CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Le Bureau Central National (BCN) d’INTERPOL pour la France [The International Criminal Police Organization, or INTERPOL], Office of Senior Detective Chief Superintendent Eugène Léon Dentremont, 200 Quai Charles de Gaulle, 69006 Lyon, France, August 30, 1962, later that same day
Lieutenant of Militsiya Trushin Vasilyovich Stepanovich had gone to considerable effort to prepare for this conversation with the senior detective chief superintendent of INTERPOL. He was fully aware of how much was at stake—mutual trust and security and conveying to the INTERPOL officer that he and his MYC [Moscow Criminal Investigations Department] were worthy of being considered to be a professional police department and not one that served as a puppet of the Soviet regime. He would be a dead man if it became known that he was entering into a partnership with a bourgeois capitalist organization with a dubious background with the Nazis. He determined to enter into the partnership fully and to accept the risks of his decision.
“We have begun inquiries in several directions, Eugène. Lada and Marianne can deal with the rather large quantities of background documentation separately.”
“That sounds good, Trushin. We have extensive contacts around the world outside the Soviet Union, and already they are beginning to look into different areas of interest involved in the possibly connected murders internationally.”
“So, Eugène, this is what we have learned.—I will spare you the details for the moment unless you ask questions: On October 9, 1961, Arkhangelskoye Military Convalescent Home, USSR, retired Lieutenant General of Cavalry Grigory Yegorivich Lagounov was murdered by a sword thrust during daylight hours. The murder itself was not witnessed, but several members of the Arkhangelskoye facility did see a stranger enter the general’s room and close the door. Within minutes, Lagounov was found dead.
“Our investigation revealed that Lagounov had accumulated a very significant number of serious enemies during his career, which is not altogether unusual for a senior leader of the Soviet Union. We have narrowed the general categories to these: Lagounov served the revolution in a Workers’and Peasants’ Red Army cavalry unit headed by Gen. Budenny before 1922 when he was just a boy. His first service was during the insurrection of General Alexey Maximovich Kaledin’s Volunteer Army in the River Don region. There is not a White Russian living who does not know his name and who would not volunteer to kill the general if the opportunity were to arise.
“Another significant area where enemies developed was in the ranks of officers and enlisted personnel during his military activities. These included civilian and military victims of the ‘Special Punitive Department or Extraordinary Commission’ which he commanded before, during, and after the Great Patriotic War. Any student of real Soviet history since the revolution knows the motto of the Cheka troops—‘Exhortation, Organization, and Reprisals’—was authored by Lagounov. He was the supervisor of innumerable atrocities while he was the head of the Cheka Special Punitive Brigades; there are serious men still living among Red Army officers who opposed his so-called ‘shock troops’ tactics during both the Great War and the Great Patriotic War because they violated the army’s traditional fixed plans. His Cheka and shock troop men were considered to be no better than mere spies by some of the generals—a few still living. There were complaints about the high rate of casualties they suffered and blamed that on Captain Lagounov. When he learned of their discontent, the captain had the senior officers shot in front of the surviving troops as an object lesson. Hundreds or perhaps thousands of soldiers and their families were humiliated, tortured, and often murdered when Lagounov accused the soldiers of cowardice, slacking, and desertion.
“Literally millions of enemies were created during his tenure as the head NKVD German POW camps during the Red Army advance into Germany and as head of a special treatment gulag in Siberia. The West German government estimates the actual death toll of German POWs in the USSR at about 1.0 million. The last German POWs—those who were sentenced for war crimes—were released in 1956, and it is presumed that many of those who survived are still living in Eastern or Western Europe and are nursing intense grudges. There is one special subset of gulag victims to consider and that is the last group of Germans and Russians who were repatriated. They were arrested during the war–some before 1945–and kept as slaves in Siberia. They were assigned to special punitive conditions and were tortured and murdered by the scores. Some few are known to have survived. There were even a few Frenchmen who were part of Hitler’s elite guard during the Battle of Berlin. Both the French and the Russians insist that all of them are dead, but there are some records that indicate that a very few may have lived long enough to be interned in the slave labor POW camps run by the Americans and French. There is no record of them after that.”
“You are right about me having never heard of a French unit serving Hitler until today. The longer I live the more I learn about that terrible conflict. I am in hopes that you and Lada have been able to narrow the field better than millions of persons of interest, Trushin.”
“We have tried, Eugène. The list is still lengthy; so, maybe it would be better to leave that to Lada and Marianne.”
“My mind is already in a whirling haze, my friend. I think you are right about getting a committee to work on what you have unearthed. Congratulations. I look forward to our cooperative endeavor.”
After they disconnected, Senior Superintendent Dentremont squeezed his temples and wondered what he had gotten himself into. He collected himself and put in his delayed call to Inspector Henckel in Córdoba.
“Hello, Adolf. This is Eugène. I have learned a few things and would like to convey those to you while they are still fresh on my mind.”
“Thank you. I will take notes.”
Dentremont filled Henckel in on the reported assassinations of French Général de division, Ret., Étienne Malboeuf in Paris, US Army General Glen Gabler, Ret., in Alaska, British Lieutenant General Sir Cyril Goeffrey Robert Hill-Brownwell, RA, Ret., in London, and Lieutenant General of Cavalry Grigory Yegorivich Lagounov, Ret., in Moscow. He outlined his suggestions for the special investigations unit working out of INTERPOL headquarters in Lyon.
“I am not sure if you are familiar with our agent in Italy, Giuliano Pasqualone. He is a very fine cop and has several geniuses working in his analysis unit. Would you be willing to work with him to advance the investigation into both Paraguay and Argentina to get a clear vision of what motives might be driving Nazis and neo-Nazis to remove one of their own, or what other motives might be behind a connection of Nazis to your victim, Carlos Aguillara-Dominguez, aka Hörst Dietsel?”
“Of course, Eugène. Have him call me, and together we can get our two sets of geniuses into action. He will get to know my hand-picked unit: José Emanuel de Corsos, Teniente Policía de la Provincia de Policía de Córdoba, PPC [Detective, Police of the Province of Córdoba], Manuel de Jesus, Sargentopolicíaprovbsas Policía de la Provincia de Córdoba, PPC [Corporal, Police of the Province of Córdoba], and José Emanuel de Corsos, Teniente Policía de la Provincia de Policía de Córdoba, PPC [Detective, Police of the Province of Córdoba], Dr. Konrad Schmidt von Dresden, Córdoba Provincial Police Medical Examiner, and Gerhardt Möller, Oficial de Policía [Police Officer] Policía de la Provincia de Córdoba, PPC.”
“I can see that this is going to be a very complex case, Adolf. I think it best to have my office serve as the administration and communications center and to pool our findings. Does that meet with your approval, Inspector Henckel?”
“Yes, sir, Senior Superintendent.”
The use of official titles made the agreement between gentlemen and friends formal.
Eugène’s next call was to Axel Baird, the INTERPOL agent in charge in New York City.
“Hello, Axel. This is Eugène. I hope I’m not calling at an inconvenient time.”
It was six-thirty in the evening Paris time and midday—twelve-thirty p.m. in Manhattan. Superintendent Baird was having a Spartan business lunch with his agents in the office conference room. Baird did not believe in fancy lunch or dinner meetings.
“Not at all, Eugène. We are just having our regular lunch meeting.”
“That reminds me that I’m hungry; so, I’ll make this brief. I have learned of the murder of a rather well-known retired American general—Glen Gabler. I am sure you are fully aware of it, but I doubt that the Amis have asked for INTERPOL assistance yet.”
“True. So, how does this become an INTERPOL problem?” Alex asked.
“For most of the day today, I have been communicating with law enforcement officers in Moscow, Paris, Weisbaden, Córdoba; and I will call London as soon as we hang up. In brief, we have reason to suspect that the murder of Gen. Gabler may be linked to murders in all of those diverse cities. I will fill you in by telex; be warned, the transmission will be extensive. I would like you to get hold of the appropriate American police authorities to get them to cooperate with the investigation. We are willing to share everything we get and hope they will do the same.
“I am–indeed–familiar with the killing, Eugène. It took place in Alaska. It won’t be difficult to make contact and to get cooperation with the Alaska State Troopers who are–no doubt–handling the investigation there. However, we will not be able to avoid the FBI; and who knows how they will react? They might want to take over the whole investigation. They will certainly want to make any arrests and to take full credit for any successes, you realize,” Alex said with a shrug of resignation.
“And INTERPOL can take full credit for all failures, Est-ce pas à peu près correct [isn’t that about correct]?” Eugène asked with a small Gallic laugh.
Axel’s French was very good, and he replied in kind, “Vous ne connaissez pas la moitié de celui-ci [you don’t know the half of it].”
“Our INTERPOL agents should have a conference call in a couple of days. Expect to hear from me, from Giuliano Pasqualone, Alina Hertzog, Marianne de la Reynie, and Roger Lahillonne soon. In the meantime, please get the Amis on board as much as possible and hand-pick a special unit of geniuses and people as discreet as monks to handle your end of things. As you may well imagine, we are entering into tiger country when we get Washington, Moscow, and the ever touchy French, to try to cooperate.”
“I wouldn’t trade you jobs for all the tea in China, Boss,” Axel said.
The two men exchanged pleasantries about politics and family news then hung up to get on with the formidable tasks of the manhunt looming ahead.
Axel put in a call to the Regional Major Crimes Unit [MCU], Alaska Bureau of Investigation Post, Juneau, Alaska, as his first official act in the international investigation and manhunt for the killers of General Glen Gabler. He had been on two fishing expeditions to the frigid US territory and had met the chief of the state troopers and also Major Darrin Higgins, head of the Alaska MCU, on one of those trips. He asked for Higgins.
“Hello, Axel. Looking for another fishing trip?”
“I’m afraid not, Darrin. I have an INTERPOL investigation that should include you.”
“Uh-oh, that sounds bad.”
“The American part is undoubtedly well in hand by you already, Darrin. We have an interest in the murder of Gen. Glen Gabler.”
“We’re on it.”
“Of course. May I ask if the FBI is also?”
“Not yet, but they’ll be involved soon, I’m sure. The DOD is in it. I am partnered up with an Army CID detective by the name of Tucker Nicholsen. He’s the SAC of the 83rd MP Det CID at Fort Richardson.”
“I’m glad not to have to deal with the FBI right off the bat, I’ll tell you that, Darrin. Let me tell you why we think INTERPOL should be involved.”
He took a few minutes to tell the state trooper about the international implications of Gabler’s murder—as much as he had gleaned from Eugène Dentremont.
“Sounds like a global conspiracy. That makes it a lot more interesting. I have no objections with cooperating with you, Axel. I can’t speak for the fibbies.”
“I have to call them as soon as we get off the line. Senior Superintendent Eugène Dentremont from the General Secretariat in Lyon, France, is heading up our end of things. With your okay, I’ll have him telex the information to you and to SAC Tucker. Would you mind giving him a head’s up?”
“I’ll be glad to. I think he’ll be happy to have the extra help. He’s a good guy to work with and a very smart cop. I’ll send you what we have found out so far.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll go you one further, Axel. I’ll smooth the way to the FBI by getting together with a contact of mine in DC.”
“I’ll take any help I can get.”
Darrin contacted Tucker Nicholsen at the base and told him about the call he had just received from INTERPOL about the projected manhunt. Tucker agreed to contact the Army and the DOD. Darrin’s next call was largely a courtesy call, but hopefully one that would help prevent trouble with the ubersensitive FBI in the future.
“Department of Justice, main switchboard, how may I direct your call?”
“This is Major Darrin Higgins, chief officer of the major crimes unit, Alaska State Police in Juneau. Please connect me to Spencer Reynolds, assistant attorney general for the criminal division.”
“Thank you, sir. I will connect you with the criminal division office.”
The pause was brief.
“Department of Justice, criminal division, office of the assistant attorney general.”
“Thank you for taking my call. I have an international criminal issue which requires that I speak to the AAG himself.”
“I’ll see if he is available, Major Higgins.”
Less than thirty seconds later, AAG Reynolds answered. “What can I do for you, Major?” the authoritative bassoprofundo voice asked; and the stage was set for the start of the greatest manhunt in the world’s history.
INTERPOL Office Party Recipes
Cheese Fondue and Fonduebourguignonne—Serves 4
Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue
Ingredients
-2 French sticks, cut into cubes, 1 garlic clove, 0.3 l dry white wine, 3 tsp corn flour or cornstarch, 400 g Vacherin Fribourgeois, 400 g Gruyere cheese, dash of kirsch, pepper to taste.
Preparation
-Peel and crush the garlic, rub it round the caquelon [a special ceramic pot with a small burner underneath it to keep the fondue at constant temperature]. Dissolve the cornstarch in the kirsch. Pour the wine into the caquelon, add the grated cheese, and melt together carefully on a very low heat on the kitchen cooker, stirring continuously with a wooden spatula. Add the kirsch (cherry brandy) and the pepper.
-Transfer to the serving stand, whose burner should be kept at a steady temperature.
-To eat the fondue: you need special fondue equipment, consisting of a heavy pan (caquelon) and a special stand containing a burner with an adjustable flame. Spear the cubes of bread on forks (preferably specially designed long fondue forks), and dip them in the cheese, stirring all the time to prevent the mixture from sticking on the bottom of the pan. Be extra careful not to let your bread drop off your fork.
Fonduebourguignonne
Ingredients
4 cps vegetable oil or mix of vegetable and olive oils, 8 oz beef tenderloin cut into small cubes or strips, 8 oz chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into small cubes or strips, 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, ¾ cp ground pork, ½ tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp minced shallots, 1 egg yolk, 1 tsp mustard, 4 small red-skinned potatoes quartered and cooked until tender, ½ cp each of 3 sauces~Aioli, barbecue sauce, Bearnaise and/or horseradish cream)
Preparation
- Heat oil in a fondue pot or 2-quart saucepan at 375°F until very hot.
-While oil is heating, cut beef and chicken, toss with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Combine pork with garlic, shallots, egg yolk and mustard, and form into tiny meat balls. Decoratively arrange meats, meatballs, and potatoes on a large platter, or on 4 individual plates. Arrange sauces in individual dipping bowls or plates.
-Place fondue pot of oil in center of table over a small candle or sterno, and adjust flame so that it bubbles but does not sputter when meat is added. Spear meat, meatball, or potato on long metal or wooden forks or skewers, place in pot and cook 20–30 seconds until crispy. Remove meat from fork before eating; fork will be burning hot.
Traditional Swiss Raclette—Serves 4
Ingredients
-8 small/medium potatoes, skin on, 1½ lb Raclette Cheese, Buendnerfleisch (cut in paper-thin slices),1 jar pickled gherkin cucumbers (cornichons), 1 jar pickled onions, freshly ground pepper, and paprika to taste
Preparation
-You must have a raclette grill or raclette melter.
-Wash potatoes and boil in a pot filled with salted water~20 min. Test with a knife to see if the potatoes are done. Keep warm until ready to use in an insulated potato basket.
-In the meantime remove the rind of the cheese and cut into 1/16 in. thick slices using an adjustable wire slicer.
-Arrange gherkins, onions, and Buendnerfleisch on a platter and set aside until required.
-Turn raclette on to begin to heat up (allow for at least 5 mins. before using).
-To serve: For Raclette grills: Each guest takes a slice of cheese, places it in their pan, and slides it under the raclette grill to melt. It takes approximately 2 mins. to melt to a creamy consistency and 3 mins. for a crispier top. Remove the pan from under the grill once it’s reached its preferred consistency and hold the pan onto its side to scrape the cheese out, using your wooden spatula. Place a potato on your plate and cut it into a few pieces and eat it and the Buendnerfleisch with cheese. Gherkins and onions are added taste ticklers.
-To serve: For Raclette melters: Each guest prepares potatoes and side dishes on their plates. When the cheese starts melting on the wheel, scrape the cheese onto the plate. Season to taste with freshly ground pepper and paprika.
Swiss Chocolate Roll Cake
Ingredients
3 eggs, ½ cup caster sugar, ¼ cup plain flour, 2 tbsps cocoa, 1 cp heavy cream, 1 tbsp icing sugar (plus extra to dust), ½ tsp vanilla essence
Preparation
-Preheat oven to moderately hot~395° F. Lightly grease a Swiss roll tin (12 x 10 in.) and line the base with baking paper, extending the edges over the two long sides.
-Beat the eggs and ⅓ cp of the caster sugar with electric beaters until thick and creamy. Using a metal spoon, gently fold in the combined sifted flour and cocoa. Spread the mixture into the tin and smooth the surface.
-Bake for 10–12 mins, or until the cake is just set.
-Meanwhile, place a clean tea towel on a work surface, cover with baking paper and sprinkle with the remaining caster sugar. When the cake is cooked, turn it out immediately onto the sugar. Roll the cake up from the short side to roll the paper inside the cake. Stand the rolled cake on a wire rack for 5 mins., then carefully unroll and allow the cake to cool to room temperature.
-Beat the cream, icing sugar, and vanilla essence until stiff peaks form. Spread the cream over the cake, leaving a ½ in. border all the way around. Reroll the cake (without the paper). Place the cake seam-side down onto serving tray.
-Refrigerate until serving—dust with extra icing sugar before serving. Cut into slices to serve. A little vanilla or dark chocolate ice cream wouldn’t be bad with this famous dish either.