Free The Apocalypse Watch by Robert Ludlum Page B

Nuremberg, sitting down. “It
is
remarkable!”
    “You approve, then?”
    “How could I not? Even to the pause in his voice, his clouded eyes.
Perfect
. You have done it!”
    “Remember, Hans, it is flawed, I cannot be dishonest about that. Conditions remaining stable in their abnormality, I can guarantee but five to eight days longer, no more than that.”
    “But you say London, Paris, and Washington insist it is sufficient, no?”
    “Yes.”
    “Now, tell me about this nonexistence of the valley. It’s a shock.
Why?
”
    “We’re no longer needed. We’re dispersing. Over the past years we’ve indoctrinated—trained—more than twenty thousand disciples—”
    “You like that word, don’t you?” Traupman broke in.
    “It fits. They’re not only true believers, they are also leaders, both minor and potentially major.… They’ve been sent everywhere, mostly throughout Germany, but those gifted in foreign languages and with appropriate skills, to other countries, all financed, ready to take their places in carefully selected professions and occupations.”
    “We’ve progressed so far? I had no idea.”
    “Then in your haste you didn’t notice that we have far fewer people here now. The evacuation began weeks ago, our two mountain vehicles operating night and day to remove personnel and equipment. It’s been like a colony of ants deserting one hill for another—our destination and our destiny—the new Germany.”
    “About the American, this Harry Latham. Beyond staying in contact to learn what he learns, which probably could be accomplished with paid informers, what’s his function? Or is that it? That and proving your theory for future use.”
    “What we learn from him will have value, of course, and will require the use of a miniaturized electronic computer at close range. It can be easily concealed in a small object. But Harry Latham has a far higher calling. If you remember, I mentioned that he will send our enemies scurrying off in different directions. That, however, barely scratches the surface.”
    “You’re practically salivating, Gerhardt. Tell me.”
    “Latham said he was working on figures, numbers asthey pertain to his making millions from the Chinese economic expansion, yes?”
    “He’s probably right.”
    “Wrong, Hans. Those figures have nothing to do with finance. They’re codes he’s devised so he’ll forget nothing after he escapes.”
    “
Escapes?
”
    “Naturally. He has a job to do, and he’s a professional. Of course, we’ll let him.”
    “For God’s sake, be clearer!”
    “During his weeks here, in our sessions and over lunches and dinners, we’ve fed him hundreds of names—French, German, English, American.”
    “
What
names?” Traupman interrupted impatiently.
    “Those men and women in Germany and abroad who silently support us, who contribute heavily to our cause—in essence, people of influence and power who actually work for the Brotherhood.”
    “Are you
mad
?”
    “Among this silent, unrevealed elite,” continued Kroeger, overriding Traupman’s vehement interjection, “are American congressmen, senators, and captains of industry and the media. Also, members of the British establishment, not unlike the Cliveden set that gave Hitler his supporters in England, including clandestine policy-makers in British intelligence—”
    “You’ve lost your
mind
—”
    “Please, Hans, let me finish.… In Paris we have influential sympathizers in the Quai d’Orsay, the Chamber of Deputies, even the secret Deuxième Bureau. And finally in Germany itself, a number of Bonn’s most prestigious authorities. They yearn for the old days before the Fatherland was polluted by the screaming weak who want everything but contribute nothing, the inferior bloodlines that corrupt our nation. Latham has all of this information, all the names. As a trained deep-cover intelligence officer, he’ll report the vast majority.”
    “You are
certifiable
, Kroeger! I will not