Then Von Tiebolt—Tennyson saw him through the window; their eyes met, and the image of marble collapsed. The blond man’s eyes were alive and penetrating. He pushed himself away from the railing and walked toward the terrace door.
Stepping inside, he extended his hand. «I am the son of Wilhelm von Tiebolt.»
«I’m … Noel Holcroft. My … father was Heinrich Clausen.»
«I know. Helden has told me a great deal about you. You’ve been through a lot.»
«We both have,» agreed Holcroft. «I mean, your sister and I. I gather you’ve had your share, too.»
«Our legacy, unfortunately.» Tennyson smiled. «It’s awkward meeting like this, isn’t it?»
«I’ve been more comfortable.»
«And I’ve not said a word,» interjected Helden. «You were both quite capable of introducing yourselves. I’ll leave now.»
«You certainly don’t have to,» said Tennyson. «What we have to say to each other concerns you, I think.»
«I’m not sure it does. Not for the moment. Besides, I have something to do,» replied Helden. She started toward the foyer. «I think it’s terribly important—for a great many people—that you trust each other. I hope you can.» She opened the door and left.
Neither man spoke for several moments; each looked toward the spot where Helden had stood.
«She’s remarkable,» said Tennyson. «I love her very much.»
Noel turned his head. «So do I.»
Tennyson acknowledged the look as well as the statement. «I hope it’s not a complication for you.»
«It isn’t, although it may be for her.»
«I see.» Tennyson walked to the window and gazed outside. «I’m not in a position to give you my blessing—Helden and I live very separate lives—and even if I could, I’m not sure I would.»
«Thanks for your frankness.»
The blond man turned. «Yes, I’m frank. I don’t know you. I know only what Helden has told me about you, and what I’ve learned for myself. What she tells me is basically what you’ve told her, colored by her feelings, of course. What I’ve learned is not so clear-cut. Nor does the composite fit my sister’s rather enthusiastic picture.»
«We both have questions. Do you want to go first?»
«It doesn’t really matter, does it? Mine are very few and very direct.» Tennyson’s voice was suddenly harsh. «What was your business with Maurice Graff?»
«I thought Helden told you.»
«Again it was what you told her. Now, tell me. I’m somewhat more experienced than my sister. I don’t accept things simply because you say them. Over the years, I’ve learned not to do that. Why did you go to see Graff?»
«I was looking for you.»
«For me?»
«Not you, specifically. For the Von Tiebolts. For information about any of you.»
«Why Graff?»
«His name was given to me.»
«By whom?»
«I don’t remember…»
«You don’t remember? Of thousands and thousands of men in Rio de Janeiro, the name of Maurice Graff just happens to be the one casually given to you.»
«It’s the truth.»
«It’s ludicrous.»
«Wait a minute.» Noel tried to reconstruct the sequence of events that led him to Graff. «It started in New York…»
«What started? Graff was in New York?»
«No, the consulate. I went to the Brazilian consulate and spoke to an attaché. I wanted to find out how I’d go about locating a family that had immigrated to Brazil in the forties. The attaché put the facts together and figured out I was looking for Germans. He gave me a lecture about … well, there’s a Spanish phrase for it. La otra cara de los alemanes. It means the other side of the German; what’s beneath his thinking.»
«I’m aware of that. Go on.»
«He told me there was a strong, close-knit German community in Rio run by a few powerful men. He warned me about looking for a German family that had disappeared; he said it could be dangerous. Maybe he exaggerated because I wouldn’t give him your name.»
«Thank God you didn’t.»
«When I got to Rio, I couldn’t find out anything. Even the immigration records were doctored.»
«At great cost to a great many people,» said Tennyson bitterly. «It was our only protection.»
«I was stuck. Then I remembered what the attaché had said about the German community being run by a few powerful men. I went to a German bookstore and asked a clerk about the houses. Large ones, mansions with a lot of acreage. I called them ‘Bavarian,’ but he knew what I meant. I’m an architect and I figured—»
«I understand.» Tennyson nodded. «Large German estates, the most influential leaders in the German community.»
«That’s right. The clerk gave me a couple of names. One was Jewish, the other was Graff. He said Graff’s estate was among the most impressive in Brazil.»
«It is.»
«And that’s it. That’s how I came to go to Graff.»
Tennyson stood motionless, his expression noncommittal. «It’s not unreasonable.»
«I’m glad you think so,» said Noel.
«I said it was reasonable; I didn’t say I believed you.»
«I’ve no reason to lie.»
«Even if you do, I’m not sure you have the talent. I’m very good at seeing through liars.»
Noel was struck by the statement. «That’s practically what Helden said the night I met her.»
«I’ve trained her well. Lying is a craft; it must be developed. You’re out of your depth.»
«What the hell are you trying to say?»
«I’m saying you’re a very convincing amateur. You built your story well, but it is not sufficiently professional. Your keystone is missing. As an architect, I’m sure you understand.»
«I’ll be goddamned if I do. Tell me.»
«With pleasure. You left Brazil knowing the name Von Tiebolt. You arrive in England and within twelve hours you’re in a suburb of Portsmouth with my sister, sleeping with my sister. You didn’t even have the name of Tennyson. How could you possibly have known about Beaumont?»
«But I did have the name of Tennyson.»
«How? How did you get it?»
«I told Helden. This couple, a brother and sister named Cararra, came to see me at the hotel.»
«Oh, yes. Cararra. A very common name in Brazil. Did it mean anything to you?»
«Of course not.»
«So these Cararras come to see you, out of nowhere, claiming to be dear friends of ours. But as Helden told you, we’ve never heard of them. Come, Mr. Holcroft, you’ll have to do better than that.» Tennyson raised his voice. «Graff gave you Beaumont’s name, didn’t he? ODESSA to ODESSA.»
«No! Graff didn’t know. He thinks you’re still hiding somewhere in Brazil.»
«He said that?»
«He implied it. The Cararras confirmed it. They mentioned some colonies in the south—‘Catarinas,’ or something. A mountain region settled by Germans.»
«You’ve done your homework well. The Santa Catarinas are German settlements. But again, we’re back to the elusive Cararras.»
Noel remembered clearly the fear in the faces of the young brother and sister in Rio. «Maybe they’re elusive to you, but not to me. You’ve either got a lousy memory or you’re a lousy friend. They said they barely knew Helden, but knew you very well. They risked a hell of a lot to come and see me. Portuguese Jews who—»