‘No, Reichsfuhrer.’
‘So we may deduce that the Irishman, Devlin, will not last too long over there.’
T couldn’t be more pleased, ReichsFuhrer,’ Berger said.
‘We could have won this war at Dunkirk, Berger, if the Fuhrer had allowed the panzers to roll on to the beaches. Instead, he ordered them to halt. Russia, one disaster after another. Stalingrad, the most catastrophic defeat the German Army has ever suffered.’ Himmler shuffled away and turned, ‘Blunder after blunder and he still won’t listen.’
‘I see, ReichsFuhrer,’ Berger said. ‘All men of sense would.’
‘And so inexorably, Germany, our beloved country, sinks deeper into the pit of defeat and that is why the Fuhrer must die, Berger, and to accomplish that is your sacred task. Rommel, Canaris, the Fuhrer. A dastardly attack on their part leading to the Fuhrer’s unfortunate death followed by their own deaths at the hands of loyal SS men.’
‘And afterwards?’ Berger said.
‘We of the SS will naturally assume all governmental powers. The war may then be continued as it should be. No weakness, no shirking by anyone.’ He put a hand on Berger’s shoulder. ‘We belong to the same sacred brotherhood, Major, I envy you this opportunity.’
Schellenberg nodded to Asa, edged him out and closed the door.
‘My God!’ Asa said. ‘Now what happens?’
‘We keep the appointment. If he finds out we overheard that lot we’ll never get out of here alive.’ As they hurried along the corridor Schellenberg said, ‘Whatever he wants, follow my lead and not a mention that Devlin’s got things to the stage they are.’
He led the way up a back stair, along a corridor and reached the door to Himmler’s sitting room in the South Wing very quickly.
Schellenberg sat in the chair behind Rossman’s desk. ‘Now we wait. They’ll probably come up by the back entrance to his room.’
A moment later, the door opened and Rossman looked out. ‘Ah, there you are.’
‘Right on time.’ Schellenberg led the way in.
Himmler, behind his desk, looked up. ‘So, General, and this is HauptsturmFuhrer Vaughan, the pilot you recruited for the Steiner affair?’
‘Yes, ReichsFuhrer.’
‘Any news of your Mr Devlin?’
Schellenberg said, ‘I’m afraid not, ReichsFuhrer.’
‘Ah, well, it was always a problematical mission to say the least. The Fuhrer flies to Cherbourg, arrives at Belle Ile tomorrow night. Canaris and Rommel are to have breakfast the following morning at seven. I’ll be there, of course. The idiots are junketing around Normandy at the moment. They have the crazy idea the invasion will come there and hope to persuade the Fuhrer to agree with them.’
‘I see, ReichsFuhrer.’
‘However, to the reason for your visit and why I asked you to bring the officer with you.’ He turned. ‘Rossman.’
As he stood up, Rossman opened a medal case. Himmler took the Iron Cross it contained, came round the table and pinned it to Asa Vaughan’s tunic.
‘To you, HauptsturmFuhrer Asa Vaughan of the George Washington Legion, in acknowledgement of supreme valour in aerial combat over Poland.’
‘ReichsFuhrer,’ said Asa, keeping his face straight with a supreme effort.
‘And now you may go. I have work to do.’
Schellenberg and Asa hurried down the stairs, retrieved their greatcoats and caps and went out to the waiting Mercedes.
‘Back to the base,’ Schellenberg said to the driver and he and Asa got in.
As they drove away Asa closed the glass partition and said, ‘What do you make of it?’
‘I know one thing,’ Schellenberg said. ‘Killing Hitler is the worst thing that could happen. At least with the Fuhrer making one foul-up after another, there’s a prospect of a reasonably early end to the war, but Himmler would be another story. Can you imagine that animal in total control, the SS in charge of government, the Army? The war could go on for years.’
‘So what are you going to do? Warn Rommel and Canaris?’
‘First of all I don’t know exactly where they are and it’s a question of belief, Asa. Why should anyone believe me? My word against that of the ReichsFuhrer of the SS?’
‘Come off it, General. According to Liam Devlin, you’re a very smart guy. Surely you can come up with something?’