“I regret that Generalmajor von Haas has such a low opinion of me, Your Excellency.”
Von Lutzenberger ignored the reply.
“I presume the money came through safely, and without official notice?” he asked.
“I was checking when you knocked,” Peter said, nodding at the steamer trunk.
“In a week or so, I will be in a position to make suggestions about its disposition,” von Lutzenberger said. “Von Haas’s letter reached me only a few days ago, and I have not had the time to make the necessary inquiries. I think it will be safe enough with you for the time being.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“There are several questions of immediate importance. First, when you were at the Frade house, did you happen to meet the son?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“And?”
“We had a drink.”
“That’s all?”
“He told me he served in the American Corps of Marines. He was a pilot.”
“Do you think he is a former officer? Or is he still serving?”
“I have no way of knowing, Your Excellency.”
“His father is a very important man in Argentina.” He met Peter’s eyes for a moment, then continued. “I do not have all the details as yet about the son’s actual business here. We may safely assume, however, that he is a serving officer and that he is not here on holiday. But his father may be of great use to us, presuming I can somehow convince the Abwehr and Sicherheitsdienst to do nothing foolish. Which brings us to the Abwehr and Sicherheitsdienst in the Embassy, where they are embodied in one man, Oberst Karl-Heinz Grüner. You will explain to Grüner—and you’ll tell my first secretary, Herr Gradny-Sawz, the same—that while you encountered the Frade boy, there was nothing more than an exchange of brief courtesies. You will pretend to be greatly surprised if they inform you he is an American officer.”
“Jawohl, Excellenz.”
“My residence, my office, and my telephone lines are regularly inspected to detect listening devices. I am regularly assured there are none—by Oberst Grüner. Consequently, I am very careful of what I say in my office, in my home, and on the telephone. Do you take my point, Herr Hauptmann?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“After you are presented to me tomorrow by Grüner, I will, as a courtesy to your father, whom I know socially, have you as a guest in my home. You will remain there until you have completed your duties vis-à-vis Hauptmann Duarte and my staff can find you a suitable apartment. I regret that our relationship thereafter will be formal and distant. This is doubly unfortunate, inasmuch as Frau von Lutzenberger and your mother were close, and I myself hold your father in the highest regard,” he met Peter’s eyes again, “in these difficult times.”
“I understand, Your Excellency.”
“This conversation never took place.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Watch your drinking and your mouth, von Wachtstein.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Ambassador von Lutzenberger nodded, turned, and walked out of the room.
[FOUR]
The Port of Buenos Aires
1200 14 December 1942
When Clete and Señora Pellano left the taxi, the Buick was waiting for him, along with half a dozen customs officials. The Buick looked like hell, despite an obviously fresh, if none-too-skillful, wash job.
The paperwork was taken care of. All he had to do was sign an acknowledgment of receipt of the vehicle in an undamaged condition.