The Swiss Courier by Tricia Goyer

Author:Tricia Goyer
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: FIC042030
ISBN: 9781441206091
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2009-10-01T07:00:00+00:00

20

Gestapo Regional Headquarters

Heidelberg, Germany

3:12 p.m.

Sturmbannführer Bruno Kassler leaned over the topographic map of southern Heidelberg and ran his right forefinger along the main route—Rohrbacher Strasse—right into the heart of Leimen. He knew the region well, having grown up in nearby Sandhausen. Leimen was where the countryside started: rolling hills to the east, suitable for dairy production; flat, arable land to the south, where rectangular plots yielded rows of wheat, alfalfa, and corn.

“Everything points to right here, ja?” he said, jabbing a finger and tracing the contour lines that indicated an elevation change south of Leimen. “I can feel it in my bones. Nothing unusual turns up elsewhere, but an American plane shows up at the stroke of noon and smashes one of our . . . checkpoints? It doesn’t make sense—unless it was a coordinated attack. Then Privat Grüniger swore he saw something move in that farmer’s hay pile. You agree, Becker?”

The young corporal cleared his throat. “Grüniger’s statement was convincing. I think you are on the right track, sir. It was genius of you to order more checkpoints south of Leimen . . . here . . . and here.” Becker’s finger also followed the Rohrbacher Strasse in a southerly direction toward Nussbloch. “I’ve circulated a description of the farmer’s truck, so if the criminals are in the region, Joseph Engel will be captured.”

Kassler stood and walked to the window overlooking the courtyard. “By now, the local Polizei in Leimen are fanning out, knocking on doors. They better turn over every—”

The jangling of Kassler’s black phone interrupted his words. “Take it, Becker. We know who it is. I need another moment to gather my thoughts.”

Becker picked up the phone and listened. He immediately stiffened and said formally, “Yes, he’s right here.” Turning to his superior, he announced, “Sir, the Reichsführer is on the line.”

Kassler felt his shoulders straightening to attention as he cradled the receiver to his ear. “A pleasure to receive your call, Reichsführer Himmler. I regret—”

“I don’t have time for excuses,” replied the oily voice from Berlin. “I received your message that the Jew traitor has escaped capture, a serious lapse in discipline, unless you have more welcome news forthcoming.”

Kassler felt his face flush. “No, mein Reichsführer, we have not located Engel, but we feel strongly he’s making his way south in the company of the plotters. As I explained in my message—”

“But of course Engel’s traveling south. Switzerland lies just 200 kilometers away.”

Actually, the distance was more like 250 kilometers, but Kassler wasn’t about to quibble with the Reichsführer. “Yes, sir, I’ve initiated several strike teams to comb the area. The fact that Engel and his cohorts are making it difficult to locate him prompts me to believe that our adversaries are more well-organized than previously thought.”

Silence greeted Kassler’s ventured opinion, and he wondered if he had overstepped his boundaries. Instead, he heard a voice of resignation. “It’s becoming more obvious to me that traitors operate in our midst. First, the assassination attempt on our beloved Führer, then this betrayal.

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