Barbara Bradford - The Cavendon Luck

Tony and Diedre made their way to a secluded spot near one of the artificial ponds where there was a wrought-iron garden seat.

Once they were seated, she said, ‘You didn’t say much in the taxi, Tony, so do let’s talk now. It’s so tricky when we speak in code.’

‘But safe,’ he said, and smiled at her. ‘My office isn’t wired, I have it checked all the time. Very simply, I didn’t want to stay at the embassy because I knew we would be interrupted. People popping in and out. That’s the reason for our visit to the Tiergarten.’

‘It’s nice,’ Diedre answered. ‘My sister Daphne wants to come here later. But actually she hasn’t taken to Berlin. I sense that she’s picked up on the free-floating apprehension that’s in the air.’

‘Most people do, Daffy Dilly.’

She laughed. ‘I knew you’d have to call me that once today. But that’s it, not again. Understood?’

‘Understood.’ He laughed with her, then said, ‘I think I might have someone who could handle a suitcase for you.’

Diedre sat up straighter on the garden seat and looked at him alertly. ‘I thought all of your contacts had gone missing.’

‘They have. This one fell into my lap, so to speak, and quite unexpectedly.’

‘Who is he?’

‘It’s a she .’

‘Tell me about her.’

‘She’s titled, well known in Berlin, socially acceptable everywhere, young, quick and clever. And quite by accident I learned that she’s associated with one of the secret underground movements, you know those anti-Nazi groups who help to get people out.’

‘Have you mentioned anything to her yet?’

‘Not exactly. You’ll meet her tomorrow. I put her on the invitation list for the reception, and she’s accepted. You’ll also meet some of her friends, of the same ilk, I suspect – oh, and a lovely Englishwoman who’s married to a German prince. Come to think of it, you might know of her. I believe she comes from a family in Yorkshire.’

Diedre frowned, her mind racing. And then it came to her in an instant. ‘Is her name Arabella von Wittingen?’

‘Yes, she’s married to Prince Rudolf Kurt von Wittingen.’

‘Her maiden name is Lady Arabella Cunningham. Her brother is the Earl of Langley, and he still lives at Langley Castle in North Yorkshire. Daphne knew her slightly when they were young girls. How interesting. Daphne will enjoy talking to her, I’m sure.’

‘Now that we’re in a safe place, tell me about the people you wish to get out,’ Tony said. ‘I don’t know anything, as you’re well aware. It’s been so difficult on the phone.’

‘I will tell you. But there’s just one thing … I did wonder if your phone at the flat is safe? Sure nobody’s listening in?’

‘ It’s safe . I have ways and means of checking. I’ve someone clever with that kind of thing. So, how many exit visas are we talking about? That was never very clear.’

‘Four.’

‘It’s too many, Diedre. There’s been such a clampdown lately and people are getting scared!’ Tony exclaimed, his smile fading. ‘They think they’ll get arrested.’

‘I understand. My sister-in-law, Cecily Swann, has a personal assistant by the name of Greta Chalmers, and it’s her family who are trapped here. Cecily’s trying to help Greta.’

‘What’s their name?’ Tony asked, sounding anxious.

‘Steinbrenner. Greta’s father is a professor of philosophy and—’

‘Professor Helmut Steinbrenner, the famous expert on Plato?’ Tony interrupted. ‘My God, this is such a strange coincidence. That’s the third time his name has come up in the last few days. It is him, isn’t it?’

‘I believe so. He is definitely an authority on Plato. Why has his name come up, Tony? That’s a bit bothersome, isn’t it?’

‘No, it’s not. We have another important visitor here from London, Diedre, Sir Anthony Parry, the author, journalist and broadcaster. He’s also a professor at Cambridge. Big, big name in academia.’

‘I know that, I read some of his columns in the Daily Telegraph ,’ Diedre said. ‘Has he mentioned Professor Steinbrenner?’

‘Yes, he has. At the beginning of the week he asked me if it was at all possible to invite Professor Steinbrenner to the reception tomorrow. As a personal favour to him. They are old friends. And so I did. I included Mrs Steinbrenner, and then one of the newspapermen I know from the press corps here was asking about him—’

‘Has Professor Steinbrenner accepted?’ Diedre cut in.

‘I’ll have to check that out. I didn’t pay much attention, mainly because I was just doing a favour for Sir Anthony.’

‘Do you have any idea why a newspaperman would ask you about Professor Steinbrenner?’ Diedre asked, her face thoughtful.

‘No. But he’s a friendly chap, owes me a few favours, so I can easily find out. But let us get back to that very important point. The exit visas. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you the supply has dried up. You could go to Valiant—’

‘I will not go to him! Don’t mention him!’ Diedre exclaimed, cutting across Tony, her voice sharp, angry.

‘All right, all right. I won’t bring him up again. He’s verboten .’

Diedre took a deep breath, shook her head. ‘Sorry, Tony. I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. To continue, I’m afraid we have another problem.’

‘What is it?’ He looked at her swiftly, his light grey eyes suddenly turning anxious.

‘Their passports have “J” for Jew stamped on them,’ Diedre said.

‘Oh God, no! I can’t get new passports. Not any more.’ Tony slumped back against the garden seat, looking and feeling defeated.

Diedre took another deep breath and said, ‘What’s the worst scenario? Obviously not getting any exit visas. Could you get one?’

‘Probably, if my new contact works out, and helps me.’

‘Professor Steinbrenner has two children. I’m certain he will want to get one of them out first.’

Tony closed his eyes, and let out a deep sigh. Then he sat up and said, ‘ A child . How are we going to handle that, Diedre? A child couldn’t travel alone. It’s too dangerous for one thing. A child is too obvious a target in more ways than one. If you get my drift.’

‘I do. A target for everyone. But when I say child, I don’t mean a young child. From what Cecily told me, I believe Elise, the professor’s younger daughter, is about sixteen or seventeen.’

‘That’s better, easier, but it’s still a tough one. A young woman travelling alone on a train. They’re full of troops today, Diedre. Troops going on leave, going to other postings. A woman of any age is a bit vulnerable, actually.’

‘You’re right, of course. Look, I did some hard thinking in Zurich, and I came up with a plan, working on the assumption you could only get one exit visa, if that. And—’

‘I should never underestimate you, should I, Daffy Dilly?’

‘No, you shouldn’t, Toby Jung,’ she shot back through her laughter. ‘This is what I thought might work. I have a friend in American Intelligence. His old college roommate is an impresario. He’s often in Berlin, visiting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He’ll do favours for his best buddy. I’d put him on the train out of Berlin. With the girl. To protect her.’

‘That’s the border town before the crossing into Belgium and then France, and what if something goes wrong?’ Tony asked. ‘A civilian wouldn’t know what to do.’

‘I’ve made that trip, and I realize there are very tough guards at the border. Passengers have to get off the train, show their passports, exit visas, whatever travel documents they have, and the guards do open suitcases. But things don’t often go wrong. You’ll have to brief this man, the escort – and if he sees something odd, or feels there are suspicions about them, he’ll simply get off the train with the girl, and go into the town of Aachen. From there he’ll contact you.’