‘And Bruno Bergmann, perhaps… is that name familiar? He worked for Spandau Locomotive Engineering and was a contact for your Peter Rasmussen and an Otto Knudsen. Bergmann had his trial two days ago and was found guilty of espionage. He will be executed today, an event you will have the pleasure of witnessing.’

She said nothing.

‘And you are aware that this Otto Knudsen took his own life before we had the opportunity to find out what he knew. He worked for Mortensen Machinery Parts in Copenhagen – does that help?’

She shook her head once more. It appeared the idiots had managed to kill most of the people involved, which was careless in the extreme.

‘That leaves you and Peter Rasmussen. Rasmussen is missing, and we will find him, and because you are connected to him, you will help us. But we will begin that process tomorrow, after you have visited Herr Bergmann. That will give you a taste of what we have in mind for you in the unlikely event of you being unwilling to help.’

She was taken to a cell not unlike the one in Copenhagen. She was able to lie down for a while, use the bucket in the corner, and they even brought her a meal of sorts, which was surprisingly not as bad as the others she’d been given since her arrest. She wondered why they hadn’t interrogated her further when she was undoubtedly at her most vulnerable.

She must have fallen asleep, because she was woken by the sound of her cell door being noisily unlocked. She was handcuffed and marched down a corridor and up a flight of stairs. Outside a pair of double doors was the smiling figure of the Gestapo officer she’d met earlier, the man who’d introduced himself as Manfred Lange.

‘We are about to have the pleasure of witnessing the execution of Bruno Bergmann. Please be assured the same fate awaits you in the event of you not cooperating with us.’

They went into a long room crowded with people. She was pushed towards the front, where the man she took to be Bergmann was standing against a wall, supported by two guards. She suspected that even had she known him, she’d have had trouble recognising him. He looked terrified, his body emaciated, his face showing signs of several beatings and most of his teeth missing. His eyes darted around the room, anxious to spot anyone who might help him.

In front of him stood a man in a dark suit, reading out the death warrant in a high-pitched voice.

…and crimes against the German state… against the German people… guilty of espionage… sentenced to death… Signed Roland Freisler, President, People’s Court.

The official stood back, and Hanne noticed that Lange was now at the front of the room. He stepped forward. ‘Look around carefully, Bergmann: is there anyone here you recognise?’