4' Chapter
A little later
They arrived at the headquarters of the Stasi
he was led into the president's study, his hands tied behind his back, blindfolded and made to sit on a small chair, where
he was also secured at the ankles.
" Welcome Mr. Schumann...that's what I have to call you isn't it?"
" Why, do you know any name other than that that belongs to me?"
Immediately two slaps came his way.
" See that you pay me respect, Do you know who I am?"
"Yes, I guess I do, I was told where they were going to take me."
" I understand you have not, for some time now, had that desire to cooperate...has too much permission westernized you to this
point? or will it be for...!!! Now, I am forced to cut off her privileges. From today she will remain in East Berlin..in this part of East Berlin
precisely and will be in charge of the executions of Western prisoners..use whatever methods you want, violent, wearisome..what you have
learned in his years of study..I don't care what he will do to them ..but he will be controlled on sight for a week..
If at the end of this I do not see satisfactory results...she will be the one to take their place...she, her mother and father...I mean the
Mr. and Mrs. Schumann. Have I made myself sufficiently clear?
"Yes."
"So you intend to cooperate?"
" Yes, I will, but only for them," he said, lowering his head.
" Only for them?...Nooooo I don't like that answer at all...!!!! She slapped him again
Give him a good lesson and put him in cell 3 for three days, without food or water..See you again in three days let's see if you have
come to your senses.
Go and pick up Mr. and Mrs. Schumann, I must find out how he came to know the facts."
"No leave them, they know nothing! Damn them."
" Shut up!" Immediately two violent punches came at him.
"This is just the appetizer, Schumann. Get ready for the main course.You're going to have a bad night, I guarantee it."
Take him away from me."
Meanwhile at university
Glenda still upset, picked up the receiver.
"Margaret?"
" Glenda it's you, it's Helmut, what happened? you sound upset!"
"The ..."
" Sshhh say no more... see you at Günter's
in an hour."
"OK."
He reached the pub in West Berlin on time,
entered and joined Glenda in a private room reserved for them. He looked around; he knew the men and informants very well, and among the few
present there was no one suspicious
" Here I am, tell me what happened?
"Klaus, he was at the university, with two other officers, talked to Micka, I was outside the lab but they were talking loudly and I
heard. then they handcuffed him and took him away. I'm afraid..what are they going to do to him?
" Let me think..."
They drank their tea in silence for about 5 minutes
"Damn, I have to find out what happened!!!"
"And you will find out right away, dear Helmut, come, Margaret is already in the car, please Glenda, keep us company" Klaus and 2 other Agents
stood in front of him, weapon in hand.
"Klaus !!! I knew you were the president's stooge, but I didn't think to this extent...all these years, the privileges we've
...and this is what you deserve? Your poor father must be turning over in his grave seeing what you are up to,remember ..that if it were not for us, you would not even have gone to high school and would not have risen so high in the
hierarchy!"
"In the hierarchy you can get high but then you have to know how to maintain yourself and as you see I enjoy great respect!"
" Not mine, not anymore."
Klaus slapped him.
"Come on, move along, you will talk later, if you are allowed to!"
They took them out by tugging them ungently and were loaded into cars, lurking in the side alley.
A little later.
"Well Helmut, Margaret, and we also have the nosy...Glenda right???
have a seat.
Your little friend had a half hour of fire just now..but he's alive, don't worry."
"oh dear! Micháel" Helmut clutched Margaret to him.
"Why did you send for us? Wasn't it enough to get our house under control?"
" How under control, what are you saying dear?"
"Yes dear, yesterday the agents bugged the whole house."
" Yes and you were stupid enough to point out the location of your secret meeting and say you knew about it. Well, let's get to it.
I want to know who spilled the beans to Michael about his true identity -- was it me, or was it said that he was never supposed to know?
Was it you Helmut? Speak up! "
" No, I didn't say anything, I swear!"
" Olaf told me that you still keep the documents in the safe. You weren't told to delete them huh!"
He did not answer. Immediately agents behind him grabbed him, pulling him away from his wife and began to rage at him with punches to his stomach
and to the face" He slumped down.
"No, don't hurt him, please! -said Margaret, crying-I did it."
" You? dear, why did you do it?"
" I couldn't resist anymore. When Olaf came to us and there was talk about that Scarecrow, his brother, and he said he would take care of it
him to kill him, I couldn't take it anymore. The next morning when you left, I opened the safe and gave him the papers?"
" But good, good!!! Here is the mouth of truth, Margaret, Margaret, you let me down you know! - He slapped her.-And tell me did he perchance take pictures
of the documents I guess!!!"
"No, no, she just looked at them! and then we put them away."
" You lie! We have proof, In his room we found these."
He showed them the camera negatives and their reprinted photos.
Stupid and also a liar and traitor. turned back to the desk, laid down the photos and negatives, and in a fit of rage grabbed the letter opener, turned
turned toward her and struck her repeatedly in the chest.
She fell to the ground in a bloodbath, lifeless.
"Margaret!!!!!"
Helmut's eyes filled with terror and hatred.He tried to get up but was pinned to the ground by the two officers.
" You don't want to move Helmut, if you don't want to end up like her. Now we come to you, sweetheart," he said addressing Glenda, "What was your
part in all this? Let's see if you are more compliant!"
" I...I," she said tremblingly, "am Micháel's fiancée."
" Well, right and...,.?"
" I sent an envelope for him."
" An envelope headed where?"
" In the United States,in Washington, please I told you the truth, don't kill me, please!"
" Do you know what was in it, did he tell you?"
"No, he told me that for my sake it was better for me not to know anything, to just do it, It's the truth!"
" Yes, I might even believe it, your good looks would never put you in danger!"
Well now you two will go to keep him company,
take him away, she'll join him after I've had some fun."
The guards laughed and, taking Helmut in hand, led him outside.
"
At the IFF office
Billy returned, after a fleeting meal, and went to his desk.
He opened the drawer and pulled out his blue European informants' diary
Schröder, there he was. Steven Schröder.
He dialed the number
" Come on now, pick up."
On the 'other end the phone rang, he looked at the number and looked it up in his directory, picked up the receiver
" This is Steven, who is this?"
" Can you talk?"
" Go ahead and talk, Melrose, although I think I already know what you want from me."
"Come on shoot, tell me what's the air?"
"I just arrived from Berlin, managed to squeeze in a group of recommenders. Bad news.
The people are in turmoil, they want freedom of movement, freedom of the press, there is the issue of open borders in Hungary...they all seem to be
gone crazy and the top leadership is in turmoil, it seems that a historical leader wants to resign and internally they are already thinking about cleaning up,
cleaning up the archives, so that no compromising documents are left behind. Then there are those who move to the other side of the
barricade."
""Schumann?"
""Yes, you got the file, I guess!
Bad times await him, They have already arrested the whole family, The wife was killed, father and son beaten and jailed, and even
son's girlfriend was taken, raped and jailed.
The thing that weighs on me is that I had to do my part...I don't know how long I'm going to last doing this, I don't like it at all.
Does Stetson know yet ?"
Yes, and he wants to come to Berlin."
"But..I heard that they wanted to take him out, they hired killers"
" "Yes, they tried twice, in fact he is still in the hospital now but he is better"
"what can we do Melrose?"
""How many men can you give me?"
""We are about twenty but Stetson is in great danger of coming here unless we disguise him properly!
" Yeah, another identity. I have an idea. Let's spread the word of his death right away so he can act more freely."
" Yes, but wait a few days to leave.
They have called a press conference, as I understand, for the opening of the border.
as soon as I know the date I will let you know, it will be easier to move. I know for sure that they want to storm the Stasi offices. i will
I will provide you with the cell numbers where they are being held, assuming they don "t kill them first. i "ll call you back.Bye Billy"
"Bye Steven, be careful."
He hung up
"Francine, come here"
"Here I am, tell me."
" Do you have any idea when Smyth will be back?"
"He left yesterday and said he'll be gone for 15 days and doesn't want to be disturbed"
" And I don't think about disturbing him at all," he said, chuckling, "Well, we have a mission to do, and since he has given me
full powers, I'm now calling the president's office; be ready, we're going to Berlin in the next few days.I'll make a call then we'll go
together to Lee's."
"Yes Billy."
He entered his room.It was 3:30 p.m.
Lee and Amanda were chatting about this and that.
" Billy!!!"
"Amanda, good morning. Lee, how are you? Are you doing a little better?
" Yes Billy thank you. You know after lunch I even got up and took a little walk down the hallway on crutches."
" Very good, I'm glad about that. Lee we need to talk."
" If it's because of what you told me before, I haven't changed my mind! -died serious I'm still intent on going, whether you want to or
not."
" I have no intention of changing your mind."
"Are you serious? What is this all about?"
She pulled up a chair and sat down beside him.
"Listen carefully, I talked to my informant in Berlin, things are going downhill, it pains me to tell you but your brother is a recluse at the
Stasi and has already been badly beaten and so has his 'well father' and girlfriend. The mother has been killed." Lee gasped and blanched
at the news
"But. ..what happened?"
" Let me finish, please. How much longer do you plan to stay here?"
Amanda intervened.
"The doctor said that in a couple of days he will be able to discharge him."
"Good, just long enough.
My friend I think I'm about to throw you a nice funeral!"
"No..yet! I have risen more times than the eternal Father! I wouldn't want him to become jealous of his broken record!"
"Please avoid such coldness!
They expect the news of your death and we will give it to them. In Berlin the situation is precipitating and the people are about to rise up and
in the chaos we arrive in Berlin mingled of among the crowd we enter the Stasi and liberate them."
" We liberate them, who?"
" Us, me, you, Francine, Brigitte plus about 20 of our men on the ground."
"Eh no Billy, I'm coming along this time."
" Amanda, but this is extremely dangerous! I can't expose you to such a risk!"
"I think it's a good idea instead, Amanda. you, Brigitte and Francine will take care of
Michael's girl. i'm waiting to hear from Schröder, in a couple of days we'll be moving.
Three days later
At the Stasi offices.
" Bring me Schumann, the young man!"
two minutes later he was in his office, once again tied to the chair, bruised and weak from the beating and hard days of imprisonment.
" Well Micháel, I see you are still alive!"
" Where are my parents?"
"Do you really want to know? your father and Glenda are in the cell, your "mother," after what hubshe did, well ...she paid with her life ...do you see her
this bloodstain at your feet...it belongs to her."
"Damn you!"
Immediately two punches came to his belly.
" Let's come to us...the point is this my offer of cooperation still stands...know that if you say no there will be another dead body..and then another
other...ah! by the way this is the front page of today's Washington Post..want to read? Ah sorry you are blindfolded..I will do it for you. "They will
will be held today at the Veteran Memorial the funeral services for federal agent Lee Stetson, who died yesterday from causes still under investigation by
investigators." You know we tried to have him eliminated by goons but he had gotten away with a few bullets here and there, so a friend of ours
chef saw fit to poison his lunch in the hospital...poor guy didn't make it!!! After what he did to us in Dresden it was the least
that could happen to him..ah you know he had shown up in Dresden with your generalities, how funny, don't you think!"
Micháel bit his lower lip.
" Damn you!"
" Do you want two more by any chance?
Then…your answer?"
Fine, but let my father and Glenda live!"
" Good, that's the way I like you...just know that you will be watched 24/24 and at the first misdemeanor you return to your stinking hole to keep company
to the rats...untie him and take him to the lab ...there are a couple of Americans waiting for your care. Schröder, he entrusted him to you,
be glued to him with your breath on his neck. at 9 p.m. put him back in his cell and then you are free until 6 a.m."
"Yes sir, Let's go! Hey Klaus do you think you can make it if of me?"
"Yes, I will survive, give me a name, who do I call?"
"Call Peter Wöner..he is a believer, tell him I told you."
" Thanks Steven, see you tonight for a little beer? Ah Have fun, be nice to him, a good nibble and go!!!
"Witty!!" he leaned close to Schumann's ear and whispered, pretending to bite his ear" "Your brother is alive, do your part."
" Hey Schröder, don't rape him!!!"'
" No, I reserve that for your sister."
" If I had a sister I'd be kicking you by now! ha ha. see you later"
"Bye"
"Damn now how do I warn Melrose? I'll have to wait for tonight" she whispered to herself.
The days passed and each day was the same as the next; by day in the lab nursing Schumann and at night clubbing with
Klaus and other high-ranking friends.
He didn't even have time to stop by the house; he showered in the lab bathrooms at the end of his shift.
He exited the premises tired, the sight of dead bodies now turning his stomach, despite his years of career in intelligence.
He was walking with his head down when a voice awakened him:
" Damn how you look!!! Can you stand up for a little beer?"
"Yeah, sure, as long as you also give me something to put in my teeth "
"Come on, get in, I'll take you to a nice place, we have reservations, a nice barbecue, plenty of beer and scary women, you'll see!"
" Yes but don't make me dawn this time too;
at 6 o'clock I have to clock out, remember? I haven't slept for practically three days, Give me at least two/three hours of sleep to recover!"
" You've gone soft my dear! By the way how did Micháel do?"
" Well, he did his! you can't say anything to him;
Forced or not he knows how to make someone suffer! He's really ruthless!"
" Well, deep down I'm sorry you know. We were very close friends."
" And then..."
" Well I'll tell you about it, but now I don't want to ruin my evening, come we are here!"
They entered the club, there were many customers already in sitting at the tables.
" Hey Klaus you made it! Just a little more and they would run out of supplies! Have a seat, I'll bring you everything in 10 minutes. I'll let Hellen and Maggie know
that you have arrived!"
He gave Steven an allegorical nudge.
"What did I tell you!!!"
"Ah though!!! How was it for you today?"
" Ah, man it's a mess out here..I guess you're okay. Something bad is about to happen, I can feel it."
" What do you mean?"
"Look around..how many poor christs do you see?
none!! that's all of us..today we arrested 7 of them in a basement, they had sticks and pickaxes and a table full of leaflets.
Get ready you will have customers coming!
They are all waiting for the conference tomorrow,
They are expecting the borders to be opened.
By now it's in the air..pressure from the west is getting stronger and stronger.
Honecker's resignation was all we needed,
it seems that now there is krenz in his place.
Mah!!!!
Well now let's stop talking about work and have fun."
They ate, drank, and danced until late into the night.
" Enough now Klaus...I need to go to sleep...I can't take it anymore."
"Oh yeah! do you want me to come with you?
" No don't worry, I'm just a few steps away. What are you doing, are you still staying?"
" Yes, I'll stay another hour or so! see you friend."
He went out and finally entered the house.He checked the phone...there were 5 messages.
Took from the drawer the little spy intercept box..ran it through the whole apartment...nothing. He had taken one from the
laboratory, the latest generation. He would have scouted out any hidden gadget. She no longer trusted anyone, especially after she had
learned what Klaus had done to Micháel.
He listened to the messages. after which he picked up the handset and called Melrose after "Walling up" the call
" Here I am!"
" Damn where have you been?"
" I've been put on impossible shifts..Listen well, leave..here tomorrow night the fireworks begin.
Ah. tell Lee that his brother is okay.
I got him to cooperate for now.
As soon as you arrive in Berlin go to the Amber Econtel. There you will find my cousin Katiuscia,
she will be our contact.I have already turned over maps and locations to her."
I'll get back to you."
He hung up and deleted the messages from the answering machine.
He went to shower and then got into bed.
"But well...you thought you were screwing me over didn't you, Schröder!!! As they say; He who goes with the lame learns to limp.
"Karl, it's Klaus.Send me reinforcements I'm at Schröder's house. Ah send a team to the Amber Econtel...have them put the seals on and take
Miss Katiuscia to the cooler."
In the morning Amanda entered Lee's room and found him up and ready.
" Ah ah...shouldn't you use those? You know the doctor told you not to overdo it!"
" Ah I'm fine, Amanda and then I have to get used to them..in Berlin I won't have a chance to use them."
" Exactly, so make sure you let her rest while you can, it's better for you!
The doctor entered
" Good morning Lee, so ready to go out?
You know I have to compliment you, I have never seen you so " Patient " !"
" I guess I am like good wine...as I get older I get better."
At that moment Melrose also entered
" I swear if I hear another one like that I'll put a gag on your mouth!"
Everyone laughed.
" So Billy any news?"
He looked into the doctor's face
" I got it,...here...this is the discharge paper..with the treatment you have to continue for 3 days..and..I hope not to see you again too
soon."
On they shook hands
" Thank you Doctor, really."
" this time we got you by the hair, so go calm down for a while. Bye Billy."
"See you soon Alan"
"Well Lee ... I'm afraid you won't have much time to rest, we leave in the morning"
" Tomorrow and ..."
" Schröder is taking care of Michael, fortunately they assigned him to the lab and he said he is fine. Ah he told me
that they bought the story of your funeral."
" Ha ha ha! Well ..I'd say I look pretty good for a corpse!"
" You've got a lot of nerve to joke about it...know that you've gone to such lengths my dear"
said Amanda pointing to a very small portion between her thumb and forefinger
"As long as they don't bury me permanently I can always joke about it, can't I?"
Clasping his hands, she gave him a sweet little smile, shaking her head.
"Come on now, I'll escort you home, and, if you send me to dinner, then we'll talk about the details."
"With great pleasure, Billy."
" Ah. Francine and Brigitte will also arrive after dinner."
--
Meanwhile .in Berlin.
An hour later.
"Quickly break down the door, Ah! I want him alive."
"Yes sir."
They broke in, Steven awoke wide awake, fumbled in the drawer and pulled out the gun, grabbed the bag and then, opening the window went out
taking care to close it by triggering the spring lock, rushed down the back staircase, re-entering the building on the 1'floor,
from there on the other side of the building he went out and slipped into the building opposite, reached the cellar and found refuge in a bunker
secret.Fortunately, he had assumed a possible inspection and managed to take with him everything that could get him into
trouble, including the contact diary.
Meanwhile, upstairs
" Sir, there is no one here!"
" What do you mean there's no one?..I heard him talking until just now...find out everywhere...and take anything that looks suspicious."
An hour later, despite the searches, nothing was found and there were no traces even of his conversations.
From the bunker meanwhile
Schröder picked up the phone:
" Katia, it's Steven, cut the cord and make everything disappear, agents are coming to you, delete the conversations and then go to shelter 2."
" Thank you cousin, one minute and I'm out."
So it was.
He picked up the phone again, after consulting the agenda... Melrose office .no..laptop here it is
he dialed the number
"Billy it's Steven, I'm burned, (Billy put on speakerphone) Klaus must have followed me home. They broke into my
apartment..ah don't worry, I've already made everything disappear.
Leave as soon as you can, Tomorrow the dances open. Give me the flight coordinates,you will find Martin Sellers to pick you up at the airport, you
you remember him, don't you. He will tell you what to do and where to go."
From the other end
"Yes Steven, we were just at Stetson's house working out the final details, you be careful, you only move when the insurrection has already started."
In the meantime Francine and Brigitte had also arrived and were watching the conversation.
"Wait Steven, send him to runway 6 to pick us up, we have a hookup. I've already arranged everything -.He looked at Billy's tickets -.
From Salzburg we are coming by private flight. will arrive half an hour earlier."
" Good, see you."
"Good thing Mom and the kids are camping!"
" already!"
Brigitte took the floor
"Well, the situation is getting worse.
It's a given now that we can't rely on Katiuscia and her hotel and we'll have to see where they send us. Now , hold on, these
are your documents and you and I Lee, we will have a disguise.
We will be visiting doctors for the conference at the East Berlin University Hospital as an interchange, so it will be easy for us to get in.
"And I'm supposed to wear this? But does that doctor look like me, too? And maybe he is already known to the Germans?"
"No, he's an American stranger emeritus but a big brain, so you take this file and study it well. Once there
we'll see how the facts will unfold.
We will arrive around 5 p.m. local time and at 6 p.m. the press conference will be held for the opening of the borders. It is not certain that the conference
will be made and that is what we basically hope for.
we have to figure out whether we will find out once we get in or before, and always assuming we don't have any unwelcome visitors at the airport, with the weapons we
we have, it would be difficult to justify our profession."
" Ah, of course, Always for the same reason we will not take that flight, quiet I have already taken care of cancelling. I took the liberty of
ruffle Uncle Clayton's feathers (winking at Lee) and so now everybody to bed, we leave at 5 o'clock from here at 6:30 we have a military flight"
On the sheets you will find your basic duties.
And since Mrs. West and the boys aren't here, we'll camp here tonight, if you don't mind."
" Gosh Brigitte, you are a war machine."
" Yes, and think you haven't seen me yet what I can do with certain "little toys" dear Billy. now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to the bathroom,
I have to redo my look! Good night."
"We'd better go and rest a few hours honey.You must be tired!"
" Well actually a little bit yes! plus I have a crazy itch in my side!" Brigitte turned to them
"Do you still need your crusader by any chance?"
" I think I can handle that too, Brigitte, thank you- replied Amanda- Then you explain this one to me honey!" looking first at Brigitte then at
Lee sideways. Brigitte disappeared behind the bathroom door.
"Also right away..she medicated my bump as soon as I got on the plane and also my cheekbone after the punch I got from TP, that's all - she
had Amanda take him under her arm -
to her the priciolines..to you the whole bite!" He printed a passionate kiss on her lips."
"we want to go up to the room " morsel!!!"
" With much pleasure" Ouch slowly, I don't have to train for the New York marathon"
"No, but I think you'd better show up a little looser than that in Germany..so now...a nice little massage and then bed!"
" Nanna? Well I have other plans in mind!"
" Would you like to tell me about them, my esteemed colleague?"
" I would prefer to move on to practical experimentation, doctor."
" This is getting interesting, I have here just the ointment that cures all ills!"
" Yes, but that, eventually!"
They reached the bedroom.
" Here we go..are you tired?"
" Not too, for what I have in mind!"
"Mmhh, let's see how long you last!"
"Will you challenge me, Mrs. Stetson, perchance?"
They undressed, very slowly
" You know what we're missing in this room honey?"
"What devilry do you have in mind this time?"
"A nice separé you know of those rice paper ones...that would be tremendously sexi!"
" You watch too many movies, you!"
"may be but don't tell me it wouldn't be hot..come on pretend it's there!"
" what?"
" the separé..show me what you can do!"
" You're all crazy! Besides, I'm not wearing hold-ups, I'm wearing pantyhose."
" Come on, do it for me, wait, you need the atmosphere ...- He lowered the lights and put on a well-known background music ... you go on stage, please!"
The music started, one at a time, very softly and with sinuous movements she slipped off her clothes while Lee, prone stood watching her
almost in ecstasy until she was left only with underwear and pantyhose that with gentle and very provocative movements she was slipping off.
Lee approached the edge of the bed with his head raised , she with a sensual move put one foot on his head and drove him back with her
face on the sheets and slipped off her stockings.
It was at that point that he took her in his arms and made her lie down in his side.
" You are wonderful Mrs. Stetson.I hope no one else will have the pleasure of seeing this performance of yours..I would run the risk
of seeing you in some hard movie."
"silly."
Their lips glued together and the few garments of both of them vanished after a few moments and they took each other with much passion, after
many days of forced abstinence.
Tired they took the positions appropriate for the night's rest although , still embracing each other they exchanged tender kisses.
" I have missed you sweetheart."
" You too."
" Come on now dressing and then bedtime..we don't have many hours of sleep left"
" You were wonderful you know..uuhhh, I love you so much Mrs. Stetson"
"Me too, I was so scared to lose you"
"I'm here. don't think about it anymore, please!
Ouch take it easy, it hurts back there!"
" Sorry honey!"
" That's it, good girl."
They hugged each other and tiredly fell asleep.
At Stasi
Klaus arrived at the offices at 5 p.m. and went to Mielke's office.
"Erich, is it true what I heard?"
" Yes my dear Klaus. It is over for me...everything is over..there was no point in continuing.
Shabowski is now about to make the announcement.
we have become weak..."
"What will you do now?"
"I have already had all documents traceable to me destroyed, and in this briefcase are important documents that I want to keep for
guarantee as well as a large amount of money, I will leave for Vaduz and start a new life there, come with me!?"
" What shall we do with the Shumanns?"
Leave them where they are ..either they will rot in prison or free them, I don't care, I don't care about them anymore."
" No, I'm staying here ... as long as I can, I will fight ...!"
The phone rang
"You answer it Klaus!
"This is Klaus speaking!!!
" It's Karl. I have been informed that at runway 6 a private plane is arriving with doctors for the conference at the university...I
have been told that you are to go and greet them,
Apparently it's a non-standard flight, bigwigs, soon go!"
"Of course even those from the University, with the mess going on, are going to international conferences right now!!! Wouldn't it be
better move it?"
"I no longer have the power to do that."
"Erich I have to leave you. will I find you when I come back?"
" No, goodbye.If you want to join me you know where to find me. Thank you for what you did for me, I will not forget"
"Goodbye"- He went out
" At the airport, runway 6, fast."
" Yes sir"
Here we are, gentlemen, here we are, right on time!"
" Oh finally, between the military plane and this one, you can hardly say you traveled first class!"
"I'm sorry Lee, but it was the only way to arrive "quietly" without any controls."
"It will take me a day to get back on my feet, damn it Brigitte!"
"Mmhh!! but tell me Amanda is always whining like that? How do you put up with it?"
" Usually not, only when she's not well."
"What are you talking about, I don't whine, I express my opinions, that's all!"
" "That's enough Lee! "
" " Eh no Billy don't you get involved too!!! Francine do you by any chance want to comment too, to close the circle?"
""You better not talk!"
"There, that's what I thought!"
"Come on, that's Sellers! Hey someone's coming!"
" No, please, not him!!!"
"Who's Lee, do you know him?"
"Yes Francine, that's Klaus Bremer, your little friend, Brigitte!"
" Damn, I'm going to lock myself in the bathroom, good thing he didn't see me...I'm not there...I'll catch up with you later. talk to you via walkie-talkie"
Come on go again Carlos!!!"
"I can't, I have to wait for takeoff clearance"
" Come on so disguised he won't recognize you"
"Let's hope so"
They descended the ladder of the aircraft.
" Sellers, what are you doing here?
"I've been instructed by the rector to pick them up, and you?"
"Show me the authorization!"
"And since when have we been so fiscal?
Look, they asked me to do this thing and I'm here as requested."
" Alright..Who are the Gentlemen?
"This is the list, Klaus."
They came face to face
"All right, which one of you is the leader?"
" It's me," Billy replied, " Dr. Alan Parker Chancellor of the Washington University Clinic and these are my teaching colleagues.
William Werner, Hillary West, Cinzia Bower and huFrancine Turner."
" Okay, I see Select hotel Berlin ..."
Klaus's phone rang.
"Excuse me. Hello.
yes...what? I'll be right there...- Gentlemen please excuse me, I thought I would lead you safely to the hotel but I've been told about problems with
security...Sellers will you take care of it?" He got into the car,after squaring off with the 5 doctors.
"Yes sir."
" On the double Checkpoint Charlie!" he set off at full speed.
"Come on, let's load the cars, I think we're there.
The hotel is just a few steps from the front door.
"Damn, what a scare, my blood was freezing!"
""Tell me about it, Lee!""
" What time is it?"
"It's twenty minutes to 6, from here it takes 10 minutes, get there just in time to see Shabowski's lecture on TV."
" Come on then let's go!"
They arrived at the hotel and as they checked into the lobby a small crowd of guests was gathering in the TV room adjacent to the
lobby.
"You guys go ahead and give me the papers, I'll do it, you guys go watch!"
" Okay Thank you Alan."
TV was now broadcasting live nationwide.
Günter Shabowski took the floor.
"Good evening.
To please our allies the decision has been made to open the checkpoints.
Since no word has reached me about particular arrangements, this order becomes effective immediately, Good evening."
Immediately shouts of joy and handshakes went up both in the hall and on the street.
Lee and company defiled and reached the rooms.
Leaving their luggage, they gathered in Brigitte's room to take stock of the situation.
Shortly thereafter Sellers entered with Schröder and Katiuscia.
Billy and Schröder embraced each other.
" Welcome my friend, long time no see!"
"Yeah! Ah this is my cousin Katiuscia."
" How do you do!"
" Well look down there, the view is spectacular, don't you find!!!
" They are coming out, the officers can't contain the crowd. come on let's get ready!
Do you remember everything?"
"Yes."
Schröder's phone rang.
From the other end
"We're in front of the offices, we're about to go in...now, now, now!!! go clear boss."
"Great, we're on our way."
"Lee you think you can make it walking?"
"Yes, that's why I'm here, nothing can stop me"
" Let's get in and head for the Stasi, follow me but not glued, you have the detectors, you have the maps,
Sellers, Melrose, Stetson team 1 Francine,Amanda and Brigitte team 2.
You know what to do.
Katiuscia you with me. Let's go!"
Lee and Amanda walked up the stairs, hand in hand, then arrived at the Hall, kissed each other
" I'll see you later honey, be careful, follow Francine and Brigitte."
" You too, my darling, be careful, please!"
The street was packed with people toasting and hugging each other...they arrived at the door, Passed the first two, then team 1 in an
single file stretched and finally team 2 a little more laboriously.
There were thousands of people and they struggled to get out of the flow then finally squeezed through
into an alley on the left and in a few minutes they arrived in front of the Stasi offices.
"Well team one straight then right door 3a
Team two straight then left door 3b
Glenda's cell is 17."
No guards were for protection...everyone had now fled, in fear of the Protestants.
" Here team 1 Glenda is free, we will join you, there are no other women inmates."
"Sellers cell 14 Helmut Schumann, you go."
Billy opened as many cells as he could
"Lee cell 3 Your brother"
"Here Sellers Helmut free"