Bormann left the room feeling totally ecstatic. Braun had produced an heir for the Führer and the next part of his plan had been successfully executed.

* * *

In late September, the infamous Nuremberg trials drew to a close and sentences were handed down to senior representatives of the Nazi regime. Bormann had been following events closely through local radio and newspaper coverage. In addition, he was constantly updated on his telex machine by pro-Nazi allies, still based inside Germany. Throughout the trials, Hitler’s mood swings heightened as he became increasingly agitated. Bormann noted that the Führer’s daily cocaine intake almost doubled overnight. He met with Hitler in his study once a week to give him an update on developments. On 1 October, just four days after Braun gave birth, Bormann briefed the Führer on the grim details of the sentences.

“Göring, Streicher and Ribbentrop have all been sentenced to death.”

Hitler’s hands were trembling and he glared at Bormann as he digested the information. He eventually nodded and then carefully wrote the names down on a pad in front of him. Despite his best efforts, the writing was an illegible scrawl.

“What about Albert?”

Bormann knew that Albert Speer, the renowned architect, was one of the Führer’s oldest friends and a close ally. In 1942, Hitler had appointed him minister of armaments and, in that capacity, he had been responsible for supervising the use of slave labour from the occupied territories in the production of munitions.

“Speer has been sentenced to twenty years.”

Hitler grimaced and added to his unreadable notes. “What about the traitor, Hess?”

“Führer, he escaped the death penalty but has been sentenced to life imprisonment.”

Hitler was clearly distressed to hear his former deputy had escaped the hangman’s rope. He burst into life, smashing his fists on the desktop. This brief flash of rage instantly reminded Bormann of the psychotic, unstable nature of the man who had once been the most powerful leader in the Western world.

“Martin, we need to find a way to end his life inside prison. It is an outrage he has been spared. He must die …” there was a long pause before the Führer completed the sentence “… and he must suffer first.”

Bormann knew this was an impossible request to fulfil, but was happy to humour the Führer.

“Of course. I will issue instructions.”

Bormann stood up to leave but Hitler had one final question.

“Martin, what about you?”

Bormann’s face broke into a devilish grin. “Führer, this very day I have been sentenced to death by hanging.”

Chapter Sixteen

12 January 2012

Buenos Aires