Schmidt nodded, and in doing so his thick-lensed spectacles slipped down his nose, making him look like a mad professor. ‘Well, as I say, I’m sure I will get to the bottom of it, Comrade Hauptmann. I’ll give you a ring as soon as I’ve cracked it.’

*

Returning to her office, Müller was surprised to see a note on her desk from her Stasi opposite number, Bahlow.

As soon as you’re back, please give me a ring at Bautzner Straße. Better still, if you’ve time, please pop by. I’ve an update on Lotti Rolf’s whereabouts.

Müller turned the note over in her hand. She had no reason to trust Bahlow. On the other hand, he did seem – marginally – to be better than many other Stasi officers she’d encountered in her career. Jäger included.

Just the thought of the Stasi Oberstleutnant seemed to be enough to make him appear – he walked into the office as though he were the genie, and Bahlow’s letter was somehow Aladdin’s lamp. She hastily pocketed the note.

‘Ah Karin,’ he said. ‘I hoped I might catch you. Any progress in Oberhof?’

Müller tried to keep her face as deadpan as possible. ‘We’re pursuing a number of lines of inquiries, Comrade Oberstleutnant.’

Jäger sidled up to her, lightly grabbed her arm, then brought his mouth close to her ear. ‘What did Voights give you?’

Müller was determined not to be ordered about or bullied by him. If he wanted her to do his dirty work, then she would do it on her own terms – and only if she felt it could benefit herself, or the inquiry. The fact that he’d given her the tip-off about contacting Voights didn’t mean he had the right to information in return. She wrestled her arm from his grip, and moved a pace away.

Then she held his eyes. ‘As I said, we’re pursuing a number of lines of inquiry.’ She gave him a sarcastic smile. ‘Was there anything else I can help you with?’

Jäger turned on his heels and stormed off, slamming her office door behind himself.

*

Müller decided to visit Bahlow in person, taking Tilsner with her. Instead of summoning them to his office, he came out to meet them in Bautzner Straße itself, away from the actual Stasi building, and then took Müller to one side – as though he didn’t fully trust her deputy.

‘OK,’ he said, lowering his voice, ‘this is strictly off the record and you didn’t get the information from me, understood?’

Müller gave a small nod.

‘By giving you this information, I’m going against what some in there want.’ He flicked his eyes back towards the Stasi HQ. ‘But I have my own reasons for trying to help you.’

‘Just get to the point, please,’ insisted Müller.

‘We’ve managed to locate Lotti.’