‘And the Frenchwoman?’

‘Leave her. She knows nothing.’

‘I’m not sure, Julius. She led them to us.’

‘You’ve got it all wrong.’ Boden’s voice was growing weaker. His breathing was shallow and laboured.

‘Have I, Julius? Have I? Are you sure? Hildy is dead because of her. Opa is dead. All because of your infatuation for the stupid, treacherous French bitch.’

‘Do you really believe this?’

‘You’re becoming faint, Julius. I can’t hear you.’

‘Do what you have to do, then, Siggy.’ His eyes were closed, he was slipping away into the night, into the ravine at Babi Yar, where the dead white flesh would welcome him, and torment him for all eternity.

*

‘That looked a beautiful wedding,’ Wilde said, stretched out on the bed while Angie Gray gave him the once-over. Jerzy had followed them in and was watching Wilde through the lens of the box camera.

‘They have weddings every day,’ Angie said. ‘Often more than one. Desperate to replace their lost families and find a bit of affection, and who can blame them.’

‘That could be you one day, Angie, a blushing bride.’

‘Now you’re making fun of me, Professor. Obviously I am never going to be a bride, but I can tell you this – I am going to be a mother.’

‘Really? Well that is good news. Tell me more.’

‘Jerzy has very kindly agreed to let me adopt him. Haven’t you, Jerzy?’

‘I want to marry her but she says I’m too young.’

‘Just take what’s on offer, Jerzy. She’ll make you a fine mother.’

‘Maybe, but she’s very strict already – says I have to go to school and then college. I just want to take pictures, boss.’

‘No reason you can’t do both. Just listen to your mother. Mothers are always right. Now, Dr Gray, if you’re done with me, I have an urgent telephone call to make. May I use your office?’

‘Go ahead – but take it easy.’

*

Allen Dulles did not sound ecstatic at the news. ‘You saw him die? Why the hell couldn’t you capture him, Professor Wilde?’

‘I’ll give you all the details when we meet.’

‘And you’re certain it was him?’

‘I have no doubts.’

‘Then where is the body?’

‘There was an explosion, a conflagration. I don’t imagine there is much left. Teeth maybe – but we saw how easily dental records could be manipulated with the jawbone supposedly found outside the bunker in Berlin.’

‘Well, I want to congratulate you, but this still seems horribly inconclusive.’

‘Not in my mind it’s not, sir.’

‘What was he like, the great dictator?’

‘Like a bearded, bespectacled, senile old man. If you didn’t know his history, you’d say he was sad and pathetic and you’d almost feel sorry for him. But I say good riddance to the Nazi bastard.’