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“The uninvited detail,” Zacynthus said slowly. “No matter how exhaustingly they try or how diligently they plan, all criminals get their tails pinned to the wall by the uninvited detail. In Heibert’s case it was von Till’s scalp?”
Pitt shook his head. “I don’t follow you.”
“When von Till was a young man, he contracted a skin disease called Alpecia areata which caused complete baldness Heibert didn’t know this. He thought von Till had shaved his head in the Prussian tradition, so quite naturally he t
ook to the razor. It didn’t take the War Criminals investigators long to spot the growth. There was, of course, later evidence that confirmed Admiral Heibert’s identity, but the hair was the first nail in the coffin.”
Pitt suddenly felt a vague mixture of relief and satisfaction. “Has he swung yet?”
“Four days ago,” Zacynthus said matter of factly. “You saw nothing in the newspapers because there was nothing The Germans kept his capture and death quiet. They’re sick and tired of having the mud of their Nazi past rubbed in their faces every time an old war criminal is ferreted out. Besides, Heibert didn’t have the same notoriety as Bormann and a few others of Hitler’s personal clique.”
“Makes you wonder how many more are scattered around the world,” Pitt murmured.
The telephone on the desk buzzed, and the Director picked it up. “Yes.. . yes, I'll pass along the good news, thank you.” He replaced the telephone in its cradle, his pitted face split in a wide grin, and he turned to Sandecker. “That was your office, Admiral. Allow me to be the first to offer my congratulations.”
Sandecker rolled the cigar to one side of his mouth. “What in hell for?”
The Director, still grinning, stood up and laid his hand on the Admiral’s shoulder. “It seems that your marine oddity turned out to be a viviparous female. Consequently, you, sir, are now the proud papa of a bouncing baby Teaser.”
The steaming heat was beginning to fade, and the lengthening shadows were stretching far behind the late afternoon sun when Pitt limped out onto the sidewalk He paused a moment and looked at the city. The streets were busy with homeward bound traffic, and soon all the surrounding buildings would be mute and deserted.
He looked toward the Capitol building in the distance, its white dome transformed into a blazing gold tint from the falling sun, and he remembered another scene on a faraway beach and a white ship and a vibrant blue sea. It seemed so long ago, nearly an eternity.
Giordino and Zacynthus came down the steps and joined him.
Zacynthus spoke jovially. “Gentlemen, I suggest that since we are all single, debonair men-about-town we combine forces and engage in a bit of fun and frolic.”
“I’ll buy that,” Giordino volunteered.
Pitt shrugged in mock sadness. “It wounds me deeply, but I must decline your intriguing invitation. I already have a previous engagement.”
“I think this is where I came in,” Giordino moaned.
Zacynthus laughed. “You’re making a big mistake. I happen to possess a little black book which contains the phone numbers of some of Washington’s fairest—”
Zacynthus suddenly stopped in midsentence and stared at the Street, his eyes wide in blank astonishment.
A gargantuan black-and-silver car rolled silently
up to the curb and stopped. Elegant in design, majestic in appearance, the regal coachwork seemed out of place beside the more modern mechanized traffic, like a
queen of the realm amid a bustling crowd of foul-smelling rabble. And as a fitting touch, the piece de resistance, a lovely dark-haired girl graced the steering wheel.
“Good lord,” Zacynthus gasped. “Von Till’s Maybach.” He turned to Pitt. “How did you get it?”
"To the victor belong the spoils,” Pitt grinned slyly.
Giordino raised an eyebrow. “Now I see what you meant by a bulky souvenir. I might add that your other souvenir isn’t half bad either.”
Pitt opened the front door of the car. “I think you both know my ravishing chauffeur.”
“She reminds me of a girl I once met in the Aegean,” Giordino said smiling. “But this one is much better looking.”
The girl laughed. “Just to show that flattery has its reward, I forgive you for that rough ride through the labyrinth. Only next time give me warning so I can put on some decent clothes.”
Giordino looked genuinely sheepish. “I promise.”
Pitt turned to Zacynthus. There was a faint smile in Pitt’s eyes. “Do me a favor, will you Zac?"
