A nerve pulsed in Nash’s jaw. He assumed that meant the source – whoever they were – was dead. Dry-mouthed, he licked his swollen lips and reminded himself that playing devil’s advocate was not in his best interests.

‘Is there anything else you can tell me?’

She nodded and reached into her bag. ‘I have a fragment of a historical transcript which provides details on the submarine and its last voyage.’

Nash glanced at the title – Being the truthful account of Dr Jürgen Fürth (George Ford) – and began to read.

(Date unknown – Monday, 11th June?)

I have been locked up for days now in the stifling heat, and I fear I am losing my mind. The submarine has not moved for many hours – possibly a whole day. I suspect we have reached the end of the navigable river. I have heard sounds of much activity – chains, boots, shouting – but for hours now, silence. I keep banging on the door, but no one has come. Perhaps they have left me to die?

I think we may be under attack! There have been several huge explosions. Thank God it must be over.

(Date unknown – Thursday, 14th June?)

Several days have passed, perhaps more, and we are moving again. I don’t understand it. Are we going back downriver? I did not feel the submarine turn around. I am crushed. Beyond despair. This will be my final entry. I can go on no longer.

(Date unknown – Friday, 15th June?)

She came to me today! My darling. I heard a light knock and then I saw her fingers through the mesh of the door. Kissing them, I bathed them in my tears. ‘Dearest Juju!’ – she called me her pet name, and I cried even harder because I felt I was no longer a human being. She told me there is a plan to kill Heider. The SS suspect he will abandon them and steal the gold. He told me the submarine is hidden inside an enormous flooded cave. Ilse told me to be ready to move at the sound of gunfire. She will come for me when the mutiny starts. She does not trust anyone. We will escape together!

The moment Rob Nash read of the mysterious explosions and the lengthy delay, the fate of the I-403 stood out as starkly as the cluster of dead trees he’d seen from the helicopter. More importantly, it suggested a plausible means of escape!

‘That’s one hell of a story,’ he said, handing the document back to Sura. ‘I’d love to know how it ends.’

She looked at him expectantly. ‘Well?’

‘If you’re ready, let’s go.’

‘What on earth are you talking about?’

‘If my hunch is right, your submarine is no more than a ten-minute walk away.’

Chapter 29

Chapter 29