Chapters (50)
- Praise
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- THIRTY-NINE
- FORTY
- FORTY-ONE
- FORTY-TWO
- EPILOGUE
- AUTHOR’S NOTE
- Teaser chapter
I felt my ears prick up at the mention of the Stiftskaserne. This was where the headquarters of the U.S. Military Police in Vienna was located, on Mariahilferstrasse. But it was also the home of the American intelligence community in Vienna. I’d been there before. Back in the days when the CIA had been called the OSS.
“My clothes,” I said. “I was expecting to be here for a couple of days.”
There was something about what these cops were telling me that just didn’t add up. But there was no time now to quiz them further. If the Americans had a file on me, then it was equally possible they had a photograph, too. I had to get out of there, and fast. But how? If there’s one thing cops like to hang on to it’s a witness. Then again, if there’s one thing they hate it’s a forensic amateur—a member of the public who thinks he might be able to offer some advice.
“The Stiftskaserne,” I said. “That’s the 796th U.S. Military Police, isn’t it? And the CIA. Not the IP. So this must be an intelligence matter, as well as a murder. I wonder what Britta could have got herself mixed up in that might involve the CIA.”
One cop looked at the other. “Did we mention the CIA?”
“No, but it’s obvious that they’re involved from what you’ve already told me,” I said.
“Is it?”
“Of course,” I said. “I was in the Abwehr during the war. So I know quite a bit about this kind of thing. Perhaps I can be of assistance when the Ami turns up. After all, I’ve met this Bernie Gunther. And I did know Britta Warzok. So if there’s anything I can do to help catch her murderer, then obviously I’d like to help. As well as being a doctor, I also speak English. That might come in handy, too. It goes without saying that I can be discreet if this involves something top secret between the CIA and the Austrian police.”
The two cops were already looking like they wanted me gone from there, and as quickly as possible. “Perhaps later on you could be of assistance, Doctor,” said the hat. “When we’ve had a chance to examine the crime scene in further detail.” He picked up my bag and carried it to the door for me.
“We’ll be in touch,” said the other cop, taking me by the arm, and encouraging me onto my feet.
“But you don’t know where I’m staying,” I said. “And I don’t know your names.”
“Call us at Deutschmeister Platz and let us know later,” said the hat. “I’m Inspector Strauss. He’s Kriminalassistent Wagner.”