Back in the living room Josef placed the cup in his hand directly so Schmuederrich wouldn’t sit down anywhere.

“What brings you here, Hans?”

“Did you know that up until very recently the United States was the only country in the world that didn’t have a decent counterintelligence operation?”

“No, I didn’t know that.”

“Every other country is happy to put its spies here. Up to now the FBI’s hands were tied, they were more responsible for domestic matters. Which didn’t exactly make them popular. But last year Hoover and his men finally landed a big success. It’s showing at the movies now—we can all go watch. It’s like this: we have to work harder. The FBI has been granted broader powers. Things are getting dicey. The Japanese are good spies. Better than us.”

Schmuederrich nodded, letting his words sink in. Josef tried to keep the unimpressed look on his face. Schmuederrich put his cup down on the table in front of the radio.

“Stop trailing our own people, Josef.”

“I didn’t trail anybody.”

“And don’t ever think about going to the FBI again.”

This time he didn’t say anything in response. He immediately felt a heavy weight on his chest, pressing all the way up to his throat.

“What do you think you’re doing, little man?” Schmuederrich took a deep breath, in and out. “Life’s been good to you. Just look at the weather today. Beautiful. And that swell girlfriend of yours. But we can’t afford to make any mistakes. Amateurs are too dangerous in the long run.”

Josef looked over toward the door; the bits of muck leading that way were now completely crumbled. Could he get past Schmuederrich? Princess lay on her side, her tail wagged nervously up and down.

“You’re done. Where’s the radio you built for us?”

Had he heard right? Or was it a trick—was he about to get beat up?

“Show it to me.”

He went into the bedroom and pulled the box out from under the bed. Thought for a second about locking the door from the inside. He didn’t trust Schmuederrich.

“Where are you? Do you need some help?”

It didn’t sound like a threat. Schmuederrich had slid back into his chummy voice, like they were wallpapering a room together.

His hands were shaking all the same when, a moment later, he laid the parts out on the table. Princess was standing in between them by now, her ears turning in all directions.

“Do you have someone who can finish building it for you?”

“That’s none of your goddamn concern. And once Germany has conquered the world, don’t think there’ll be a job waiting for you.”

“No, of course not, Hans.”