‘I’ve managed to clear up the mess made by you two before, but I won’t be able to do it this time,’ said Jäger. ‘And, however it plays out, I will no doubt be implicated too. I think they wanted rid of all of us, to be honest, that’s why we were all put on this case. Although I’m sure they didn’t want it to end this way.’

‘So do you have any bright ideas what we do now?’ asked Müller.

‘We need to get away,’ replied Jäger. ‘And get our children away from that awful sports school.’

‘And how – exactly – do you suggest we do that?’ asked Müller. Stating the obvious wasn’t really much of a help.

There was a moment’s silence, then it was a remarkably calm-sounding Tilsner who spoke next.

‘I may have a solution,’ he said. ‘I could see which way things were going. It’s something I’ve been working on for a while.’

Chapter 51

51

Oberhof, East Germany

Just a few years earlier, this would have seemed unbelievable to Müller. Here she was, sitting in a car with Tilsner and Jäger, about to try to do one of the most dangerous things it was possible to do in the Republic. But to do it with them? Well, just five short years ago, when she discovered what they got up to as teenage boys during the war at Gardelegen, it would have been unthinkable. Beyond the pale. Yet here she was. Jäger – once they’d rescued him from the rock cave below the Basteibrücke – had convinced her this was their only option. What had surprised Müller was that Tilsner himself had already made preparations. But then again, three years ago he’d nearly done it on his own. He’d only turned back to save her. Now he’d just saved her for a second time.

‘Isn’t she going to smell a rat?’ asked Müller, as they approached the sports school.

‘Who?’ said Jäger. ‘The deputy director? I don’t think so. I’ve phoned ahead, sent through the necessary authorisations outlining that we’re on a joint operation in the Oberhof area. My rank and title – the ministry I work for – can still instil fear outside the organisation, Karin. Inside, well, as you know that’s a different story.’ The man sounded almost sad that his previous reputation within the Stasi had eroded so far. Eroded to such an extent that he felt this was his only remaining option.

Tilsner slapped the Wartburg’s wheel. ‘Come on.’ He checked his watch again for the second time in the space of five minutes. ‘You two need to get a move on. They’ll already be waiting – ready to start things up.’