Bormann shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Indirectly, perhaps. The way things are between us and the Americans, they are in no position to undermine us from within. But that’s not the end of the story. Two days ago, another American arrived in Berlin, a businessman with some idea for alleviating our oil shortfall. I’m told he was asking for a great deal of money in return for some unspecified technology. He, too, went to the embassy – and later went sailing with Vanderberg at Havel or Wannsee. He disappeared. Just stepped off the boat on the western bank and vanished. Not a sign of him since. The Gestapo have drawn a blank.’

Jung chewed his lip. ‘Where does Frau Somerfeld live?’

‘Now you’re thinking along the right lines. I knew I was right to engage you, Charlie. Potsdam. She has a large villa in Potsdam. Very convenient for Wannsee.’

‘What was the name of this American businessman?’

‘On his passport, Tomas Esser. But now? Who knows?’

‘Was someone assigned to him – one of the Gestapo boys?’

‘Anton Offenbach of the foreign office. I think he might also be attached to the Abwehr, but that is for you to discover. He met Esser in Portugal and accompanied him on the flight to Berlin. By the way, Esser did have a meeting with Todt to discuss his idea.’

‘Then I think I need to speak to Herr Offenbach – and see if I can find Frau Somerfeld. Todt might be a bit more difficult to access.’

‘Well, he’s back here at the Wolfsschanze, not more than fifty metres away. Go and see him, use your charm. Perhaps it would be best if you don’t mention me, for we are not the best of friends.’

‘I’ll do my best.’

‘And when you fly home, use your contacts at Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse. But remember this – you will never mention why you are asking for assistance or for whom you are working. Nor will you allow the Gestapo to raise a general alert on your behalf – for that would instantly become known to others. This is just between you and me, Charlie. No Gestapo, no SS, no SD. And be careful regarding the American. The Führer does not want to provoke America into war. Not yet. Not until the decisive blow has done for Stalin.’

‘I understand, truly I do.’

‘Good, I’m glad of it. For I would hate to have to let the world know you had your wife and her parents slaughtered in their beds for the Höffle millions while you were sticking your grubby little prick in the whores of Paris.’

‘The Höffles were Jews, Herr Reichsleiter. I was under pressure from the Party to divorce the woman anyway. Quicker and simpler the way I chose.’