“I would be reluctant to use that term, but I can see where others might come to that conclusion.”
“In your opinion, is it possible Gradny-Sawz is the traitor in Buenos Aires?”
“Anything is possible, Herr Reichsleiter, but I think that’s unlikely.”
“Why?”
“What would he have to gain?”
Bormann nodded and smiled.
“On the other hand,” Bormann said, “he might decide that if Colonel Perón were to prosper, some of that might accrue to him?”
“I don’t know the man well, Herr Reichsleiter, so this is not in the order of a judgment, but a question: Could you trust this man, knowing of his opportunistic tendencies?”
“I decided some time ago, Canaris, that because of his opportunistic tendencies, he probably could be trusted, up to a point. He would have to be watched, of course.”
“At the risk of repeating myself, I don’t know the man well enough to make a decision like that.”
“The decision was not yours to make, Canaris, but mine. Gradny-Sawz has already begun to make approaches to Perón. The problem is that Grüner is no longer available to watch Gradny-Sawz.” He paused to let that sink in, and then went on. “That’s what we’re really talking about here.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“We need a replacement for Grüner. Von Deitzberg has suggested Boltitz.”
“Why not the ambassador?” Canaris asked. “Wouldn’t that be the obvious choice?”
“I’m sure von Deitzberg has considered Graf von Lutzenberger,” Bormann said, “and concluded Boltitz would be preferable.”
“Is there an implication in that that von Deitzberg has less than full faith in von Lutzenberger?”
“The traitor in the embassy has not yet been detected,” Bormann said. “Until he has been, everyone is therefore under suspicion.”
“Even so, while I am reluctant to question SS-Brigadeführer von Deitzberg, I’m not at all sure that Boltitz is a wise choice.”
“Why not?”
“For one thing, Boltitz has no experience—absolutely none at all—in these areas—”
“And, for another, you’d like him back here in Berlin?” Bormann interrupted.
“Frankly, yes, I would. I would like him doing work for which he is qualified. And he’s not qualified for this.”
“He has two very important qualifications for this. He enjoys the full confidence of SS-Brigadeführer von Deitzberg and Vizeadmiral Canaris.”
“He does not have my full confidence to perform in a role like this,” Canaris said.
“The decision has been made, Canaris. Frankly, von Deitzberg said that he thought you would be unhappy with it. I understand. But we must think of what is best for Operation Phoenix, Operation Perón, and the Führer.”
“Those are also my priorities, Herr Reichsleiter. I can propose to you the names of half a dozen—”
He stopped when Bormann held up both hands, palms outward.
“Perhaps you didn’t understand me when I said the decision has been made, Herr Vizeadmiral,” Bormann said with a cold smile.
Canaris didn’t reply.
“Korvettenkapitän Boltitz will be assigned to the embassy as naval attaché,” Bormann went on, “where he will be in a position to keep an eye not only on Gradny-Sawz but on the ambassador and von Wachtstein as well. He will—von Deitzberg will set up the details of how before he returns—report directly to me. I will, of course, furnish you with the pertinent details of his reports.”