‘He was one of Goebbels’s team in the propaganda ministry. Also a well-known broadcaster, churning out Nazi drivel to the masses. I’m told by Minsky that he was in the bunker until the first of May, the day after Hitler’s supposed suicide, and then handed himself over to the Russians, offering the surrender of Berlin to the Red Army. There’s no suggestion he saw the body of Hitler or the cremation, but at least we have a senior man who was there at the end. I want to hear his story. There is a slight problem, though.’

‘You don’t want me there.’

‘It’s not me, it’s Minsky.’

‘Then you go alone, Professor.’

‘I can force the issue if you want. I haven’t agreed his terms yet.’

‘Forget it, Professor. You go.’

‘What will you do?’

Heck hesitated then shrugged. ‘Well, I suppose I might as well come clean. I didn’t tell you yesterday because I thought you wouldn’t react well, but I was looking for a childhood friend, a Jewish girl and her family whom I met on holiday. We used to write to each other like pen pals. I went to her address. A fucking Nazi family had taken it over. So of course I fear the worst has befallen my friend and her family. But I’d like another day to myself to see if I can find out what became of them.’

‘There must be noticeboards, like the one in the DP camp.’

‘Yes, I’ll try that. And hopefully I will find a helpful Red Cross station. Can the OSS lend me a vehicle and some petrol?’

‘I’ll ask Helms. But be back by six. I hope you find your friend.’

Heck took out the photograph of Miriam and placed it on the table in front of Wilde.

‘She’s lovely.’

‘Yes.’

Wilde heard the choke in the Dutchman’s voice, but he didn’t look up. He didn’t want to see the tears welling in the man’s eyes.

*

Hans Fritzsche had been brought to the Kommandatura building from his military cell in the Soviet sector. Minsky had warned Wilde that the prisoner might look unhealthy. ‘He has been imprisoned since early May, first in Berlin, then Moscow and now back in Berlin, so you will undoubtedly find him feeling sorry for himself.’

‘I hope you’re not saying he’s been tortured, comrade.’

‘Torture? That is a slur on the good name of the Soviet Union. Please don’t say such things or your access to the prisoner will be revoked.’

‘Forgive me. I am sure, of course, that Herr Fritzsche has been held in hotel-like conditions with three hearty meals a day and a feather bed.’

‘Now that would be obscene treatment for a Nazi. No, he has been treated humanely with adequate food, nothing more. Probably very much like the men presently held by the Americans and British.’