“Jawohl, Herr General.”
That sounds as if he expects me to come back from Germany. Is he doing that to put me at ease, to lower my guard?
“There’s a very interesting dossier on him,” von Deitzberg said. Peter didn’t reply. “The last thing in the world one would expect of a man like that,” von Deitzberg went on. “But there’s no question about it: The photographer was very good.”
Is he telling me Perón is homosexual? Is that what that “but Perón likes you” remark meant?
“You’re not curious, von Wachtstein?” von Deitzberg asked, smiling at him.
“Herr General, I went to Spain as a corporal. I asked then Major von und zu Aschenburg a question. I didn’t get an answer, but I received advice from him that I have never forgotten. It is probably the most valuable advice anyone has ever given me about being a soldier.”
“Which is?”
“‘If your superiors think you should know something, they’ll tell you. Don’t ask questions.’”
Von Deitzberg laughed. “Dieter stood you tall, did he?”
“Very tall, Herr General. And one never forgets a Deiter von und zu Aschenburg dressing-down.”
“So you’re curious, but too smart to ask me what’s in Perón’s dossier?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“I think I shall, von Wachtstein, see how good a detective you would make,” von Deitzberg said. “After our meeting with Oberst Perón, you tell me what character flaw you suspect.”
“If the Herr General wishes.”
“You don’t like being tested?”
“Not if I strongly suspect the test will reveal my stupidity,” Peter said, and then leaned forward on his seat. “Günther, it’s in the next block. The mansion.”
“Jawohl, Herr Major,” Günther replied as he slowed the car.
“You’ve been here before, have you?” von Deitzberg asked.
“Yes, Herr General. I spent my first night in Argentina in that house. It is the Frade family guest house.”
“And that’s Perón’s ‘temporary residence’?”
“That’s what he said, Herr General.”
“God is smiling on our mission, von Wachtstein.”
“Sir?”
“I thought you didn’t ask questions.”
“I beg the Herr General’s pardon.”
“Did Deiter ever give you the lesson, vis-à-vis the behavior of officers in the presence of their superiors, that I myself have found very valuable?”
“I’m not sure what the Herr General means.”
“Mouth shut, eyes and ears open.”
“Jawohl, Herr General.”
Günther pulled the Mercedes to the curb, stopped, and then raced around the rear of the car to open the door for von Deitzberg.