relay equipment for Dr. Traupman's residence."
"Acb, yes, your two superiors called an hour ago, but as I told them both, the doctor is entertaining tonight-"
"And I trust they told you that we will not disturb the doctor," Witkowski interrupted curtly.
"In fact, neither he nor his persona) escorts are to be disturbed, those are the commandant's orders, and I for one would not care to be a party to disobeying those instructions." The external equipment is in the storage room across the floor from Dr. Traupman's door. He will not even know we've been here -that is the way the chief of Nuremberg's police wishes it to be. But then, I'm sure he made it clear to you."
"What happened anyway? To the .. . equipment?"
"Probably an accident, someone moving furniture or cartons into the storage room and severing a wire. We won't know until we examine the panels, which we're responsible for.. .. Frankly, I wouldn't know if I fell over the malfunction, my colleague's the expert."
"I didn't even know there was such equipment," said the apartment guard.
"There's a lot you're not aware of, my friend. Between YOU and me, the doctor has direct lines to all high-ranking officials in the police and the government, even to Bonn."
"I knew he was a great surgeon, but I had no idea-"
"Let's say he's extremely generous with our superiors, yours and mine," Witkowski again interrupted, his voice now friendly.
"So, for all our sakes, let's not rock the boat. We're wasting time, let us in, please."
"Certainly, but you'll still have to sign the register."
"And possibly lose our jobs? Yours as well?"
"Forget it. I'll insert the elevator codes for the eleventh floor, that's the penthouse. Do you need the key for the storage room?"
"No, thanks. Traupman gave one to our commandant and he gave it to us."
"You erase all my doubts. Come inside."
"Naturally, we'll show you our identification cards, but again, for all our sakes, remember you never saw us."
"Naturally. This is a good job, and I certainly don't want the police on my back."
The elevator was around the corner and out of sight from the surgeon's penthouse entrance on the eleventh floor. Latham and the colonel inched their way along the wall; Drew peered around the edge of marbleized concrete. The guard at the desk was in shirtsleeves and reading a paperback book while tapping his fingers to the rhythm of the soft music coming from a small portable radio.
He was at least fifty feet away, the imposing console in front of him his direct links to several receivers that could cause the aborting of Operation N-2. Latham checked his watch and whispered to Witkowski.
"It's not a pleasant situation, Stosh," he said.
"Didn't expect it to be, chlopak," said the veteran G-2 officer, reaching into his jacket pocket and taking out five marbles.
"Karin was right, you know. Diversion's everything. "
"We're past the hour when Traupman's girlfriend said she'd deactivate the alarm. She's got to be sweating it out in there. "
"I know that. Use the darts and aim for his neck area. Keep firing until you hit his throat."
"What?"
"He'll get up and walk down here, believe me."
"What are you going to do?"
"Watch." Witkowski rolled a marble out on the marble floor; it clattered until it hit the opposite wall and stopped. He then threw another out in the opposite direction; it, too, spun to a stop.
"What's happening?" he whispered to Drew.
"Your scenario. He's getting up and coming toward US."
"The closer he gets, the better shot you have." The colonel threw two marbles down the corridor to his right;
they clattered, marble against marble; the bodyguard raced forward, weapon in hand. He rounded the corner and Latham fired three narcotic darts; the first missed, ricocheting off the wall, the second and third struck the neo Nazi on the right side of his neck. The man gasped, grabbed his throat, and uttered a low, prolonged cry as he slowly collapsed.
"Take out the two darts, find the other, and let's get him back to the desk," said Witkowski.
"The drug wears off in half an hour."
They carried the neo to the desk, placing him in the chair, his upper body slumped over the top. Drew went to the penthouse door, took a deep, prayerful breath, and opened it. There was no alarm, only darkness and silence until a weak female' voice spoke unfortunately in German.
"Scbnell. Beeilen Sic sich!"
"Hold it!" said Latham, but the command was unnecessary, as the colonel was at his side.
"What's she saying, and can we turn on a