The Odessa File Page #5

Pick up that gun.

I need two more weeks.

- He's not ready.

- We don't have any more time.

- He's ready.

- But, David...

- May I come in?

- Here's our new man.

- How does it feel?

- Frightening.

- This is it.

- Prosit!

So now, here's some money.

Driving licence

and the watch you asked for.

This is a letter written

by your employer Eberhardt...

...at the bakery, on his own stationery.

He's away on holiday for three weeks

and they can't contact him.

So, that's what you've got.

Three weeks.

You know your contact in Munich,

but Ackermann is shrewd.

Remember the Iron Cross

and don't forget to pick up the dagger.

- May I help you?

- I see you sell war decorations.

I'm interested in an Iron Cross,

Second Class. An original.

For a souvenir?

For my collection.

Second Class.

There's no swastika in the centre.

They are the only ones

we are allowed to sell.

Except to friends, Herr Ackermann.

I was asked to give you this.

One moment, please.

American tourists buy them

for paper knives.

I think perhaps I can help you.

Would you come in?

Yes?

My name is Kolb.

Please, come in.

Describe your uniform, Kolb.

Grey-green tunic and breeches.

- Jack boots, black leather belt.

- 22nd Battalion?

Yes, sir. Attached

to Flossenbrg Concentration Camp.

Remain at attention, Kolb.

This letter says you have been in hospital.

I had a stomach tumour, sir.

Go on.

I was having tests

and this ward orderly kept staring at me.

I knew his face.

I remembered he had been a prisoner

at Flossenbrg.

Well?

He was one of the Jews

we'd instructed to burn the bodies of...

...Admiral Canaris and the others...

...we'd shot for their attempted

assassination of the Fhrer.

You were one of those

who executed Canaris?

I commanded the firing squad, sir.

Then the orderly saw this,

my SS blood group letter.

I've since had it burnt off.

Let me see.

I didn't take any precaution about it

because I didn't think...

...anyone would be interested

in a sergeant.

Now they're talking about Canaris

and the others...

...as though they were heroes.

- They were traitors, all of them, swine.

- That's enough!

At which hospital were you?

Bremen General, sir.

Ward?

Princess Louise.

This orderly, what was his name?

Hartstein.

I was at Flossenbrg several times.

I knew it quite well.

I don't remember you, sir.

No.

You seem nervous.

Are you nervous?

I've been worried these past weeks.

All right. Then what happened?

I was transferred to a convalescent home.

Which one?

Arcadia Clinic at Delmenhorst.

Then I received an anonymous phone call...

...very official sounding...

...warning that this Jew had informed

the Attorney General's office who I was.

- I had to disappear.

- Your employer Eberhardt?

He came to visit me at the nursing home.

When I told him what had happened

he offered to help.

- He gave me that letter.

- Why didn't he contact us himself?

Maybe he didn't want to use the phone

in a matter like this.

He was going away on his annual holiday.

Yes, we checked.

A cruise to the West Indies

is very pleasant this time of year.

Yes, sir.

I want these telephone numbers.

Put your jacket on.

Bad luck, wasn't it?

I'm sorry, sir?

16,000 inmates at Flossenbrg.

Only 700 survived.

You have to be spotted by one of them.

Yes, sir. It was bad luck.

Unterscharfhrer Kolb,

turn round and face me!

Did you receive your dagger?

Yes, sir. From Major Max Koegel.

There is an inscription on the blade.

"Blood and honour," sir.

Tell me, what were the amenities like

at Flossenbrg?

- Amenities, sir?

- Accommodation.

Two barracks, a gymnasium,

a garrison shop, a whorehouse...

Which everyone shared?

No, sir. Officers had their own.

When you looked up from anywhere

in the camp, what did you see?

The sky.

Don't be stupid!

When we looked up?

You mean the ruined castle

on top of the hill, where we kept the dogs?

Come and sit down.

Bremen General?

Princess Louise ward, please.

This is the Department of Social Security,

Pensions Section.

I want to confirm

that you have a ward orderly...

...on your staff by the name of Hartstein.

Yes, we have a Jacob Hartstein.

Thank you.

Would you please transfer me

to the Registrar's office?

Yes, Rolf Gunther Kolb.

His tumour responded to treatment.

He was transferred

to a convalescent clinic.

Could you tell me which one?

Of course. Arcadia Clinic in Delmenhorst.

Thank you.

Arcadia Clinic.

Kolb?

Oh, yes, one moment, please.

- Is there any trouble, sir?

- We'll soon find out.

Hello, this is Dr. Reitlinger here.

Can I help you?

I am inquiring about a patient

called Gunther Kolb.

Is he still with you?

He discharged himself last week.

He was very much better.

It was a pleasure. Goodbye.

Your tumour seems to have improved.

I don't have much pain now, sir.

You'll need a new identity.

And a new passport.

I'm sending you to one of our people

in Bayreuth.

His name is Klaus Wenzer.

He's a specialist at this kind of thing.

Probably the best.

After he's fixed you up with documents...

...he'll pass you on to someone

who'll tell you what to do next.

Take Herr Kolb to the station

and see he gets the train to Bayreuth.

- We'll buy your ticket for you.

- You've been very kind, sir.

Don't worry, Kolb.

One day we'll ask you to help us.

- We must help each other, mustn't we?

- Yes, sir.

The Bayreuth train leaves in half an hour

from platform three.

- I'll wait with you.

- Please, don't bother. I can manage.

Thank you.

Yes?

Sigi?

- Is that Peter?

- Who is this?

One moment, I'll get her.

Sigi, it's Peter on the phone.

- Why didn't you call me?

- That's what I am doing.

- Peter?

- Sigi?

- Peter!

- Sigi, is that you?

Of course it's me.

Where are you? It's a terrible connection.

I'm fine. It's wonderful to hear your voice.

Who was that girl?

Listen, I was attacked in the Elbe tunnel

and I went to the police.

I can't hear you.

- Are you all right?

- No, I'm not all right.

I'm angry and frightened

and I want you to come home.

- Where are you?

- I'm at Munich Station.

I've a few more things to do,

but it won't take long.

What are you doing at Munich Station?

- I want you to come home.

- Sigi, who was that girl?

I can't hear you.

- Peter!

- I have to go now.

Sigi, I love you.

Are you certain this girl got it right?

From Munich Station an hour ago?

That's very helpful. Thank you.

Yes?

This is Werner.

We have a problem and I need your help.

We are looking for someone called Miller,

Peter Miller.

He was at Munich Station

about an hour ago...

...making a telephone call to Hamburg.

Just a moment.

Fredrich?

Yes, sir?

You said Herr Kolb made a telephone call

from the station?

Yes, Herr Bayer,

just before he got on the train.

- Excuse me, Herr Wenzer?

- Yes?

Rolf Gunther Kolb.

Yes, I've been expecting you, Herr Kolb.

They just telephoned me

to tell me you were coming.

But I didn't expect you to be here

quite so soon.

- You don't like to read the letter?

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