Silesian Station (2008) Read Online Free Page A

receptionist picked up the telephone, dialled a three-figure number, and asked if Hauptsturmfuhrer Ritschel was expecting a John Russell. He was. Another call produced a uniformed Rottenfuhrer to escort Herr Russell upstairs. He followed the shiny boots up, wondering why the Gestapo rarely wore their uniforms out of doors. A need for anonymity, he supposed. And Heydrich probably liked to economize on laundry bills.
    The stone corridors were infinitely depressing. So many offices, so many thugs behind desks.
    Hauptsturmfuhrer Ritschel looked the part. A shortish man with thinning fair hair, a face full of ruptured blood vessels and eyes the colour of canal water. There were beads of sweat on his brow, despite the wide open window and a shirt open at the collar. His leather coat was hanging on the door. 'Herr John Russell?' he said. 'How would you like to see Fraulein Koenen?'
    'Very much.'
    'You may have five minutes. No physical contact.' He turned to the Rottenfuhrer. 'Take him down and bring him back.'
    This time they took a lift. The floors were numbered in the usual way, which seemed somewhat incongruous in the circumstances; basement, in particular, seemed a less than adequate description of the cell-lined corridor which awaited them. The silence of the grave was Russell's first impression, but this was soon superseded. A woman sobbing behind one door, a restless shuffle of feet behind another. A man's voice intoning 'shut up, shut up, shut up' as if he'd forgotten he was still speaking.
    Oh my God, Russell thought. What had they done to her?
    The Rottenfuhrer stopped outside the penultimate door on the right, pulled back the sliding panel for a brief glimpse inside, and drew back the two massive bolts. The door opened inwards, revealing Effi in the act of getting to her feet. As she spotted Russell behind the Rottenfuhrer her face lit up, and she almost jumped towards him.
    'No physical contact,' the Gestapo man said, spreading his arms to keep them apart.
    They stood facing each other. She was wearing grey overalls that lapped around her wrists and ankles, making her look more waif-like than ever. Her black hair looked tousled and unusually dull. She tucked one strand behind an ear. 'I never liked grey,' she said.
    'How long have you been here?' Russell asked.
    'Three nights and three days.'
    'Have they hurt you?'
    She shook her head. 'Not my body, anyway. But this is not a nice place.'
    'Have they told you why you've been arrested?'
    Effi smiled ruefully. 'Oh yes. That bitch Marianne Schoner informed on me. You know she never forgave me for getting the part in Mother . According to her, I said that Hitler had achieved the impossible - he'd surrounded himself with midgets yet still managed to look small.'
    'But you didn't say it?'
    'I probably did. It's not bad, is it? No, don't answer that - they'll have you in here too.'
    It was his turn to smile. She was scared and she was angry, but there was still fire in her eyes. 'They've only given us five minutes. I'll get you out of here, I promise.'
    'That would be good.'
    'I love you.'
    'And I you. I had much better plans for your homecoming than this.'
    'They'll keep. Paul sends his love, wants to go to the Aquarium with you again.'
    'Send him mine. Have you seen Zarah? Does she know I'm in here?'
    'She's frantic with worry. They wouldn't let her see you.'
    'Why not, for God's sake?
    'I think this is aimed at me.'
    She gave him a surprised look.
    'There's nothing in the papers, nothing to stop them simply letting you go if they get something in return.'
    She rubbed the side of her face. 'Why didn't I think of that? Oh I'm sorry, John. I should learn to keep my mouth shut.'
    'I wouldn't want that.'
    'What do they want from you?'
    'I don't know yet. Just some favourable press, perhaps.' He glanced at the Rottenfuhrer, as if inviting him to join the conversation.
    'That's five minutes,' the man said.
    She reached out a hand, but before he could respond the Rottenfuhrer was