Old Home Week
Chapter 2Stu made the flight to New York with time to spare. Once the plane had taken off he replayed the conversation he'd had with Jeff when he and Suzanne arrived back at the office.
"Run off with my girl, did you?" Jeff asked, laughing. He winked at Suzanne as if letting her in on the joke.
"I need to talk to you, Jeff," Stu told his partner as he grabbed Jeff by the elbow and marched him into Spencer's office. Once the door was closed Stu sat down, waiting until Jeff was seated behind his desk before starting. "We're pretty caught up on paperwork, aren't we?"
Jeff sensed something was imminent that he probably wasn't going to like. "As far as I know we are." He reached for his cigarette case and offered one to Stu. Next he flipped open his lighter and lit first his, then his partners cigarette. "It's a little late to take that week and go skiing, isn't it?" Jeff hoped that's what this was all about, but the fact they'd gone to his office and not Stu's worried him. Bailey's office was somewhat larger and more comfortable; that's where they usually did all their talking. The mere fact they were in Jeff's office didn't bode well for what was to come.
"I'm not going skiing. I'm going to Berlin." Stu said in a flat tone of voice as he waited to see what his partner's reaction was.
Spencer knew immediately this was no joke, and the way Stu sounded made him suspicious the government was somehow involved. The war had been over for a long time, but they'd continued to send for Stu whenever they needed him. Jeff had been called upon a time or two himself, but not as often as his partner. That might have something to do with Stu having served six years as part of the OSS. "For a case or for the government?"
Stu almost laughed. Jeff had learned to read him like a book and was probably already three steps ahead of him. "Actually it's for a friend of mine from the war, Jean-André Durand. Jean was with the French resistance, and he called me, then the powers that be, to get their official blessing. Of course I was already considering going when I heard from our friends in Washington, as if I needed any more persuasion. There's something going on in Berlin, and the government needs to know just what. Jean-André believes there's something peculiar happening there, too, and that's more important. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for that man; I owe him a lot more than my life."
"When do you leave?" Jeff asked without batting an eye. He wouldn't try to dissuade Stu from going, any more than Stu would try to change his mind. They both knew that when their country called, they would always go.
"As soon as I can get a flight to New York."
"Any idea how long you'll be gone?" Jeff was hesitant to ask the question . . . he was almost afraid of the answer he'd get. When your country sent for you, you couldn't ask them 'how long?'
Stu kind of smiled. "Jean seems to think a week. He suggested we refer to it as 'Old Home Week.' There's another man I worked with in the OSS, Tony O'Connor, and he's joining us in Berlin. But you know, Jeff . . . "
"I know. It'll take as long as it takes. Be careful, would you? I'd like my partner back in one piece."
Stu nodded. He appreciated Jeff's understanding. It was just another of the qualities that made Spencer such an excellent partner. And it didn't hurt that they were more like brothers than colleagues. "Your partner would like to come back in one piece, too." Stu stood and started for the door that separated their offices, then turned around as he opened it. "Jeff, thanks."
Spencer smiled and gave him the two-finger salute he used so often. Stu closed the door behind him and sat down at his desk. Now to get Suzanne to work some of her magic with the airlines.
XXXXXXXX
The flight to New York had battled a head-wind the whole way, and Stu had to run to catch the plane to Berlin. Any trepidations he had about the operation were left behind when he boarded, and he sank down in his seat with a lengthy sigh. Once they were in the air and the stewardess came around with the beverage cart he got a black coffee and settled in for a long flight.
After the meal was served and the dishes collected, Stu loosened his tie and sat back to try and get some sleep. He didn't expect to have any success, but he was so fatigued from the hectic day that he soon drifted off and slept most of the way to Berlin. He woke when he heard the pilot announce they were twenty minutes away from landing. He straightened his tie and fastened his seat belt, now eager to see Jean-André and find out what had disturbed his old friend so much.
Getting through customs took the usual amount of time, and when they finally stamped his passport and let him leave he was surprised and pleased to find Jean-André waiting for him. Stuart stuck out his hand and Jean grabbed him by the shoulders, bestowing the usual French greeting on him. Stu responded in kind, and Jean took his suitcase. "Bienvenue mon cher ami. You look well, Stuart. Handsome as ever. Are the belles filles still chasing after you?"
Stu shook his head. "No, Jean, now I'm chasing them. How is Margarit? Is she living here in Berlin with you?"
"Pas de vieil ami. She is still living in Strasbourg. I did not want to put her in any danger, so I insisted she stay there. I spoke with her last night; she sends her love. Come, we will go to the hotel." They walked out the doors of the terminal and to the parking area, where Jean had a surprise waiting for Stu.
"My God, I haven't seen one of these since. . . well, since we wrecked the last one." Waiting for the two men was a 1937 Opel Olympia, and this one was in considerably better shape than the last one Stu had seen. Of course, it hadn't helped there were some very disgruntled Nazis chasing you. Disgruntled because you'd just stolen their car. By the time the chase was over, there were four dead Nazis and one totally destroyed Opel Olympia. The only saving grace was that Jean and Stu weren't injured.
"I couldn't resist," Jean informed his friend. "I bought it for a really good price, and have spent my time restoring it."
"She's beautiful. Much better looking than the one we stole," Stu answered. "Where are you living?"
"At the hotel we're going to. I got you a room right across the hall. Once we get you settled there's a beer garden I frequent around the corner, and I thought we could go there."
The American was worried about a German beer garden being surveilled by the Russians. "Do you think . . . "
"No need to worry, Stuart. It is run by a Frenchman, Alphonse Comtois. Perhaps you know him. He, too, served as a resistance fighter during the war."
"The name sounds vaguely familiar, Jean, but that's all." They drove through the streets of Berlin and Stu stared at the decimated landscape. Even after all this time, a large part of Germany was rubble. "Why haven't they rebuilt?" he questioned.
"They have, some. You must remember, large parts of their manufacturing were destroyed, and there was no money to rebuild. At least, not for a long time. If you think this is bad, wait until you see East Berlin."
"East Berlin?"
"Oui. The Russians have taken to calling the part they occupy East Germany, and there is, of course, an East Berlin. Both make this look like a thriving country. They've done almost nothing to restore the city or the country."
Stu said nothing. It was a lot to take in. He remembered how beautiful the city of Berlin was the first time he'd seen it, before all the bombing and destruction started. They drove for another five minutes before Jean pulled up in front of the Hotel Adlon. Or what was left of the Hotel Adlon. "The Adlon is still here." Stu was surprised after all the ruins he'd seen. He and Tony O'Connor had spent several weeks hiding out in the hotel, until the Russians invaded Berlin and set them free.
"Part of it, yes. Not a large part, mind you, but it has been a safe enough place. And the Germans are intent upon restoring it to its former glory."
Stu smiled a sad and rueful smile. America had been largely spared the destruction that Europe experienced, and to someone that had seen a great deal of the German countryside and its cities, to see what the Hotel Adlon and the surrounding grounds had become was heartbreaking. It didn't last long; after all, he wasn't here to feel remorseful for his part in facilitating what happened to Germany as a result of their starting and losing a war.
The two friends gathered Stu's belongings and went into the hotel.