Luciano's Luck Read Online Free PDF Page B

murdered, Carter allowed to get clean away, yet you took no hostages in Bellona. Exacted no reprisals.' 'I'm a soldier, not a butcher,' Koenig said. 'If the distinction doesn't appeal to you, take it up with the Field Marshal.' 'There are perhaps others I could take it up with,' Meyer replied calmly. 'Reichsfiihrer Himmler might well be interested in an officer of SS who expresses such sentiments.' 'Then you must discuss it with him,' Koenig said, 'as I'm sure you will,' and he went out of the entrance, down the steps and crossed to where Brandt waited for him behind the wheel of a kubelwagen. Koenig smoked a cigarette as they drove down towards Palermo. Finally, he said, 'Pull over, Rudi. I must walk for a while.' Brandt turned in at the entrance of the Pellegrino cemetery and Koenig got out and walked through the gates between even lines of Cyprus trees. He stood looking up at a white marble tomb with a life-size statue of Santa Rosalia of Pellegrino on top. Brandt moved in behind him. Koenig said, 'The most vulgar thing I've ever seen in my life.' Brandt asked, "What happened back there?' 'Oh, nothing much. They've hung a Major called Meyer from Himmler's personal staff on my back, that's *"� The Field Marshal was very sorry, but there wasn't much he could do about it.' 39 He reached into his pocket for matches and th envelope Kesselring had given him fell out. Brandt picked it up as Koenig lit a cigarette. 'Major,' he said, holding the envelope out. 'Kesselring's parting gift,' Koenig told him. 'Open it and let's see what it was he didn't have the courage to tell me personally.' He turned, looking out towards the sea, aware of Brandt ripping open the envelope and then the sergeant major's incredulous explosion of delight. Koenig swung round and Brandt held out the letter, smiling. 'It's your promotion, Lieutenant-Colonel.' Koenig stared at him for a long moment, then snatched the letter from him. The formality of the language meant nothing to him. The important thing was that Brandt was right. Kesselring had promoted him. When he looked at the envelope, he saw now that it was addressed to Ober-sturmbannfiihrer Max Koenig. What was it Kesselring had said? / have done the best I can for you in the circumstances. He clapped Brandt on the shoulder. 'A celebration, Rudi, is very definitely in order.' As they started to walk back towards the kubelwagen he laughed. 'My God, but I'd like to see Meyer's face when he hears about this.' It was four weeks later when the jeep carrying Harry Carter deposited him at the ornate entrance of the villa at dar el Ouad. He went up the steps slowly, taking his time and passed into the cool darkness. Cusak looked up from his desk and got to his feet instantly. 'Major Carter. Good to see you, sir.' 'I believe I'm expected.' 'That's right, sir. I'll tell General Eisenhower you're here.' He moved away and Carter went out on the terrace. Was it only six weeks since he'd stood here? He had that pain in his chest again and in spite of the fact, or because of it, he took the old silver case from his breast pocket, selected a cigarette and lit it, inhaling with great deliberation. There was a quick step behind him and as he turned, Cusak said, 'The General will see you now, Major.' Standing in front of the desk, Carter was filled with a strange sense of deja vu. Eisenhower, looking up at him, frowned. 'You don't look too good, Major.' 'I'll be all right, sir. I was just wondering whether it was then or now.' Eisenhower smiled. 'Oh, yes, you've been here before, I can assure you. I get days like that myself. Sit down.' He pulled a file forward and opened it. 'I read your report with considerable interest.' Carter pulled forward a chair. 'Thank you, sir.' He hesitated. 'Is the Sicilian invasion on. General?' Eisenhower looked up and said calmly, 'During t}, next few weeks the British under General Montgonie will invade at the Eastern end of the island, while Gener i Patton and the Seventh Army will land