Braun felt her heart race as she stared into Bormann’s eyes and waited for him to continue. His voice dropped to a menacing whisper. “You need to deliver the Führer a healthy son and heir.”

* * *

Every day of the journey, Bormann talked through his strategy for the future with the Führer and kept him informed of ongoing developments inside Germany. He would crouch next to Hitler’s bunk to give him the latest update.

“Führer, the war has been lost. The traitor Dönitz ordered Alfred Jodl to sign an unconditional surrender on 7 May in Reims. You have been betrayed by your own military. The bastards have sold out the Fatherland.”

Hitler’s skin was badly bruised, his temple and part of his face were still wrapped in bandages. His chin was exposed and he stroked the growth that was now turning into an unkempt grey beard.

“Martin, only you and Goebbels stayed loyal to the Reich and now the weakness of the generals who led our brave soldiers has cost us dearly. They have betrayed me and the German people and must be punished.”

“Führer, trust me, their time will come and, believe me, they will suffer. But I do have positive news from Argentina. The regime has confirmed they’ve received the latest transfer of funds, so our safety and security is guaranteed. Building work is well under way on your new home in Patagonia and, as you requested, it will be a sizeable residence, big enough to house all three of us.”

Hitler shivered under the blankets and nodded his approval. “Will it be safe?”

“It is in the middle of nowhere. Trust me, Führer, no one will ever find us.”

Chapter Ten

11 January 2012

Buenos Aires

Pedro was not surprised when he received a call from the City Police Department. As one of the box owners at the bank, he knew he would be summoned for an interview and he’d had plenty of time to prepare his story. Detective Alex Martin sat opposite him in the bare, windowless interview room, located in the basement of the station. Between them was a small metal table, on which sat a couple of polystyrene cups of water and a blue folder that the detective was flicking through.

“Thanks for coming in to see me, Señor García. We are interviewing all the owners of the security boxes kept at the Banco Estero, whether they were stolen or not. Turns out you were one of the lucky ones.”

Pedro nodded and tried to stay relaxed. “Detective Martin, it’s a sad state of affairs when a man’s possessions aren’t secure inside a safe-deposit bank. I was told that vault was impregnable. Seems not.”

Martin was looking down at the file. “It appears you made regular visits to the bank. Can I ask you why you checked your box every month?”