Blood and Honor (Honor Bound 2)

"All I know is that Major von Wachtstein risked his life to aid Standartenf?hrer Goltz and Oberst Gr?ner," de Banderano said. "And to guard the special materiel. I could not leave the helm of the launch, of course, and I am ashamed to say that my crew did not behave admirably. It was von Wachtstein-"

"How do you mean, your crew did not behave admirably?" Gradny-Sawz interrupted.

"When Standartenf?hrer Goltz was struck, it was in the forehead. The shot-forgive the indelicacy-opened his head like a ripe melon. There was blood and brain tissue all over. My men jumped back into the boat. Major von Wachtstein, on the other hand, jumped out of the boat while the firing was still going on, and rushed to help."

"How many shots were fired?" Gradny-Sawz asked.

"I don't know. At least six, possibly eight or more."

"Odd," von Lutzenberger said. "Von Wachtstein said there were only four shots."

"How exactly did von Wachtstein help?" Gradny-Sawz asked.

"He went first to Standartenf?hrer Goltz, saw that he was dead, and called that fact to me. Then he went to the other officer...."

"Oberst Gr?ner," von Lutzenberger supplied.

"Yes. And while he was bent over him, there was another shot. In my mind clearly intended for von Wachtstein. He didn't let it bother him. He showed great presence of mind."

"What did you mean the second shot was 'clearly intended for von Wacht-stein'?" von Lutzenberger asked.

"The Oberst had been shot in the head also. And was clearly dead. There would have been no point in shooting him again. And the shot didn't miss von Wachtstein by the width of my hands when it struck the Oberst for the second time."

"And the great presence of mind?" von Lutzenberger asked.

"Again, excuse the indelicacy. But von Wachtstein, who had every reason to be terrified-this was moments after the bullet missed him by the width of my hands-never let the importance of the special materiel out of his mind. Be-fore he carried the bodies to the launch-and I am ashamed to say not one of my men had the courage to leave the launch to help him-he reloaded the one crate that had been off-loaded. A lesser man, knowing the two were dead, would have been content to leave them on the beach. But von Wachtstein in-sisted that we had to take them with us."

"He is a courageous officer," Gradny-Sawz said. "He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross from the hands of the F?hrer himself, you know."

"Standartenf?hrer Goltz told me that. I had the feeling that they were fond of one another. I could tell how difficult it was, on the way back to my ship, for von Wachtstein to retain his composure."

"The special materiel is intact?" von Lutzenberger asked. "Berlin will want to know about that."

"It is safe in my hold," de Banderano said.

"Well, Anton, what do you think?" von Lutzenberger asked after de Banderano had left.

"I think we have a spy in our office, a traitor. The Americans knew where that boat was going to land."

"And you think it's von Wachtstein? Is that it?"

"Herr Ambassador Graf, I said nothing of the kind."

"You gave me that impression, I'm afraid."

"That was not my intention. I mean, after all, Herr Ambassador Graf, one does not quickly question the courage or loyalty of a holder of the Knight's Cross. And then we have Captain de Banderano's testimony to von Wachtstein's courage under fire."

"Well, that may be. I find it quite difficult to even wonder if the traitor is von Wachtstein, but you're right, Anton, we have one."

"We will smoke him out. Or her out."

"You really think it could be Fraulein Hassell?"

"As you yourself said, Herr Ambassador Graf, until we know for sure, everyone is suspect."

"Yes, that's so."

"I wonder what Berlin's going to say?" Gradny-Sawz asked.