The Evil Long Forgotten
Chapter 7
By Christopher W. Blaine
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DISCLAIMER: All of the characters and situations contained in this story are ©2004 by DC Comics Inc. and are used without permission for non-profit, fan related entertainment purposes only. This original work of fiction is ©2004 by Christopher W. Blaine and may not be reproduced in any manner, in part or as a whole, without the express permission of the author.
When Wonder Woman and Troia arrived at the Israeli embassy the next morning, Steve was already there, sitting on the hood of his car sipping a coffee. He walked over to them and took extra time in saying good morning to Wonder Woman, but he did not neglect Troia either. He gave their costumes the once over. "You two aren't much on modesty, are you?"
Neither woman replied, but instead they quickly glanced at each other. Troia had never really taken a good look at her sister's costume, but now realized that it was very, very revealing. Her own costume, a skintight outfit of black mess, hugged her feminine attributes like a second skin. "We are comfortable with our bodies," Wonder Woman replied.
"Indeed," Steven said with a smile hidden behind his coffee cup. He decided it best to change the subject, as he did not wish to appear rude. "We have been given permission to go through the personal possessions of the Seraph before they are shipped back to Israel. We will not be able to keep anything unless we can prove that it is evidence of the murder." Both women nodded that they understood.
Troia seemed ready to say something and then she turned her head, looking around the surrounding streets. "Are you expecting someone?" Steven asked.
"A reporter," Troia replied, unsure of how the law enforcement officer would respond. Reporters and police normally did not get along, at least in the United States, and she was a little fearful that she had just committed a faux pas of sorts. She had not cleared Henry with either her sister or Steven, and if they objected, she knew she would have to be the one to inform him.
"Really? From what paper?" Steven inquired, an amused look upon his face.
"He's freelance," Troia said, biting her bottom lip. Maybe she had drunk too many beers the night before. Maybe Henry had looked cute because she had really thick beer goggles on. Maybe the fact that she was currently unattached and didn't really like that situation, she had made a real stupid error in her judgment. "He's German, too."
"Klingt, als ob ich einen ziemlichen Eindruck hinterlassen habe (It sounds as if I made quite an impression)," Henry said as he stepped out from behind a van. He was putting a cell phone back in his pocket.
Steven turned to face the reporter and gave him the same once over that he had given the super-heroes. In his mind he decided that Henry looked plain enough and probably wasn't a threat. What he found amusing was that Troia obviously felt embarrassed about inviting the reporter without actually informing anyone.
What she didn't know was that the department that Steven belonged to loved publicity and that his problem had been in selecting who would follow them along as they investigated the mystery. Now the choice was made for him, but he also had a duty to make sure that Henry was not a hack of some sort. "Seid gegrüßt, ich bin Spezial-Agent Hinkle (Greetings, I'm Special Agent Hinkle)," he said extending his hand.
Henry took the offered hand and gave it a firm squeeze. "Ich bin Henry Miller (I'm Henry Miller)," he said. Steven considered the man's speech and asked him if he was a German native. "Meine Familie ist sehr alt; unser Stammbaum geht viele Generationen zurück (My family is a very old one; our bloodline goes back many generations)."
Steven did not say anything else about it, but he detected the hint of the aristocratic nasal sound of a nobleman, or at least someone who pretended to be. He took another look at Henry's clothes and realized that while his suit appeared to be expensive, it was actually a knock-off, more akin to something that Steven himself would purchase.
The cell phone as well, while stylish looking, was one of the prepaid varieties. That told Steven that Henry might be someone who most likely either used to have money, or most likely wanted to have some. He had the rugged good looks of a football player, or soccer as it was called in the States, but there seemed to be some lacking. "Troia sagt, dass Sie angeboten haben unsere Untersuchungen für die Oeffentlichkeit zu dokumentieren, um sicherzustellen, dass wir nichts vertuschen. (Troia says that you have volunteered to document our investigation for the public, to ensure that we keep everything on the level)."
"In der Tat. Ich denke dass es faszinierend seind wird und ich moechte sicher sein, das die Wahrheit ans Licht kommt. (Indeed. I think it will be fascinating and I want to make sure that the truth gets out there)," Henry replied, pulling out a pack of American cigarettes. "So viele andere haben die Angewohnheit ihre eigenen Ambitionen in das, was sie sehen mit einzubeziehen. Ich habe nicht solche Bedürfnisse (So many others, they have a tendency to wrap their own ambitions into what they see. I have no such desires)."
He offered the pack to the rest of them, but all declined. Steven explained that if he were to accompany them on the investigation that he would be required to submit all stories, reports and bylines to him for approval. "Manche Aspekte der Untersuchungen muessen von den Augen der Oeffentlichkeit ferngehalten werden (Some aspects of the investigation need to be kept out of the public eye)."
Henry nodded that he understood and inhaled deeply. "Dann lassen Sie mich damit beginnen Sie zu fragen, was sie bisher haben? (Then let me begin by asking if you have anything so far)?"
"Uh, guys?" Troia asked. "My German isn't the best and you guys are going back and forth too fast for me to follow."
Wonder Woman chuckled. "Your reporter friend wants to know if there has been any leads as of yet."
Steven complimented her on the command of his language, again, and turned back to the reporter, who was pulling out a notepad. It was just another sign of the man's poverty. All of the reporters Steven had ever encountered had digital recorders.
The government agent quickly relayed what they had discovered so far. "The Seraph, in his now-public identity, was performing research into the work of a scientist named Teufel who had performed human experiments during the days of National Socialism. Teufel was unique because he was a Jewish scientist working for Hitler."
"No way!" Troia blurted out. Even Wonder Woman appeared shocked at the revelation. Steven turned to them and it dawned on him that he had neglected to mention that particular detail.
"Though he was born a Jew, Teufel considered himself a scientist first. Our records indicate that he never referred to his origins but instead devoted himself to his work and let it speak for him." He went on to tell them that it was the reason why the Seraph had been so interested in the scientist. "Being a scientist himself, the Seraph wanted to know what it was that was so important that a man would betray his own people."
"And," Henry started in English, "what have you discovered?"
"While Teufel worked on many projects, his very last one was something called the Atoman Project." Steven shook his head. "We have no idea what it was, though. Our opinion is that something related to the Atoman Project got him killed." Steven stepped forward. "That is classified for now."
Henry nodded and jotted down his notes in between puffs on his cigarette. Wonder Woman leaned in close to Troia. "I did not realize you liked older, smokier men."
"Everybody has flaws," she responded. "Anyway, he's honest and that counts a lot in today's world."
"On that point, little sister, we agree," the Amazing Amazon said as she stood back up. As she did so, she noted that several Israeli army guards were moving to the front gate. "I believe our escort is here," she announced.
The guards allowed them access into the embassy compound and there Henry was frisked. It was obvious to Troia that he was not happy about it, but he seemed to tolerate it with good humor. Satisfied that Henry posed no threat, the guards escorted them a few meters to an awaiting officer.
"Oberst Ari Brahms (Colonel Ari Brahms)," the officer said as he saluted. Wonder Woman had almost forgot that in her official capacity, she was a United Nations ambassador and subsequently was treated as if she were a senior military officer at times. "Willkommen in Israel (Welcome to Israel)."
It was common knowledge that wherever embassies were established, the land that they set upon was considered part of the host country. For all intents and purposes, they had entered Israel. Troia found it fascinating and she smiled at Henry who had a comical look on his face. It was almost as if he thought the entire ceremony was ridiculous.
Then she considered that if one looked at it from a practical point of view, it probably was. They were in the heart of Berlin, not Tel Aviv. "Danke, Oberst (Thank you, Colonel)," Wonder Woman replied, extending her hand. The officer hesitated for a moment and then accepted it. "Erlauben Sie mir meine Schwester, Troia, Agent Steven Hinkle und Her. Henry Miller vorzustellen. Herr Miller wird die Untersuchungen für die Medien dokumentieren (Allow me to introduce my sister, Troia, Agent Steven Hinkle and Mr. Henry Miller. Mr. Miller will be documenting our investigation for the media)."
The colonel shook his head. "Wir erlauben keinen auslaendischen Journalisten den Zutritt zur Botschaft ohne ihren Hintergrund gruendlich zu durchleuchten. Es tut mir leid, aber Herr Miller wird hier draußen bleiben muessen (We do not permit foreign journalists within the embassy without a background check. I am sorry, but Mr. Miller will have to remain out here)." Wonder Woman tried to vouch for Henry on behalf of her sister, but the colonel was adamant. "Wie ich bereits gesagt habe, Herr Miller, es ist nichts persoenliches (As I said, Mr. Miller, this is nothing personal)."
Henry took a deep breath and a flash of anger crossed his eyes. Troia could feel his outrage and she wondered what would have happened of they had been in the United States. Most reporters would start screaming "cover-up", but to his credit, Henry seemed to eventually take the news in good humor. "I have no problem with that, I suppose," he said to Troia. Then he turned his attention to the colonel. "Ich werde hier bleiben, wenn das in Ordnung ist (I will stay here, if that is all right)?"
The colonel thanked him for his understanding and then nodding to Wonder Woman, he asked them to follow him. Henry grabbed Donna's arm, his large hand covering her forearm. "You will tell me what you see?" he asked, hope in his voice. She smiled and nodded her head. He seemed so much younger with the anxiousness in his eyes and voice.
Wonder Woman continued to question the colonel. "Ich dachte die offizielle Sprache von Israel waere Hebraeisch, nicht Deutsch (I thought the national language of Israel was Hebrew, not German)," she stated.
The colonel did not turn around, but instead reached out for the door to the embassy. He paused. "Es gibt nur sehr wenige Menschen in Deutschland, die Hebraeisch sprechen und ich fuerchte, mein Englisch ist kaum nutzbar. Einer der Gruende warum ich hier stationiert wurde sind meine Deutsch-Kenntnisse (There are very few in Germany that speak Hebrew and I am afraid my English is barely passable. One of the reasons I was posted here was because of my command of the German language)."
"Wie kommt das (How is that)?" Steven asked as he passed the colonel and entered the embassy's foyer.
Die Familie meiner mutter stammt urspruenglich aus Deutschland, viele davon entkammen bevor der Krieg began, aber ihr aelterer Bruder blieb zurueck, ueberzeugt, dass er mithelfen konnte, die Welle des Nationalsozialismus umzuwerfen (My mother's family originally came from Germany; most escaped before the war started, but her older brother remained behind, convinced that he could help turn the tide of National Socialism)." The colonel shook his head. "Zwei SA-Maenner pruegelten ihn auf der Straße zu tode (Two SA men beat him to death in the street)."
"Es ist gut, dass das Verhaeltnis zwischen Deutschland und Isreal so große Vortschritte gemacht hat, (It is fortunate that progress has been made between the people of Germany and the people of Israel)," Wonder Woman pointed out.
Steven and the colonel nodded, but she got the distinct impression they were only placating her. Donna, who had given up following the conversation, instead marveled at the large paintings within the foyer and adjoining lobby. She looked at the signatures on each one and then gazed at the artworks. Some were scenes of farms on bright green plots of grass, while others showed darkened cityscapes. There was one haunting image of a child holding a teddy bear. The painting was done in different shades of gray; the child's face a mixture of despair and horror. Her eyes were two large black orbs. "Dies sind alles Werke von Ueberlebenden des Holocaust, alle in den fruehen 50ern gemalt (These are all works of Holocaust survivors, all painted in the early 1950's)," the colonel remarked. "Einige zeigen, wie Deutschland vor dem Krieg angesehen wurde. Was viele der National-Sozialisten vergessen haben war, das sogar die Juden Deutsche waren; auch sie liebten dieses Land bis man es ihnen weggenommen hat (Some show the way Germany was perceived before the war. What many of the National Socialists forgot was that even the Jews were German; they too loved this country until it was taken a way from them)."
Troia said nothing but continued to look at the painting of the child, wondering what the artist had seen to inspire such a horrific work. Five minutes later, Wonder Woman pulled on her arm. "What is it?"
"I guess it's hard for me to come to terms that things like this could still happen," Troia replied.
"That is why we are here, to see whatever it is we can do to find out who is responsible and stop them from doing anything that could cause…that," the Amazing Amazon said, inclining her head towards the painting.
In the basement garage of the embassy, next to a van with blackened windows, the body of the Seraph was laid out on stretcher. Next to it stood two commandos armed with Uzi's. They eyed the heroes and the special agent as they did everyone else, with suspicion. One of the ambassador's aides directed them to the body. "We really need to hurry. The body is to be removed to Israel for burial before the Sabbath."
They took a few minutes to look at the man, taking note of the bruising. Their records had indicated that the Seraph had claimed to possess the strength of the biblical Samson. He had also been equipped with several weapons that were missing. Wonder Woman asked about them, wondering if that their disappearance could have been motive for the murder.
The aide shook his balding head. By his accent, they could tell he was originally from Britain. "They have been secured and taken to Israel, where they belong," he told them.
"So the only real motive we have is his research into Dr. Teufel," Steven surmised. Troia and Wonder Woman agreed and after a final glance at the body, they moved over to the other side of the garage where several items had been laid out. Behind them, the body was loaded into the van. "Does anyone have any idea what was so important about Teufel's work?"
Troia picked up a notebook and stared reading from it. Surprisingly it was in English and not Hebrew. "It appears that the Seraph was trying to determine exactly what Teufel was working on during the war and what the end result of those experiments were." She skimmed a couple of more pages of notes. "Ah, here's something of interest. It appears that the SS were very interested in furthering some research that the Japanese had already started."
"I was not aware that the Japanese and Germans shared scientific research during the war," Wonder Woman commented.
"It's news to me as well. Certainly there was some exchanging of information regarding weapons technology, but that was about as far as it went according to my sources," Steven said as he examined a satchel with various pens, pencils and other office supplies. When he looked up and saw the two women looking at him he smiled. "I did do some research before the two of you arrived; I am an investigator. But, like our representatives told the United Nations Security Council, we do not have a lot of experience in dealing with super-villains and we are assuming that one is behind the murder."
"And the fact that he was Jewish and looking into Nazi secrets makes it especially touchy, doesn't it?" Troia added. "I can understand all of that, but I just don't understand what he could have come across that would have made someone want to murder him. The Nazis, for the most part, are dead."
"The original ones, yes, but there are still hundreds, if not thousands, of people that cling to the idea of National Socialism," Steven said as he put down the satchel and looked at the Seraph's wristwatch. "Maybe he came across a neo-Nazi group…"
"I find it hard to believe that such an organization would have access to weapons that could take down a Global Guardian," Wonder Woman told them as she accepted the notebook from Troia. She read through it and stopped at a paragraph that was written in a seemingly different style. After a moment, the Amazon realized that it had been written down in a hurry. All of the other notes indicated that time had been taken into their research, which probably meant that the Seraph had been sitting down in a calm environment when he had written them.
These notes were done in a different situation and she soon realized that they were from an interview. "The day before he was killed he spoke with a Russian, a man who claimed his father had been part of the KGB teams that had scoured Berlin after its fall."
Steven nodded. "Yes, the Russians were very thorough in grabbing up everything they could. Stalin was not just after secrets, he also wanted revenge on Hitler for the damage the Germans had done to his country." He took the notebook from Wonder Woman and shook his head. "This is bad."
"What?" Troia and Wonder Woman asked together.
"The man he interviewed was found, or I should say, pieces of him were found, last night. He was a Russian diplomat. I did not realize the cases were connected." He pulled out his cell phone and dialed in a number. Moving away, he began to speak in excited German.
"Well, Henry will be pleased," Wonder Woman whispered to her sister. "This has all of the makings of a first class mystery."
"You don't approve?"
"My approval is not necessary, but I get the idea he is hiding something." She bit her bottom lip. "I also get that idea about Steven as well." There was a rumor that surrounded Wonder Woman that nobody could tell a lie in her presence and she not detect it. "I suppose that it is to be expected."
"Well, I think Steve there has the hots for you," Troia said.
"I get that a lot," was the answer. "Most men see me as an object of lust. Their loins and groins doing much of their thinking for them, but sometimes you have to overlook that."
"Right…"
Wonder Woman chuckled. "You do, little sister. Men are inferior beings, afraid of reaching inside and speaking to their inner selves. Instead, they want to take the role of the hunter and lose themselves in the heat of battle where action and not thoughts count. They are always stabbing."
"God, not the symbolic penis lecture; I got that in high school when we read Lord of the Flies." She cast a glance over at their companion. "He ain't too bad, you know that? And since he likes older women…"
"What?"
Troia shrugged. "I'm just saying that obviously your better years are behind you. Superman got away from you, ended up marrying Lois; you two would have been a perfect match."
Wonder Woman's jaw dropped and in a hushed tone she told her sister to be quiet. Troia grinned evilly. "Better grab some while you still can, Diana."
"Sex is not a recreation sport or something you get off of the shelf…"
"Biological clock is ticking…"
"I'm immortal!"
"You'll be called the world's longest living prude…"
Wonder Woman punched Troia in the arm as Steven returned. Troia's face reflected that there had been no real harm. "Am I interrupting?"
"We were discussing the ramifications of not having an active sex life," Troia said and Wonder Woman started to turn red.
"I see," Steven replied, his face turning a slight shade of crimson as well. He decided to change to subject while Troia did her best to look completely innocent. "The information that they have so far is being faxed to my office. I think the Princess and I will look into it and I was wondering if perhaps you and Henry could look into something else."
Troia nodded. "Sure. What is it?"
"We still need more information on Dr. Teufel and what he was working on. Most of the records were seized by the Russians, but perhaps Henry has some contacts that can point you into some Germans that might know something."
"When in doubt, use the press," Wonder Woman said, providing her approval. "Excellent. That will leave us free to try and figure out any super-villains that could have pulled this off. Two murders, it is a tragedy."
Steven shook his head. "No, the tragedy will be if we do not find out what the connection between the two murders is. If this person has killed twice, then I am sure that they will kill again."
When Troia explained the plan to Henry, his face lit up. "Of course, of course! Why, this will be a thrill to actually be involved in the investigation. It would add entire new perspective to my writing!"
He looked genuinely happy and she could not help but smile as he did. There was something about the way he looked at her, a combination of fascination, hunger and maybe even a little fear that she found fascinating. Most men looked at her body, as they did with Diana's, and made their judgments there and then. Instead, he seemed to be focused on her and what made her tick, how she looked at things.
She laughed inwardly, reminded of how excited she used to get when she would go on a play date as a child with one of her best friends. As they walked to his car, she explained everything that they had discovered. Henry slid into the driver's seat and pulled out his cigarettes. "You don't mind?"
She did, but it was his car. "No, go ahead," she said. As he lit up, she could not help but notice how…European he looked as he did so. Though he dressed rather plainly and had the manners of a choirboy, he was actually quite handsome in his own way. She had been surrounded her entire life by young men with ripped abs and shoulders that could hold the weight of the world, but with Henry, she just couldn't tell what his physical condition exactly was. His clothes were a size or so too big and his socks did not exactly match.
He was sort of normal and he wasn't pawing at her or gawking. He simply treated her like she was a regular woman and for the first time in her life, she was really enjoying it.