either of us, for there are constant assignations between men and women here."
"Berchtesgaden," said Witkowski quietly.
"An alpine whorehouse run by a Fuhrer who claimed to be purer than a newborn lamb.. ..
She's right, chlopak. The sight of the girls gives us the split-second advantage, front and back. Take it."
"Okay! .. . Let's go, and I hope to hell I'm giving the right order.
""You don't have a choice, young man," said the colonel softly.
"You're the leader, and like all leaders, you listen to your staff, evaluate, and make your own decision. It's not easy."
"Cut the military bullshit, Stanley, I'd rather play hockey."
Elyse, in her diaphanous white gown, started regally up the circular staircase; Drew, the colonel, and Etranger One followed ten steps behind her in' the shadows.
"Liebling!" whispered a guard in the hallway beyond the landing, his voice exuberant.
"You got rid of that drunk from Paris, no?"
"ja, Liebste, I came only for you. I am so bored."
"All is quiet, come with me-ach, who are they? Behind you!"
Etranger One fired a single silenced shot. The guard collapsed on the railing, fell over it, and plummeted down to the marble floor below.
The backstairs were dark; the only light, far above, created shadows within darker shadows. The terrified Adrienne climbed step by quiet step up the steep staircase, her body trembling, her wide eyes filled with fear. They reached the second floor.
"Was ist?" came the strident voice from above as the sudden glare of a powerful flashlight filled the entire staircase.
"Liebchen? . Nein!"
Etranger Two fired; the Nazi guard fell over, his head caught in the banister.
"Go on!" ordered Captain Dietz.
"Two more floors to go."
They crawled ahead, the child-whore named Adrienne crying copiously, blowing her nose on the cloth of her blouse.
"It is not that far, ma chirie," whispered Etranger Two gently to the young girl.
"You are very brave and we will tell everyone that."
, "Please tell my father!" whimpered the young girl.
"He hates me so!"
"I shall do so myself. For you are a true hero of
France."
"Am IPI
"Keep going, child."
Latham, Etranger One, and the colonel stopped abruptly on the staircase at the sight of Elyse's hand waving behind her; it was a warning. They stepped back on the descending steps against the dark shadowed wall and waited. A blond guard walked rapidly out on the third floor landing; he was agitated, angry.
"Frdulein, have you seen Adrienne?" he asked in German.
"She's not in the room with that pig, Heinemarm. He's not there either, and the door is open."
"They probably went for a walk, Erich."
"That Heinemann is an ugly fellow, Elyse!"
"Surely you're not jealous, my dear. You know what we are, what we do. Only our bodies are involved, not our hearts, our feelings."
"My God, she's too young!"
"Even I've told her that."
"You know Heinemann is a pervert, don't you? He demands terrible things."
"Don't think about them."
"I hate this place!"
"Why do you stay?"
"I have no choice. My father enrolled me when I was in 'ddle school and I was very impressed. The uniforms, the camaraderie, the fact that we were outcasts together.
They said I was special and selected me to carry the banners at the meetings. They took photographs of me."
"You can still leave, my friend."
"No, I cannot. They paid for my years at university and I know too much. They would hunt me down and kill me. ),
"Erich!" shouted a male voice from a hallway beyond the landing.
"Kommen Sic her!"
"Ach that one, he's always yelling. Do this, do that! He doesn't like me because I went to university and I really don't think he can read."
"When I see Adrienne, I'll tell her you are---concerned.
Remember, young man, it is only the body, not the heart."
"You are a good friend, Fraulein."
"I hope to be a better one someday." The guard named Erich ran off the landing as Elyse came down several steps and whispered to the three intruders against the wall.
"Don't kill that one. He could be of use to you."
"What's she talking about?" said Drew.
The colonel explained as Elyse continued up the staircase.
"She said not to waste him, and she's right."
Ct Why P9
"He wants out of here and he knows a lot. Go on!"
The fourth-floor landing was not, to use Witkowski's words, very encouraging. A large twenty-foot archway was the open space between the wall that wrapped around the entire top floor.
Presumably, it was the same for the back staircase. Two guards stood in the frame, another visible behind them, seated on a bench.
Again Latham, E-One, and the colonel stayed out of sight as Elyse stepped up into