Chapter 10 The Unfortunate Encounter

830 Zulu, Saturday, July 25, 1981, Mercure Hotel, Dortmund

Maria received a phone call the previous evening asking for Marlene so she knows the meeting in Dortmund is on. She went to bed early but so excited about the planned meeting with Klaus she had difficulty sleeping. She gets up at 4:00 am and hurries to catch the early morning train to Dortmund. She arrives about 7:30 and walks to the Mercure Hotel. She enters the breakfast room and as soon as Klaus sees her she turns and leaves as though she has changed her mind. She pauses in the lobby searching in her purse so she won’t draw unwanted attention until Klaus appears and takes the elevator up. She watches as it stops at the third floor. She follows and, seeing no one in the hall other than Klaus, joins him as he walks to his room. As soon as the door of Klaus’s hotel room is closed they fall into each other’s arms, then quickly go to bed for an hour of loving sex. Then they get up, shower together, order room service breakfast and dress. After breakfast arrives they sit down to eat and begin to discuss what they have accomplished in the past week.

“It worked just like I hoped Klaus. First I reported to Leon and Jack the project I am working on has taken an unexpected turn and is ready to be closed out. After they agreed I said before I get involved in a new project I want to see if it is possible to transfer back to the Washington D.C. Office. I told them my story about my mother wanting me back because of my father’s failing health. They bought the story and agreed the timing is good since I am wrapping up the project. Jack volunteered to see if a transfer is possible.”

“That’s good news, Maria. How soon will you know if you can transfer?”

“The best surprise is Jack told me yesterday an opening is available in Washington. It’s in the same part of the Agency but the work would be different from what I do now. It’s coordinating the work of others doing what I do now. Jack says he is confident I have enough experience for the open assignment.”

“Will you take the opening? Oh, and would you have access to American policies and plans before they become public?”

“I told Jack I wanted to think about it over the weekend. I didn’t want to make a decision until I talked to you and found out what you learned in Dresden. As to access to policies and plans, I think I would have more access than I do now. It depends on many things I am not sure of now. I do know the Agency is using computers now to store a lot of information. I don’t know yet what I would be able to access. Now, what did you learn Klaus?”

“It went better than I expected. I took a chance and said you might be able to transfer to a position that would give you access to information about America’s plans and policies for Europe. That delighted my contact. I decided on the spot to say you would only take the transfer if it meant we could be together and be married. I said it meant I needed a way to have a job in Washington as well. He told me it might be possible.”

“What did you say then, Klaus? Did you say you would accept such a job if it’s offered?”

“Yes, I gambled you will be successful in transferring back to America and said I would take a job but only if I can have a new identity as a Frenchman named Claude.”

“Oh, Klaus that would be wonderful; we could marry then. Do you think you have a chance of getting a new identity as a Frenchman and a job in America?”

“I have mentioned I am a part of something bigger than Myre. I am pretty confident my contact knows people able to make it happen. It is very important for our work to have access to American policies and plans. I know the network has tried unsuccessfully for years to get such access.  You and I may be the keys to making it happen so I am counting on someone working out a way for me to have a new identity.”

“What happens next Klaus?”

“I filled out a lot of paperwork on my background. My contact will forward it to the appropriate people. I’ll continue my work for Myre in Dresden while I wait for the decisions. I am confident enough everything will work as I hope I want you to accept the transfer. My best guess is I will be able to get everything set up and go to America within the next six to eight weeks.”

“That’s good news. I think it’ll take me only a week or two at most to get to America. What do you want me to do when I get there?”

“I am not sure just yet. I’ll figure out a plan and send it to you in a letter mailed to your apartment in Bonn. Do you think anyone opens your mail?”

“No, that will be ok as long I get it before I leave.”

“It’ll be soon. I just have to set up some things. When you have read and memorized the instructions please destroy the letter. Now, we need to leave as I have to check out and get back to Dresden today.”

As Maria and Klaus exit the elevator in the lobby Maria is stunned to see Leon shaking hands with a man and saying goodbye. As he turns toward the door to leave he looks up and pauses for an instant then continues outside. He gets into a blue Mercedes coupe and pulls away. “Klaus, we have a disaster. That was Leon and I am sure he recognized us. I assured him I finished all contact with you. Now he knows I lied to him and to Jack. They’ll demand a complete explanation and I don’t think they’ll approve my transfer or even my staying with the Agency now.”

“I see. Ok, look, I must make a phone call immediately. You go ahead and catch your train back to Bonn. Think positively, perhaps he wasn’t sure it was you or perhaps he didn’t recognize me. You can claim you were with someone else who just happens to look like me. When you know more call this number from a public phone and leave a message for Karl Schultz again. Say the message is from Marlene and leave the number of a public phone and a time. I’ll return a call to that phone at the time you say. Goodbye Maria, I must go. Love you, and don’t worry.” Klaus hands Maria a folded piece of paper, kisses her goodbye, and turns away toward a phone booth.

“Ok, Klaus. But I can’t help but worry. Love you too, goodbye.”