Vienna Spies by Alex Gerlis

Author:Alex Gerlis [Gerlis, Alex]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Studio 28
Published: 2017-03-29T06:00:00+00:00

***

Viktor’s instinct was that Acheron was still alive; his father would have been more emphatic if he wasn’t. So he followed a routine he hadn’t used since 1937. He started his walk on Franz-Josefs-Kai, at the point where the Danube Canal turned into the smaller Wien Fluss river. From there he walked along the banks of the canal, aware that if Acheron didn’t turn up he’d run out of options. He hadn’t walked very far when a tall man in an unfamiliar uniform turned as Viktor passed him. ‘Do you have a light?’ he said.

Before Viktor could say a word the man spoke again. ‘Just give me a bloody light; it’s bad enough having to meet here as it is. That building over there – it’s the Gestapo headquarters!’ Joachim Lang – Acheron – was smiling as he spoke, treating Viktor as if he was the old friend which in many respects he was. ‘Come. Let’s walk in the opposite direction, away from Morzinplatz, please.’

They walked back towards the Wien Fluss, Lang saying something about the weather. They came to a bench and both sat down. ‘When my father told me you’d turned up, I didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry. I couldn’t believe it at first. Then I thought if anyone could find me, it’d be you Viktor. The Gestapo have been looking for me for years, but Viktor finds me: maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised. How long have you been in Vienna?’

‘That doesn’t matter. What on earth is that uniform you’re wearing, Joachim?’

‘This?’ He was fingering the cloth of his jacket, as if admiring its quality. ‘The Wasserschutzpolizei – we’re the river police. Life was becoming impossible, you know? In ’41 the Gestapo arrested Mayer and Fischer and murdered them, then in March ’42 they arrested Frieda – you remember her, Frieda Brauner? I was convinced they’d break her, but as far as we can gather, they didn’t get anything out of her before she died. Anyway, I laid low for six months then realised it was too risky to move around Vienna if I wasn’t in uniform. I had one very good identity left and I used that to join the Wasserschutzpolizei. I rather enjoy it, to be honest. We patrol the Danube, checking the barges – that kind of thing. At least I’m safe and I’m hardly contributing to the Nazi war effort. I try to make sure of that.’

‘Did your father tell you about Rolf?’

‘He did, yes.’

‘Have you seen him at all?’

‘Of course not. I keep a very low profile these days, Viktor. When I’m out, it’s almost always in uniform. How do you know him, anyway?’

‘I came across him when he was working for the British in Zürich.’

‘I know he went to Switzerland when he left in ’38. Frieda was angry he went. So he’s a British agent now?’

Viktor shrugged. ‘He certainly was one in Zürich.’

Lang laughed, stretching out his long legs. ‘I know you, Viktor. I wouldn’t be surprised if

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