After a long moment, Sawyer exhaled audibly, then said, “Yes, sir. I understand, sir.”
Fischer came into the bar first.
He looked curious but not concerned.
“Gentlemen, this is Señor Fischer,” Clete said, “who came all the way from South Africa to help us improve our grapes.”
The handshaking took about a minute.
“A little grape for the grape expert?” Clete asked, holding up a bottle.
“I could use one,” Fischer said. “I have had a hard day.”
Rodríguez led Körtig into the room a minute later.
Neither German could conceal his surprise.
“Ach, du lieber Gott!” Fischer said softly.
“Willi,” Körtig said, “we heard you were captured in North Africa!”
“I gather introductions are not necessary,” Clete said.
Both Germans turned to look at Frade.
“Colonel Frogger, I presume you are prepared to vouch for Colonel Niedermeyer?”
“Absolutely! Absolutely!”
“And you would say that Colonel Niedermeyer knows that Valkyrie means more than some oversexed woman on a horse?”
“Major Frade,” Niedermeyer said, “Colonel Frogger has been part of Valkyrie from the beginning.”
“Sorry, Nowicki,” Frade said. “It doesn’t look as if you’re going to get to shoot him.”
Peralta chuckled.
“From this moment, Captain Sawyer,” Clete said, “while he has the freedom of the compound, I want someone watching Möller twenty-four hours a day. If he tries to escape, kill him. And tell him if his wife tries to escape, we’ll kill both of them.”
“Yes, sir,” Sawyer said.
XV
[ONE]
Calle Talcahuano 207
Buenos Aires, Argentina
1020 4 October 1943
When SS-Brigadeführer Ritter Manfred von Deitzberg had telephoned the German Embassy almost immediately after stepping ashore from the motor vessel Ciudad de Cádiz in Buenos Aires, he asked for “Commercial Counselor” Cranz.
“One moment, please, Señor.”
A moment later, a voice announced somewhat arrogantly: “Herr Cranz is not available.”
“With whom have I the pleasure of speaking?”