sitting on the floor with the bored looks of typical kids. No longer competing—united in their boredom.
Ellen looked as if she were drowning in regret. “Perhaps all this could have been avoided if I’d done a better job as a mother. You see, Veronica, mothers are the most powerful creatures in shaping the good of the world. I failed my children, which makes me realize how lucky that Maggie and Jamie are to have you. Despite our differences, I’ve always respected your stewardship of the children, and often envied it. I know you will bring out their goodness.
“But while I’m confident that they will forge their own path, I do see a few qualities in them handed down from my father.” A lump the size of a basketball clogged Veronica’s throat. Not the words a mother wants to hear. “I have seen his passion in Maggie, and I’ve noticed a similar charisma in Jamie. But remember, when guided the right way those qualities can be great attributes. Your children are a blank canvas, and you have always been a great artist. Godspeed, Veronica.”
With those words, the video went dark. Veronica removed the headphones.
“Are you okay?” Zach asked in a hesitant voice, as he approached her.
Why wouldn’t she be okay? No biggie—she just learned that her children were related to the devil.
Veronica wiped away tears. “I’m fine—she just had a few things she wanted to get off her chest about Carsten. Kind of a final goodbye.”
Zach nodded, but she could tell he was skeptical.
Then Maggie’s voice filled the vault, in her best twelve-year-old whine, “Are you almost ready, Mom?”
Jamie seconded, “Yeah, it’s so boring here!”
Zach looked at his watch, “If I’m going to make Baer’s show, we better get going.”
Veronica agreed. But as she stood, she pretended to lose her grip on the device. She dropped it to the floor, but it was still breathing. So she “accidentally” stepped on it with the heel of her boot. She twisted her heel until she was confident it had no chance of ever working again.
She would take the secret to her grave.
Chapter 82
Veronica and the kids were dropped off in front of Beth Israel Hospital. The Secret Service showed some chivalry, helping them across the busy sidewalk and into the lobby.
A nurse led them to Ben’s room on the third floor. They were met by Flavia, who informed them that Ben had a “rough night,” but was much better this morning.
Veronica looked to Youkelstein. “You look much better this morning, considering.”
His ashen face lit up. “Never underestimate the healing powers of a beautiful young woman.”
He nodded in Flavia’s direction. Veronica faked a smile and held back any urge to let him know she wasn’t that young.
“He’s just buttering me up so he can steal more money from me in cards,” Flavia replied with a flirtatious wink.
Maggie walked to the bedside table and picked up the deck of cards. “What were you playing?”
“Strip poker,” Youkelstein said, grinning. “I must admit I cheated, but it was well worth it.”
Veronica cringed. She also wondered what Mr. Nazi Hunter would think if he knew he was flirting with Hitler’s great-granddaughter. She doubted he’d be in such a jovial mood if she’d revealed the secret to him.
Veronica approached Youkelstein’s bedside and reached into her bag. She pulled out an item and handed it to him. “I brought you a present.”
He looked confused by it.
“It’s the notes from the Wannsee Conference. You know, Die Endlösung der Judenfrage. I think what you’ll find most interesting is it contains the missing minutes,” she said like she was an expert on the subject.
He appeared awed.
“I also have in my possession a list of stolen Nazi art, and its location, that I will leave in your care to return to the rightful owners.”
Youkelstein looked like he was on the verge of tears.
Veronica had one more thing for him—an apology. “I’m sorry for doubting you, Ben. Without you I’d never have gotten my children back. I owe you my life.”
He waved his bony hand dismissively, almost yanking the IV tube out of his arm. “I didn’t take it personally. My only agenda is to eliminate this evil from the planet, and so far I haven’t been able to. Time ruthlessly moves on, and at my age I’m sadly running out of it.”
Chapter 83
The loud growl of the angry bear shook the room.
Last night, Youkelstein had his assistant bring over a radio from his apartment so he could listen to election results. It was a