Free The Reich Device by Richard D. Handy Page B

the stuff like it’s going out of fashion.’
    ‘Yes, but why are they selling gold?’
    ‘Gentlemen, my diplomatic sources confirm some very large deposits of gold in the banks in Cape Town, and elsewhere. There is also evidence that the gold bars are being used to purchase supplies,’ reported the Ambassador.
    ‘Supplies? What kind of supplies?’
    ‘All kinds of crap. Industrial materials, large quantities of chemicals.’ Rudy Temple shook his head.
    ‘If I may, Hugh. I have an inventory of some of the materials… ’ the Ambassador flicked through his notes, ‘… including titanium, sodium permanganate, and mercury. Also… an assortment of dried goods… coffee beans, sugar, and the like.’
    ‘Is there cause for concern about these industrial materials?’
    ‘It’s hard to tell. The materials could be used in construction, for any number of legitimate peace-time activities. The chemicals are a bit of a worry, but again, they could be used as catalysts in several industrial processes. It may all be legitimate,’ concluded the Ambassador.
    ‘Legitimate? I don’t think so,’ Nash shook his head. ‘It doesn’t stack up. These materials can be used for armaments, and the chemicals in the production of high explosives. I believe the Germans are up to something.’
    ‘That may be so, but I don’t understand; the Germans have access to minerals and they are in the heartland of European industry. Why get these materials from Southern Africa?’ mused Sinclair.
    ‘I would like to bloody know, that’s for sure!’ Rudy Temple pulled out a smoke and lit up.
    ‘Alright, Rudy, we will need more intelligence on these activities in South Africa. Find out the connection to Berlin, it may be nothing more than state-sponsored money laundering, but we need to be mindful that such large quantities of gold might interfere with the money markets. Look for a motive.’
    Temple nodded as he puffed on his cigarette.
    ‘Major Nash, I need you back in Leipzig, find out what connects the SS to these chemicals; it must be some kind of technological ambition.’
    The grey man acknowledged his orders.
    ‘To work gentlemen, find the pieces of this Nazi puzzle.’
    With that the meeting was over, and the assembled team began to disperse. Sinclair gathered his papers and waited for the men to file out the door, leaving Nash at the back of the queue.
    ‘Danny, hold back a second… thanks.’ Sinclair gave a gentle smile.
    Nash hesitated.
    The two men waited for the door to close. Silence engulfed the empty room. Nash dropped his heavy grey trench coat over the back of the nearest chair and exhaled.
    ‘Emily is asking after you.’ Sinclair gave a knowing look.
    ‘It’s been a while… ’ Nash shuffled his feet involuntarily.
    ‘Look, I know my own daughter. She can be stubborn at times, and I don’t want to interfere; but while you’re here in London… ’
    ‘Okay, okay! I get the message,’ Nash raised his hands in mock surrender. ‘She still at the Admiralty office?’
    ‘Personal assistant to the first Lord of the Admiralty, no less.’
    ‘Why doesn’t that surprise me? It would take a woman like Emily to keep that cantankerous old git, Churchill, in line!’
    ‘Just go and see her, that’s all.’ Sinclair raised an eyebrow.
    ‘Okay, don’t worry, I will.’ Nash gave a wry smile as he picked up his grey coat. It was only a short hop on the number seven bus across town, and he had to face the music sometime… and it may as well be now.
    A quick glance at the Rolex told him that everything was on schedule. That was just as well. Heinkel was bursting with inner pride at the task bestowed upon him by his beloved leader, Adolf Hitler. The Americans would be relieved of their wealth on a grand scale, but guile and cunning were needed. Subtly, insidiously, the USA would fall to the superior might and intellect of Germany.
    A shout from the bridge snapped Oliver Heinkel back to reality. The Captain barked orders