We said goodbye again, and walked back to the car.

‘Get me away from here, Bernie,’ she hissed as I opened the door for her. By the time I had started the engine she was crying again, only this time it was with shock and horror.

‘I can’t believe people could be so — so evil,’ she sobbed.

‘I’m sorry you had to go through that,’ I said. ‘Really I am. I’d have given anything for you to have avoided it, but it was the only way.’

I drove to the end of the street and on to Bismarkplatz, a quiet intersection of suburban streets with a small patch of grass in the middle. It was only now that I realized how close we were to Frau Lange’s house in Herbertstrasse. I spotted Korsch’s car, and pulled up behind it.

‘Bernie? Do you think that the police will find her there?’

‘Yes, I think they will.’

‘But how could he fake it and know where she is? How could he know those things about her? Her love of dancing?’

‘Because he, or one of those others, put her there. Probably they spoke to Emmeline and asked her a few questions before they killed her. Just for the sake of authenticity.’

She blew her nose, and then looked up. ‘Why have we stopped?’

‘Because I’m going back there to take a look around. See if I can find out what their ugly little game is. The car parked in front of us is driven by one of my men. His name is Korsch, and he’s going to drive you home.’

She nodded. ‘Please be careful, Bernie,’ she said breathlessly, her head dropping forwards on to her chest.

‘Are you all right, Hildegard?’

She fumbled for the door-handle. ‘I think I’m going to be sick.’ She fell sideways towards the pavement, vomiting into the gutter and down her sleeve as she broke her fall with her hand. I jumped out of the car and ran round to the passenger door to help her, but Korsch was there before me, supporting her by the shoulders until she could draw breath again.

‘Jesus Christ,‘ he said, ‘what happened in there?’ Crouching down beside her I mopped the perspiration from Hildegard’s face before wiping her mouth. She took the handkerchief from my hand and allowed Korsch to help her sit up again.

‘It’s a long story,’ I said, ‘and I’m afraid that it’s going to have to wait awhile yet. I want you to take her home and then wait for me at the Alex. Get Becker there as well. I’ve a feeling we’re going to be busy tonight.’

‘I’m sorry,’ said Hildegard. ‘I’m all right now.’ She smiled bravely. Korsch and I helped her out and, holding her by the waist, we walked her to Korsch’s car.