“We’re in business!” said Dietrich, jumping up from his chair.

Ingrid Weiss gave a sly smile. “Yes, we certainly are,” she said. “I told you it would work. And all it cost us was the price of mailing a few books.”

“Not only that,” said Gottfried, “but listen to the names of some of the donors. David Goldstein of Brooklyn, New York. Josh Schwartz of Tel Aviv, Israel. The Women of Temple Beth Torah, Miami, Florida.”

“That’s rather delightful,” said Eva. “Projekt Alchemie is being funded by Jews.”

But Gottfried did not answer. He had turned his attention to a blinking box on one of his computer screens. “It’s a message from Karl,” he said. “They’re on the move.”

“Is that it?” said Ingrid. “They’re on the move? That’s all they said?”

“That’s all,” said Gottfried.

“Get them on the phone for me,” said Ingrid.

“Can’t,” said Gottfried. “They turned off the phone again.”

“Stupid fools,” said Ingrid, throwing a coffee mug across the room where it shattered against the stone wall.

The four conspirators stood in silence for a moment and then Gottfried said, “Do you realize what we can do with two hundred and thirty-seven thousand euros?”

“We will complete Projekt Alchemie,” said Ingrid calmly. She had regained her composure in a matter of seconds.

“If there even is such a thing,” said Dietrich. “I’ve always wondered, myself. I mean, Himmler believed in a lot of strange things.”

“Trust me,” said Ingrid, “it’s real.”

“If it were real,” said Eva, “don’t you think someone else would have discovered it by now?”

“Not necessarily,” said Gottfried.

“You’re right that we can do a lot with two hundred and thirty-seven thousand euros,” said Eva. “I say we use that money to advance our cause and stop chasing shadows.”

“They are not shadows,” said Ingrid, rising up from her seat.

“It was the deathbed confession of a deluded old man,” said Eva.

Eva did not even see the punch coming. Ingrid landed a fist in Eva’s gut with such force Eva couldn’t breathe for several seconds. As Eva doubled up, Ingrid once again drew her pistol and pointed it at the young woman.

“My grandfather was a lot of things,” said Ingrid, “but he was not deluded. If he says Himmler succeeded with Projekt Alchemie, he was telling the truth. Now, if you choose to continue doubting him, I am happy to eliminate you from this task force right now. You are hardly essential to the operation.”

“If she goes, I go,” said Dietrich, stepping in front of Ingrid’s gun.

“How gallant,” said Ingrid, her voice dripping with disdain. “Coming to his lover’s rescue.”

“If nothing else,” said Dietrich, ignoring the jibe, “we need Eva for her healthy skepticism.” He turned to Eva and laid a hand on her shoulder.

“You need her because you fancy her,” said Gottfried.