The Reich Device Read Online Free PDF Page A

gallantly protected his leader. He was quickly promoted to a captain in the
Sturmabteilung
or stormtroopers, and after a couple of years was transferred to the new
Schutzstaffel
, the SS. When Hitler eventually came to power in January 1933, he remembered the loyalty of Kessler and promoted him to commandant. Kessler became a member of
Liebstrandarte Hitler
– the Führer’s personal bodyguard.
    It was an impressive CV. It also explained why Kessler was in Leipzig. What could be more appropriate than a member of your own personal bodyguard to arrange your security? Kessler was responsible for the Führer’s security during public engagements in Leipzig. That inevitably gave him certain latitudes with the natives, but how much? Was the brutality and murder in Leipzig just sanctioned by Berlin? How much of it was Kessler?
    The grey man got an answer to his question, with sudden movement at the side of the building.
    A blood-soaked body fell into the back of a truck, and in plain view of the public. Brutality and fear were the tools of Kessler’s trade. With the finances at his disposal, Kessler could dish out a fair chunk of misery to the masses. The gun sight zoomed back to Kessler’s office – the grey man might have pulled the trigger – only Kessler wasn’t there.
    ‘Another time my friend, another time… ’ The grey man always kept a promise.

CHAPTER 4
Disappearances
    M ayer paced up and down the study. The situation had changed dramatically in the last forty-eight hours. ‘Albert, I think I was followed! It may not be safe for me, or for you!’
    ‘Oh, you worry too much, that does not seem likely. Who would want to follow you?’ Einstein gave a reassuring shrug, palms upwards.
    ‘I don’t know… well, I am not exactly sure, perhaps you are right.’
    ‘You know I am making sense, Gustav, relax… please,’ Einstein smiled.
    Mayer shook his head. ‘Things seem out of kilter and you’ve heard the rumours… ’
    ‘Rumours?’
    ‘Yes, people are disappearing… ’ Mayer paced even faster, ‘… and there are more sentries on the campus.
It is
dangerous for me.’ He stopped and gave Einstein a hard stare.
    Einstein shook his head. ‘No, people are inherently good. Gustav, trust me on this, it cannot be as bad as you imagine.’
    ‘Albert, but
it is
! Look at the evidence, the increased security is everywhere. Then there’s this new Enabling Law – the Nazis have the legal power to detain anyone without recourse… and for as long as they see fit! I say again, people
are
disappearing and we could be next!’
    ‘You really think so? Give me a concrete example.’
    ‘Oh, there are plenty! I heard only yesterday about the construction of a labour camp! In the forests – near here! Something about detaining certain criminal elements… ’
    ‘No, this cannot be. Exactly who are these criminal elements, and what forests? These are just rumours. Surely, just rumours?’ Einstein shifted awkwardly in his chair; maybe his friend was starting to make sense.
    ‘Wait a minute. Have you seen Nico, my technician?’
    ‘Not for a few days, but then I’ve been working here. Why?’
    ‘It’s just unusual. I’d arranged to meet him this morning to go through our most recent experiments, but he didn’t arrive.’
    ‘So? Maybe he was just late?’
    ‘Albert, I don’t think so, Nico is never late. Besides, he would normally leave a telephone message if he was behind schedule.’
    ‘So call him.’ Einstein gestured towards the phone on the desk.
    ‘Do you think I should?’
    ‘Why not? Perhaps it will put your mind at ease?’ Einstein raised an eyebrow.
    ‘Alright, I will.’
    Mayer picked up the receiver and dialled the number. Static filled his ears.
    ‘I can’t get through… ’ Mayer tapped the mouthpiece. ‘I… I… can’t get anything… ’ He rattled his index finger on the receiver, white noise crackled down the line. Mayer rang zero. ‘Hello… hello… operator?’
    ‘Yes