Watch the Trains Go By: The Letter
Gertrude looked across the room at her brother and frowned. He had come to check on her welfare or so he said. In reality, he had come to, once again, attempt to sway her and bend her will to his own. That was Albert in a nutshell, the master manipulator. Gertrude was aware that all his plotting and planning came from the deep love he had for her but he was becoming one giant coccydynia. She had stopped listening to his garrulous lecture on her need to marry an hour ago. Rolling her eyes, she let out a sigh. In a vain attempt to get her emotions in check, she began silently reciting the Beatitudes.
"Are you listening to me?" Albert's bellow broke into her thoughts.
"Every word," she lied.
"I am serious Gertrude, you need to marry. With Mama gone and Lotte having to go to work at the ammunition factory in Hammelburg, you do not need to be alone."
"Lotte is only gone because you made her leave," she complained.
"She has to do her part for the Fatherland. If she is not going to marry and bear children, then she has help with the labor shortage. Besides, she is working in the office and not on the assembly line."
"It is still dangerous, with all the sabotage in the area." Gertrude sat down on the couch and studied the pattern in the rug. She was aware that Albert had pulled many strings to get Lotte such a comfortable job but still, it was risky and Gertrude feared for her daughter.
"Security has been increased. She is safe enough."
"Safe enough," Gertrude echoed. "What does that mean?"
"It means she is as safe as anyone can be in this war," Albert countered. "The last thing any of us needs is any activity that draws unwanted attention to us."
She gave a soft sad sigh and looked up at her brother. "I wish we could just say what is on our minds. Do you remember when we were children? We could tell each other everything and anything. What happened to us?"
"We grew up, that's what happened."
"No, it's this war," she countered. "It has changed us all and not for the better. Our so called Leader has brought us to the brink of destruction."
"Careful Gertrude," Albert said quietly, glancing about the room. "The walls have ears."
"I don't care. I want to scream it from the roof what happened to Otto. I hate living this lie."
"Otto died at the Eastern Front. That is what happened to him. Nothing more, nothing less," he replied with a hard edge to his voice.
"He died a hero but not for the German war machine!"
"Shut up! I do not want to hear any more of this. If you want to destroy yourself so be it; but you will not drag me down with you," he declared, grabbing his cap and marching to the door. Albert threw the door open only to reveal Major Hochstetter standing there posed to knock.
Fear clutched at Gertrude's heart, squeezing it until she thought she would pass out. How much did he hear? Albert stood there staring at the man with a disgusted sneer on his face.
"Ah, you're both here. That saves me a trip into Hammelburg," replied Hochstetter with false cheer.
"What do you want Major?" Albert growled menacingly at the man.
"I know with the funeral of Frau Burkhalter, Frau Linkmeyer has not had a chance to come in as promised to discuss her kidnapping," Hochstetter replied as his gaze wandered over to where Gertrude was sitting.
"Cannot this be done at another time?" Albert replied while still barring the black demon's entrance into the cottage.
"Trails grow cold quickly General. I will try and make this as painless as possible."
"Let him in and let's get this over with," Gertrude replied in a weary voice. Albert grimaced and then stepped aside to allow the odious man to enter. Setting his cap back down on the hall tree, Albert watched as Hochstetter crossed the room to where Gertrude was sitting.
"Let me say again Frau Linkmeyer how sorry I am for your loss. It seems your family has been plagued by bereavement," the Major said with an affected look of sympathy that did not reach his eyes. In fact, to Gertrude they seem to dance with satisfaction.
"Thank-you Major. Now how can I help you?" she said, as she tried to summon the civility she did not feel. Every fiber of her being wanted to reach up and claw his lying eyes out. She thought she could smell the rotting stench of death on him but knew that was just her imagination. Every day he drew a breath was a personal affront to her. She turned and looked away, afraid she was unable to mask the hatred she felt for him. She felt tears stinging the back of her eyes as the room grew hot and her face became flushed.
"Have I said something to upset you?" Hochstetter asked.
"No, of course not," Gertrude said turning back to face him. "It's just been a long day and I find myself missing my mother."
"So it has nothing to do with your argument with your brother?" Gertrude opened her mouth to speak but no words would come out. She felt her heart hammering in her chest and was sure the Major could hear it.
"What I and my sister discuss in the privacy of our homes is family business and none of your concern," Albert thundered from his station by the door.
Hochstetter turned and smiled at the General. "I meant no disrespect….Herr General," he said as he hooked his thumbs into his belt. He looked around the room and under various pieces of furniture.
"Looking for something in particular?" Albert asked.
"The dog, where is he?" Hochstetter asked nervously.
"In Mama's room, he rarely leaves it. I think he is waiting for her to come back," replied Gertrude.
"Can we get on with this Major?" Albert asked with a touch of impatience in his voice.
"Yes, of course," Hochstetter said, turning his attention back to Gertrude. "The men who stopped you on the road, what did they look like?"
"One was medium height and the other was shorter. Both were wearing Luftwaffe uniforms," replied Gertrude.
"Any other details you remember?"
"It happened so fast and it was dark out. There was only the moon for light."
"And the voice on the phone?"
"Ordinary, nothing stands out in my mind, Major."
"What about where you were held? Any details you might have remembered since our last conversation?"
"Sorry no, all I remember is I was held in a hotel room in Dusseldorf. There didn't seem to be anything remarkable about it."
"What about the man who held you there?" Hochstetter asked his growing irritation evident in his voice.
"He let slip his name was Heinrich and he worked for the hotel. That is all I know."
"Did anyone mention Papa Bear or Maria Hoffman?"
"They mentioned they were trading me for her. Who or what is a Papa Bear?"
"Hochstetter thinks the infamous saboteur, Papa Bear, is our Colonel Hogan," Albert replied. His expression clearly expressed his derisive opinion of the Major's theory. "My sister would have no knowledge of such things."
Hochstetter turned and addressed the General. "I know I am right. One day I will prove it and crush the resistance. Unlike some, I am a loyal German who takes great pleasure seeing our enemies ground under our boots."
"And who in this room do you consider a disloyal German?" Albert asked in a menacing tone that not only was an implicit warning but a dare for the Major to speak his mind. Hochstetter shifted nervously. For the first time Gertrude saw a flicker of fear in the Gestapo man's eye.
"Of course I wasn't speaking of anyone in this room, Herr General," Hochstetter replied in a condescending tone.
"Good," Albert shot back, "I would hate to have to call my friend Himmler. A certain Major might find himself a Schütze on his way to the Eastern Campaign."
"There is no need for that, General," Hochstetter chuckled nervously. "I am sorry if my meaning was misunderstood."
"If that is all Major, I suggest you leave. Gertrude has answered all your questions."
"Very good General," replied Hochstetter. He faced Gertrude and gave a half bow while clicking his heels together. "Thank you for your cooperation, Gnädig Frau. Good day."
As Hochstetter turned to leave, his foot hit her foraging basket sitting next to the nearby chair. Frowning he toed the basket and looked up at an unsettled Gertrude.
"Pardon me but it seems your basket is much heavier than the herbs inside it should be. What is in it?"
Ordure! Gertrude thought to herself. I forgot that was there. "Just some mushrooms, chicory and wild strawberries."
Hochstetter frowned and tapped the basket again with his boot. "It seems to weight about five kilograms. It seems you have a lot of weeds you have in there."
Gertrude stood up and looked Hochstetter in the eye. "Just what are you accusing me of Major?"
"Just curious about your basket. Do you mind if I look in it?" he said reaching down for it.
Gertrude snatched the basket away from him and opened the hinged top. Shoving it under his nose she said, "See Major, just wild plants I have picked for dinner tonight. Satisfied?"
"Let me just look through the contents," Hochstetter said, once again reaching for the basket. Gertrude quickly snapped the lid shut, almost catching the Major's fingers in the process.
"Just what do you suspect me of? I am a widow trying to live the best I can with the limited resources I have. Do you think that I am this Papa Bear or some temptress spy like Margaretha Geertruida? Really? Perhaps I should drop my drawers and let you inspect them for a hidden radio. You know my garters get great reception. Perhaps you would like to check my brassiere for a codebook. I think I have a map of the Panzer Divisions movements embroidered on my slip. " Gertrude paused and took a breath. Taking a step towards Hochstetter, she found herself nose to nose with him. "Listen to me you microphallus moron. I am the widow of a Leutnant General, the sister of a General and the daughter of a War Hero who gave his life in the last war. I suggest you remember who you are speaking to."
Through his clenched teeth Hochstetter replied, "I know exactly who I am speaking to."
"If you have nothing but 'why is her basket heavy', I suggest you leave Major. I will be reporting this incident to your superiors," Albert said.
"Fine," he muttered. Hochstetter turned as to leave but then turned back to Gertrude. "I forgot Gnädig Frau," he said reaching into his pocket and pulled out a letter. "I took the liberty of bringing this inside for you."
Gertrude took the letter from him and glanced at the envelope. "This letter has been opened."
He smiled a smile that did not quite reach his eyes and shrugged one shoulder. "Nothing seems to be safe from prying eyes. I would take care to remember that. "
Without another word, he turned and stormed out of the cottage.
"You play a dangerous game Gertrude. Pray it does not come back to haunt you like some people I could mention." Albert placed his cap on his head and left without further comment.
Gertrude sank down onto the sofa and put her head into her hands. She was growing careless. To leave the battery the underground had gotten her for her B2 radio out in the open was criminally stupid. She began to shake when she realized how close she came to being exposed. If she had any doubt about Hochstetter's suspicions, she did not now. She realized she needed to clean house and get rid of all the incriminating evidence. She glanced at the telephone on the table but hesitated to call Odie, the line maybe be tapped. She would have to wait until his next scheduled contact. Luckily, that would be tomorrow.
She looked down at the opened letter in her hand. She noticed it was from Wilhelm. When did I begin to think of him as Wilhelm? She pondered the thought as she attempted to smooth the creases from the envelope. Opening the letter, she began to read it.
Dear Frau Linkmeyer:
I want to express how wonderful your last visit to our little Stalag was. Your presence brightens up this dull and lifeless place. The thought of you visiting us again is downright intoxicating. You make me feel like a thirsty drunkard and so my dear Gertrude, if I may call you by your first name; it would give me great pleasure for you to visit our little Stalag again with your brother, the General. Perhaps we could be alone so I could tell you things I could not tell you on your last trip. Please do not make me wait long.
With Great Admiration,
Wilhelm M. Klink
Gertrude frowned. This was not from Klink. It could not be, could it? Or was it Papa Bear using her for another one of his little scams? She felt so lonely and afraid. Gertrude decided to take a chance and go with Albert on his next inspection. She felt a little excitement inside and decided it was just the puzzle of finding out who was Papa Bear. Could Hochstetter be right? She smiled. The visit was going to be exciting, one way or another and she was looking forward to it.
Next: Watch the Trains Go By: The Meeting
a/n:
I do not see Gertrude as someone who would use profanity but would instead come up with a creative equivalent instead. Coccydynia is a medical term for pain in the coccyx or tailbone. Ordure: 1. Excrement; dung. 2. Something regarded as vile or abhorrent. Microphallus: if you cannot figure out what this is, look it up. I have to draw the line somewhere, don't I?
Schütze was the lowest rank of private (E-1) in the SS.
What the Allies called The Russian Front is known in Germany as the Eastern Front (die Ostfront), the Eastern Campaign (der Ostfeldzug) or the Russian Campaign (der Rußlandfeldzug).
Margaretha Geertruida aka Mata Hari
The B2 or Type 3 Mk2 spy set was developed by Major John Brown (then Captain) in 1942 and replaced an earlier version, the A Mk 3. With at least sixty feet of Aerial and a good Earth, a range of 1000 miles was achievable. One of the features was the power supply, which could operate from 120 or 240-volt mains or a 6-volt car battery. It could be dropped by air in watertight cases (often concealed in rivers or lakes) or worn as a backpack.