The major said, “When it came to my attention that the woman consorting with the three men we’ve also picked up was your fencing partner and…your special companion, I thought it wise not to begin questioning any of them until I had informed you of their arrests. I felt sure you would like to conduct the interrogation yourself. They are all coconspirators who we believe are American agents, probably OSS, masquerading as French and German citizens. They have been relieved of their cyanide pills.” The major’s proud tone asked for a pat on the back for his decision to contact the counterintelligence chief of the SD that he secretly despised. It stung him that the Gestapo, considered made up of the less educated and desirable segments of German society, was subordinate to the more refined and cultured SS.

“Your wisdom is to be commended, Major Schultz,” Derrick said, staring hard at Victoria. “My office has had the three men in your cells under surveillance for some time until we could round up the whole group. Your informant, the blind beggar, got into the game late.” He walked to stand in front of Victoria, drawing off his glove. “But this one I did not know about.” He drew back his hand and slapped her hard across the face. Blood spurted from her lip. “Deceiver! Spy! You’ll be sorry our swords ever crossed when I get through with you! Major, have your men load up the whole lot and take them to the van I have waiting,” Derrick instructed. “I have a special cell prepared at the Lutetia Hotel for the likes of them.” Without another look at Victoria, he left the room, the Gestapo chief following.

“What do you intend to do with them, Herr Colonel?” he asked.

“If they survive their interrogations, the men will be deported to the work camps, the woman to the firing squad.”

“Ah!” The major’s eyes lit up. “In that case, with your permission, of course, I and my men would like to witness the execution, if you’d be so kind to let me know the time and place.”

Derrick paused in drawing on his glove. Giving the major a cool look, he said, “SS executions are conducted privately, Major Schultz. They are not for public show unless to set an example.”

The major responded with a knife-thin smile. “Surely you do not consider the Gestapo the public, Herr Colonel, and I was thinking of the execution more as a morale boost to me and my men, rather than an ‘example,’ but if nothing else, a reward for my office’s success in bringing in the agents.”

After another moment’s silent regard of the major, Derrick acquiesced with an indifferent shrug of his shoulders. “Very well. If you wish.”