The OSS bureau chief tamped in another wedge of aromatic tobacco, then loosened it with his metal pick. ‘I certainly do. But what do I do with the information? How do we prove it? Who do we tell? The newspapers will want proof, and you don’t have it. Should I send you back to Bavaria to find the missing boy? Well, we both know that’s not going to happen.’

‘So what now?’

‘You go back to Cambridge and hammer some history into young heads. Or maybe you want to stay in the OSS?’

‘No, I prefer the first option. I just don’t like being left with the feeling that I somehow failed.’

‘Oh, you didn’t fail, Wilde. We now know the truth about Hitler, which means I don’t have to waste any more time or energy looking for him. Case closed.’ He reached for a decanter. ‘Care for a whiskey?’

‘Thank you, that would be very welcome. There was something else, though.’

‘Oh yeah?’

‘The matter of Julius Boden being recruited by the Counter Intelligence Corps. Colonel Appache came clean.’

‘Yes, I heard.’ He poured two large whiskeys into crystal glasses.

‘Well, I don’t like it. We lost hundreds of thousands of good men to rid the world of brutes like Boden. We shouldn’t be doing deals with them.’

‘I agree. It’s scandalous. Unfortunately, the CIC is outside my jurisdiction, but I sure as hell will be making my feelings known in Washington. I’ve already spoken to Bill Donovan, and he’s as one with us in this matter. He also sends you his congratulations.’ He clinked glasses. ‘Here’s to you, Professor. And to the death of dictators.’

‘Has he told the President about Hitler?’

‘He has. And it goes no further. You, me, Bill and Harry. I can’t stop you telling your gorgeous wife, of course, but she knows how to keep a secret, doesn’t she?’

Yes, Lydia knew how to keep a secret.

‘There may even be some sort of decoration in the offing for you.’

Wilde drank the whiskey down. It was American rye, which he liked almost as much as Scotch. But he didn’t need medals. ‘Tell Bill that a case of single malt will suit me fine.’

‘I’ll do that.’ He poured him another. ‘Now finish your drink, get back on the plane and go home.’

Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Back in his British Army uniform, but with his arm still in a sling, Mo Heck took his leave of Dr Gray and young Jerzy.

‘You’re not going to shoot anyone, are you, Mo?’ Angie Gray entreated him.

‘No, that’s over. I’ve had my fill of vengeance. I thought it would numb the pain, but it doesn’t.’

‘Where are you going then?’

‘I have to rejoin my unit. I’m still in the British Army, you know. But first I have something I must do.’