“For how long?”

“I don’t know.”

“Does her phone still work? The one in her office?” Leni asked.

“I think so.”

“Good.”

“Must be quite an admirer, this one,” said Waltraut with a wink.

“How did you get hold of me here?” Strasser asked. “How did you get the number?”

“I have my ways,” Leni said. “I meet a lot of influential people in my line of work.”

Strasser laughed.

“I don’t doubt it! Anyway, what do you want?”

“I’d like to see you,” she purred down the line. “I’d like to see my Carl very much indeed.”

“When?”

“Tonight—I’d like to see you tonight.”

“But…but that’s impossible.”

“Come on, Carl. We won’t be at Kitty’s. It would be just you and me. We could stay at a hotel….”

“I just can’t. Something’s happened here….”

“It’ll be my only free night for ages. There might not be another chance. Come on, Carl, this is what you said you wanted—a night together like a normal couple.”

“Shit!”

“Language, Carl.”

“Sorry, I wasn’t swearing at you, just at myself.”

“Please, Carl. We could be together all night. Just think of it. You could pour champagne all over my—”

“Leni! It’s out of the question. I’m needed here.”

“You’re also needed here.”

“I can’t just leave, not at such short notice! Are you sure you’re not free at the weekend?”

“Weekends are my busiest time.”

“Shit!”

“Language!”

“Sorry.”

“I don’t mind how late you come.”

“Really? Even if it’s very late?”

“I sleep during the day—remember?”

“Of course.”

Strasser paused.

“Carl?” she asked. “Are you still there?”

“Yes, yes—I’m just thinking.”

“Thinking what?”

“I’m thinking that I could come. I know there’s a troop train coming through later, on its way to Berlin. I could get on that….”

“Excellent!”

“I’d get in at about one in the morning, though.”

“Perfect.”

“Where shall I meet you?”

“Meet me at the Adlon.”

“The Adlon? But that costs a—”

“I’m paying.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry, Carl—I have plenty of money. I’ll be in Room 38.”

“How come you’ve already got a room? How could you have been sure I would come?”

“I knew you would, Carl. See you later.”

The phone went dead in Strasser’s ear.

Kitty had not believed her when she said she was feeling unwell, but as it was a Monday, she had let it go. Kitty knew that the girls needed breaks more often than the SD allowed, and feigning illness was usually the only way they could get some time off.

“So who’s the lucky young man?” she had asked with a smirk.

“No, Kitty, I promise you, I’m feeling terrible.”

Kitty winked at her.

“Of course, my darling. Why don’t you come back tomorrow when you’re feeling better?”