Berlin blood

August stood and looked at how his wife was now having fun in the pool, and talking with young women her age, he smoked. For a whole week they rested in Italy, sunbathed, ate fruit and looked at the unusually beautiful nature. The sun was hot, so from two to four no one came out into the street. At that time, he and Charlotte were each engaged in their own hobbies: his wife was watching the video tapes that she had brought with her and filming them on camera, while August was reading, reading a lot, he found in reading something more than other people find. He drew knowledge from books — he was especially attracted to economics, mathematics and philosophy — but not only. The author’s thoughts often became the impetus for his own reflections, or even changes in his picture of the world. It was almost twelve and the sun was still shining a little and could set Charlotte on fire, he was worried about her. — Charlotte, come here! — He shouted, and she turned to him. “Yes, now,” Charlotte left the pool. She liked it in Italy, and she was happy, she went up to him and took the towel he offered. — Let’s go, it’s going to get hot soon. — Oh, yes, of course. When Charlotte was completely dry from the water, he took the bag and they went to the hotel, which was located not far from the shore. They walked along the small streets of one of the coastal cities. Life here flowed the same day after day, and nothing, it seemed, could disturb its peaceful life. Along the road that he and Augustus usually walked, on the left side of the street the walls were green with ivy sprouts. In one of the courtyards, ivy branches entwined a gazebo where an elderly man often slept in the midday heat. The sun was shining quite brightly and Charlotte thought how nice it would be to also sit in the shade of the trees. To her right were many small three-story houses, their small windows and wooden shutters delighted Charlotte, and a small church. Its domes shone brightly in the sun. And even higher stood a lighthouse, sending a beam into the blackness of the sea at night. She truly rested both body and soul. They approached the hotel and Augustus let Charlotte go ahead. They agreed that she would be the first to go wash from the sea, although each time her bathing was delayed, and Augustus carried sand around the rooms. “I’ll be quick,” Charlotte promised once again, laughing at herself. August shook his head. He was distracted by a phone call, which brought Augustus out of the idyll in which he resided. He walked over and picked up the phone. — Yes? — August thought they might be calling from the front desk, but that turned out not to be the case. “August,” Franz spoke very quickly and excitedly. — Franz? What’s happened? Is there something wrong with you? “Franz rarely lost his balance, so Augustus was wary. “I’m afraid you’ll have to interrupt your vacation; you urgently need to return to Berlin.” — Sorry, but what happened, since it’s so urgent? — The Reichsfuehrer was attacked. They discussed the circumstances — Franz still knew little — and before hanging up, Franz informed August that Himmler’s personal plane would be coming for them. They will discuss the rest when August and Charlotte arrive in Berlin. August’s heart sank to his feet, he did not feel the floor, the only thing he heard was Charlotte entering the room, slapping her bare feet on the floor. She looked questioningly at the phone. — What’s happened? I heard my brother’s name. “I’m afraid we’ll have to interrupt our rest, we’re going back,” August stood up and, going to the closet, pulled a suitcase from the top shelf. — What? Why? — Charlotte was upset. — The Reichsfuehrer was attacked. “We’re flying tonight,” Charlotte rolled her eyes. She tiredly sat down on a chair and, crossing her legs and arms, began to look expectantly at her husband. He didn’t react and avoided her gaze. This was to be expected; she married an officer. Charlotte winced, realizing that there would be sleepless nights again, which would leave him forever tired and irritated. This was terribly infuriating. She watched him getting ready: tearing things off the hangers, muttering something under his breath and walking in circles all the time, approaching the thing, putting it in a suitcase, and then coming up again and looking for the same thing and not understanding why no, he remembers and takes the next one. She came up behind him and hugged August tightly. — What are you doing? — August was a little taken aback by such an influx of emotions and tenderness. “Promise one thing: you will protect yourself first, and then everyone else,” Augustus understood what she meant, so he nodded to her and continued to pack his things. There was anxiety in all his actions. August constantly asked himself: who could it be, why would he do this? How dare he speak out against the Reichsführer, a man vested with such power. For a minute, the thought entered his head that the target was not Himmler at all, but again he—August. But he immediately rejected it, not only because the thought was terrible, but also because it reeked of the delusions of a paranoid a kilometer away. He sank into a chair, closed his eyes and leaned back, he thought that he would no longer have to deal with his past and the inner fears that tormented him every day. However, apparently fate decided otherwise. Charlotte put her hand on his shoulder and August felt that his support was nearby, he would no longer be helpless and weak. He opened his eyes. In the evening they were already boarding the plane, which, as Franz said, was sent especially for him. *** Franz had been waiting for him at the airfield since five in the morning. This whole story with Himmler turned everything upside down. He didn’t know anything, the only thing he understood from what the soldier who literally flew into his and Gretel’s office was explaining to him was that he urgently needed to call August. He imagined how upset Charlotte was. However, August did not have to take her with him; she could continue to rest. Franz watched the first rays of the sun appear and stretch across the runway. The plane was landing, Franz stretched his shoulders and got out of the car to meet August and Charlotte. — Good morning, I hope you rested on the flight, because you obviously won’t be able to rest today. They want you personally,” Franz opened the door for August as they approached the car. Charlotte will be taken home to rest after they arrive at work. — Honestly, no. I couldn’t sleep all night, I kept thinking about how this happened and who he was and what goals he was pursuing. August was more irritable than usual today. — I was not brought up to date; most likely you will work with the Gestapo, and I will continue to be your secretary. Your previous responsibilities will fall on me; you won’t be able to cope with two directions. — Okay, let’s go, in any case, the first is more important. Himmler doesn’t like it when people are late,” they got into the car and Charlotte finally lay down on her husband’s shoulder. In truth, she was half asleep and also felt that August was on a powder keg. “Charlotte, be patient, you’ll be home soon,” August stroked her hair. “Yes, of course,” that was the last thing she managed to say before August got out of the car. Again the same walls and again the same faces. The only thing unusual was the commotion, but it was easy to explain. Franz walked him to his office, on the way they talked about who August would have to work with, and they both laughed that it wasn’t Walter Sachs. But the laughter immediately ended as soon as they entered the reception area, where they were already waiting. The people in the reception area looked hunted, like rabid rabbits. He knocked and, having received permission, entered the office. “August Scholz,” the Reichsführer was still sitting in the chair, only now he looked a little tired and shabby. “Come in,” he pointed to a chair and August sat down. Next to him was Heinrich Wenger. August was delighted when he realized that he would be working with him. — So, gentlemen, you probably already understand why you were called here? I understand, Scholz, that your vacation was interrupted, but we needed you. Yesterday my car, where I was heading from my house to work, exploded. Fortunately, the driver quickly got his bearings and covered me with himself, I escaped with a slight fright. However, what happened, according to Mr. Wenger, is nothing more than an attack on me, and for reasons unknown to us. August, I demand that you solve this case. Separately, I must say thank you for the employees you send, they do a good job. — Yes, of course, Mr. Reichsführer, we will figure it out. In the meantime, could you not leave the office, only if you have very necessary business and go home? — Do you understand what you are saying? — The Reichsführer raised an eyebrow. Henry, who had been silent until then, decided to support Augustus’s idea. — Mr. Reichsführer, August is right about something, you better not stick your head out now. until we find some clues. Moreover, don’t just drive. You are a public person, and the criminal probably knows about almost every step you take. Plus, you don’t want this to happen again. I’m sure he’s watching you. “Besides, you have a large staff and you can send a lot of people on your behalf,” August leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs. — Okay, I agree. Now go and work. The criminal should be found in the next week or two,” they stood up and left the office, looking at each other, they went to work on the case they had just compiled. “Tell me some important details,” August followed Wenger. “This was not a random attack; the ill-wisher either knows a lot about Himmler or has been following him for a long time. — But Himmler is a public figure, anyone can wish him dead. How can we identify the attacker in such a short time? — His goal was not achieved. He will prove himself yet,” Wenger walked ahead, as if making it clear that he was in charge here. However, noticing that Augustus was lagging behind, he also stopped. — Maybe someone from the opposition did this? — You think so? They usually act more subtly. “It seems to me that yes, only such a person could know him and know some details about him, for example, how he leaves the house, what time he goes to work, these details are not easy to find out,” Wenger raised his eyebrow. — Can you ask everyone who has ever had contact with him? — I’ll ask for the cases and compare. Either way, he’s an idiot to do something like that. — It wouldn’t hurt. Could you also request a file regarding Arthur? — August stood next to Wenger with his arms on his sides. — Do you think we didn’t remove everyone then? What happened to Arthur? “Someone hit him on the head at night, but the case was abandoned due to insufficient evidence, but it may be somehow connected. — Maybe I should visit Walter? He probably knows everything about everyone, who is now alive in the opposition,” Heinrich looked expectantly. “Walter…Isn’t he dead yet?” — August was surprised. — No, he’s still alive. I’m afraid we’ll have to go see him. Perhaps he will give us information and, if your theory is confirmed, I am afraid that this was the answer to you. Question: why did he wait so long? And why did you get so close? — Heinrich became thoughtful and his mind drifted away. — He waited. If he had shown up earlier, he would probably have been found. In addition, some thread must not be torn off. He rather sat in the shadows all this time and kept a low profile, directing the process and the participants. However, Arthur does not fit into this picture in any way,” Augustus muttered something under his breath. — Arthur… Maybe he got caught by chance or the thief was looking for something in his apartment? But then he should have appeared now or at least appeared somehow to find out about you, despite the fact that you are an officer, not everything can be found out about you. And since you still know Arthur, perhaps he wanted to find something in his apartment. I’m not sure that’s true, Wenger really was at a dead end. “Either he is also from the government, or he owns large companies that cooperate with the government. — But there are only a few of them! Remember, maybe someone close to him is passing through you? He could not help but interact with you and Himmler in any way,” Heinrich and August came out with documents and approached the car. “Hmmm,” he thought. — yes, there was Ralph Ulrich, that’s how he introduced himself. He said that he was supposedly a friend of Himmler at one of the public meetings. I didn’t know all of his friends, but he was always the closest. They were at home and gave his children gifts, so it’s unlikely that if he was one of my close people, I wouldn’t have forgotten him. — Okay, let’s go to Walter, he is the only survivor of them all. Let’s see what he has to say about all this. At least if we promise him a sweet carrot, for example, knocking off a couple of years, he will fall for it,” Wenger got behind the wheel. — And Eva? “August remembered this accomplice; she could also be useful to them. “She died a month ago from pneumonia,” August angrily pulled the pen towards himself, it really all smelled like a setup, he hoped that Walter would say at least something. Or he will kill him with his own hands. There was a terrible musty smell in the meeting chamber, and August shuddered from it. He remembered not the most pleasant things about prison. And so, the door opens, and a man comes in — slightly stooped, with large bruises under his eyes. If August had not known that he was dating Walter, he would hardly have recognized him as his now former enemy. A crooked back, rotten yellow teeth, a thinness that crippled him, and also a lack of composure and nervousness that showed in every movement. The man kept looking at the floor. Looking up, he gasped. — Well, hello, Walter Sachs. — What?! — the man’s eyes widened, either from horror or from excitement. The man stood for about five minutes and looked at both Augustus and Henry. His gaze was full of incomprehensibility. It was as if he couldn’t recognize them. In an instant, he opened his eyes wide and said: — It’s you! — he said this with some hatred and Heinrich was already thinking about calling the guards, or keeping the gun ready, but from August’s look he realized that he was safe and they could get by with ordinary words. “Yes, it’s me, Walter,” August sat down on a chair that stood next to the table. — How are you doing? You can’t even tell that you were once an officer. — Why did you come, it’s not just like that? — it was clear that he was not in the mood for conversation, but being rude now definitely did not suit him. He understood that now he was a pawn and, accordingly, he needed to do everything as they said, and they would leave. — Yes, it’s true, I came for a reason. You see, recently… August looked at Heinrich and he continued: “Recently there was an assassination attempt on the Reichsfuehrer; a stranger planted explosives under a car. Fortunately, no one was hurt,” Heinrich opened his folder with documents and pointed to a photo of the car. — What do I have to do with it? — He said this irritably, looking at the photo. “You see, we think you might know who’s behind this.” Besides, if this is one of Himmler’s ill-wishers, then you should know him. We assume that you all acted together or at least knew each other,” Heinrich looked carefully at how Walter looked at all this, then looked away, sighed, looked out the window behind which there was life. — To tell the truth… I don’t know who you’re talking about. I have nothing to do with it, I remember just when I returned, I found a note that somehow fell into my hands. — And what kind of note? — Augustus, who was now extremely curious, intervened in the conversation, he thought that all this was for a reason. “It was written there that the stranger wanted to get rid of Augustus just like Friedrich and I, but neither who he was nor why he wrote, he only said that we didn’t need to know this.” I didn’t attach any importance to this then, because I thought that this was Friedrich’s man. Or somehow related to him. If you are talking about Himmler, then there was not a word about him. Maybe they are two different people. — What kind of person is Friedrich? — Heinrich moved closer. “You lied in court then, saying that you were everyone involved in this case, that is, two murderers could definitely be free and trying to kill the Reichsfuehrer, and now not only him, do you understand what you did?” Do you know what goals Frederick pursued and why? — Heinrich was indignant, he knew that Walter was a fool, but also irresponsible… he sighed and rubbed his eyes. Yes, the matter is much deeper and stretches back to previous years. — No. First of all, I didn’t lie, because what would I say in court? Secondly, I didn’t know anything about him and didn’t want to lead myself into an even bigger hole; if you hadn’t found anything, you would have pinned it on me and I would have been imprisoned for an even longer term. And lastly, I didn’t know whether these were two people or one. I knew nothing about Frederick’s intentions, I assumed that there was someone else behind him, but he never spoke about him or told me. I just understood that his eternal excuse: “I envy Augustus” was just an excuse,” Walter bowed his head. “Anyway, you didn’t say anything about him, who do you think he is?” You probably had some thoughts, please share. — For what? I’ve told you everything I know, and besides, I’m a prisoner now, not one of the officers. “You do understand that you can get an even longer prison term for concealment?” — August bent down and hovered over him. — If only you could scare me with this, August Scholz. I still hate you for Lina’s death and I understand that it’s my fault, but if it weren’t for you, none of this would have happened. Your enemies are not over yet, which means you have the most important battle ahead, where you will be given a chance to show your true soul. “In any case, this has nothing to do with the main question of how everything is connected.” Okay, okay, did you know that Friedrich had a nephew? — Yes, I heard about it once. He mentioned this in passing, but I did not find out the details. “He was recently attacked,” Heinrich unfolded the protocol and Walter looked. — Do you think it’s him? — Yes, we are sure of this, however… “I think this is the same person, perhaps Arthur knows something and he decided to kill him, but these are just my assumptions.” “Thank you for the information,” Heinrich and August said goodbye to Walter and left, everyone was in a bad mood. The clouds were gathering and it was supposed to rain, the sun was setting in the clouds and it was getting cold. August lit a cigarette, his soul felt bad, he was afraid that Walter was right, he didn’t quite understand, besides, if he had to face his demons, be they mental or take the form of people, would he be sure that he could cope with them, however, he caught himself thinking that one person could give one more information. — August, is everything okay? “Heinrich was worried about him, it was clear that this was not easy for him. — Yes, I’m just a little tired. I think there is one more person who can help us. Walter is right, if Friedrich’s suicide and the attacks on Arthur are somehow connected, then perhaps we should head to the second one. However, the question is: what could Arthur know so that he could kill for it even after such a time? “I think maybe he didn’t know about its existence or thought that since you don’t communicate, there’s no threat.” — Or he wanted to lure Arthur to his side. However, when he refused, he entered his room and decided to kill him. We need to go. — Do you think he might know something? — the man looked at him incredulously. “If not, then he can show us where he lived, we can find something there,” August shook his head in agreement, the matter had to be moved, they should report to Himmler tomorrow. In the meantime, they only have the arguments of a prisoner who bears little resemblance to a normal person. — That’s also true, I think everything will become clear soon. *** Knocking on the door, he didn’t think that Arthur would open, or even more so, that he would talk about such a topic, but it was still worth a try. — August? “When Arthur opened the doors, he didn’t even immediately realize that he was standing in front of him. Today was his day off and he and Agnet had guests, but now it didn’t matter. — This is Heinrich Wenger. We are investigating a case, if you remember, about the Reichsführer,” August pointed at Heinrich with his gaze. He stood behind for a bit, not knowing how to behave. -Oh, hello. Come in,” Arthur allowed the guests to enter. “Darling, August came with Heinrich to find out about the Reichsfuehrer. “Hello,” she extended her hand and returned to the living room, where she and Charlotte played cards and drank wine. — So, why did you come? — Arthur turned his gaze again to the two standing in the corridor. — We came to ask you this… Did you know where your uncle lives? “August carefully took him aside. “I knew, but recently, and at our last meeting, he kept wanting to sell the apartment, but I don’t know if he really did it.” — Why did you stop communicating? — Heinrich realized that he had said too much and bit his lower lip. — Uncle himself stopped communicating. Once, I wanted to meet him, but he flatly refused and since then we have not communicated. If you,” he looked at August. — about that crime, I don’t know anything, I can only give you the address of his old apartment. And that’s it, I don’t know anything else about him. — Tell me, Arthur, did you remember the face of the one who hit you on the head or at least something? — August looked at him expectantly. “I only remember that he said the last thing… “and you are a traitor, like your uncle.” “I see, thank you very much, say hi to Charlotte and keep an eye on her.” “Okay,” they said goodbye to Arthur, and as soon as they crossed the threshold of the apartment, Heinrich immediately asked a question that worried him. — He’s tied up, don’t you think? — Henry was waiting for an answer, but Augustus was in no hurry “One night someone snuck into his house and hit him hard on the head with something heavy, and later disappeared and, judging by what the criminal said, it’s the same person. I think that yes, it’s connected, and directly,” Arthur looked at him, but it was clear that understanding was read in his eyes, and it really was a deep awareness of the situation. “I’ll ask for permission to search his office again, and you go to the apartment, I’ll come later.” — Do you think there’s something left there? So much time has passed, and I’m also surprised that the office is still empty. “The office must have been empty on Himmler’s orders.” Neither Walter’s office nor anyone occupied it, I don’t know the reason, if it wasn’t cleaned up, then it should remain. Although it is unlikely that he would store anything there, he most likely has a lot of things at home. “However, it’s still worth checking,” and with that they both said goodbye. August was overcome with anger and some mystery as to who it could be. Is this really Ralph? However, this would be too rash; maybe there are some people in the case who are even further away? However, sitting in the tank, Augustus understood that this time he should not make a mistake, he could not once again turn everything against his favor, and this is exactly what the one who wanted to remove him wanted. He was so angry that his cold gaze could kill anyone now. He flew into the house like a tornado, searching for anything in it. He was not going to stand on ceremony, however, as soon as he entered, he immediately moderated his ardor, realizing that he should not break anything here. He walked out of the corridor, which was all littered with boxes. He barely made it into the living room. The interior was poor: tattered walls, a table, and a chair, not of the best quality. August walked around and, approaching it, did not notice anything suspicious on the table. He began to open the boxes: on the left they contained various documentation, such as old reports and bank accounts for fairly small amounts, but the sender was extremely strange. — Wilhelm? “August was surprised who could have thought of calling a child that or was it a pseudonym, he looked at other accounts and they all had exactly the same sender. He was also interested in the date of the invoices; they had been sent since 1932, when August’s father died. And the money was sent from their family account, but why? He began rummaging through other cabinets, trying to find something, and in the last one he found a folder. Having opened it, he was horrified, it was information about him, a photograph of him from childhood, where he served and what awards and titles he received, and where he is now. He began to think: why did Frederick need this? Or maybe the person behind it all needed it. Now it’s clear, but what did Friedrich have to do with him, and what connected them, and what does Walter have to do with it? Among other rubbish in the closets, he found maps of Himmler’s work and schedule and his usual day, as well as a plan of his house, street, and many different plans with underground sewers. His thoughts were interrupted by Heinrich, who, entering the apartment, even scared August a little. — Well, is there anything? “Yes, there is,” Heinrich, going into the apartment, noticed that Augustus had dug up much more than he had, however, he had expected it, “Look, in his office we found a letter,” he unfolded it in front of Augustus, on it in the middle it was written: “Either you kill him or I will.” “It was about me,” August wanted to look at the date, but it wasn’t there. “But that’s not all,” Arthur took out another letter, which also said in the middle: “Either him or you. I won’t give you any more money,” Arthur looked at what was lying on the table. “Wait, so that’s why Friedrich has these accounts,” it dawned on August. — What bills? — Heinrich looked carefully at where they pointed him. “This is what I found, look,” he held out a folder with the case. “They collected information about you, quite a lot,” Heinrich looked and leafed through. — It’s almost all about you. There is also about the Reichsführer,” he looked at the plan, Heinrich bent down and began rummaging through the drawers on the other side, and discovered a diary. “Interesting,” he wiped the dust off it with his hand and opened the first page he came across. “Lord, when will this end? I hate it all. Coming to the Scholtz’s house is just a nightmare for me, looking at this wealth and realizing that half of it rightfully belongs to you. Well, it’s okay, someday I will take revenge on you all, I will shoot you all. 1931, winter"= “This is the personal diary of a criminal,” Augustus turned eight pages and came across an entry. “I know how I will destroy him: I will set him up. Yes, I have already recruited people for this. These idiots don’t even know what they’ve gotten themselves into! Fools, you yourself will fall into this pit, blinded by your thirst for power and revenge. 1934. “I know who I’ll remove. Now, since I failed to ambush him, I will kill another enemy of mine — Himmler. Oh, this fool took such a position, and I always remained in his shadow, what a pity that he will die. I remember how good it used to be, we were good friends or something like that, we would go for walks and always eat chocolate when we passed the Brandenburg Gate. Yes, it was a great time, we shared a lot. And especially our night walks on Sundays of every week. I still remember them. It’s a pity that all this is in the past. 1936” — Why does Friedrich have a diary? Although he clearly didn’t write it. And the ink is fresh. Perhaps a killer is coming here. “But that’s not all,” Heinrich looked at the checks that Augustus brought to his eyes. — Wait, why are they from your account? “And it’s not clear to me, besides, look, they have been sent since ’32, the year when my father died for unknown reasons.” “I think, August, he, like you, was blackmailed, and besides, it is completely clear that Friedrich Lehmann’s suicide was not suicide at all, but murder.” Besides, I think that your father’s death was not just like that,” Arthur concluded this and began to collect everything they found. August could barely stand on his feet. The amount of information that was revealed to him swam before his eyes, but Heinrich, who was nearby in time, grabbed him by the elbow and took him out of the apartment, sending him home. *** “Mr. Reichsführer,” Heinrich stood and reported for both of them. — in Friedrich’s office we found these letters that were addressed to him, and they were talking about Augustus. We also found a diary where you were mentioned. “Yes, I see,” he adjusted his glasses. “We also found invoices that were sent from his family’s account,” Heinrich also handed them over. — Wait, is there any money in the Scholz family accounts? August, did you know about this? — Himmler looked at August. — No, I knew absolutely nothing. I thought that we had no money, or that the accounts were frozen and everything went to pay off debts. But that’s not all, I was surprised by the fact that the money had been sent since 1932, when my father died, however, I don’t know how he had access to the money. Mr. Reichsführer, we are also ready to put forward the assumption that the attacks on you and the framing of August were carried out by one person. “We also found a folder with documents in which information about Augustus was collected during the period of his detention. —Have you been to Walter? — Both reacted instantly and nodded. Himmler leaned back in his chair and became thoughtful. Outside the window, branches were hitting the glass, only this sound relieved the silence that had already hung in the office for about two minutes. — Does he say anything? “No, he only says that he also received such letters, however, he makes an excuse,” Heinrich slowly bent his head to the side. — that he didn’t know who it was, and whether he was alone or there were two of them, we’re not sure of that either. He also supports the idea that the attack on Arthur Lehmann and the attack on you were carried out by the same person, as were the murders in the camp. — Don’t you want to hang a lot on one person? He did not influence the actions of Friedrich and Walter, he did not have time. Is there anything else you want to say? Henry silently looked at the floor, raised his head, which had been slightly lowered, and said: “We think that Friedrich Lehmann was killed, like Father Augustus, everything was done too slipperily.” — Are you sure? Okay, I can agree that Frederick was killed, but August’s father? It happened too long ago. Also the attack on Arthur… They have little connection. August, what do you think? — August sat and not a single thought passed through his head at that moment: he again plunged into the evening when he went to this meeting with Jens, and how, returning home, he did not understand anything. “Sorry, I… I don’t think Arthur was involved.” Perhaps they tried to persuade him to cooperate, they threatened him, or maybe he knows something,” Augustus looked down at the floor. — In any case, gentlemen, you still have time. And please, check everything again, if this is really the business of the Scholz family, then I don’t want to become a victim again,” Himmler hissed, but everyone already understood everything, and therefore, leaving the office, August leaned against the wall. Memories washed over him in waves. — August, are you okay? “Henry saw the man’s condition. And so he stood up, as if blocking him from curious glances. — Yes, everything is fine with me. Why didn’t you tell me the version about your father? — August looked at him angrily. — Because you reacted like this, and perhaps you would have put forward your own versions. It’s hard to believe this, but it seems to me that this version of what happened is the most logical. Anyway, let’s go to my office, you can tell me what happened that evening. — What if I don’t remember a lot? — Heinrich has already begun to leave. — Oh, don’t worry, people never forget changes. The reasons for these changes, whatever they were, are least forgotten — Henry disappeared around the bend. August, squinting from the sun beating into his eyes, followed him. Henry, in truth, now wanted to help Augustus. He had a friendly sympathy for this man, because he had seen what he was like when they first met. Now he radiated energy and strength that Henry could envy. Henry admired him; his mother raised him to understand that there are two types of envy: the kind that brings you down and the kind that lifts you up. The first envy is a terrible sin, you become evil and sink lower and lower, until your entire consciousness and subconscious turns into one continuous anger and hatred, and devours your soul. The second type can give you the energy to achieve the same results as someone who has what you want. And you do not cause harm and do not envy, but on the contrary, you improve and work to get it too, or even much more than you could imagine. Henry was overcome by the latter; he wanted to look at life’s obstacles the same way as Augustus and never lose heart. And always know that you have support. However, Henry also understood that his time for exploits was still a little bit away and had to come. He opened the doors, and he and Augustus went into his office. “Sorry, I don’t have as much light and space as you do,” Heinrich tried to joke, but from the expression on August’s face he realized that this was a bad idea and so he immediately got down to business. “So, let’s remember what happened that day,” Augustus leaned back in his chair, once again, closing his eyes, he immersed himself in that day. — I was sitting on a chair on the balcony… “No, I didn’t mean that, I meant the death of your father and what happened after it,” Augustus understood what he meant, and, having replayed his whole day in his head, began to remember the evening. — I was returning home and saw a car with a doctor. I immediately ran upstairs, but the doors were closed. — So you weren’t home before the doctor? — No. I was not. Jens dragged me to a party, an open meeting of the SS, you wonder how I would have known about them. — What happened next? — Heinrich wrote down everything in detail. “Then we sat in nervous anticipation for about two hours, maybe an hour, the doctor came out and said that my father was no more. — For what reason was the doctor called? “The servant, whom I stopped as soon as I saw what happened, said that he had something wrong with his heart.” “Did your father suffer from something like this before?” — Heinrich looked at him expectantly. — Yes, I wouldn’t say… When I asked my mother to explain what happened, she only answered that they had dinner, and he suddenly felt bad. — If I understand everything correctly, was there a rift in your family? — Yes it’s true. Mother pretended to love my father, although I realized this only after his death — they silently looked at each other. — What happened after the death and after the body was taken away? — Hmm. Mia called and she and her mother talked about something, later they handed the phone to me, my sister and I, as always, spoke in elevated tones, she said that I was nobody, and that I should refuse the inheritance, and that she and her mother would take possession of everything. — And what did you answer? — Yes, essentially nothing, I already understood it, but I didn’t want to argue, and I didn’t have the strength then, to be honest, so I agreed. “As I understand it, your sister has arrived and you…” Heinrich did not finish, Augustus continued. — She arrived. But I didn’t leave my room for a week. And later, when the short trials began, during which my mother died, Mia gave up her position and I, realizing that there was no point in fighting, simply gave up and left. — Why did your mother die? The gap between the deaths of father and mother was too short, it felt like it was specially arranged. — She died of an ulcer. According to the servants' stories, she hid it for a long time, but I didn’t believe it. At first, I actually thought that Mia killed her so as not to be in the power of her mother anymore. But now I doubt that too. — Okay, tell me, how did you discover the debts? — Heinrich leaned back on his chair and lit a cigarette. “Completely by accident,” August looked out the window, where birds were moving along the branches and knocking on the window. “Mia called me one evening and told me to come to her estate, supposedly she had found something. — And what was there? “When I arrived, she was sitting all beside herself. She had a husband, but Mia married him only because she wanted to escape from her parents, I realized this later. I read that my sister’s husband was also a fairly wealthy man, but in the same thirty-second year he suddenly, again for unknown reasons, went bankrupt. “That was not clear to me either.” August poured himself some water, his throat was dry. — Besides, where did we get these debts from? Moreover, they appeared at one moment, I don’t think that my father, who owns several factories, took it all and spent it all before his death. — But even if this is so, why then were they discovered only after his death? He had large sums of money; they could not have gone unnoticed by you. “Besides, if you think about it like that, they all appeared at once, this simply couldn’t happen.” — Tell me, August, do you know where your inheritance is now? — I have no idea. I didn’t even bother to clarify, I had neither the strength, nor the time, nor the desire. I recently just bought some things from my old house for an apartment, however, I don’t know where the house itself is, we had more than one. — And what about those houses, you also don’t know? — No, this makes me think that my sister was somehow involved in this, she was at the same time with her mother, but maybe she also had her own goals. — I thought about that too. In addition, it was not for nothing that she fell into the opposition, and it was not for nothing that she collaborated with Walter and Friedrich. Maybe they all have the same customer? — August sighed, a huge amount of excitement and turmoil rose in his soul at that moment. He rushed from one idea to another, from the second to the third; and again and again he could not imagine the complete picture that he had been trapped since childhood. However, maybe he just couldn’t look at it in time, but kept running and running and running. From himself and from his former life. Perhaps he was a prisoner of everything he ever dealt with, maybe he is one of the mechanisms of this system? He was so carried away by this that he did not immediately notice how Heinrich left, leaving him alone with his thoughts. He returned again and again to his past self and now, already from the superior days and years he had lived, he realized how stupid and naive he was, but he did not reproach himself for it. He realized that without this experience he might not be who he is today. “So,” Heinrich sat down in his place again, which brought Augustus out of the veil of thoughts. — What did you bring? — A folder with your sister’s file. It still haunts me that she has gone into opposition. If you say that she was weak without a mother and you quickly stopped legal proceedings against her, then why did she decide to kill you: she, like you, was disinherited? There is no money, then what is the reason? She is a woman, and they don’t get involved in such things at all. Suppose, even if her husband went bankrupt, and Friedrich saved her by bailing her out with your own money, could the stranger have sent it only to help Mia? “Personal enmity,” Augustus moved closer. “Too petty to kill your brother.” Someone must be behind this, and obviously a person who knows your family well,” Heinrich began rummaging through the documents. August felt nothing; he again plunged into memories of his sister’s death. — What else is this? — He showed August a photograph depicting almost all family members. — Only you are not here. “Mia is very little, her grandmother is still alive here,” August looked carefully at the faces. He had forgotten what they all looked like, he didn’t have a single family photo left, not even his father, so he looked with warmth, exactly until the moment he came across an unfamiliar face. — Where did I see him? “August began to remember, he clearly knew this man. — I remembered! — Augustus stood up from his chair as a result of the memory that dawned on him. — This is Ralph Ulrich, who came to our wedding. “We’re going to him, he should know, and a lot,” they stood up, collected everything they had, and left. August’s heart was beating wildly. He must find out the truth and end this. It turned out that Ulrich was the owner of several confectionery shops in the city, and, going into one of them, where the owner himself was located on the second floor, Heinrich ordered to be escorted out. He told August to stay, but did not explain the reason. August understood everything perfectly: he himself needed to sort this out, and August would be of little use. Heinrich was indeed taken into a small and stuffy office, all littered with papers; the owner was sitting in the corner. He was of medium build—a man of about fifty—with short hair, a beard, and brown eyes. In his every movement one could read some kind of nervousness and uncontrollable emotions. When they were left alone, the man took off his glasses and, looking menacingly at Heinrich, ordered the seller to leave. —What does the Gestapo owe? — The man poured water into his glass. — Heinrich Wenger. I’d like to ask you a couple of questions. “I’m paying attention,” the man smiled strangely. “As you probably already know, the Reichsfuehrer was recently attacked,” Heinrich began to slowly approach. This person simply cannot be figured out. — Yes, I know. It’s good that our Reichsführer remained alive, how would we be without him,” the man said this with commendable patriotism, but Heinrich was not deceived by this, it was a theater, he understood it immediately, but continued to pretend that it was going on. — I don’t understand what I have to do with it. — Well, we assume that you might know the criminal. — Why do you think so? — the man said it loudly. “You see, you were familiar with the Scholz family,” Ralph’s face immediately changed at the mention of this surname. He became angry. “And we suspect her, and we would like you to assist in the investigation. Tell us everything you know,” He lied, but it was a white lie, the man, judging by his relaxed shoulders and a small and short smile, was happy. “What can I say, dirty family,” he spread his arms to the sides. “Terribly dirty, I knew him personally, I heard that this family made a business out of poisons,” the man raised his voice and took a sip from the glass. — Tell me, were you familiar with the Reichsfuehrer? “We knew each other in childhood and then when I was about fifteen. Then he went to work. — Fine. Tell me then, how do you explain this photograph? — Heinrich took out a photograph from the folder. — Oh, this one… it was made when the head of the family invited all the competitors to his home for the New Year. Basically, this happened every year. However, I didn’t like going there and also receiving photographs from them afterwards. — Can you show photos from previous years? You should have had them too. — Unfortunately no. I don’t have a single one,” the man looked away. So he’s lying, and quite blatantly. — Oh, excuse me, did you find anything on her? — the man asked this question. “For now, the investigation is at a dead end, but I think that everything will be clarified soon.” Tell me, do you know anyone from his family? — No, I knew my father, but he died in thirty-two from heart problems on his estate. — Where did you get such accurate information? — he must make a mistake somewhere, everything cannot be perfect. “This was known to everyone who had ever worked or somehow collaborated with them; their products were sold in my store. — But you say that they worked with poisons. How could there be poisons in a candy store? “They worked not only with hazardous substances, but also with dyes for candy. “I see,” so he made a mistake. Augustus said that his family owned factories for the production of medicines, and nothing else. — I think there is one more question. Tell me, were you close to his children? — No wasn `t. I saw their eldest daughter, her name is Mia, if my memory serves me correctly. I don’t know anything else, I can’t help. “Then goodbye,” the man stood up and extended his hand as a sign of farewell. Heinrich shook it and left the office. Augustus was drinking coffee; noticing Heinrich, he perked up. A girl was sitting next to him, he did not know her, so when she tried to attract his attention, he did not react, so Heinrich, who had just arrived, was his salvation — Well, did you manage to find out anything? “For now, I know that he is to blame for what is happening, and most likely there is not even a score to settle with you, but rather with your family.” However, we have no direct evidence, only indirect evidence, we need to find something, at least something,” the man’s eyes darted around, it was clear that he was looking for support, but there was none. — let’s go to the office, in any case, we won’t do anything like that now, we’ll sit and see what’s what. “Yes, come on, you’re right,” they left the cafe and August looked back and met his gaze, he shuddered a little, he turned away, and they walked to the car. *** — Well, where have you been? — Ralph, holding the pistol in his hands, looked at Louise. — What difference does it make to you? — she answered in the same tone as him. — Do you want to be insolent to me? — He approached her in two steps. — Why not? Investigators came to see you today, did you really think that no one would find out about anything?! Not today or tomorrow they will reveal you. “Do you really think those two idiots will ever find me out?” — Ralph laughed at the top of his voice, a cry of madness was heard in him. — They found your subordinates, or whatever you call them? “They were stupid people who obeyed me because of their sins.” However, like you, he moved a meter away. This woman was not just a former servant in the Scholz family, she witnessed all his dangerous games, and she could go to them at any moment. He didn’t intend to anger her, if anyone could give information and sink him, it would be her. — In any case, Mr. Ulrich, I am not going to remain silent any longer. I’ve been your hostage for five years and it’s time to end it! — with these words she rushed to the door, he rushed after her, but before he could, she slipped out into the street. Louise, a former servant in the Scholz house, was a modest but well-mannered girl. And she really intended to run to the office before she was found. Ralph killed so many people for his plan and dragged in just as many more, and all this time she could have helped, but she was silent, and this silence was killing her. All these five years. She ran across the square and saw nothing, only the tears that stood in her eyes. She saw the bodies of those who died, as it seemed to her, from her guilt, and tears fell in hail again and again. She didn’t even realize that security stopped her at the entrance. She remembered that she asked to bring Heinrich, a young boy. She collapsed helplessly near the guards when Heinrich finally arrived. — Who is this? — Heinrich asked. He heard these screams from afar, but when he came out, he realized that these were not just soldiers’ negotiations. — This girl called you, though it’s unclear why. Maybe call… “I’ll call Scholz myself, no need to panic.” For now, take the girl to my office. Henry went to the archives, where some of the court cases were stored. He intended to find all the files for the thirty-second year and find among them the case of the Scholz family. In general, all this reminded Wenger of a family drama, where someone was not given a piece of a big pie called money. He rummaged around and, not finding anything suitable, returned. The girl seeking his audience was clearly a sign of fate. Heinrich believed that fate always gives us clues, but we do not always notice what it tells us, and therefore we wander along the wrong paths for years. He returned to the office, Augustus was already waiting on the threshold. When he asked what kind of girl was eager to see him, Heinrich remained silent. He himself did not know anything, and preferred to remain silent in this case. “So, my lady, have you come to your senses yet?” — Heinrich looked at the girl. The girl, without saying anything, turned her gaze to August and Arthur, who was also called into the office for additional questions. “Mr. Scholz, you have changed so much,” she breathed. — What are you speaking about? — both looked at each other, August concentrated, but could not remember her. “You probably don’t remember me.” Louise, I used to work in your house,” the girl looked into August’s eyes again, hoping that he would recognize her. — Louise?! — the man was sincerely surprised. It was his nanny, who disappeared somewhere without a trace after his father’s death. — What are you doing here? “I came to tell you about the murders committed by Ralph Ulrich. *** Damn, how could he have missed this moment? They should have locked her in the basement and he let her work in the store, damn, where is she now? Ralph was driving at high speed. Damn, it looks like he’ll have to kill another one, but he didn’t want to waste any more cartridges just like that, he thought that he would definitely kill Augustus now. He reproached himself for this, but the pistol, or rather two, were loaded with cartridges and today he would kill them both. He slowly drove through the streets of Berlin, the night was most suitable for murders, the moon lit his way today. Driving past the headquarters, he noticed her. She walks in the company of the three people who were with him this morning. The perfect moment. A veil filled his eyes, and he himself moved as if under water. He drove up, got out of the car, and, aiming at August, fired. Arthur, seeing the stranger from afar, covered August with himself, the first bullet flew to him. He fell like a limp doll onto the asphalt. The second bullet struck Louise’s body, followed immediately by a third. August, picking up Louise in his arms, only looked at Ralph, who was laid down by the soldiers. Heinrich shouted that they needed to leave, and they slowly walked away from the open space. He tried to carefully carry the girl to the infirmary. Heinrich accompanied Augustus to the doctor, and rushed to the killer, who was being taken to the isolation ward. “Fifteen lashes, I think, is enough for him,” Henry gave the order. Although he understood that Ralph would say everything himself, Henry could not resist using force. August sat in absolute silence. Doctors pronounced Louise dead. He was covered in her blood, or rather his jacket. Arthur was still being rescued; the bullet did not hit his heart. August felt the deepest guilt before her; she was the only witness, and had so little time to tell. Heinrich didn’t really believe her, so he quickly ended the conversation, but she told him something important. The last family photo taken in 1931 on New Year’s Eve before Mia’s wedding. Now he looked at him and did not know who to blame: himself or Ralph, with whom he would now have to deal. He didn’t know, his hands were shaking, and he really wanted to go to Charlotte, but his wife didn’t know this. And he didn’t really want to tell her. So all he could do was just imagine how he would extract information from Ralph. “August,” Heinrich approached him and clearly for a reason. He stood up and immediately cleaned himself up. He put on a new jacket with all the awards and gave his face a stony expression. “Come on, I can’t wait to clean his face!” “Henry saw fire in those eyes. Hatred for an unexpected enemy now demanded immediate blood. So he nodded silently and followed him. They entered the cold basement. It smelled of dampness and blood, they were tortured here, and he was not the first. Henry ordered the light to be shined on him and Augustus saw what for a moment seemed to him to be a beautiful picture: a heap of blood, shaking limbs. He was suspended from chains and could barely stand. Yes, the whip does a lot of things. “So, do you have anything to tell me?” — August put a chair opposite and sat down, he looked with his frozen eyes into his eyes, where rage and hatred were visible. — What to say? I hated your family and you. You all. — We already know that. Let’s start with the main thing, who are you to my family? — I am your father’s friend. “You said the same thing at the wedding, but I don’t believe it.” I don’t remember you among those invited to the annual celebrations. Besides, how did you know Himmler? “That’s because we had a fight with your father before you showed up.” And about Himmler I answered your friend. — And why didn’t you share? “Money,” he said greedily. — What money? — Don’t you guess? Your father deceived me! We started to build a business together with him and we also had one company, but later, in 1915, your father took me out of business, accused me of theft, slandered me and I went to prison. And he came out fifteen years later, when you were living happily ever after. He appropriated all the money for himself, so I decided to send your whole family to the next world. “Let’s assume that’s true, then what does all of us have to do with it, and explain those bills in my sister’s house.” — Oh, you mean that. Don’t you want to know how I killed your father? He died far from his heart,” Augustus shifted his gaze. — I had to involve your mother, who also wanted money, like me. She gave him poison when no one was home, especially you. She would have killed you too, but I told her not to rush. — And? “Your mother turned out to be such a bitch.” She decided to split the money in half, so she decided to go to France with Mia and leave me some savings in her account, and so I killed her. — And how? — Oh, I just shot her. This was seen by Louise, whom I had to take on as an accomplice, and by your sister, who later, due to fortunate circumstances, lay low. — Even if so, what does this have to do with me? I never claimed the money and, if you don’t know, I left the estate. — I know. You joined the SS thinking everything would be fine, but your family’s bankruptcy didn’t just happen. — Mia’s husband also died because of you? — No… he died a natural death, but that was only to my advantage. I made false documents and took your money. And he left the debts of his store, which were transferred to your father’s name. — And what happened next? — I found Friedrich. This man was looking for fame, and through him I contacted your sister and also gave her commands. I didn’t think that you would kill her, you turned out to be very strong. Walter… let’s move on to him, this man acted on his own, and I did not have time to study him, but he acted together with Friedrich, so so far everything was going according to plan. They pursued their plans, I pursued mine. After a failed attempt to kill you… “You sent him a letter with threats, and he, unable to bear it, shot himself in the head. — No. I walked in the back door, pretending to be a soldier, crossed the entire building undetected and shot him as if he had done it himself. — What about the car explosion? You’ve gone so far in your games that you haven’t seen anything in front of you. “I thought that you would go there, but I miscalculated, my mistake.” However, that’s not all. “Did you do all this for money?” “August sat with hatred on his face, he was shaking with rage and the understanding that money is a black and terrible invention of man, which only brings suffering to people. — Do you think it’s not worth it? — Of course not! You are absorbed in your non-existent world. You are pathetic. You know what I’ll tell you, money is dirt and darkness. — But no, this is a light that can help you with anything. “You can see how they helped you.” No, you don’t understand why it’s dark. You have never had large amounts of money and you don’t know what it is. I grew up in luxury and wealth, but it did not help me. Every night I cried into my pillow because children of rich parents always have to keep the bar. We have no right to complain about how tired we sometimes get from all this. Your childhood was probably as fun as the childhood of Henry, Arthur and Charlotte. You walked after school and walked, ran through the streets and thought about absolutely nothing, but do you know what I did? I was going home, or rather, the driver took me and he also picked me up. And I had extra classes. I didn’t play as a child. I don’t know what childhood is. I only know that after school I came home and a whole line of people taught, taught, taught me. I don’t remember walking with other children, I don’t remember anything. I remember learning languages ​​and changing boarding houses, and also learning to play instruments. And then he went to bed and sobbed at the top of his lungs,” Henry and the soldier standing next to him looked at each other. To them, to everyone present here, the whole truth was revealed about how difficult it is for the children of rich parents. — How I spent my entire childhood alone, not seeing my only friend Jens for months. How much I envied him when he could calmly rush through the streets and do whatever his heart pleased, when he could smile from ear to ear, and you were forced to hide everything, because you are an heir, you are the child of rich parents, why you should complain! Remember, everyone has disadvantages and if you think that rich people don’t have them, you’re wrong! This feeling of loneliness when you slide down the wall at night and close the doors, when you take off your masks and even have no one to complain to, because no one will understand you, everyone will say: “you have money, why should you complain.” We may not have to think about what to eat or buy. However, you have freedom and the right to choose — something that we, the children of rich parents, are deprived of forever and ever. We have no right to choose in anything. Neither in preferences, nor in clothes, nor in love — everything is decided for you! You may ask, why can’t we say no? Try it! Weak? We are not cowards, we are hostages and slaves of money, just like you, and the only thing we have left is to read and dream, and also draw. Ordinary people don’t have time for this. You are too busy with pressing matters. When your life is planned out, everything becomes a burden for you, you understand that everything, absolutely everything, goes in circles and will continue to do so for years,” Augustus stood up from his chair and came close to him. — Remember, money is not a bandage; you cannot apply it to your heart when it is killed by loneliness. “I hope your wife is home, because now he’s going to explode,” said Ralph, who had previously calmly endured August’s speeches and smiled like a real crazy person. “I couldn’t help but arrange a celebration.” — Oh my God! — August ran to the phone and started calling. No one answered the phone, and Ralph continued to shake with laughter like a real madman. August, unable to bear it, took out a pistol and, taking aim, shot at him. And then another, and another, and another, until the cartridges ran out and the killer hung like a rag doll. He dropped the gun and ran upstairs towards his house, pushing aside everyone in his path, thinking of only one thing, just to make it in time. A completely peaceful life flowed around. He ran towards his house and, noticing Charlotte, began shouting to her from afar. The girl, who was walking leisurely, at first did not even understand that her husband was shouting to her, and therefore stopped. — Charlotte! “August ran up to her and only managed to bend her to the ground when a roar was heard behind them and glass fell down. For the first ten minutes, the girl was in a state of shock and affect, August shouted something to her, examined her, and she could only nod. He hugged her tightly and understood that everything could be fixed, as long as everyone was alive. Fortunately, that was the case. It’s all over. — August, what was that? — The girl was unable to think. “Everything will be fine, I’ve finally figured it out. — Is it true?! — the girl began to cry. — Is it true. “Don’t worry about the apartment, we have somewhere to live,” he hugged her tightly and kissed her on the forehead. *** August sat on the balcony of his estate on the outskirts of Berlin. He, having bought it and everything that was left in it, now sat, looking into the distance, thinking about the future. Recently, his life path was difficult, but he was finally able to reveal the secret of his past and could now live in peace. He recalled how in the summer of 1932 he sat in the same way and was carefree and young. He thought about his father’s words when he insisted that they were finished, and drew a parallel with how his life had now changed. He suffered a lot, but did not give up. He is no longer the boy who believes in goodness. But he believes in justice, which does not always take his side. He left that very young self somewhere there, on the threshold of the commission in the SS, he left his former self somewhere far away, beyond the mists of weekdays. And yet he was happy, he understood that he had everything ahead of him. Everyone around is talking about the impending war on the world and that Germany will take over the world, but Augustus does not want to choose anything at all and participate in the war. He was pleased that now he could live calmly and not be afraid of anything, considering this a stupid activity. Moreover, if this happens, he will accept this fight. Evil made him strong, murders strengthened his endurance, but this does not mean that life became a bargaining chip for him. This is something to be proud of. Therefore, he will carry evil as a weapon against even greater evil, and bring goodness and understanding to the world. Guests were gathering downstairs, so Augustus, as a full-fledged owner, could not be late. In addition, they had something to celebrate: the birth of their first child with Charlotte and the wedding of Agnet and Arthur. Feeling good, he put out the cigarette and went downstairs.