off. ‘Damn it, don’t give me that nonsense. She’s worked for MI-Six for four years. If I don’t have your solemn promise that you will see her first thing tomorrow morning to explain where ‘I’m going and why, then you can turn this car around now.’ Simon-Benet studied him for a moment, then nodded. ‘You have my word.’

Memling sat back against the cushions, relieved. The car sped north between hedgerows glistening dark against the snow- covered fields and grey hills.

* * *

27 January was cold, overcast, and threatened rain. Kammler telephoned early to check on the V-10’s progress and promised to fly in by mid-afternoon. Bethwig then drove to Administration Building 4 which had been established as V-10 headquarters. He trudged wearily to the third floor, as the elevator was out of order. Everything is falling apart, he thought. Just like the war effort. Department heads waited for him in the director’s conference room, and he took his place at the head of the table. Von Braun came in a moment later, and as Bethwig stood to begin, the door opened and an out-of-breath Gestapo agent looked in.

‘Come in or stay out, you fool,’ Bethwig roared, ‘but don’t leave the door gaping. It’s cold enough in here as it is.’ The man gave him an embarrassed glance and stepped in while the others in the room contrived to look elsewhere.

‘Sit over against the wall there’ — Bethwig pointed — ‘and keep your mouth shut.’ He turned back to the table, glanced at the clock, and began:

‘Gentlemen, it is now nine in the morning. We have exactly fifteen hours remaining before the launch. You know your jobs and you know the importance of this mission.’