Wicked Deceptions - Amy Cecil Page 0,14

is one of the darkest and most depressing months of the year. We have an old saying. ‘If you can survive January in Berlin, you can survive anything.’” He shrugs. “Obviously, it’s not fact, but it works for us Germans.” The driver continues on as the conversation lulls.

We drive for another hour or so until we come upon a remote wooded location, where I assume I will start my training. Located in a clearing in a dense forest, I’m guessing due west of Berlin, is a cluster of low buildings surrounded by the many trees of the forest. Minimal grassy areas separate the buildings, and the entire compound is encased in not one but two wire fences. Everything is very plain and stark. Not that I am surprised, but it is clear I will receive no luxuries during my stay here.

“We have arrived,” he says proudly as the driver parks the car.

I look around at the dismal place that is about to become my home. “How long will I be here?”

“You will receive your first chance at graduation after you have been through training for one year, then you will either stay until you pass or, frankly, until you die.”

“Oh.” Mental note to self: Graduate after the first year.

We step inside, and I am greeted by a tall man with red hair. He is not the most attractive man I have ever seen, but he has a cute boyish face that seems kind.

Reaching his hand out, he says, “Welcome, fräulein, I am Heir Gerhardt Wagner, and I will be your only link to the outside world, as well as your trainer, handler, and partner in every mission going forward.”

“Guten tag,” I reply in my most perfect German.

“Good, I see you speak our language well.” He smiles, and he genuinely looks pleased.

“Thank you, I also speak Russian, French, and English, but I am sure”—I give Malcolm a sideways glance—“Malcolm already told you that.”

He turns toward Malcolm and shakes his hand. “Welcome, my old friend.” He glances back at me, then turns and walks away from us. “Follow me,” he says in a brisk manner that could be offensive to some. He takes us to an office a little way down the hall. When he enters, he steps behind a large desk and gestures to the two chairs in front. “Sit.”

We do as he says.

“I’d like to go over what you can expect during your time here.” He’s not wasting any time.

“Oh, okay.”

“Your training will be broken down into four blocks. The first two blocks will consist of mainly classroom training. You’ll sit through lectures on Germany’s history, its politics, and its economics. You will learn about other governments and how they affect Germany. You will have written assignments and timed tests.” He leans back in his chair and continues. “Blocks three and four will consist of more hands-on training, and I am here to warn you, they can be quite gruesome.”

I look over at Malcolm, who nods. Turning back, I ask, “Gruesome? How?”

“First, you will learn about sabotage and infiltration of the enemy. You will learn human motivations and how to identify their vulnerabilities. Then, you will be put in situations where you will practice what you have learned.”

“That doesn’t sound gruesome.” I giggle. “Actually, it sounds kinda fun.”

He laughs. “I assure you, it is not fun. But, it’s not the gruesome part either. Once you have excelled in those areas, the final part of your training will begin.” He gets up from his chair and paces behind his desk.

Something tells me I am not going to like this portion of my training.

“Because you are a spy, you are taking the risk of being discovered by any mark we would provide you. If that happens, you will be taken into that particular government’s custody, and they will do whatever means possible to extract information from you. They will torture you, Katerina. And when I say torture, I mean things you cannot even imagine in your worst nightmares.”

Before he can continue, I interrupt. “What things?” I know I have a morbid sense of curiosity. But if there is a chance I may end up in one of these situations, I have to know.

He stops and looks at Malcolm, somewhat worried.

Malcolm nods. “Tell her.”

“Well, we have received reports on various methods used, methods the Germans would never use.”

Somehow, I find that hard to believe.

“Methods such as sleep deprivation, beatings, being forced to assume stressful positions for days at a time. We have reports