Dark Eagles Rising Part Two

By Carole McEntee-Taylor

Tensions are rising in Europe. But it's not only Italy standing between Austria and the Nazis.

Vienna
Samuel and Ramon are determined to save Austria from a Nazi coup when help comes from an unexpected ally.

Nuremberg
While secrets are beginning to unravel with drastic consequences, years of indoctrination have poisoned Siegfried. Having joined the SS he begins a journey into darkness, but he's not the only one who has been brainwashed.

Rome
Lucrecia and Eddie find themselves learning new skills for a dangerous job while Anastasia is drawn into a web of lies which puts her life at risk. Tara finds love but secrets from the past threaten to destroy her future.

Berlin
When the worst happens, Max finds help from an unexpected source. He has no idea that the decision he is about to make will come back to haunt him and eventually change the course of the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carole McEntee-Taylor
• Release date: Apr 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223602576

Carole McEntee-Taylor

I write military history, historical fiction and memoirs and sometimes a mixture of all three. I am also a ghost writer of novels and memoirs.My non fiction, published by by Pen and Sword Books Ltd, include Herbert Columbine VC, Surviving the Nazi Onslaught, A Battle Too Far, Military Detention Colchester from 1947, The Battle of Bellewaarde June 1915, From Colonial Warrior to Western Front Flyer, The History of Coalhouse Fort and A History of Women’s Lives in Scunthorpe.I have also written a biography of John Doubleday to be included in his book: The Work and published The Weekend Trippers and My War and Peace myself. I am always on the look out for new military memoirs to publish. If you would like to know more please visit my website.My spiritual books are The Re-Enlightenment and The Holiday From Hell.My fiction includeSecrets ( a book of six short stories)Lives Apart: A WW2 Chronicle - a five book series inspired by the true story of my in-laws.Obsession - a five book series inspired by the true story of the missing POWs at the end of WW2.Betrayed - a stand alone murder mystery set in WW2 Germany and Palestine.Secret Lives - a six book series set before and during WW1.A One Way Ticket - a four book series inspired by the true story of Bill Young through WW2 and beyond.

Book preview

Part 2

First published 2024 Copyright © Carole McEntee-Taylor, 2024.

Edited by Jules Davies

The right of Carole McEntee-Taylor as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988. Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, with prior permission in writing of the author or, in the case of reprographic production, in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency.

Other books by the author

Non Fiction

Pen and Sword Books Ltd:

Herbert Columbine VC

Surviving the Nazi Onslaught

A Battle Too Far

Military Detention Colchester from 1947

The Battle of Bellewaarde June 1915

From Colonial Warrior to Western Front Flyer

The History of Coalhouse Fort

A History of Women’s Lives in Scunthorpe

The Weekend Trippers

My War and Peace

Biography of John Doubleday: The Work

The Re-Enlightenment

The Holiday From Hell

Fiction

Secrets – 6 short stories

Lives Apart: A WW2 Chronicle – 5 books

Obsession – 5 books

Betrayed

Secret Lives – 6 books

A One Way Ticket – 4 books

Love, Resistance, Betrayal

Hunting Shadows. A Family at War

Dark Eagles Rising – Part 1

Characters

Germany

Max Sommer

Stefi Hoffman (née Wegner) – (deceased)

Bruno Hoffman – Art Gallery Owner

Siegfried Waldemar Sommer - Max’s son

Christa Hoffman – Bruno’s daughter

Adolf Hitler

Herta Sommer (née von Scholz)

Niclaus – Max’s son

Kristian von Scholz

Oskar von Scholz

Anatoly Petrov

Austria

Rosa Horvat (née Blum)

Dedrich Horvat – Rosa’s husband (deceased)

Hersch Blum - Rosa’s father (deceased)

Katherina Blum - Rosa’s mother

Ludwig Hitzig - Rosa’s first husband

Ramon Samuel Hersch Ludwig Hitzig - Rosa’s son

Norberta Schmidt - Ramon’s nanny

Ilse Katherina Horvat – Dedrich’s daughter

Lena Hitzig - Ludwig’s mother (deceased)

General Samuel Hitzig - Ludwig’s father

Medium - Gisella Braude

Wenzel Haekl – private detective

Capitano Luca Russo – Embassy official

Arthur Winn-Davis – British spy

Italy

Lucrecia Tanzi (née Rossi)

Anastasia Rossi - Lucrecia’s daughter

Tamara Shaw – Lucrecia and Eddie’s daughter

Edward ‘Eddie’, The Viscount Hemsworth now known as Eddie Shaw

Antonio Rossi - Lucrecia’s brother

Serena Rossi – ( née Fabbri) Antonio’s wife

Fabio Rossi – Antonio’s son

Cardinale Tadeas Conti

Benito Mussolini

Ettore Laguardia

Winthrop Jenkins – Manager D’Oyly Carte Opera (deceased)

Ellie Parker (Schneider) - Veronica Jenkins – Winthrop’s wife

Dieter Schneider – (Ralf Wagner) Ellie’s second husband

Billy Thompson – American spy

Cyrus Winter – American intelligence

1925

Chapter 1

En route to Nuremberg

Max stared thoughtfully out of the train window as it sped along the tracks, his thoughts on Ramon as they had been for the past few months. He had been instantly reminded of Siegfried when he’d first seen Rosa’s son but hadn’t thought too much about it until he realised that Rosa was trying to keep him away from the boy. At first he’d thought she just wanted to be with him again and was jealous of anyone diverting his attention, but she didn’t appear to have the same reservation with Ilse which was when he’d started to wonder why she was behaving so strangely whenever Ramon was around. He was almost ashamed that it had taken him so long to actually work out the truth, that Ramon was probably his son. The dates matched with when he was last in Vienna, the boy resembled Siegfried and he was a talented artist. It was so obvious when he really thought about it. Several times he was on the verge of speaking out but each time something held him back and then he realised why. If he was right, and Rosa had wanted him to know she would have said something. She hadn’t. If anything he sensed her going out of her way to avoid any discussion of Ramon so eventually he decided to respect her wishes and remain silent. After all, what would be the point of bringing everything out into the open?

He could hardly take Ramon back to Germany with him, not without explaining to Herta about Rosa, something he couldn’t do because it would open a can of worms, not only with his wife but also with her brothers. Although he didn’t know exactly what was going on with Kristian, Oskar and Adolf it was obvious, even to him, that they were working together on some kind of long term plan to rearm Germany. If he caused a problem he would upset everyone. He could almost hear Adolf’s scathing monologue blaming him for ruining German’s future because of a woman and a Jew at that. It wasn’t worth falling out with everyone just to claim Ramon as his son. It was better to remain silent and keep his friends. It wasn’t as if he had Bruno to fall back on this time so he’d said nothing, pretended he didn’t know and as Rosa had become more relaxed around him he’d been sure he had done the right thing. Eventually he had almost forgotten the truth, only remembering sometimes when something happened to draw his attention to Ramon’s similarity to Siegfried or to him.

He was even more sure he’d made the right decision when Adolf had been freed from prison so early. That had also confirmed his views that their plans had only been on hold and were probably still ongoing despite the failed putsch. Unfortunately, having left a letter for Rosa telling her the

truth about him meant that his chances of seeing Ramon again were very remote. But at least she was now aware of the fact that he knew about his son and that he had decided not to do anything about it because he didn’t want to upset everyone. He had not told her the real reason behind his decision so perhaps that would make her feel more favourably towards him.

*******

Rome

Serena stared at the newspaper in fury. Although that bastard had admitted publicly he had been ultimately responsible for Giacomo’s death nothing had happened, he hadn’t been arrested or charged with anything. No one had dared challenge his authority and now he had effectively declared himself a dictator. She stood up and began pacing the living room. If only she could confide in Antonio, but she knew only too well what he would do if he found out what Mussolini had done. The only person who knew the truth was Tadeas and he was powerless to do anything.

‘Lucrecia’s coming home!’ Antonio burst through the door making her jump. ‘I’ve spoken to Mussolini and he won’t do anything about Eddie. He thought he was helping Lucrecia. I do wish you’d told me earlier Darling; we could have resolved this so much quicker. But I understand why you didn’t.’ He took her in his arms while Serena fought back her astonishment that her carefully planned lie appeared to have succeeded. She closed her eyes, snuggled up against him and savoured the moment. If Mussolini had gone along with it them maybe it really was over. ‘I’ll write to her now.’ Antonio pulled back, kissed her on the forehead and walked towards the writing desk. Serena watched in a daze. Perhaps it would be alright after all. Then her heart sank. She was placing her trust in a murderous rapist, expecting him to keep his word and that was only towards Lucrecia, she had no idea if it meant she too was safe.

*******

Vienna

The letter fluttered to the ground, Rosa stared sightlessly at the piano and felt sick. How could she have been so stupid. She’d believed Max when he’d said he had come back to her. She had given him her heart yet again and once more he’d let her down. Only this time she couldn’t blame her parents. This was all Max. His first wife may well have been dead, but he had married again. His second wife lived in Germany and had given birth a short while ago so he had two children, not one. The only reason he’d come to Vienna was because his in-laws had paid for him to so he could be safe

from arrest after that idiot friend of his, Adolf, had tried to overthrow the Weimar Republic. If she hadn’t been so heartbroken she would have laughed at the stupidity of it all, at her gullibility in lowering her defences and allowing herself to fall in love with him all over again. The last time she’d had an excuse, she’d been young, innocent, inexperienced, but what excuse did she have now? She had sullied Dedrich’s memory by forgetting him so quickly and with someone as shallow and self-centred as Max. Even worse she was pregnant and this time there was no doubt of the parentage of the child. The only good thing in the letter was his admission that he had guessed quite early on that Ramon was his son but had decided not to say anything because he didn’t want to cause her any problems, and that it wouldn’t be fair to the boy to tell him the truth and uproot him to another country. In fact he had been adamant that her keeping the secret was the best thing to do for all of them.

Rosa bent down, picked up the letter and began rereading it. Perhaps she should be grateful that he’d finally told her the truth, even if he hadn’t had the courage to say all this to her face, and at least Ramon’s secret was safe. Her fingers tightened on the paper, slowly screwing it into a tiny ball before throwing it across the room and then taking a deep breath. It was time to move on, time to get on with her life and forget him. If nothing else his letter meant that she could finally put Max to rest. She would never waste another minute pining for him, wondering if he was alright, wondering how life was treating him. He was dead to her now. She’d obviously had a lucky escape. Her parents had been right all the time. He wasn’t good enough for her. Thank goodness she’d finally learnt the truth before she’d done something stupid, well even more stupid than falling in love with him again.

Rosa stood up, walked swiftly to where she’d thrown his letter, picked it up and dropped it in the bin before heading for the door. Time to get on with her life.

Katherina watched her daughter climb wearily up the stairs and wondered whether it was anything to do with the letter that had been pushed through the door sometime through the night. The maid had reached it before her, or she would have taken possession of it and read it before handing it to her daughter. Instead, Rosa had chosen that moment to come downstairs and the maid had handed it to her before Katherina had a chance to intervene.

Her eyes searched the room, there was no sign of it. Sighing in frustration she walked up to the fireplace wondering if the letter had ended up in the flames and it was then she saw it, the screwed up ball in the bottom of the bin. After a very brief hesitation she bent down to pick it up, smoothed

it out and began reading. A few moments later she understood the grief she’d seen on her daughter’s face and she cursed Max. Why couldn’t he leave Rosa

alone? The only good thing about the letter was that she would probably finally get her wish; Rosa would never take him back again and Ramon’s secret was safe because Max didn’t want to do anything about it.

Katherina was about to congratulate herself when she remembered her impulsive actions and paled. Well, it would have been alright if she hadn’t written to Ludwig. She had never really intended to post it, but seeing Rosa about to make the same mistake again she’d panicked and in a moment of madness sent it to Ludwig. She’d regretted it almost immediately but by then it was too late. Fortunately, Ludwig had written to Samuel who had told him that Katherina was wrong and that appeared to have been enough to stop him coming back to Vienna. At least she assumed it had as she hadn’t seen him. Her hand went to her throat and she felt sick. If she’d left things alone no one would have been any the wiser, but it seemed that Samuel was just as keen as she was to keep Ramon’s parentage secret. However, they were still unable to really relax because it was clear the attraction between Max and Rosa had not gone away and they had watched Rosa’s relationship with Max developing with misgivings. Then she had heard the unmistakable sounds of Rosa being sick one morning and all her previous fears had resurfaced. If Rosa was pregnant with Max’s child there was nothing to stop her telling him about Ramon, marrying him and going back to Germany to live. She knew Samuel was even more concerned than she was, but there was nothing either of them could do other than pray. However, it looked as if fate had finally turned in their favour. Thanks to the letter there was now no chance of Rosa having anything else to do with Max which meant they could finally stop worrying. Katherina suddenly felt much happier than she had for ages. She didn’t care that the baby would be illegitimate, that was a minor problem compared to the fear of her daughter going away with Max. She hurried back across the room to the telephone. She couldn’t wait to tell Samuel. Then she remembered he was away for a couple of days, and she had no means of contacting him. Never mind, it would be a wonderful surprise for him when he returned.

*******

Rome

‘I’m still amazed he believed you.’ Tadeas poured Serena some more coffee.

She shook her head. ‘So was I. But I couldn’t tell him the truth and this was the best I could come up with and it seems to have worked as when Antonio confronted Mussolini he went along with it.’ She drank deeply and

Tadeas refilled her cup.

‘Of course he did. He was hardly going to admit the truth, was he? That

he’d raped Lucrecia and that was why she’d fled.’ Tadea could hardly speak

the words without the familiar fury returning. It wasn’t just Antonio who was likely to lose his temper. Somehow, he’d managed to keep his own anger under control, but it was probably easier for him as he didn’t have any contact with the Dictator. Antonio would never have managed to remain calm, not spending every day with the man. He managed to quash his angry thoughts and return his attention to Serena. ‘So, what happens now?’

To his surprise she smiled. ‘That’s the good bit. Antonio has written to Lucrecia asking her to come back, telling her that Mussolini told him the truth, that he threatened to hand Eddie over to the British if she didn’t leave him. He also persuaded Mussolini to write to her as well saying the same thing and to ask them to come back to Rome and that he would guarantee their safety.’

Tadeas looked confused. ‘But why will that make Lucrecia come back? She knows that he didn’t threaten Eddie…’

‘His letter said that he guaranteed their safety… their… not just Eddie’s.’ Serena interrupted. ‘He came to tell me that he won’t be calling on me again or Lucrecia, not in that way and that I was to encourage her to come back.’ She shrugged. ‘I don’t entirely trust him to keep his word, but I think he needs his favourite opera singer to be in Rome to feed his ego. If she’s gone too long people might talk. He’s probably bored with both of us anyway, plenty of other women in the country for him to fuck…’ Serena flushed. ‘Sorry Monsignor.’ It was rare for her to use his title now and Tadeas gave a wry smile.

‘It’s alright…’ He thought hard. ‘You really think Lucrecia will come back?’

Serena shrugged. ‘I don’t know but I think she must be missing you and her brother so I’m hoping it will be enough.’

‘I hope you’re right.’ Tadeas patted her hand. He was missing Lucrecia more than he dared admit, even to himself. She could be difficult and there were times he wondered where the shy young girl he’d first met had disappeared to, but he loved her more than life itself. He hoped Serena was right as he couldn’t wait for her to come back. For a brief moment his thoughts turned back to Serena and how devious she was. It might have been a problem if her intention had been to work against the family she had married into, but that was no longer the case. She, at least, could see the Dictator for what he was. Lucrecia had also had her eyes opened. That only

left Antonio, who although he seemed to have developed some doubts, still seemed to think staying friends with Mussolini was the sensible thing to do. He was probably right about that, at least for the moment but Tadeas needed him to see the truth, that the Dictator was a danger to the country, a man who could never be trusted. Antonio could continue working for Mussolini but if he could see the truth he could use that to work against the Dictator instead of for him. Tadeas offered up a silent prayer that with some gentle persuasion the three of them would eventually be able to open Antonio’s eyes. Unfortunately, the most important card they had, the one that would definitely make him see sense, they couldn’t use because it would destroy all of them.

Chapter 2

Nuremberg

Max glanced at his watch. Not long now and he would be home, his past finally behind him. He had always felt there was unfinished business with Rosa, something the past few months had finally laid to rest. In some ways he was relieved that it was finally over, she would never want to see him again, not now he’d told her the truth. He hoped she didn’t hate him too much. A wry smile crossed his face. Of course she would. He had lied repeatedly and even if he hadn’t meant to hurt her she would never see it like that. The only thing in his favour was that he wasn’t going to claim Ramon as his own and he hoped she wouldn’t guess that his decision was based purely on self-interest. For some reason he still cared what she thought about him. A part of him would always love Rosa but he couldn’t help it if he didn’t love in the same way that other people did. If it hadn’t been for Lettie he might have been able to return Rosa’s feelings, but she had ruined him for any other woman. He was no longer prepared to give his heart to anyone, it was irrevocably broken leaving only a shell behind. Enough to be a husband to Herta because that didn’t require too much effort. She accepted him for what he was. Max ignored the voice in his head that disagreed because he didn’t want to hear it.

He was still convincing himself that he’d done the right thing telling Rosa the whole truth when he finally reached the house and, as he stared up at the imposing structure, he wondered how long it would take him to settle back into his life in Germany. He had really enjoyed his time in Vienna, spending time with Rosa had been wonderful, it had been like turning the clock back. If only her parents hadn’t interfered all those years ago his life would have been so different... He sighed. But would he have wanted that? He would have missed out on so many things, Bruno, his art career, Stefi, Siegfried and his new baby son, Niclaus. Max suddenly couldn’t wait to see his sons and Herta. He hurried up the steps and was about to knock when the door flew open and she was in his arms.

‘Max! I’ve missed you so much.’

Max held her close. ‘I’ve missed you too.’ He realised it was true. Herta was a calming presence, a steadiness that he needed and he wondered why he hadn’t realised it before.

‘Come and see Niclaus. You do like his name, don’t you? I was so worried you wouldn’t…’

Max held her closer and smiled. ‘You don’t need to worry Herta, of course I like it and no doubt I will also like him if you ever show him to me!’

Herta laughed, pulled out of his arms, grabbed his hand and began dragging him towards the elegant staircase. Max followed, Rosa and Ramon

forgotten. He was back where he was meant to be. Home at last.

*******

Vienna

Lucrecia finished reading the two letters and handed them to Eddie. ‘What do you think?’ She wanted nothing more than to return to Rome. Vienna was alright for a brief holiday, to sing in their opera house and receive their adulation, but she didn’t want to live there. She missed Rome, the vibrancy, the history, the shops and cafes… Lucrecia sighed. She could also feel a certain amount of tension in the streets, and it reminded her of Rome before Mussolini had taken control. That she could think anything complimentary about Il Duce took her by surprise. She hated him with a vengeance now because of what he’d done to her, but she had to concede that he had bought a form of peace to Italy, an end to the civil war that had been threatening to tear the country apart. If only the Communists would disappear the world would be so much more peaceful.

‘It’s up to you.’ Eddie’s voice broke into her thoughts. He would love to go back to Rome. The novelty of having to remain faithful to Lucrecia had soon worn off but Vienna was too small to risk anything so he was becoming increasingly bored. ‘Can you trust him?’

Lucrecia shrugged. ‘He has plenty of other women he can go to. He probably needs Antonio for something.’ He first reaction had been to disbelieve Mussolini when he said he would guarantee their safety but now she thought about it, it wasn’t in his interests to antagonise Antonio. He was one of the few people he could trust. And anyway, she wanted to go home.

*******

Munich

‘You’re looking very well.’ Max was amused. Adolf looked like he’d been on holiday, not in prison. Obviously the rumours were true that he’d been more of a guest than a prisoner with a large cell, better than many of the boarding houses he’d had to live in, hearty cooked meals every day, freedom to write his book and to hold meetings with his closest friends without having to worry about any of the problems of normal day to day living. While he had been unable to paint and had to lay low Adolf had apparently had a great time and Max was beginning to feel jealous.

He’d spent a few days with Herta before heading to Munich with some information for Adolf from Kristian and Oskar. It seemed they had managed to persuade the Russians to start building some factories and they were already beginning to manufacture arms as well as aircraft. All they needed

was a market and that was why Max was here to see if his friend still needed

them. Max couldn’t see that Adolf would have changed his mind, not after

serving only nine months of his four-year sentence. If anything he was likely to be more determined, and hopefully ready to learn from previous mistakes. But first they had to get the party reinstated and rebuild their base. ‘Do you really think you can persuade the Prime Minister of Bavaria to accept your assurances that the days of violence are over?’

‘I don’t see why not. If I can get Heinrich Held to allow the party to be reinstated, we can carry on where we left off. Only this time we’ll be a little more careful. I’ve realised that the state is too well entrenched for anyone to overthrow it by violence. We need to use the state’s own mechanisms to gain control of it. When my book comes out in the summer things will really take off, you wait and see.’

‘The newspaper article by Münchener Post was rubbish then?’ Max grinned as he remembered how furious Adolf had been when the socialist newspaper had accused him of lying and having never written anything.

‘Of course it was, the book is already at the printers. They were just trying to discredit me, but it will backfire on them because now I have more of the population of Munich knowing the book is coming out. And the argument in the newspapers is generating even more national coverage. I would never have reached that particular audience before. You watch. Mein Kampf will be a best seller.’

Max smiled. ‘I’m sure you’re right.’ He wasn’t but it wasn’t worth arguing with his friend when he was in such an optimistic mood.

‘Spent your time in Vienna with that Jewess, did you?’ The question took Max by surprise and he flushed. How on earth did Adolf know that?

‘You’ll be surprised at what I know Max. I take it you’ve ended it with her now?’ The last thing he needed was for Max to screw up his relationship with the von Scholz family. ‘I’m sure Herta will not be as forgiving as Stefi was.’

Mas flushed deepened. ‘Yes, it’s all finished. She won’t want to see me anymore.’

‘Good.’ Adolf handed Max a poster and changed the subject. ‘This is where we’re going to relaunch the party on February 27th.’

‘At the Bürgerbräukeller?’ Max examined the poster, surprised he’d chosen the same place the putsch had started from.

‘Yes, I’ve set out several conditions to membership in my editorial in Völkischer Beobachter. There are to be no rival factions, instead there is to be peace between them and they will all swear allegiance to me. I am in sole charge, no joint decision making, no shared leadership. This is essentially a new party, so everyone has to join from scratch, and yes, that does include you. In fact you can be one of the first new members.’ He would have to

make sure Max had definitely severed all connections with the tiresome

Jewess and her family in Vienna. He had plans for Austria and these included Max, so it was important he no longer had any problematic contacts there. He needed his friend focused on the future, not the past.

*******

Rome

‘Fabio is a beautiful name.’ Lucrecia smiled down at her tiny newborn nephew. ‘He looks just like you Antonio.’

‘Yes, I thought so too, although I can see Papa in some of his expressions.’

Lucrecia stared back down at Fabio for several seconds but couldn’t see Paulo at all. ‘No, sorry, he reminds me of you but that’s all.’ For a brief moment she felt jealous that Antonio had a son. She had two daughters and would have rather liked a son. But it obviously wasn’t meant to be. She handed him reluctantly back to Serena. ‘How is the nanny working out?’

‘Very well. I haven’t had to lift a finger, I can just concentrate on feeding him. Thank you Lucrecia, it’s the most thoughtful present.’

Lucrecia grinned. ‘I remember what it was like after Anastasia was born. Fortunately, I did have help, thanks to Fiorella, but otherwise it would have been very difficult.’ She glanced at the clock on the wall. ‘I have to go or I’ll be late for rehearsal. As soon as you are able to bring him out please come round. Meanwhile I think you will have two more visitors later. Anastasia and Tara can’t wait to meet their cousin.’

*******

Vienna

The shot rang out breaking the silence of the deserted streets, echoing around the buildings. A figure approached cautiously, crouched down by the body for several seconds before moving silently away into the deserted streets. A blind moved at one of the windows but the silence continued for several seconds before a door opened. A man appeared and peered into the darkness searching the surrounding area for any sign of the shooter. After satisfying himself there was no one around he made his way carefully towards the lifeless form. His pace slowed, he could tell there was nothing he could do before he was even halfway across the well lit square, his instincts confirmed by the blood pooling on the ground. He shook his head. This was the first violence he had seen for years. Things had been reasonably peaceful since the socialists had taken control, so this had to be more personal.

‘Dead?’ His wife’s voice made him jump, lost in thought he’d not heard

her approaching.

‘Yes, I’m afraid there’s no doubt.’

‘Oh God…’ His wife gasped.

He took his eyes off the body and looked up. ‘What is it?’ He peered around nervously suddenly worried the shooter was returning.

His wife shook her head, unable to speak for shock.

He looked back down and then understanding dawned.

The shooter melted away into the darkness, his thoughts on his victim. He would have preferred things to have been different, but it was important to act now, before it was too late.

Chapter 3

Rome

‘Lucrecia!’ Antonio flung his arms around his sister and pulled her close. ‘I’ve missed you so much. I’m really pleased you are home.’ He leant back and stared into her eyes. ‘You are staying, aren’t you? This isn’t just a flying visit?’

Lucrecia laughed. ‘No, I’m home to stay, providing we don’t have any problems.’

‘You won’t. He’s really pleased you’re coming back. I’m sure he won’t do anything to mess that up.’

Lucrecia’s eyes met Serena’s and then she returned her gaze to Antonio. ‘I’m sure you’re right.’ And if that bastard did try anything she would tell Antonio the truth, whatever the consequences. Meanwhile she would settle back into her life and hope that things would return to normal.

‘She’s definitely back in Rome?’ Mussolini fixed him with an icy stare.

‘Si Duce. Her brother has just visited her.’ Ettore Laguardia tried to ignore the sweat forming on his upper lip. He had no idea why Il Duce was spying on the sister of his good friend Antonio, but it wasn’t his business and he had no intention of drawing the wrong attention to himself. Instead, he would enjoy the promotion and concentrate on keeping in the shadows where it was safer.

‘Good.’ Mussolini sighed. Unfortunately, he needed Antonio, or he would pay Lucrecia a visit. He would have to honour his promise and find someone else to amuse him. It wouldn’t be difficult. He would just concentrate on the bigger picture.

*******

Nuremberg

Oskar patted Siegfried gently on the head. ‘So, you see he didn’t mean for anything to happen to your mother, or to you. It was just bad luck really and definitely not Bruno’s fault so you mustn’t blame him.’

‘I don’t understand?’ Siegfried looked confused. ‘Why would Bruno do that? He loves me and Mama.’

Oskar smiled. ‘As I said he didn’t think anything would happen, he was just not thinking properly so he wasn’t really responsible for your mother’s death.’ Oskar decided he’d probably said enough. ‘I just didn’t want there to be any problems between you when you stay with him.’

‘I thought I was living here now?’

‘You are but you have a stepsister don’t you, Christa, and you should

see her. The easiest way is to stay with Bruno from time to time.’

Siegfried didn’t answer and Oskar hid trouble hiding his irritation. He didn’t want to keep on in case it had the opposite effect. He was just about to repeat himself when Siegfried suddenly shook his head.

‘I don’t want to stay with him. He can bring Christa here and then I can see her.’

‘Well, that’s certainly a possible solution…’ Oskar smiled to himself. He was getting through after all. ‘Anyway, don’t worry about it too much, you can always talk to your father about it.’ Knowing Max still blamed Bruno for Stefi’s death and for putting Siegfried in danger could only help his attempt to separate Bruno from the family.

‘Alright, I will, thank you Onkel.’

‘Goodbye then, anything else you want to know you can always ask me, alright?’ When Siegfried nodded Oskar left the boy’s bedroom a smile on his face. That had been much easier that he’d expected.

*******

Vienna

‘Noooooooo...’ Katherina sank to her knees, her scream echoing across the square. The policeman stared down at the pavement, unsure what to do.

‘What’s happened?’ Norberta came flying down the stairs followed closely by Ramon.

Katherina looked up, anguish etched on her face. ‘It’s Rosa…’ She stopped, unable to say any more.

Norberta somehow fought down her own fear and looked at the policeman. ‘What’s going on?’

He swallowed nervously and indicated Ramon. Norberta shook her head and somehow kept calm. ‘Please tell me