“Mine’s pretty good,” said Bob. “I was stationed there for four years and I . . . met a lot of Germans.”

“We need to monitor the news,” said Patton. “Do you think you could follow a radio broadcast?”

“Just find the damn BBC World Service,” said Bob. “We’ve got satellite radio on this car.”

Ted flipped on the radio and fiddled with the dial until a smooth British voice flowed through the speakers.

“We need to know what the police know about the explosion in Munich,” said Patton.

As a feature story about English agriculture played, Patton closed her eyes and thought of Ruthie. During her training for intelligence work, Patton had learned the warning signs of a potential double agent, yet Ruthie had fooled her completely. A double agent right there in Bletchley Park—imagine the catastrophe, thought Patton, if one had been there during the war. Whoever such an agent had duped might have been responsible for the deaths of millions and the loss of the war. Now Ruthie had duped Patton, the one among them who should have known better, should have seen right through her. And, if this last-ditch effort didn’t work, Patton would certainly deserve whatever punishment Bob Macmillan and his cohorts meted out.

They had stopped at Ortner und Stanger in Innsbruck for supplies and were winding their way through the Alps just past the town of Mittenwald when the top of the hour rolled around and Ted turned up the volume on the radio.

“From the BBC World Service this is the news at eight o’clock GMT. Police in Munich continue to sift through the remains of a house destroyed in an explosion last night. The house was the headquarters of a charity called Columbia House which repatriated artifacts stolen by the Nazis to their rightful owners. Detective Christian Ulrich has confirmed that the attack was an act of terrorism but will not comment on whether it may have been motivated by anti-Semitism. In the meantime, donations are pouring in from all quarters to help Columbia House rebuild and to further their mission. Detective Ulrich has announced he will hold a press conference this afternoon.”

“So the cops don’t know the real purpose of Columbia House,” said Ted.

“Or they’re not saying,” said Patton. “God, it makes me sick that people are giving money to that Nazi bitch.”

“Probably part of their plan,” said Ted. “It’s a pretty good idea for a fundraiser. Blow up the person who’s about to rat you out and get tons of money in return. Still, that story didn’t tell us much.”

“It told us enough,” said Patton with a smile. For the first time in the drive, she looked out the window with awe at the view of the surrounding Alpine landscape. “How much farther?”

“We should be there in about thirty minutes,” said Ted.