“Al, this is Rolf. You are helping build some of the facilities and buildings for the Olympics. I need to ask, what would several thousand gallons of nitric acid do to those buildings?”
On the other end of the phone Al Anderson cringed. “Nitric acid? What potency?”
“One hundred percent. There seems to have been a theft at the local fertilizer plant.”
Anderson thought a minute. “Rolf, that stuff would eat up a foundation in a matter of days. Most of our work is reinforced concrete. That acid would eat through it, make it brittle and corrode the steel rods. Put people in the stadium, on the ski tower or in one of the dorms and it would collapse. Luckily, just about anyone would be able to see it. It would be hard to disguise. You think we are a target?”
“I’m not sure. But you know I have to think about all possibilities.”
“I tell you what Rolf, I’ll have my guys recheck what we have done so far. I’ll also have them check any tanks around the buildings just in case something might be stored close enough to do some damage. I’ll also get in touch with the other contractors and the Olympic organizers. We’ll take this as a possible threat and make sure it can’t happen. We’re lucky that this stuff is so corrosive. It can’t be stored for a long time, so it’s a little early to do us any harm. But better safe than sorry,” Anderson said.
“Thanks Al. I may be premature, but I can’t think of a worse use for the stuff. If I’m lucky, someone will call and tell me it’s all an accounting error, but I don’t think so,” Dresner said to his friend.
“No problem Rolf. I agree. If we do find something, I’ll let you know,” Anderson said.
“Thanks Al,” he said before hanging up. At least that made him feel a little better. Al would make sure nothing harmed his buildings or equipment, and would alert the others. Next he picked up the phone to call the Olympic security people. They would be an extra bit of insurance.
“There are people checking all the Olympic buildings and venues for traces of acid, Herr Colonel,” said Helmud Strasser, head of the SS security team. “It appears they have discovered our theft.”
Müller sat back and pondered the situation. “This is unfortunate. Mantz told us they would never find out. It seems he was premature. At least they are looking in the wrong direction.”
“Yes, Herr Colonel, but do they suspect Mantz? If they find out about him, it may lead to us,” said Strasser.
Müller nodded. “I agree. We cannot be too careful. Make arrangements for Mantz to be followed. If he is suspect, we should know in a short period of time. Then we can act accordingly.”
Strasser gave a salute and exited the room. Müller thought a moment. Getting rid of a team member would not be a good thing at this stage, but it may be necessary. Luckily he had no qualms about giving the order. He had done so on many such occasions. He got up from his desk and went down the hall and knocked lightly on a door.
“Come in,” came the voice from inside. Müller entered and saluted General Kammler, seated in a shirt with plain trousers. “What is it Müller?” he asked pleasantly.
“We may have a security breach. Strasser just reported the locals in Innsbruck are searching the Olympic grounds for evidence of nitric acid. So it appears they have discovered our theft. As a precaution, I am having Mantz followed for a while to make sure there are no suspicions of him.”
Kammler nodded. “Very good. I am relieved they are searching the Olympic grounds. It means they suspect sabotage of the games. They will probably inspect local dams and bridges. As long as it remains there, we will not be discovered. What will you do if he is being watched?”
“The usual, Herr General. There will be an accident,” Müller said calmly.
“Make sure of it. I want nothing pointed in our direction. You might have Strasser be prepared in case Mantz starts driving to this facility and is followed. They might need to stop him before he gets here,” the general said.
“Jawohl, Herr General!” Müller said as he saluted and left the room. Things had just become more complicated.
Chapter 7
Alarms
Al Anderson had a bad day. He knew he was coming down with something and just didn’t feel like doing anything but go to bed. Helga had prepared the meal for the evening and had taken the night off. Mary served it, but he had only taken a bite before pushing the plate away. It wasn’t long after that when both Mary and Kate had come upstairs complaining about sleepiness and had gone to bed as well. He figured they might be coming down with the same thing. Must be a virus of some kind, he thought.
Whatever it was kept him from getting to sleep. He tossed and turned. Late in the evening he heard what he thought was a diesel engine near the entrance of the valley. Seeing Mary was sound asleep, he got up and put on his robe to see what was going on.
Ten minutes later, Al rushed into the room desperately trying to wake Mary. It seemed to take forever for her to come awake enough to move. “Get up quick,” he said hurriedly. “We have to get Kate and get out of here,” he nearly shouted. Kate was just as difficult to awaken, but soon all three were rushed downstairs and out to the garage. Al nearly threw his still groggy wife and daughter into the Pontiac, started the engine and slammed the gearshift into reverse. The rear wheels spun on the light gravel as he backed the car out of the garage and into the courtyard, then shifting into drive, spun gravel against the house as he forced the car through the gate and down the road. Picking up speed, Al thought he was home free until he saw a lone figure in his headlights wearing a grey uniform with a red arm band pointing something at them. He jammed his foot on the accelerator to run the man down when he saw an instant flash.
The man in the uniform walked around the wreck of the Pontiac and looked into the smoking interior. The two in the front seat were dead, but there were moans coming from the body in the back. He drew his pistol and pulled the trigger twice. The moans ceased. He walked back toward a truck at the entrance to the tunnel with a hose leading to a place off to the right. He had a report to make, and a mess to clean up.
Rolf Dresner came in to work early as usual. He was surprised to see his Chief waiting for him in his office. He bid Dresner to come in and handed him a sheet of paper.
“We just got this in about two hours ago. The housekeeper reported an accident on the road leading up to your friend’s house. I think you will want to look into this personally. If you can’t handle it, let me know,” he said sadly.
Dresner scanned the report. A vehicle ran through the guardrail and over the ledge. It was an American Pontiac. Dresner could not believe his eyes. This couldn’t be right. He looked up at his Chief with worry. “Is it them?”
The Chief nodded. “The housekeeper said no one is in the house except her and the butler. The car is gone. She said she saw some flames flickering at the bottom of the mountain. You better get up there.”
Dresner pressed the button on his desk. In a moment, Betz was there. He looked at the Chief. “I have a job to do,” Dresner said stoically. “Come Sergeant, I’ll need you today.”