Chapter 11

It was a memorable night for Ada and Christine Lavie. Ada had never known a lover with whom she could feel so close. The brief encounter was totally successful; the warm rapport was incredible. Perhaps it was evidence for the claims made for the French. They were, indeed, the world's great lovers.

After their initial sex excursion, Ada introduced Christine to the leather, and later still- the dildo. Christine played the male with the device strapped to her hips, and performed the pleasurable task with incredible dexterity. Ada managed four explosive climaxes before her aching body demanded respite. But she wouldn't deny her lovely friend her own treasured joys. After more champagne and a midnight snack, Ada harnessed her own figure for action.

Christine had been sadly neglected by men in her past, so Ada was determined to make up for it. She started out gently, but finally built up to a furious crescendo. She bombed her female lover with every joy the leather and rubber could supply. Christine dug her fingers into Ada's back to receive everything offered and climaxed amid shrieks of delight. Then the apparatus was put away, and the lovers retreated to the spacious bathroom.

As Ada ran the water, a knock sounded at the outside door. Angrily she strode across the room nude and opened the door only a crack. It was Rosch. "How dare you interrupt me?" she demanded.

"It is important, my leader," he said, entering the room.

Christine was also naked and covered herself in response to the doctor's obvious interest. He whispered to Ada, "We must send the second message. Have you gained the formula yet?"

"In good time," she said. "I'll call you when I have it. And never interrupt me again. Is that understood?"

"Of course," he said with a courteous bow. "I beg my leader's forgiveness. But we are both subject to orders. Herr Bormann knows we have captured the Frenchwoman, and now he expects his signal to proceed with the second phase of the plan."

Ada sighed contemplatively and let herself into the outside hall. When they were alone she smiled. "The little dove is eating out of my hand, and we are assured of success. I believe you can send the message. Tell them to proceed at once. The plan can start on schedule."

"Good," said Rosch. "Herr Bormann will be proud of his new commandant." He clicked his heels and departed.

Ada returned happily to the bathroom, where the mammoth tub was filled with sudsy water. Christine was just turning off the taps. "Fine," said Ada. "Now for a wonderful, relaxing bath."

Christine got into the tub and let herself be seated. Ada followed. They laughed during the relaxing event, with each taking turns washing each other's body. They scrubbed with short wash cloths, leaving no bodily feature unexplored. "I can't recall having had so much fun," said Christine. "It's been a glorious night. I wish I could find a man with the attributes of that leather contraption."

"There are men," said Ada. "And you shall have many. We have more than forty healthy children living in the dormitories here on the grounds. Among them are at least ten excellent studs. I should know-I've tried them all."

"I shall look forward to it," said Christine scrubbing her cheeks to a glow.

"Then you will stay?" said Ada. "We can have marvelous times together; really we can. Once we have the project under way, we can travel the world as adventure seeking lovers. We can explore far off places together. And with every luxury known to man."

Christine sobered. "Project? What is this project?"

"It is of no consequence to you. I won't let you trouble yourself with such details. All you need do is provide me with your formula, and we will do the rest."

Christine shook her head, first slowly, and then with greater emphasis. "No, my dear Ada. I love you, but I could never turn the formula over to the Nazis. It is against my intrinsic nature."

Ada very nearly collapsed. It wasn't so much the message itself, but the conviction behind it that frightened her. "Wait-why do you say this? You are so emphatic."

"Of course I am. I would die first. You must understand that."

"But I don't."

"Well, any person with any moral values doesn't assist a political party that very nearly destroyed the world. A party that exterminated millions of innocent people."

"But you said you hold no allegiances. You were bartering with East and West. I don't understand this. Not at all."

"I didn't include the Nazi party in my plans. I hate America because I hate every American I ever met. I hate the Russians because of my second mate. Still other heads of state have approached me for my secret, and I hold no allegiances to any of them. But I didn't knowingly negotiate with Nazis, not ever. I neither sought them, nor was told I would be meeting with them in Oslo."

"You must have known who you were meeting."

"No. The arrangements had been forwarded to me by my Swiss representative. There have been so many countries seeking my chemical that I simply responded. I never dreamt my air trip to Oslo would result in this-kidnapping by the Nazis."

Ada's breath came in gasps; her heart seemed to be pounding with irregularity. What was this? Was she hearing correctly? "But you whispered your love to me. We had wonderful fulfilling sex together. I trusted you."

"And you can trust me. I regard you as an individual, Ada. I've never felt so overwhelmed by another person in my life. But that doesn't mean I would condone your political beliefs. No -never. I'm sorry if I misled you."

"You-you . . ." Ada knelt on the tub's surface and leaned over to pull Christine closer. She clutched Christine's arms as tight as her strong hands could hold her. "You will do as I tell you; do you understand? If you don't cooperate there are other means. We must have your formula, and have it at once. This is no game, Christine. You must believe me."

Christine offered no resistance. She only grimaced at the pain of Ada's hand. "I am prepared to die," she said. "But let us part friends, Ada-please."

"No!" Ada shook her head violently. "You can't do this to me. You can't! Do you know who I am-do you?"

Christine closed her eyes and refused to respond.

"I am the daughter of Eva Braum. I am Adolph Hitler's child. I am preordained to lead the world into the greatest age of history- the Fourth Reich!"

Christine accepted the mauling stoically, without reaction, but this information widened her eyes. "You-you're what?"

"It's true-soon the entire world will know it."

Hatred closed over Christine and possessed her. She pulled out of Ada's grasp with amazing strength and crawled out of the tub. Ada sloshed out of the water in chase, and caught Christine when she reached the bedroom carpeting. She pinned Christine on the floor and looked down into her face. "Please," she begged, out of breath. "Don't make me hurt you. I didn't want it this way. I do love you, Christine- truly. I do. But if you do this to me. I must achieve my goal in other ways-painful ways."

"I'm well aware of the Nazi methods," said Christine bitterly.

"It's propaganda. Our story has been magnified all out of proportion."

"Do you really believe that?"

Ada rose, allowing Christine momentary freedom. She paced a few steps and turned. "No ruling power has ever been as despicable as historians make them. Certainly not the Nazis. Our history has been viewed by alien eyes. Our side of the story is quite different."

Christine rose wearily, and sat on the dressing table bench. "It's all true," said Christine, "and I should know. You see, my father died at Buchenwald. My mother was shot in the streets. I-well, as I said-I was brought up in a convent. But I heard all about the Nazis' murders, and know it is true."

"But why?" Ada pleaded, coming nearer. As she moved forward, Christine reached behind her, where she knew there was a pair of scissors. "Why was your family punished?"

"A very good reason," said Christine coldly, "My father was a Jew."

"You-a JEW!"

"Half of me is Jewish-yes."

"And you let me-I'll kill you!"

Ada rushed Christine, but by the time she was upon her, Christine had the scissors poised. As Ada reached her hands about Christine's throat. Christine buried the blades in Ada's back. "I can't let you live," cried Christine. Ada slumped to her "knees-her eyes wide with pain and astonishment.

"I must rid the world of all Hitler's."

Christine fell to her knees to drive the scissors into Ada's breast, but arms clutched her body. A blow struck her cheek and she fell unconscious.

It was Rosch. Ada saw him enter. She lifted to her knees and stared at Christine's quiet form on the carpet. The doctor stood above her with the silver candlestick holder still in his hand.

"She stabbed me!" Ada cried. "I'm going to die!"

The doctor knelt to examine her shoulder, and shook his head. "It's a nasty cut, but far from fatal, my leader. I'll get my bag and patch you up."

"No," said Ada, her voice laced with hatred. "First, see that this Jew swine is locked in the dungeon. I have failed, Herr Doctor. You may now take over."

A wry smile appeared. "With pleasure, my leader. You will find my methods extremely effective."

"Did you send the message?" she asked, trying to rise to her feet.

"Yes, my leader-at your order."

"I was so sure-so very sure of her."

"You are young to the ways of politics," he said with obvious condescension. "You still require guidance, my leader. At least for a time. Do you not agree?"

She nodded in defeat. "Perhaps you are right. I will rely on you more heavily in the future. But Hans? Are you sure you can succeed with Christine?"

"Please trust me- you will see."

Rosch lifted Christine's unconscious body into his arms and carried her from the room. "Lie on your stomach to stop the bleeding," he said in leaving. "I shall return momentarily."

Ada lay on the bed, and somehow the pain no longer mattered. She had suffered far greater wounds in the past. What she was feeling now was defeat, and this was the most difficult pain of all for her to absorb. She had been so confident, so foolishly arrogant in her new power. And that Jew pig Christine! How could she let her do this to her? She gave the woman her love-her trust. Now she was being repaid for her kindness.

If the plan went awry, Ada would be held responsible, and that ambitious swine Rosch would hesitate not a moment to point his accusing finger into Ada's face. Now she was trapped in his web. First it was the baron, and now Rosch. What could be the answer? Where could it possibly lead?