Berlin, Abwehr Headquarters, Office of Major Kurt Wagner
December 14, 1943, 1130 hours

Hans Teppel was sitting in the office of Kurt Wagner in Abwehr Headquarters discussing some of the information that had come in. They both knew that, like most offices in the headquarters, Wagner's office was most likely bugged. So they were talking in vague statements about information that would be normal for them to share. However, Teppel knew that Wagner would be interested in the information he had received this morning.

"It seems that the Sicherheitsdienst has focused their effort on finding the leak from the General Staff," Teppel said.

Wagner raised his eyebrows in question. "After all this time," he replied. "They seem to have a suspect?"

"Ja," Teppel responded. "Count von Waffenschmidt, who's leading the investigation, has reported that he now believes that the Russian woman is the main source of passing the information on."

"I thought they were trying to find radio activity from the General Staff members?" Wagner asked. "Have they given up on that?"

Teppel smiled. The questions that Wagner was asking were not in any way out of the ordinary, but Teppel knew that his answers would be passed back to the Russian intelligence headquarters. "It seems they have," he replied. "Von Waffenschmidt has canceled his order to monitor the General Staff."

Wagner nodded. "And what of this Russian woman," he said. "What's her name, Marina?"

Teppel almost laughed out loud. Wagner knew her name well, but was playing along for any listening audience there might be. "Marya," he replied. "Von Waffenschmidt reported locating her here in Berlin and plans to follow her around in the hopes that she will lead him to her contacts."

The men were silent for a moment as Wagner digested the information. Teppel knew he was mentally trying to filter what he needed to report.

"I saw the report on the Allied buildup in England," Teppel said at last.

"Ja," Wagner replied. "It looks like they are starting their planning for the invasion of the continent."

As he was talking, there was a small knock on the open door and Abwehr head Admiral Wilhelm Canaris entered the room.

"Hans, Kurt," Canaris said in greeting. "Talking about the troop buildup in England?" He sat in an empty chair.

Teppel nodded. "Ja," he replied. "It seems like they are in the early planning phase, but they are building up troops in both the south and the north."

Canaris nodded. "I noticed that too," he said.

"How sure are we about the information, sir?" Wagner asked Canaris.

"Pretty sure at this point," he replied. "We are getting similar information from all of our agents." All the men knew that feeding false information to the enemy was also the job of an intelligence service, and getting confirmation from more than one source was crucial in determining if any of their agents in London had been turned.

"Have we heard anything on a timetable of the invasion?" Teppel asked. "Or where it will be?"

Canaris shook his head. "Nein," he replied. "I think it may be too early yet for that. But from the areas of buildup, it looks like they plan to hit Norway and obviously the French coast across the channel."

The men continued their conversation for several minutes, talking about various bits of information that had come in. After a time, Canaris rose and said, "Keep up the good work. It's time for me to have some lunch."

Wagner nodded his agreement. "That sounds good," he responded. "I think I will too. Hans, would you care to join me for a beer and some lunch?"

Teppel caught the key word in the phrase – beer. That meant that Wagner wanted to talk to him about something specific. "Ja, Kurt," he replied. "That sounds like a good idea."

Canaris left the room, followed by Teppel and Wagner. The three parted ways at the end of the hall, Canaris turning towards his office while Teppel and Wagner headed towards their favorite meeting place.

---------------

"What's the problem?" Teppel said once they had settled at their favorite table in the Brauhaus.

"You know about Canaris?" Wagner asked softly.

"You mean his associations?" Teppel asked. Wagner nodded. "Ja, I know he's active there. He's made a couple probing attempts to see if I was interested."

"Stay away," Wagner said. "It's very dangerous."

Teppel nodded. "I know," he replied. "But if they succeed, it will be good."

Wagner shook his head emphatically. "If they succeed," he said. "But if you are associated, and they fail, you are dead. The reprisals will be widespread."

Teppel was silent for a moment. "I see what you are saying," he said finally. "It is best to stay out of their circle, and mind my own business."

Wagner nodded. "Even though ultimately your business is the same as their business," he said. "It's best not to depend on others for your safety."

Teppel smiled. "You mean like our arrangement?" he asked.

Wagner made a non-committal gesture and smiled. "Sometimes it's good to have a partner," he said lightly. "Just be careful what you say and who you talk to."

They were both silent as Heidi brought their food and a second beer for each of them. As she set the items on the table, she smiled warmly at Teppel.

After she had gone, Wagner grinned broadly. "And be careful what you say to Heidi," he said.

Teppel frowned. "Why? Is she in that same circle too?" he asked.

Wagner chuckled. "No," he said. "But she likes you, and if you are not careful, you may find that she's cast her net around you!"

Teppel picked up his beer and glanced over at Heidi, who was standing by the bar. She caught his glance and gave him a little wave, which made Teppel almost choke on his beer.