“We haven’t told you what we’re offering yet,” said Weltz. “A job. As a policeman. I would have thought that might appeal to a man with your qualifications.”

“A man who was never a member of the Nazi Party,” said Lieutenant Rascher. “A former member of the Social Democratic Party.”

“Did you know, Captain, that the KPD and the SDP have joined together?”

“It’s a bit late,” I said. “We could have used the support of the KPD in December 1931. During the Red Revolution.”

“That was Trotsky’s fault,” said Weltz. “Anyway. Better late than never, eh? The new party—the Socialist Unity Party, the SED—it represents a fresh start for us both to work together. For a new Germany.”

“Another new Germany?” I shrugged.

“Well, we can hardly make do with the old one. Wouldn’t you agree? There’s so much that we have to rebuild. Not just politics, but law and order, too. The police force. We’re starting a new force. For the moment, it’s being called the Fifth Kommissariat, or K-5. We hope to have it up and running by the end of the year. And until then we’re looking for recruits. A man such as yourself, a former Oberkommissar with Kripo, with a record for honesty and integrity, who was chased out of the force by the Nazis, is just the sort of principled man we need. I think I can probably guarantee reinstatement at your old rank, with full pension rights. A Berlin-weighted allowance. Help with a new apartment. A job for your wife.”

“No, thanks.”

“That’s too bad,” said Lieutenant Rascher.

“Look, why don’t you think it over, Captain,” said Weltz. “Sleep on it. You see, to be perfectly honest with you, Gunther, you’re at the top of our list in this camp. And, for obvious reasons, we’d rather not stay here longer than we have to. I’m already a father, but the lieutenant here has no wish to damage his chances of having a son if and when he marries. Radiation does something to a man’s ability to procreate. It also affects the thyroid and the body’s ability to use energy and make proteins. At least, that’s what I think it does.”

“The answer is still no,” I said. “May I go now?”

The major adopted a rueful expression. “I don’t understand you,” he said. “How is it that you, a Social Democrat, were prepared to go and work for Heydrich? And yet you won’t work for us. Can you explain that, please?”