Just War by Lance Parkin

Author:Lance Parkin
Format: mobi, epub

8

Taking Sides

‘Inform Standartenführer Wolff that I have arrived.’

‘At once, Oberst Steinmann.’ The secretary pressed a switch on the intercom. Steinmann looked around. A great deal of construction work had been completed since he had last been here, a fortnight earlier. When finished, the complex would serve as a bomb-proof administrative centre, command post, prison and even a hospital. That was still a few months away yet but, when finished, the base would provide a concrete symbol of Nazi power. A modern medieval castle, complete with dungeons and torture chambers.

The secretary stood. ‘I shall take you to Herr Wolff, sir.’

‘It must be difficult to find your way around this place,’ Steinmann joked.

The secretary took him seriously. ‘No, sir, your architectural skill is unsurpassed. You have created an ordered –’ Steinmann cut the flattery short with a wave of his hand. He had designed this place, but was not proud of the fact. He hadn’t the skill to create anything as beautiful as the townhouse in Granville. Lassurance – now, he was a genius. The corridor they were walking through had not been painted yet, and was drab and grey. However, there was no doubt that his subterranean building would last forever. It had been built out of reinforced concrete precisely so that not even high explosive charges could dent it. After the war, when this place was no longer needed, and the Channel Islands were being run as a holiday camp by the KdF, it would prove impossible to demolish. At least it was underground, unlike all those watchtowers and gun emplacements on the coastline.

Wolff was sitting outside the cell block waiting for him.

His huge frame seemed perfectly at home in the brutish place Steinmann had designed. They saluted one another. A blonde nurse was just bringing in a jug of coffee. She seemed unsure whether she ought to salute before or after she had put the tray down. Steinmann magnanimously told her not to worry about it. She poured him a cup of black coffee.

‘You were right to bring the Doktor to me, Joachim,’ Steinmann began, ‘and he is just what we need. Who have you got in there?’

‘That is the woman who killed the German soldier. Her name is Bernice Summerfield. She’s a civilian, but she’s from the mainland. I’ve questioned her and she told us everything she knows. She’s delirious now. Kitzel here suggested we torture her with electric shocks, but I decided to be more humane.’

‘Sir, that misrepresents my…’ An angry glance from Steinmann silenced the young nurse.

‘Joachim, you couldn’t be humane if you tried. I saw what you did to the Doctor. Thankfully, I’ve managed to salvage the situation. Show me this woman.’ Kitzel scurried to the door, unbolting it.

Steinmann stepped inside. In the corner of the cell, an emaciated figure sat crouched, its eyes staring wildly, but not focused on anything in particular. Her face was bruised and cut. She seemed to have registered his presence.

Awkwardly, she pulled herself upright. She was tall and skinny, and couldn’t quite straighten herself.

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