"Jawohl, Herr Oberst," G?nther said, came to attention, clicked his heels the way he had seen Major von Wachtstein do, and left the room.
"Oberst Frade," Gr?ner said, pausing to light a cigarette, "a prominent Ar-gentine, was tragically murdered during a robbery attempt three days ago."
"So I've heard," Goltz said. "Murdered by robbers, you said?"
"Yes. They were quickly detected by the Buenos Aires Provincial Police, and died in a gun battle during an attempt to arrest them."
"That question was one of the matters I had wished to discuss with you, Herr Oberst," Goltz said. "There was some question-"
"I must temper my desire to immediately comply with my orders," Gr?ner said, aware of the direction Goltz was taking him, "as I am sure you will un-derstand, Herr Standartenf?hrer, with other considerations."
"There are those in Berlin who felt you questioned that decision, Herr Oberst."
"Both the Ambassador and I felt that it was unnecessary, Herr Standartenf?hrer, and perhaps even unwise. I cannot, of course, speak for the Ambassador, but I still feel that way. A moot question, anyway. Oberst Frade is no longer with us."
"The thinking in Berlin-of your superiors and mine-to which I was privy, was that the solution ordered would not only have the obvious benefit of making sure Oberst Frade was not in a position to cause Argentina to declare war on Germany, it would also make the point that the enemies of Germany, no matter how highly placed, are not immune to German retribution."
Gr?ner did not reply.
"You question the wisdom of that decision, Herr Oberst?"
"I never question my orders, Herr Standartenf?hrer. But I consider it my duty to advise my superiors of my best judgment on any issue before them."
"Of course. And your candor, as well as your professionalism, Herr Oberst, is both admired and respected in Berlin. But in this case, certainly you are will-ing to concede that you were... what shall I say... that you erred on the side of caution?"
"Time will tell, of course, Herr Standartenf?hrer."
"What if I told you that Oberst Juan Domingo Per¢n was on the Condor with me?"
Gr?ner shrugged.
"We can, I presume, credibly deny that we were in any way involved in Oberst Frade's tragic death at the hands of robbers?"
"With the assassins dead, there is no way that any connection with us can be proved, Herr Standartenf?hrer. Credibly denied, yes. But that is not quite the same thing."
"Oberst Per¢n is a member, a powerful member, of the G.O.U., is he not?"
"He is."
"Wouldn't you agree that for Per¢n to replace Frade as a power in the G.O.U. is to Germany's advantage? After the coup d'‚tat, in particular?"
"Oberst Per¢n and Oberst Frade were intimate, lifelong friends, Herr Standartenf?hrer. That was one of the points I raised."
"And it was duly noted," Goltz said, although he could not remember that being mentioned in Berlin. "I concede that may be no immediate problem. But since you tell me that we can credibly deny knowledge of the incident, and since time passes..."
"Today's Pan American flight from Miami brought with it Oberst Frade's son, Herr Standartenf?hrer. I rather doubt that he will keep from Oberst Per¢n his suspicions regarding those responsible for his father's death, or that he will permit the subject to simply pass into memory."
"Certainly the Argentine authorities are aware that he is an OSS agent?
Who violated Argentine neutrality with regard to the Reine de la Mer?" Goltz asked.
"I'm sure that Admiral Montoya is fully aware of those facts."
"And that won't get him expelled from the country? I'm surprised they let him in."
"Keeping him out would have been impossible."
"How so?"