The Rendezvous Read Online Free PDF Page A

could blot out the middle-aged woman he had seen strapped down on the table in Freischer’s interrogation room, screaming like an animal as they passed electric currents through her body. He could forget the great courage of an Englishman who had taken all that they could give him in terms of physical torture until he was confronted with one of his own agents who had defected. He could ignore the evidence that the men he worked with were sadists and perverts, under the command of inhuman bureaucrats only interested in results. He could stand apart from them and still go on with his work – he could go on in the Gestapo and remain a human being; if only he could have Terese Masson.
    â€˜Who sent you to Lyons?’ He held her face with one hand, forcing it upwards; her eyes were closed and the tears were streaming down her cheeks. ‘Tell me now. Tell me the name.’
    At that moment the internal telephone on his desk began to ring. He knew what that interruption meant when she began to struggle, and he let her go and picked up the telephone.
    It was General Knochen himself.
    â€˜Have you still got the Masson girl?’
    â€˜Yes, General, I’m just …’
    â€˜Has she given you this man’s name?’
    The voice barked at him over the line; he could imagine Knochen sitting at his desk, making notes in his crabby handwriting. He very seldom lost his temper but when he did he was without mercy.
    â€˜No, not yet, General, but any moment now.’ It was dangerous but Brunnerman’s own nerves were stretched like piano wires, and he couldn’t help saying, ‘I’d have had it now, if your call hadn’t interrupted me.’
    â€˜You’ve had fourteen hours to break her,’ Knochen snapped. ‘That’s long enough. Send her upstairs and let Freischer see what he can do.’
    The sweat came out on Brunnerman’s face. ‘Give me another hour, half an hour. It’s just coming – I’ll guarantee it!’
    â€˜Not another minute!’ There was a moment’s pause. ‘What the hell are you doing, anyway? What’s all this fuss about the girl? She’s to go upstairs, Brunnerman. Immediately!’ The line clicked, and Brunnerman hung up. Terese Masson had gone back to her chair: she was sitting with her hands clenched on her knees and her eyes weren’t looking at him. He went over and stood in front of her.
    â€˜Get up!’
    She did as she was told, and he could see that she was calm. His own hands were shaking. ‘That was my chief. He wanted to know if you’d co-operated and I had to tell him you hadn’t. I even asked for more time, but he wouldn’t give it. They’re coming for you, Terese. For Christ’s sake tell me, before they get here!’
    She shook her head. ‘No,’ she said, ‘I can’t.’
    â€˜You stupid little fool!’ He shouted at her, overcome by anger. He did something he had never done since he joined the S.S. He hit her across the face.
    â€˜Tell me the name!’
    She had collapsed on the chair, covering her head with her hands, trying to protect herself. He stopped and turned away from her. He went back to his desk and lit a cigarette; it took some seconds before he got the lighter flame steady enough to light the end of it. ‘I’m sorry I did that,’ he said. ‘It’s never happened before.’
    â€˜It’s all right.’ They were facing each other across a distance now, and she managed to smile at him. She looked very small and even younger than she was. The carpet was like an ocean between them.
    â€˜It showed you meant what you said, in a funny way. That’s why you hit me – as a last resort.’
    â€˜I meant it all.’ His anger had gone now; he felt a sense of total emptiness. ‘All I can do is advise you. Don’t try and hold out. Don’t get Freischer in a bad mood. Tell them