Free The Reich Device by Richard D. Handy

excesses of America. Bring back the technological advances that are rightfully ours!’
    ‘Yes, Herr Goebbels, I already have some weapons technology in mind.’
    ‘Good, I see you are prepared.’ Goebbels unfolded a crisp white handkerchief from his breast pocket, and wiped his hands. He continued. ‘Any German-American that will not return will be deemed a traitor… and we know what happens to traitors.’
    ‘Of course, Herr Doctor, they will be dealt with most severely.’ Heinkel gave a click of his heels.
    ‘Everything is in the file.’ Goebbels folded his handkerchief back up into an immaculate square and returned it to his pocket. He looked Heinkel directly in the eye. ‘Use your influence with these dim-witted Americans. Relieve them of their funds, steal their secrets, kills the ones that will not cooperate – kill them – kill them all!’
    Sir Hugh Sinclair, head of the fledgling Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), considered the intelligence reports; it made grim reading. He stood at the head of the large ornate table in the cabinet office briefing room. The elegant fabric of his pinstriped suit, fresh from his tailor at Saville Row, easily accommodated his wiry frame. Hawk-like, he took in every detail of the men flanking each side of the oak monolith.
    ‘Gentlemen, welcome.’ The hubbub of the meeting room suddenly turned to silence. Sinclair had summoned his key field operatives and technical experts from SIS, and given the delicate political situation, the British Ambassador to South Africa, Lord Elgin-Smyth, also attended. General Gort, Commander of the British Army, sat next to the Ambassador.
    ‘Gentlemen, I hope you have done your reading, this intelligence is fresh information courtesy of my man just back from Leipzig.’ His sharp eyes flicked at the grey man, then went back to the report. Sinclair lifted the first page. ‘The situation in Germany is deteriorating.’
    All eyes focused on Sinclair.
    ‘It is now clear that, since the Enabling Laws, Adolf Hitler has more or less complete control over the German people. Reports are coming in of Nazi brutality against minority groups. People are being murdered, and the police are doing nothing. In fact, it seems that some of the
disappearances
are being sanctioned by the state.’
    ‘I agree,’ the British Ambassador cut in with a polite smile, flashing his pristine white teeth momentarily, before pulling a gold pen from the pocket of his silk shirt. ‘If you don’t mind Sir Hugh… ’
    Sinclair shrugged, offering the floor to Elgin-Smyth.
    ‘Gentlemen, the diplomatic situation could not be more fragile. The apparent lack of civil liberty in Germany is abhorrent. The idea of an undemocratic regime in any country bothers me. It’s morally objectionable. Also, I fear it will create regional instability, and the last thing we need is another war in Europe.’
    ‘I agree,’ Sinclair nodded, ‘and for that reason alone we are stepping up the number of field agents in Europe. The Prime Minister has already decided to support the democracies of Austria, Poland and others in Europe through diplomatic means. The intelligence services will, shall we say, supplement the diplomatic effort as and when required.’
    Sinclair paused to pick up his pipe, he flicked a match into the bowl and took a couple of long slow drags to get the embers burning, then continued. ‘Hitler has a security service, the newly formed SS, that seems to have no accountability to the army or police. We need to keep a close eye on this SS, and for all its lack of subtlety, it does seem to nurture a certain malevolence – and a new breed of German spies.’
    ‘From a diplomatic viewpoint the German state and the judicial system seem to be one. That has to be bad news for the civilian population.’ The Ambassador tapped his gold pen on the notepaper. ‘This is why the Prime Minister is keen to open up diplomatic channels with Chancellor Hitler. We will be seeking