The beginning of the drive passed in a blur. Quite likely, neither of us should have been driving. We both processed the morning’s events as we wound our way closer to our destination. A few miles from town, Fritzy broke the silence when he asked me to stop at a favorite little bakery of his. The store was before the city proper. I remained in the warm automobile while he went in and continued filtering through my thoughts. The feeling of being disconnected from reality was still lingering. Franz appeared a few minutes later with an armload of items. He arranged all of them on the seat between us, then handed me a roll with sausage. My body had given me no indication of hunger, but one bite told me how ravenous I was. Franz was halfway through a second roll when I took the last bite of mine. He made a waving motion to let me know I was free to continue on the way.
We soon arrived at the Innsbruck estate where Franz relocated his bounty from the front seat to the trunk. Entering the vestibule, I heard Karl first, he was descending the stairs. “They’re here” he hollered behind him. Coming straight on, offering a handshake followed by a bear hug. “Where is Fritzy?” Karl inquired, looking behind me.
“Right behind me, he bought out the bakery on the way. The baked goods are being safely relocated to the trunk for the trip back,” I replied while removing my coat and hat. The young footman swept in with a greeting, snatching them away before I could hang them myself. Karl and I moved into the sitting room.
“I am dying to know what is going on, Jim, but at the risk of you having to repeat the story, we will wait for Will. How are you? How is your bride-to-be? That was no small shock for either of us,” Karl said.
Laughing at the look he gave on the last statement, I said, “Believe me, no one was more shocked than I was. Save possibly my parents. The thought of marrying someone, anyone, was hardly a consideration. Certainly not during these times, with what we are facing.”
We could hear Will and Franz in the vestibule repeating the process Karl and I had just completed.
“Sounds like they are on the way,” Karl said. I rang the staff; Otto appeared a moment later.
“Please secure all of the guest’s luggage in the automobile, thank you.” Otto was happy to fulfill my request. Heading out of the room with purpose. Franz and Will came in, still engaged in conversation. Will broke away and headed for me.
“Jim, so good to see you, we missed you at the university this past term,” Will said in a big bear hug. “Munich is the center of your favorite dictator’s circle. The difference in these short six months has been extraordinary,” he finished, stepping back into our group.
“It’s good to be back together,” I said.
“Together again!” found its way across everyone’s lips. Smiles, laughter, everyone patting everyone else’s back.
“Well, shall we get on the road?” Will asked.
There was mutual agreement. I went to speak with Otto before we left to ensure they were quite well here and wanting for nothing. He gave me a few pieces of mail that had arrived in the last few days. I bid farewell to the staff who expressed remorse that we were not staying longer and headed out. Franz was already taking the driver’s seat and Karl was taking the passenger side. Will was comfortable in the back, I slid in opposite him, and we were off. Fritzy and Karl were already engaged in conversation before we were on the street.
I chuckled to myself. Will knew exactly what I was thinking. “Those two will be nonstop the whole way,” he said. “How about you, Jim, are you up for some conversation? I would like to speak with you on the way if you are up for it.”
“Certainly, Will, we have plenty to cover, let’s get it done.” I adjusted in my seat, giving him my full attention.
“Karl and I have made a few educated guesses. It is not like you to call us away. Most notably, with no warning at all. Therefore, you must be aware of just how tenable the situation around the Chancellor has become.”
“Will, I am not going to even hesitate. Karl relayed you are embedded with the primary Nazi faction in Vienna. At a guess, you are likely to be more aware than anyone of the level of infiltration within the city.” Will looked sad as the words came forth.
“Jim, think of the worst-case scenario and double it. Every day, another person comes over. Surprisingly, very few actually believe in the cause. No, by and large, they come for the money, the bribes, government positions, or the promise of a position in the future government. Hell, many of them despise the Nazis, but they do not have money or are living on credit. Most lost their fortunes years ago in the treaty and are still grappling with how to make money without having money.” Wilhelm hesitated for a moment, thinking, “The best way to proceed may be for you to tell me what you know. In general, how much are you aware of, Jim?”
“Will, are you familiar with Baron Von Reichsthaler, the Chancellors personal secretary?” I asked.
“I am aware of him, I know nothing factual, although there is a lot of conjecture around him and a few others in the Chancellor’s employ,” Will answered.
“Baron Von Reichsthaler was specifically selected by the Chancellor. He, too, is an alum of Stella Matutina, thought to be a loyal fellow Austrian. The truth, though, is that Baron is on the Nazi payroll. Above your group, certainly. We have some proof he reports to Göring and Hess, depending on their availability. Worse, Schuschnigg will never believe he is a traitor to him.” Will’s face paled as I relayed this information.
“Hard to believe a fellow would turn on another, especially to side with the Nazi party. Heartbreaking times we are living in, Jim. Do you have any idea how much the Nazis hate Catholics? I have to be on my guard at all times to ensure I am not unwittingly betraying my faith to these hypocrites. They are almost as disdainful of Catholics as they are of Jews. Half their ranks are Catholic, so they must be tolerant. Their propaganda for the neo-pagan religion we are all to join becomes less subtle every day.” Will and I sat in silence, both absorbed in our thoughts for a few minutes.
“This means the Chancellor is utterly compromised,” Will stated.
“Yes, how has Karl been contacting him?” I asked.
“Courier, direct to the Chancellor. They will wait as long as necessary. Nothing is ever turned over to anyone on his staff, only him personally. Even then, it is delivered using your code. The one you both worked on. If possible, everything is delivered to the residence. The office or public places are avoided at all costs. Keep in mind, though, Jim, I am not around much. Karl and I limit our contact, so he will have to break down just how much of those procedures are still in place.”
Karl turned, throwing an arm over the back of the front seat. “I am hearing my name an awful lot,” he said. Will repeated most of what he had just relayed to Karl for confirmation.
“The Chancellor has made a point of having the couriers take things directly to his residence. However, he keeps long hours at the office. Therefore, oftentimes, sensitive correspondence is useless by the time he receives it. The Chancellery couriers are incredibly corrupt. So I engage my own. Some from the list you provided. However, the Chancellery couriers are known to follow our couriers if they come through the offices. They are definitely on the Nazi payroll.” Karl was shaking his head, he finished and turned back toward the front.
“At least your timing was perfect. I was able to claim a ski holiday. It’s quite literally the first time I have been away from party headquarters for more than a few hours since they recruited me,” Will said.
“They keep you on a tight leash then?” I asked.
“In the beginning, yes, they watch your every move, spy on you constantly, and follow everything you do. If you are sent to deal with people through coercion, intimidation, or violence. Someone follows up to be sure it was done. They are certain the organization is infiltrated. Many of those joining choose the party for protection, pay, or positions, not for the cause. As the days pass, the possibility of Hitler taking Austria is settling in. Therefore, even when they recruit you, you are monitored to the point of borderline harassment. At least, until you prove your true loyalty to the cause,” Will finished.
Karl had turned his attention back to us, adding, “His diligence has paid off dividends, though. He is pushing through the ranks at lightning speed. This is why I often have to wait to relay information. Our contact is limited and brief. Then, of course, it must be coded and relayed in the safest conceivable way.”
Franz spoke up, “A solution has arisen for part of that problem gentlemen.”
Karl and Will were both immediately full of questions.
“All your questions will be answered before the end of the evening,” Franz laughed. A rare occurrence that brought looks all around.
Will filled the rest of the drive with stories and information from Nazi party headquarters in Vienna. Ortsgruppenleiter, or Local Group Leader, was now his official title. The title was hard won and difficult to maintain. A departure from the position was imminent, unless the brutal actions required to keep it were outweighed by a godsend yet unseen.
Our quartet last gathered at the meadow’s estate over five years before. My parents were in residence at that time and the house was fully staffed. Klaus was not to be outdone, though. Two of his sons were well-dressed and received us at the automobile as we arrived. They acquired all the luggage while Klaus greeted Karl and Will warmly. The chaos of our arrival died down as everyone settled indoors. “Gentlemen, unless you would like some time to rest and unpack, we have a bit of a surprise waiting.” I looked to each in turn.
“Get on with it, Jim,” Will said. Karl slapped Will on the back and motioned me onward.
“To the study, then!” I led the way. Henry was there waiting for us, having heard the commotion. Will and Karl both pulled up short, but Fritzy was behind them, pushing them into the room and laughing. Henry stepped forward confidently.
“Mr. Henry Fletcher, Esquire, may I present Karl Von Stecher and Wilhelm Von Dorn, with all the titles Franz and I both carry, of course.
“I have slightly more, I believe,” Karl said, shaking Henry’s hand.
“Henry Fletcher? From Cambridge University?” Will asked as he extended his hand.
“Indeed, Gräf Von Dorn, the very same,” Henry replied as they shook hands.
“Please, Henry, I hope I may call you Henry. Please, do not begin with the titles. It will take all night to get through a simple conversation,” Will laughed.
“I must say, it is easy to see why Jim prefers his moniker. Between the length of your names and your titles, it is hard to see how the monarchy was ever able to accomplish anything.” Henry made a great show of it being a joke aimed at each of us.
“You are actually more correct than you would think,” Karl added, laughing. With the preliminaries out of the way, we all moved into the room. Elsa appeared and immediately caught Karl and Will’s attention. She was followed by Klaus. Each carried a tray, one laden with coffee and tea. The other was covered in rolls, bread, and pastries.
Klaus said, “My Greta sends her gratitude, Herr Franz, for the items from the bakery.”
“My pleasure, Klaus, I believe they were able to fill everything on the list,” he told Klaus.
The information-covered walls drew Karl and Will’s attention like magnets. Henry lingered behind them. Klaus and Elsa exited, and I closed the door behind them. “There is a lot to cover as you can see. There is also a lot at stake for all of us. Especially for the two of you. I will allow you all to make decisions about what you choose to reveal to each other. Our common ground is the danger involved in knowing each other. For Will, in particular, it is very real. I know each of us will respect the other and hold each other in complete confidence.” As I finished, each man came around shaking the other’s hand. Making personal acknowledgments of the trust necessary in our group.
With that, we all came to the table to have a seat and partake in the bounty.
“How would you like to go about this?” Will asked.
“If I may, Jim?” Henry asked, I nodded my assurances and he continued. “Jim will have brought you two up to speed on the most pressing information. Am I correct?”
“You are,” Karl answered, taking a bite of a large roll.
“Then I propose you bring us up to speed with Vienna. I am uncertain if you are familiar with the Eigners. They are the parents of the young lady I assisted Jim and Franz with last month. Bringing them out of Vienna is a priority. It would be most helpful to know the current climate.”
“If you are white, hold to no religion, and believe in the Nazi socialist party, you are 70% safe. Keep your mouth shut, and be discreet, you will do well. Anyone else, of any other faction, affiliation, race, or creed is in absolute danger. However, the general populace is quite unaware that this is the case. We are at this very moment bringing forward many of the abandoned RH Plan tactics. If I may?” Will asked, taking a pencil, and stepping over to the map. Without waiting for an answer, he began jotting on the map, explaining as he went.
“I am in charge of districts 1, 2 & 3, as well as assisting in some of the surrounding districts. We completed a successful smear campaign against the Chancellor’s petition to marry Vera Fugger. This has further isolated him from an intimate confidant and lowered his morale even further. The city proper is full of munitions to assist in riots. The only cache locations I can be certain of are those in my district. I will mark each of them here on the map. The rioting will be implemented to help mask the further infiltration into Vienna of additional troops. The Führer is tiring of the cat-and-mouse game with Schuschnigg. We are on high alert, all indications suggesting a complete takeover before the Führer’s birthday in April. Basically, Austria is to be served up on a silver platter as part of the celebration.” Will indicated seven border towns on the map, drawing little stick airplanes and tanks by each one. “Each of these is what they look like–aircraft, motorcraft, troops, and munitions. These items are in mass in each of these locations, anticipating the assimilation of Austria. More are arriving each day. After Austria, they will proceed to the Hungarian states. Ultimately, that is the real target. With no real military or militia, Austria is simply a steppingstone in the way of the real prizes. Hence, the extreme build-up.” Will resumed his place at the table.
“They plan to invade the bordering countries that quickly?” a distraught Henry asked.
“Indeed, they do, able-bodied Austrian men will be pressed into service immediately upon stabilizing the country. A work camp is planned for Mauthausen. The materials are also on the border waiting for the occupation. Make no mistake, the Jewish problem will be addressed immediately. As will any voice raised against the Reich, past or present.” Will emphasized the last statement heavily.
“Are they monitoring individual movement?” Henry asked.
“Yes and no. The people being monitored are vocal dissidents, regardless of race. There is targeted bullying and harassment. Overall, though, no one is keeping a thorough record–yet” Will’s reply left no doubt as to the future intention to track them.
“Well, Henry, how would you like to proceed?” Franz asked. Henry took his time, sipping his tea, strumming his fingers occasionally on the table.
“We stick to the original plan. Golda should be contacting me anytime with a confirmation and a date. From everything you are saying, Will, the Reich is quite busy in Vienna. If we make this happen quickly, the Eigners will go unnoticed.” Henry’s words were confident but there was a light strain in his eyes we all understood.
“Very well, shall we review everything we know?” I asked, indicating the wall. Everyone was in agreement. Henry surprised me by volunteering a few items, including a generalized version of what his presence here meant. He fit into the group of us quite well, actually. Karl and Will added to some of the information provided by Eva and Reneé. Will received warning about information being gained while their troops were in compromising situations. This was cause for quite a laugh out of Fritzy and me. The day sped by, and by the time Klaus appeared to warn us of the upcoming evening meal in an hour, everyone was well-informed and ready to leave the study behind for the day. We all retired to our rooms prior to meeting in the dining hall.
It was late, supper had been a grand affair enjoyed by all. Disgestifs went the rounds in the library afterward. Cigars were had, although none of us were, particularly smokers. Light conversation and tall tales were told until at last everyone surrendered to the long day. A true sense of camaraderie developed in these short hours. Henry, Karl, and Will had taken to each other just as easily as Henry and I had all those years ago.
Once in my room, I wasted no time heading for my wardrobe closet. I dressed for bed. Although tired, in truth, my mind had been longing to review the morning’s events in solitude. On cue, I realized my mind was alert and ready to process at least some of what had transpired.
Rounding the corner to my small sitting room, I was startled by Fritzy. He was dressed for bed also, plus a matching smoking jacket loosely tied. Lounging in a chair staring out the window at the night sky. “You too?” I asked as I came round to take the adjacent chair.
“I see why Uncle Otto put such large windows in this room. No matter the time of day, the view is magnificent,” he said. We were just coming off the new moon, but the stars were so bright in the night sky. With the dim lighting in the room, it seemed as if you could reach out and touch them.
“A comfortable spot to relax and enjoy the beauty of the home they built together.” As I said it, the thought really sunk in. They must have spent many mornings and nights here. I sat quietly, following the train of thought for a moment. The morning’s events beckoned for my attention though and I found myself looking at a reflection in the corner of the window. It brought back the mirror in her reading room. The way it swirled like mercury.
“Sandy, what happened this morning? What do you think happened?”
“I have not really had time to work through it, Fritzy. I have some working theories,” I replied.
“As do I, but they seem so farfetched.” He stared out the window going quiet.
“Would you care to share them? We were both there. Farfetched seems a fair analysis,” I said.
He looked down at his hands in his lap and sat stone-still for a long time. Letting out a sigh borne of a heavy heart, he began, “Amalia really was there; I swear to it. I could feel her, her skin, her smell, her voice. The very air around me was her.” He hesitated for a few moments. “In my mind, I saw Amalia watching us, watching me all these years. The photographs played through like a movie, but in the flash of a second. There was so much, it would take me years to tell it all. Her heart breaking in those first years, watching me. Her gratitude for the way you took care of me, watched out for me. Concern for my recklessness. Compassion for my inability to be with another woman unless there were more than one and a lot of alcohol or other options. I felt more pain for her torment watching me than for my torment having to live every day without her.” He was quiet again for some time, but as the brothers we were, I sensed he was only gathering his thoughts and so I waited.
“When I went to the mirror, she was there. Right there standing in front of me. I could have reached out and touched her. She told me she was beside me every moment. I am never alone. When my time comes, she will cross over to this world again and bring me to her.” Tears fell as he looked out at the night sky. My heart broke with every word he spoke. The pain he was in was palpable. There was never any question about him recovering from losing her. He refused to, and no one would make him. Perhaps now, he would find some solace, some peace that she stands beside him even unto death.
He stood up and left. Although taken aback, I understood. Looking out at the stars, I drifted back to that moment. She had been there, I felt it, saw it, and found myself in just as much awe. That feeling, the feeling of water being parted by slender fingers slipping into it, seeped into me. The lady warned me, who was she? She looked foreign but somehow familiar. Had I known her at some time? Perhaps when I was younger? No one came to mind, though. Her eyes were unmistakable, hardly eyes I would forget. If I saw her in a crowd twenty years from now, I would know her from her eyes.
Fritzy suddenly appeared with a bottle of the barenjäger and two glasses. He set them on the side table, poured a generous helping into each, and resumed his previous seat. “Thought I left, didn’t you? Not hardly, what happened, Sandy?” He handed me a glass, adjusted his chair to stare straight at me, and waited.
I, too, took my time. It was difficult to put any of it into words. As if it was all feelings, impressions. I took a long swallow, it warmed me, gave me a feeling of comfort. “Amalia was there, you were not imagining it. I felt all the same things, right down to the smell of the perfume she wore.” I took another drink and leaned my head back against the chair, slowly rolling the glass between my hands. It felt so smooth, cool on my palms. “When the countess looked at me, I could feel her in my mind. The feeling was mutual, though. A bridge of sorts. I could feel her thoughts, her memories, feelings, experiences. When she pulled away, it was like a bolt of lightning hit me and all of it was gone. The shadows of it are there even now, but I could not tell you one specific thing. She could, though, she saw to my very soul and pulled it into her. That description is wrong, and yet it is the closest to what happened.” I stood and stepped over to the window. I looked deep into the night sky; the shadows of peaks were looming like a dark floor below the glimmering lights in the blue-black sky.
“The mirror was almost inexplicable. At first, there was only my reflection. Then it turned to something akin to mercury, it moved and shimmered the same way. Suddenly, a woman was there, around the same age as the countess. She wore a type of working clothes like a man, but she was somehow still a lady, she had the same sultry quality as the countess. Her eyes, though, were the eyes of someone I have known all my life. Yet I have never seen her before.” I turned and leaned back against the window, looking at Fritzy. “She was waving her arms trying to get my attention, pointing toward something. I could feel her begging me to pay attention to what she was trying to show me, but there was nothing there.” I swallowed the rest of the contents of the glass and moved toward the bottle. Fritzy quickly swept it up and filled half the glass again. I returned to the chair, set the glass down, and searched for the rest of the memory.
“Then the mirror distorted again. He was there, the man from the nightmares. I saw him clearly, knew every inch of his face. Eyes, nose, hair, smile, teeth, fear gripped me, and he was gone. Just like the dreams, I cannot remember what he looked like. I know I saw him, but when I focus on him there is nothing.” I took up my glass again, rolling it between my palms. We both stared out at the night sky.
“She said she reaches out to you. She is trying to warn you, but you do not see. Perhaps that is what she means. You have somehow blocked the memory. I wish we knew who she is, Sandy. Are you sure you do not know this woman? The war, maybe? Somewhere in our travels?”
“If I do, Fritzy, I am unable to recall where. Perhaps in passing somewhere, but that feels wrong somehow too.”
“You also walk in two worlds. The friend gifted by your friend is the true enemy.” Franz was speaking aloud as if mulling it over.
“She said adversary,” I added.
“Same thing, Sandy, he is the threat you are unable to see. What does she mean by ‘walk in two worlds?” He was tapping his fingers on his glass unconsciously.
“My intuition tells me it has something to do with the anomaly on your X-rays.”
Franz stared at me as if I had just solved a great mystery. “As if part of you isn’t in this world?”
“The headaches,” we said in unison.
“But what does that mean?” I asked Fritzy, in my most serious tone.
“I just don’t know, Sandy, but we’ll figure it out, I promise,” he said, leaning over and grabbing my shoulder. I knew he was trying to reassure me, but I could not help feeling as if we were both missing something big.
We spoke off and on late into the night. Finally, we faded off to our beds to try for sleep. Under the circumstances, I expected to suffer insomnia, nightmares, or both. Gratefully, neither happened. I slept peacefully, well into the next morning. My dreams were filled with Fritzy, Amalia, and all their children gleefully playing with Uncle Sandy.