If Tommy had been focused more on police work and less on Renée that day, he might have noticed three men lurking in the cemetery, only one anywhere near the mourners. The two who sat smoking at the foot of the hill might easily have been mistaken for groundskeepers, loafing around waiting to fill the graves with dirt. The one who stood by a tree just close enough to hear the proceedings made notes in a small black book. Tommy only glanced at him, assuming he was one of the out-of-town reporters who had turned up for the funerals. The mysterious murder of Art Handy had made the papers all across the state, and when combined with the attempted murder of a former army sergeant and the apparent suicide by allergy of her elderly neighbor, the story was just bizarre enough to make it onto the wires and show up in a few national outlets.

The man with the notebook stood just within earshot of Tommy and Renée. Once the cruiser had pulled away, he met his companions back at their rental car. “It’s definitely her,” he said. “And she’s gone to London.”

“The punctuation and the capitalization are mine,” said Ruthie, “and of course the translation, but the message seems clear enough.” She held up the paper and read:

“Projekt Alchemie successful. Location of results indicated in Reichsführer Himmler’s library catalog number AL1533. The project to remain secure despite temporary suspension of the Reich due to Allied action. Because of Projekt Alchemie, the Reich will rise again. Heil Hitler.”

Nemo sat down in his chair and Alex leaned back in his. For a moment the room fell quiet, and they could hear the cooing of the doves outside.

“What does it mean?” said Ruthie.

“It’s pretty obvious what it means,” said Nemo. “It means they figured it out.”

“You think the Nazis actually figured out how to turn . . . what was it you called them?” asked Patton, turning to Alex.

“Base materials,” said Alex.

“You think the Nazis figured out how to turn base materials into gold?”

“If that’s true,” said Alex, “why didn’t they do it? It could have made a big difference in the progress of the war.”

“We think this message came from the very end of the war,” said Patton. “Just days before Germany surrendered. But I still don’t believe it.”

“It would explain why my erstwhile employer has been hunting us down,” said Nemo. “Anybody with that secret could . . .”

“Could rule the world,” said Alex.

“So you think it’s true?” said Patton.

“I’ve learned to keep an open mind,” said Alex.

“You said . . . What did you just say? That anyone with the secret to alchemy could rule the world?” said Patton.

“Money and power are indistinguishable these days,” said Alex.

“God,” said Patton, standing up and taking the paper from Ruthie. “Oh, God.”

“What’s the matter?” said Nemo.