“I think we are all agreed that our priority must be the removal of the Austrian corporal before he destroys what’s left of Germany.
“So what I must decide, with your counsel but right now, as we don’t have the time to gather further intelligence, or to consider the matter at leisure, is how to deal with SS-Brigadeführer von Deitzberg when he comes here in twenty minutes to discuss Operation Phoenix with me. I really think he’s going to solicit my assistance in having him returned to Argentina.
“Another factor that has to be considered is the quote unquote escape of Oberstleutnant Frogger from his POW camp. There are, I suggest, two possibilities. One is that somehow his connection with Valkyrie came to light, and that after interrogation—during which he revealed we have no idea what—he was, at General von Arnim’s orders, ordered before a secret pro forma court-martial, convicted of treason, executed, and buried in a Mississippi cotton field.
“The second possibility is that Frogger was taken from the camp by the OSS, who made the connection between him and his parents. The questions here are whether he went willingly or unwillingly, and what he decided to tell the Americans, if anything, about Valkyrie.
“If they have turned Frogger—unlikely, but one dares hope; they are not nearly as inept in matters like this as they would have us believe—that would be of enormous value to Valkyrie. He and von Stauffenberg were close; he knows as much as—possibly more than—I do about whom we can trust in not only carrying out Hitler’s removal, but immediately afterward, when senior people are still making up their minds which way to jump.
“I feel confident that I will have an explanation of his escape—an honest one—from my American contact. But when I will have the opportunity to communicate with him is an unknown, except certainly not before Brigadeführer von Deitzberg comes here tonight.
“Inasmuch, again, as our priority is Valkyrie, the question then becomes: Is von Deitzberg more dangerous to Valkyrie here—or running around Argentina desperately trying to cover his connection with the ransoming operation?”
He paused, let that be considered a moment, then went on:
“Now, these factors enter into that question. If von Deitzberg is returned to Argentina, he will have been charged by Himmler and Bormann with discovering the traitor. Two scenarios occur: One—and bear in mind that von Deitzberg is far more experienced than Boltitz—that he uncovers Major von Wachtstein. Or, two, that he doesn’t. But von Deitzberg is going to find the traitor, even if he has to invent one. Two candidates for that role: Von Wachtstein and Gradny-Sawz. I tend to think he will choose Gradny-Sawz, but that, of course, isn’t at all certain.”
Canaris looked at each man for a moment.
“Gehlen? You look as if you want to say something.”
“What would happen to the ransoming operation if von Deitzberg were eliminated?”
“It would continue under Cranz.”
“And if Cranz were eliminated?”
“Then I suspect the underlings would just stop, praying that they wouldn’t be exposed to Himmler.”
“You don’t know who these underlings are?” Gehlen asked.
Canaris shook his head, then said, “I’ve made a point of not looking into that. If it blows up in their faces, I want to be as surprised as Himmler; I don’t want the Führer wondering why, if I even suspected something, I didn’t say anything to Himmler or Bormann. And if I did look into it, that would come out.”
“Herr Admiral,” Gehlen said carefully, ?
?I suspect if something happened to von Deitzberg and Cranz, the others involved in the ransoming operation would do more than pray. They would be frantically trying to cover their tracks. And if they were doing that . . .”
“They would have less time to look into things like Valkyrie?” Canaris finished the sentence, making it a question.
“Yes, sir,” Gehlen said.
“That’s an interesting thought, but I don’t think either Boltitz or von Wachtstein would be very effective assassins.”
“For moral or practical reasons?”
“Both.”
“What about the Americans? You said they killed Grüner and Goltz at Samborombón Bay.”
“I said either the Argentines or the Americans,” Canaris said.
There was a tone in Canaris’s voice that Otto von und zu Waching knew said: Pay me the courtesy of listening carefully to what I say.
“Are you suggesting that I try to have him sent to Argentina?” Canaris then asked.
“Admiral, if von Deitzberg is busy in Argentina, he can’t be looking for Valkyrie here,” Gehlen said.
“General von Wachtstein?” Canaris asked, looking toward him.