Free The Secret of Spandau by Peter Lovesey

sounded.
    Cedric went on, ‘You may imagine the shock his appearance caused when he was flown in. After four years and a few months in British hands, his physique was emaciated. We’ve already talked about his skull-like face and staring eyes. In view of his alleged mental instability, the question arose whether he was fit to stand trial. The British were asked to supply a report, so three eminent authorities were appointed to the task. An interesting trio: our friend, Brigadier Rees; Lord Moran, Churchill’s personal physician; and Dr George Riddoch, a consulting neurologist. They reported that Hess was technically a psychopathic personality, that he had a delusion of poisoning and other paranoid ideas.’ Cedric pulled some notes from his pocket. ‘We don’t all have infallible memories,’ he said with a sly smile at Dick, before starting to read:
At the moment he is not insane in the strict sense. His loss of memory will not entirely interfere
with his comprehension of the proceedings, but it will interfere with his ability to make his defence, and to understand details of the past which arise in evidence.
    â€˜They wanted it both ways,’ commented Red.
    â€˜Meaning precisely what?’ Jane demanded, determined not to let easy assumptions go unchallenged.
    â€˜It’s obvious, love. He was sane enough to face the trial and be hanged or locked away for life, but if he said anything out of line, he was bonkers.’
    She said without looking at him, ‘That’s simplistic in the extreme.’
    â€˜Why do you think the Brigadier’s book was written? Eight doctors don’t go into print to show that a patient is abnormal without pressure from somewhere.’
    â€˜It was published in 1947 – after the Nuremberg Trials were over.’
    â€˜Yes, but it wasn’t
written
in 1947, was it? It was part of the cover-up. You can bet there were typed copies circulating in Nuremberg.’
    Jane withdrew from the contest by turning to Cedric. ‘Tell us what actually happened at the trial.’
    â€˜Well, there’s no doubt that Hess was the star turn, despite the presence of figures like Göring and Ribbentrop. His haggard, hollow-eyed look is the lasting image of Nuremberg. In court, he ignored most of the proceedings, switching off his earphones and preferring to read a book. Sometimes he said, “I remember nothing.” He had brought with him from England twists of paper containing scraps of food he alleged were used to poison him.’
    â€˜Paranoia,’ murmured Jane.
    â€˜His counsel claimed repeatedly that he was unfit to plead,’ Cedric went on, referring to his notes. ‘To quote,
He knows neither events which have happened in the past nor the persons who were associated with him in the past
. But the report from the English doctors was upheld, and indeed supported by the American and Soviet psychiatrists who examined him.
    â€˜Then, sensationally, after weeks of legal argument, Hess decided to make a statement. He told the court he had feigned amnesia for tactical reasons, and he was fit to stand trial. That night, he submitted to questions from the American psychiatrist, Major Kelley. This is important, so forgive me for referring to my notes again. Major Kelley writes:
He claimed that his memory now extended throughout his entire life, but on persistent questioning indicated that there were still a number of things on which he was not quite clear and for which his memory was still faulty
.’
    â€˜Like the real reason why he flew to Britain in 1941?’ suggested Dick.
    â€˜That’s pure speculation, and you know it,’ said Jane, rounding on him as fiercely as she had on Red.
    â€˜Fine, have it your way,’ Dick offered, with a shrug that left no doubt what he believed.
    â€˜After that piece of drama,’ Cedric resumed, ‘Hess took no interest in the trial for months, until the opportunity came