‘Never mind that now.’ Kammler was shouting, his words almost lost in the roar of atmospherics. ‘What the hell is going on there? I am being prevented from reaching Peenemunde…’ The next few sentences disappeared in the crash and pop of static.
‘I am sorry, Brigadeführer,’ Bethwig said into the mouthpiece. ‘The line is so bad I cannot understand you.’
‘… status there? Will you…?’
Bethwig was able to guess at the question. ‘We will launch on time. All stations have reported in. The submarine is on station and everything appears ready at this time. Please do try and get here,’ he finished, and handed the phone to the boy.
‘If Brigadeführer Kammler comes back on the line so that you can understand him, son, tell him what’s happening. Otherwise, hang up.’
The boy’s eyes went wide as he accepted the phone; he stammered something, but Bethwig had already turned away, motioning von Braun to follow.
‘What the hell is going on?’ von Braun demanded, grabbing his arm as they reached the corridor. ‘Magnus telephoned an hour ago to say that Sussmann was arming some men to deal with a problem. What problem, damn it?’
‘The problem of Inspector Jacob Walsch. Do you remember an old friend of yours, Jan Memling?’
Wernher von Braun blinked in surprise. ‘Of course… oh no, not again!’
Bethwig nodded. ‘Yes. He was sent to Peenemunde to persuade you and the staff to surrender to the British or Americans, rather than the Russians.’
‘But we’ve already decided,’ von Braun protested, and waved a hand as Bethwig started to point out that London could hardly know that. Then he blanched under the impact of Bethwig’s news. ‘My God, if he should be caught…’
‘He was,’ Bethwig told him calmly. ‘With three German citizens, all members of the resistance. Early this morning.’ Quickly he described to von Braun what had taken place over the past eighteen hours. ‘Two hours ago it came to a head. My contact in the Gestapo reported that the three traitors had signed confessions, and been shot. That left only your English friend. If he confessed, which I was assured he would, you and I and a good many others would be dead by now.’
Von Braun slumped against the wall. ‘Where do we stand now?’ he asked finally. ‘You said if he confessed. If? What about Kammler? Surely he won’t…’
‘Forget Kammler. He’s in enough trouble himself.’ He reviewed what Prager had told him of the SS’s own intramural squabbles ‘The Gestapo was our major enemy, primarily because Walsch hated us both. But it doesn’t matter any longer. Walsch is dead.’
Von Braun perked up at that. ‘How?’
‘Your English friend Memling shot him. Saved me from doing so, for which one of these days, I am sure, I will be grateful. I don’t know how, but Memling had a weapon when we arrived and had already killed four of the SS. If it had not been for him, we might not have made it.’
‘I don’t believe any of this.’ Von Braun shook his head, it sounds like a thriller story.’
‘Never mind that now. We are not out of the woods by any means. The SS will soon discover what happened in Trassenheide, and if they should find out who was responsible, we are all dead. But we could also have them about our ears anytime now if someone gets cold feet and decides to stop the launching or if Kammler screws up his courage and bulls his way through the roadblocks. Don’t forget that his orders about shooting us are still in effect.’
Von Braun pushed himself away from the wall and took a few steps down the hall, then spun and came back. ‘How in hell can we stop them? What about Sussmann? He was supposed to be setting up some kind of defence…’
‘Sussmann was wounded quite badly. He’s in hospital right now, but I persuaded Memling to keep the SS busy. Your English friend, it turns out, is a commando officer.’
‘I thought he was a spy, worked for that… I don’t remember…’
‘So did I.’ Bethwig shrugged, in any event, I made a deal with him, one it will be up to you to honour.’
Bethwig glanced at his wristwatch. Time was running out. ‘I promised that after the launch you would help hide him. He speaks excellent German, and it shouldn’t be difficult to pass him off as a middle-level technician for a while. Everything is falling apart here, and with the entire Gestapo staff dead, security checks are certain to fall by the wayside, at least for the moment. Memling said there is a submarine standing by for him and anyone else who wants to leave, but you can deal with that. I gave him directions to your house in Zinnowitz. He will be discreet. Now, I have one more thing to do. Stay on the control console for me a while longer, please?’
Bethwig was half-way down the hall as he asked the final question. Von Braun started after him, demanding to know where he was going this time and why he couldn’t take care of the Englishman himself, before he realised Bethwig had already gone. Von Braun tore off his cap and slammed it to the tiled floor in frustration.
