Page 53 of Library of Forbidden Books

Berlin

January 27, 1938

Despite what Derek had feared, 1937 had been a pretty calm year. Now he only had to make it through two more years of service and then he could retire.

The year before, in a secret meeting between the Führer and the army high command, General von Blomberg had opposed the plan for an immediate war to secure highly prized “living space” for Germany. He did not think the country was ready for combat. Then, at the beginning of 1938, von Blomberg got remarried. His new wife was Erna Gruhn, a twentysomething secretary with a checkered past. Hitler’s patience with the general ran out.

The day that von Blomberg resigned, he called his long-standing assistant to his office.

“Derek, come in. Please, sit down.” Von Blomberg’s face reflected the strain of the past couple of weeks. His young wife had been accused of practicing prostitution before their marriage. Rather than separate from her, von Blomberg had resigned from all of his positions. Now Hitler would have direct control over the army.

“Sir, I’m so sorry . . .” Derek began, but von Blomberg motioned for him to be quiet, then pointed to the walls. They were being bugged.

“You’ve been a faithful, dependable assistant for many years. I’ve tried to secure a comfortable position for you and see to it that you’re not transferred out of Berlin. I’ve asked Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel to keep you on staff here in the office. He will receive you shortly in this office. It has been an honor to serve Germany with you at my side.”

Von Blomberg stood and held out his hand. Derek squeezed it hard and channeled all his gratitude into a parting phrase. “I wish you all the best.”

Von Blomberg took his coat and hat, glanced around the office a final time, and then walked out. A few minutes later, Keitel entered. He was taller than von Blomberg and had a pleasant enough face. His forehead was wide, his hair gray, and his mustache nearly white.

“Field Marshal,” Derek said, saluting.

“At ease,” Keitel ordered.

Derek studied him for a few moments. Von Blomberg had told Derek many times that Keitel was a spineless puppet in Hitler’s hands and that behind the facade was a complacent weakling.

“Well, I trust you’ll work as hard for me as you’ve done with my predecessor. We have important work ahead of us. In less than two months we’ll be annexing Austria. It won’t be easy. The League of Nations is opposed, but Neville Chamberlain and his entourage don’t have the guts to stand up to our Führer.”

Keitel’s words were firm enough, but Derek had the feeling he was just repeating what he’d heard others say.

“Yes, sir,” is what Derek said, but what he wanted to do was retire like von Blomberg.

“On my desk tomorrow morning I want a report about the Austrian army. I’ve got a very important meeting. You’re excused!”

Derek left the office and asked his assistants to gather all the information they could for the report and leave it on his desk. He then set out for Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse. He needed to pick up Helene and Alexander from the Secret Library.

Derek parked a block away from the building out of caution. Helene opened the door immediately when he knocked, and Derek slipped in. They hugged, and Derek lifted Alexander and swung him around.

“I have news,” he said, steadying the child, now gleefully dizzy, back on his feet.

Helene finished putting a small stack of books away and then turned her full attention to Derek. “So do I!” she said.

“You go first,” Derek said, trying to smile, though his news was not happy.

“No, sweetie, you go.”

Over the banter, they held one another’s gaze. They each felt like they were looking at the other for the first time. Despite all the years, their love remained strong.

“Well,” Derek’s voice dropped, “I’ll probably have to go to Austria in a few weeks.”

Helene cocked her head and raised an eyebrow. She knew he was now working for a new boss, but it was not the ideal time for a stint in Austria. Yet she did not complain. She only asked, “Austria?”

“Yes. Hitler wants to annex the country.”

Helene covered her face with her hands. “He can’t just annex a country like it’s an everyday activity. Europe won’t allow it. The man is mad!”

“He’s got it all planned out, and he thinks destiny or some such rot has chosen him. He’s not just mad—he’s a dangerous madman.” The whole time they talked, Derek was on the floor playing with Alexander. Then he stood and asked, “So what did you want to tell me?”

Helene smiled and said, “I’m two months pregnant!”