The hate she carries

By Richard Strong

 

 

F.B.I. agent Milton Wendell could not believe what he had just seen and heard. The woman was mad, who would treat a child like that. With time running out, he knew he would have to act fast, before events spiralled out of control.

 

Moving from town to town. Freya Bechler had spent the last seven years on the run. Criss crossing America, with the child she had kidnapped on that fateful night in Germany. Now her chance for revenge had arisen. Once more she could confront her arch enemy, Reinhard Heydrich.

With the F.B.I. and gangsters on her tail. Would she ransom the boy for the sum of two million dollars, or did another fate await him and his father. A cornfield in Iowa, may hold the answer.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard Strong
• Release date: Mar 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393387480

Book preview

1

Kansas City Missouri

December 10th 1941.

I suppose they all have secrets. Look at them scurrying around in their own little worlds. Him, her, what lies will they tell today. If only they knew mine, now that is a secret.

Five floors above the street, Freya turned away from the window, and called out to the boy. ‘Hurry up, we haven’t got all day.’ 

Tugging hard on the lid of the battered old suitcase. The boy had managed to secure the catches, before his mother entered the room. Paying no heed to him, she methodically began to check that everything was correct. She would not tolerate untidiness, and the boy knew it. Bed made, drawers closed, wardrobe emptied. ‘Um I suppose it’s acceptable.’ She said, as she ran a finger across the top of a chest of drawers.

‘You know what to do, turn and face me.’ Swivelling on his feet, he held his hands out, palms up. Without touching them, she made a quick visual check, ‘turn them over.’ All the while he remained absolutely still, head down not daring to look up.

‘Have you cleaned your teeth?’

‘Yes momma.’

‘Very well, are you sure you have packed everything?’

‘Yes Momma.’

‘Go and wait by the door while I get my coat. Have you been to the bathroom?’

‘Yes Momma.’

‘Good, I don’t want you making a nuisance of yourself like you did the other day. We don’t want another repeat of that, do we?’

‘No Momma.’ The boy said softly.

‘Right wait here, I won’t be a minute.’

Goodbye Kansas city, time to move on. Normally she would never stay more than three months in any one place. But this time, she had broken her own cardinal rule. Circumstances had changed, Where was the money Siegfried had promised? Had her own brother washed his hands of her? Running low on cash, she barely had enough to last another week. 

Staring into the wardrobe mirror, she examined the face in the glass. She was sure more lines had appeared around her eyes. The crows feet, appeared to be longer and deeper, was she imaging it. Rubbing the forefinger of her left hand, below each eye, she tried hard to erase them. 

A little more make up, that would do the trick. Stepping away  she pulled the door handle down, then removed two items from the wardrobe. Her three quarter length coat, and pillbox hat. 

This time when she Gazed at her reflection, the image returned a different picture. The clock had been wound back ten years, before her stood a beautiful woman. The elaborate fur trimmed collar and cuffs, presented a picture of sultry mystique. Many men had been ensnared by her beauty, and with each new episode, she crafted her art further along it’s path. The rebellious youth of yesterday had been tamed, The girl she once was, died that night, all those years ago in Germany.

Over the years she had learned to bend with the wind, not fight it. But time was against her, how much longer could she carry on this way. For all that she had endured, there still had to be a day of reckoning. The Heydrich’s would pay for her suffering.

The boy was exactly where she’d left him. She had to admire his resilience, even after all he’d been through he still obeyed her orders to the letter. 

A knock on the door broke her train of thought.‘Just a moment.’  Standing in front of her was a cheerful bellhop wearing his maroon and grey uniform, adorned with gold braid on the cuffs and collar. 

Smiling at her he said. ‘I’ve been sent to pick up your cases ma’am, are you ready to go?’

‘Yes those three are mine.’ Normally the boy would have to carry his own case. But today she was in a good mood, and would make an allowance.

‘Put the boy’s on top of mine.’

He didn’t need to be told that, he was about to do it anyway. Giving Freya a sideways glance, he winked at the boy, who smiled back at him. This didn’t go unnoticed, clearing her throat, Freya indicated her disapproval.

‘Okay Ma’am let’s go.’

Wheeling the sack barrow forward, the bellhop led the way down the corridor.

‘How much?’ exclaimed Freya. The statement drew the attention of an elderly couple further along the reception desk, causing them to give her a disapproving look. She glared back at them for a second, before turning her attention to the desk clerk.

‘It’s all there in black and white, check it out if you want too.’

Snatching the bill from his hand, she studied the sheet of paper. 

‘What’s this $3.35?’

‘What it says phone calls.’ The loathsome fat desk clerk was enjoying this. Exacting his revenge on her, after she had rebutted his advances, on previous occasions. She could feel his eyes boring into her, as he leaned on the desk. The light reflecting off his bald head, showed he was no woman’s dream that’s for sure.  Add to that, the ridiculous pencil moustache, it didn’t make him look like Clark Gable or Errol Flynn, even if he had, had a full head of hair. 

She tried hard to remember all the calls she had made. Siegfried, there had been quite a few. Then there was the real estate agent, and the Garage, and maybe some others she’d forgotten about, and this was just the phone bill, wait till she got to the meals.

‘Is there a problem Ma’am? Would you like me to fetch the Manager?’ He was gloating now, his victory complete.

‘No there’s no problem.’ Deflated, Freya just wanted to be out of here, as soon as soon as possible.

‘How are you paying Ma’am, cash or cheque?’

‘Cash.’

‘So that'd be $218.70, in total’ he announced, to every one in the Foyer.

Rummaging in her purse, Freya pulled out a wad of cash, then counted out two hundred and twenty dollars in tens and twentys.  While she waited for her change she looked down at the meagre amount left, no more than $30 at the most.

‘Your change and your receipt Ma’am.’

Snatching the receipt and change from the clerk’s hand. She dropped them in her purse, turned on her heels, and called out to the boy to follow her.

Moving beside her, the bellhop tried too lighten the atmosphere. ‘Sorry about that Ma’am, nobody round here likes Jenkins, he’s an asshole, pardon my expression Ma’am.’

‘It’s not your fault, tell me why do you stay? a young guy like you could do better.’

The bellhops face lit up, he smiled at her and said.’I’ve put in to join the Marines Ma’am hoping to hear back soon.’

‘Good for you, the country needs young men like you, especially in these troubled times.’ 

Once they had left the quiet of the hotel, the noise on the street overwhelmed them. The bustle of the city center, was more  pronounced than usual. Now snow fell from leaden skies, and was beginning to settle on the ground. Christmas was coming, and the sidewalks were starting to become packed with shoppers. Wide eyed kids, dragged Moms and Dads from one brightly lit store to the next, their eyes glued to the windows for a couple of minutes, before moving on.

Raising her voice, Freya had to shout to be heard, as they fought their way through the throng. ‘Do you think there will be a war soon?’ she asked. 

‘I dunno about that Ma’am, but the Japs are kicking off a bit, and maybe the Krauts will join them.’ Biting her tongue, on the mention of the word Kraut. She forced a half smile, play along she said to herself.

After pushing and shoving their way through the crowd, they finally made it to her car. 

‘Allow me Ma’am,’ the bellhop said, as Freya handed him the keys. After he’d finished loading the cases, she thrust a Dollar bill into his hand.

‘Thanks a lot Ma’am, you have a safe journey, you look after yourself, and your boy. happy Christmas, bye.’

She had just inserted the key in the lock, when she realised she only had the one bag. Where is the other one? She must have left it in the lobby.

‘Wait here don’t move a muscle, do you understand? I’ve got to go back and get my bag.’ The boy nodded, not wanting to say the wrong thing.

Pushing her way back through the crowd, she prayed the bag was still there. Inside were a list of contacts, Siegfried and that dumb ass wife of his, Kurt, Larsonn, and half a dozen others who had helped her over the years. If it fell into the wrong hands, she could be in big trouble.

Immediately she entered the lobby her eyes swept along the front desk, Nothing; The fat clerk his head buried in a newspaper, was unaware of her presence. Good summoning up her resolve, she marched towards the desk. She was halfway there, when the bellhop appeared from the elevator clutching the bag. With a flick of his head, he indicated she should follow him. 

When they reached the front doors he stopped and said. ‘Your bag Ma’am, I saw it on the floor as soon as I came in. I knew it was yours, and was heading out to see if I could find you. Luckily you came back, at just the right moment. I didn’t want Jenkins poking his nose in. I swear to God I haven’t looked inside, a lady’s personal things are her own business.’

‘Thank you very much, there’s not much in there really. Some letters, and phone numbers of friends of mine, nothing important, still I wouldn’t want to loose them.’

Giving him her broadest smile, she opened her purse and handed him three dollar bills.

‘Gee thanks again Ma’am.’

‘That’s alright, now I must make haste, as I’ve left little Eugene standing by the car bye.’

Leaving the bellhop to count his money. Freya hurried to her car, 

as she approached it her heart sank. Towering over the boy was a giant of a man with his back to her. He was around six foot six, give or take an inch or two. But his size wasn’t the problem, it’s what he was wearing that made her apprehensive. The peaked cap serge blue uniform, with a gun, and baton on the belt, a cop. This might spell trouble.

Bracing herself, she stopped behind him. ‘Is there a problem Officer?’ He hadn’t heard her coming, caught unaware, he turned his head to see who had spoken.

‘Is this kid anything to do with you?’ He asked. 

‘Is there a problem officer?’

‘You haven’t answered my question, just repeated yourself.’ This time the cop sounded suspicious, as he looked her up and down.

Determined to stand her ground, Freya repeated the question.  ‘Yes he’s my son, and I’ll say it again, is there a problem?’ The cop stared coldly at her, not a flicker of emotion on his face. He reminded her of home, he looked German. She could see a few strands of fair hair peaking out beneath the cap, the blue eyes, straight nose and square jaw were definite traits, as were the high cheekbones.

‘What I need to know is, why is the kid standing out here alone on freezing cold day, only wearing a thin coat?’

Freya decided to change tack, confrontation wasn’t going to work with this guy. Turning on the charm, she spoke in a slow sultry voice.

‘I do apologise Officer. When we came out to the car, I realised I’d left my bag back in the hotel. It was easier for me to go back alone than drag little Eugene along with me. My mistake, I thought he would be okay for a minute or two, he knows not to wander off, or speak to strangers, don’t you Gene?’

The boy looked at the giant looming over him. ‘Yes sir, my Momma told me that.’ A weak little smile appeared on his face as he shivered in the cold.

Patting the boys head, the cop said. ‘It’s alright son, your not in trouble’ 

Turning round to face her, he exhaled slowly, his breath lingering in the cold air. All she could do now, was wait and see what he would do next.

‘Right let’s get the boy in the car, it’s freezing out here.’

She walked to the door, fumbled around for a few seconds, then opened it. ‘In you get Gene.’ The boy didn’t need to be told twice, and jumped up onto the seat. Dumb cop, if he’d checked the door, she might have been in big trouble. With that thought in mind, she knew she could lie her way out of this.

‘Okay Ma’am, I’m not gonna cite you for this. You do know that I could have arrested you for child endangerment. That might have meant a heavy fine or possibly some jail time, though that’s unlikely. But I am gonna need some details, date of birth, place of birth, full name and address, occupation, marital status, and are you an American citizen. Oh and the kids details.’

The snow had stopped falling by the time Freya had told the cop all he needed to know. ‘Don’t do that,’ she said. The boy was drumming his fingers on the seat, Immediately he stopped, while his mother stared resolutely ahead. Christ how much longer was he going to take. He had to be German, only a German would be that meticulous. A sideways glance, saw him slip the notebook into his top pocket, before opening her door.

‘Okay Ma’am, that I’ll be fine. Drive safely, the roads are are very slippery, you look after yourself and the boy, bye now.’

Forcing a smile, Freya thanked him, then watched in the rear view mirror for a few seconds, as the cop ambled off along the sidewalk.  After Carefully joining the line of traffic, she searched for a phone booth. A quick call to Siegfried to confirm the money was on its way, then one more stop at the Western Union office, collect the money, then leave Kansas city behind, for good.

There was a niggling doubt in the back of Officer Lemberger’s head, as he made his way back to the precinct.  He couldn’t put his finger on it, maybe he should have taken her in after all.

Dorothy Stanley, that was the name on her drivers License. Then why was there a hint of a German accent in her voice? She sounded the same as his parents, they had emigrated from Munich twenty years ago, and still retained theirs. Dorothy Stanley certainly wasn’t a German name. 

Still too late now, it was freezing out here, and his shift was nearly over. He’d put it in his report, probably nothing anyway. 

2 

‘What time will you be back tonight?’ Said Betty as she flipped the eggs over. No reply, ‘did you hear me Milt?’

‘Mom, Bobby pushed me in the back.’

‘Cut it out Bobby, and get your school bag. I’m not in the mood for this.’

Scooping the eggs from the frying pan, she slid them onto the plates, alongside the hash browns beans and bacon. ‘Kids breakfast is on the table, com’on move yourselves.’ In his haste to get started Bobby trod on General Grant’s tail. The dog yelped and ran wildly for the door, almost felling Jenny as she came the other way.

‘For God’s sake Bobby, watch what you’re doing.’ Betty was livid, in a flash she’d crossed the room, and was hovering over her son. Barely managing to resist the temptation to smack him.

‘What the hell is going on?’

Both Betty and the kids turned their heads, as Milt hovered in the doorway. ‘Well is someone going to answer me?’ He demanded.  Only the sound of jenny eating her breakfast, broke the silence. A little smile played on his lips, as he winked at his daughter.

Calming down, Betty ruffled her son’s hair. ‘Eat your breakfast Bobby. It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have shouted at him. But he does get over excited at times,’

‘That’s true. Bobby say sorry to your mom. I know Christmas is coming, but you need to calm down. Do you understand?’

‘Yes sir, sorry Mom, I love you.’

‘Love you too honey.’

‘Okay is everybody happy? Good let’s just eat our breakfast in peace.’ Milt said, as he made his way to the table.

Paying scant attention to her husband, Betty returned to the sink.

Milt went to say something, then thought better of it. Normally she would ask if it was Okay. But lately she seemed distant, something was bothering her, and it played on his mind as he ate. The least little thing seemed to set her off. He would make time to talk tonight,  get to the bottom of it. 

‘Right kids, finish up, then clean your teeth, the bus will be along soon.’  He said. 

‘Honey something bothering you?’ Standing over the sink, she either didn’t hear him, or decided to ignore him. He tried again, ‘hey we need to talk this through. Have I done something, is it the

kids, what’s bothering you? You’ve been acting kinda offish the last week or so.’

‘You want to know the truth?’ 

‘Of course I do.’

He was protesting his innocence, even before he’d been accused of anything. Any second now, he expected a torrent of accusations. She would bottle things up for months on end, then explode, accusing him of sleeping with every other woman on the street. It all went back too, that time in Boston, with Linda O’ Connor a neighbours wife. There was nothing in it, but he had too admit he had been tempted. 

Turning to face him, she struggled to get the words out. ‘It’s not just one thing.’ 

‘Go on honey, I need to know.’

‘Okay then, all the late nights, your rarely home before eight thirty most days.’

He was about to try and explain, but now she was in full flow.

‘Then there is my Mom, always on the phone, she’s got every disease known to man, and if she has a day off, from this or that

illness, then she’s moaning about money, and if that’s not enough, that goddamn dog is always under my feet.’

Rising from his chair he walked over, took her hands, and pulled her too him.

‘Whoa...slow down hon, look at me.’

Raising her head, she looked him in the eye. 

‘Listen to me hon, let’s start backwards. I must admit old General Grant, got a lot bigger than I thought he would, when we first got him. Still the kids love him. I’ll build a Kennel in the yard come spring. But until then can’t he stay in the house?’

‘Alright, but I don’t want him upstairs, make sure he stays down here.’

‘Yeah okay hon, he can sleep in the garage at night, I’ll make something up for him to keep him warm. As for your Mom, you gotta be more firm with her. I know it’s hard since your Dad died, but make Dianne do her share. She’s always swanning around, telling everybody who’ll listen, about her charity work for the church. She should take a leaf from the Bible, and start helping her own Mother. And don’t get me started on that Brother of yours, he’s lucky he moved to Chicago, always bragging about what deal he’s

gonna close next. If he’s making all that money, some of it oughta find its way to his own Mothers purse.’

‘OK...OK I know you think I’m a soft touch, but she’s my Mom.’  Sensing her husband was about to interrupt, Betty raised her hands.

‘Please Milt let me finish, I know what you think of Elmore and Dianne, and I agree. But as the eldest I feel it’s my responsibility to take the lead, and she does live close by. I’ll be firmer with her in future, I promise. As for Elmore and Dianne, I’ll let them know they’ve got to help out more.’ 

The blare of the school bus horn, told Milt it was time to go. Making his way towards the front door, he almost collided with the kids as they charged down the stairs.

‘Calm down you two.’ Both of them ignored their Mothers command. As they rushed to put their coats and shoes on. With a hasty bye and I love you, they Grabbed their school bags and were out of the door in a flash. Running down the path, they hurried along to meet their friends.

‘There like a pair of little whirlwinds.’ Milt said, 

‘Weren’t you ever ten or seven?’

‘Yeah, but it was a long time ago.’

‘Can you remember back that far?’

‘Hey careful you’re not that much younger than me.’

‘Three and a half years, I’d say that’s young enough.’

While he buttoned up his coat, Betty picked his hat off the coat stand, laughed and dropped it onto his head, 

As he bent down to kiss her goodbye, her hand went in front of her face and stopped him. The joviality of a few moments ago  disappeared, now she stood solemn faced, blocking his path to the door.

Studying the woman he had married twelve years back, he wondered why he dallied with Joan. She was still an attractive woman even after two kids. With her dark hair touching her shoulders, and those flashing brown eyes, she could have past for a woman of thirty not forty. She had kept herself in shape, and he knew she had her own admirers. Maybe she was just too homely.

‘Have I done something to upset you Hon?’

‘You still haven’t answered the first part of the question.’

‘Yeah sorry, slipped my mind. Yes I’ll probably be late again.’

Was she going to get the truth? She swallowed hard, she had to hear something even if it was a lie. ‘Go on then what’s the reason? Night after night you come home late, is something going on I ought to know about?’

Looking her straight in the eye he answered unwaveringly. ‘I can’t tell you the whole truth now,...but it’s probably the biggest case to ever hit Kansas city. By that I mean it ain’t just local, but international.’

She screwed her face up slightly, he knew that look of old. The eyes narrowing, and the raised eyebrows.‘ Are you exaggerating?’

‘No Hon, I’m not,’

She believed him, because usually if he was lying, he’d add swear to God.

‘Listen Hon, we’ve got every man jack we can spare on the case. We’re all there late, not just me and a couple of others. This goes all the way back to Washington. All the way to the very top, right up to J Edgar Hoover himself.’

‘Really’

‘Yes really, maybe even the President knows about it.’

‘You can’t tell me anything? Not a little snippet?’

‘Remember the Lawton brothers?’

‘Of course I do, and I said I was sorry a hundred times.’

‘Well they were only small fry, compared to this. Five and dime merchants.’

Betty had told her sister something about the case, and after that it may have well been on the front page of the Kansas city star. Milt had only just managed to hang onto his job by the skin of his teeth.

‘I understand, but its intriguing, I’d love to do what you do, I’ve told you a that a hundred times before.’

‘Possibly one day the Bureau will take on women as agents, who knows. Maybe Jenny can follow in my footsteps if she wants, but that’s for the future.’ 

Taking a peek at his watch he checked the time. ‘Right I better be on my way, I’ve got a ton of work to get through this morning, before I head off to Union station this afternoon. I’ve got to pick up a team sent from Washington. In fact you know one of them.’ 

‘Who?’

‘Simpson Macefield.’

‘Oh no not him, I can’t stand the man, don’t invite him over Milt please. He’s a loudmouth braggart. If I have to listen to him going on about his Granddaddy being a civil war hero one more time, I swear to God I’ll shoot him on the spot.’

‘Do you mean the estimable General George Macefield, the man who could have won the war within a year if only Lincoln had listened to him?’

‘It’s not just that, though that’s bad enough. No the man thinks too highly of himself, and he’s too touchy, every opportunity he’s grabbing at you pawing your arm or something. I don’t know how that poor wife of his, puts up with it.’

The atmosphere had thawed, as he kissed her on the cheek. ‘Don’t worry Hon, I’ll keep him at arms length, they’re staying at a Hotel in the city centre, with any luck we can avoid any social contact.’

As he opened the front door, the chill of the morning air caught him full in the face, making him shiver against the cold wind. ‘Bye hon, I’ll tell Simpson you send your regards.’ He said as he walked to the car. No answer, then a slipper whistled past his head, followed by. 

‘Don’t you dare, or Grant will be eating your dinner tonight.’

Laughing he heard the door close with a thud.

Twenty past one. Right better be on my way Milt said to himself as he dropped the last of the folders on Joan’s desk.

As he entered the concourse of Union station, he Spotted Pete  with his head buried in a newspaper. Pulling in alongside him. A quick toot of the horn, made Pete look up. Carefully folding the paper, he left the car, then wandered round to Milt’s passenger side.

‘Cold enough for you Pete?’ said Milt, as Pete slid in beside him.

‘Yeah sure is, still it’s stopped snowing, and the suns out now.’

‘What time you got?’

Pulling his sleeve up, Pete checked his watch. ‘I make it 1.55.’

The dashboard clock showed 2.04. Milt didn’t trust