Munich (Editorial). The police have finally been able to identify the body found last week in an alley close to the Hauptbahnhof. It is the body of former marine lieutenant Clovis Nagel, who since 1904 had an outstanding summons to a court-martial for having deserted his post during a mission to South-West Africa. Although he had returned to the country under a false name, the authorities were able to identify him from the large number of tattoos covering his torso. There are no further details regarding the circumstances surrounding his death, which as our readers will recall happened following a fall from a great height, possibly as a result of being pushed. The police have reminded the public that anyone who had contact with Nagel is under suspicion, and request that those with information make themselves known to the authorities immediately.
“Paul’s back. Isn’t that superb news?”
A glimmer of fear flickered in the baron’s eyes. It lasted only a few seconds, but Jurgen savored the moment as though it were the great humiliation his twisted mind had envisaged.
He got up and walked over to the bathroom. He took a glass and half filled it under the tap. Then he sat down next to the baron once more.
“You know he’ll come for you now. And I don’t imagine you want to see your name in the headlines, isn’t that right, Otto?”
Jurgen took a metal box no bigger than a postage stamp from his pocket. He opened it and extracted a small green pill, which he left on the table.
“There’s a new branch of the SS that’s experimenting with these lovely things. We have agents all over the world, people who at any given moment might have to disappear silently and painlessly,” said the young man, neglecting to mention that the painlessness had not yet been achieved. “Spare us the shame, Otto.”
He picked up his cap and pulled it firmly back on his head, then walked over to the door. When he reached it, he turned and saw Otto groping for the tablet. His father held the pill between his fingers, his face still as blank as it had been throughout Jurgen’s visit. Then his hand rose to his mouth so slowly that the movement was almost imperceptible.
Jurgen left. For a moment he was tempted to stay and watch, but it was better to stick to the plan and avoid potential problems.
From tomorrow, the staff will address me as Baron von Schroeder. And when my brother comes looking for answers, he’ll have to ask me.