El Alamein by Jack Murray (most popular novels of all time txt) 📕

son,’ explained Brehme after a few moments. He tried to keep his tone neutral, but the meaning was all too clear. He is there. He is serving his country. He is putting his life on the line every day.

‘We each of us serve in our own way, Peter,’ replied Keller with that soulless smile.

‘True,’ said Brehme. His ability to lie so convincingly was an asset that would have made him as good a politician as a policeman. In an effort to close down the current topic, he opened the file in his hands and showed it to Keller.

‘I’m going to speak to the store again about this.’

Keller, sensing that he’d taken the conversation as far as he could, nodded.

‘It’s probably young people, Peter. You should send Graf into the store undercover. Tell him to keep an eye on these kids.’

Brehme had to stop himself choking with laughter. Graf was an idiot and could barely catch a cold without instruction. He looked at Keller as if he was seriously considering this idea.

‘I’ll look at that, Ernst. You may be onto something there.’

In fact, at the same moment Brehme realised that this was an excellent idea just as the thought occurred to Keller that he would no longer have someone to spy on Brehme. Brehme was thinking this, too. He decided to strike act immediately. He rose to his feet and went to the door.

‘Graf, will you join us please?’

A moment later Graf stumbled into the room. If he’d had a tail it would have been wagging. He saw Brehme beaming at him.

‘Lieutenant Keller has just made a most excellent suggestion. One that I am fully in accord with.’

Brehme looked from Graf to Keller. He could see the eyes of Keller burning with anger. He, meanwhile, was enjoying the spectacle immensely. However, he cautioned himself not to lay it on too thick. Turning back to Graf he allowed an air of gravity to descend on him. Then he explained the plan to Graf who was almost overcome with emotion at the prospect of going undercover. It was the very stuff of the books he enjoyed reading so much. Although he would never admit this to anyone outside his family, he’d grown up reading the books of John Buchan. Richard Hannay was a hero to him. Now, at last, he, Jost Graf, would have an opportunity to join the Fatherland’s struggle against fifth columnists and the enemy within.

-

The late afternoon sunshine was warm enough to make Brehme wish he could remove his tie. But he was still on duty. It would not do to be seen so unkempt. He envied the youngsters he saw with their shirts open, able to run around without a care in the world. It made him wonder if the war would still be on when they grew up. He hoped not. Surely the world would see sense.

His destination was Geschäft Ladenburg. He would explain to Arnold Weber that the best way of investigating the recent spate of shop lifting would be to plant a man in the shop. As Graf was still relatively new and unknown, he would fit that particular role perfectly. It would also get him away from the police station for a while. He didn’t trust Graf. His artlessness made him the worst of spies. He was so obvious that it rather endeared him to Brehme although he remained on his guard. He had little doubt that Keller would have been aware that he would see through this subterfuge. The fact that he didn’t care if Brehme did was a worry.

He entered the shop and waited for a couple of customers to leave before speaking with the owner.

‘Your usual?’ asked Weber. A smile was never very far away from his face. ‘Or perhaps something a bit stronger? It was great news earlier about Tobruk.’

‘Indeed,’ said Brehme, trying to look pleased. And failing. This communicated itself to Weber and the smile left the shop keeper’s face. Brehme added, ‘I’ll be happier when I know Manfred is safe and well.’

Weber nodded. Then he said, ‘You’re here on business?’

‘Yes,’ replied Brehme. ‘We, that is Herr Keller, has had an idea that I hope you will be amenable to.’ As he said this, he looked out of the shop doorway. He could see a young man standing in the square looking in his direction. Further behind the young man was Keller. So, the Gestapo man had followed him.

He pretended not to notice and returned his attention to Weber. It didn’t take long to explain the idea and Weber immediately assented. Graf would start work the next morning. Brehme was relieved that this had not been a problem and he came away with something approaching a lightness of heart. If only he knew more about Manfred, however. He could manage the problems here comfortably. Not knowing his son’s fate was agony.  For all Keller’s suspicions, Brehme had nothing to hide. His opinion was his own. Perhaps he just needed to play the game more; fit in better with the Party men. It wouldn’t be easy, but it just required him to lie. He was good at that.

Brehme left the shop. As he exited through the doors, the young man turned away and began walking towards a group of his friends who were congregated in the square. His name was Robert Sauer. He was in his final year at school. The file belonging to Keller had identified him as a potential member of the Edelweiss Pirates. Sauer stopped to stroke a golden Labrador that looked very much like Felix, Otto Becker’s dog. This was confirmed a few moments later when Becker appeared and exchanged a few words with Sauer, no doubt about the dog. He led Felix away.

Brehme ignored both Sauer and Keller and headed in the opposite direction. His mind was racing, however.

-

The next morning Brehme rose early and made his way towards the school that Manfred had once attended. The sight of it made his heart lurch. He used