The Cairo Code by Glenn Meade Page B

serious.”
    â€œVery, I’m sad to say. Who could believe that anyone who has taken an oath of loyalty to the Führer would wish him dead? But we’ll root them out, don’t you worry. Every last one of them, even if we have to interrogate the entire army, navy, and air force.”
    Schellenberg turned from the window, popped a cigarette in his mouth, lit it, and blew smoke up to the ceiling. “But back to business. The latest ciphers from my SD agents in Persia and the Middle East agents make for rather interesting reading. It appears all the signs are that the Cairo and Teheran meetings of the Allied leaders are definitely on, just as we suspected. And as you well know, Roosevelt has yet to decide on how the imminent invasion of Europe will proceed.”
    Canaris forced himself to look away from the disturbing scene outside, felt a chill go through him, as if he knew what was coming. “Why do I get the feeling you have another of your exotic plans in mind?”
    Schellenberg grinned. “My dear Wilhelm, such is the sole reason for my existence. What would life be without a little subterfuge to make it interesting?”
    â€œI suppose you had better tell me.”
    â€œFirst, tell me your opinion of President Roosevelt.”
    Canaris raised an eyebrow. “What is this? Some sort of trick question to hang me with?”
    An uneasy alliance existed between Germany’s two intelligence agencies, and Canaris had the unpleasant suspicion he was about to be duped into some sort of trap.
    â€œOn the contrary. A simple question for which I’d appreciate an honest answer.”
    Canaris shrugged. “I have to admit a certain grudging respect for the man, even if he is the enemy. A cripple who’s spent most of his life in constant pain and in a wheelchair, but nevertheless still manages to win the presidency for three terms, commands a certain admiration in itself. As far as American public opinion goes, he’s probably the most revered president since Lincoln. He took their economy out of the worst depression in history almost single-handedly, and they respect him for that, even though we Germans despise him for bringing America into the war and bombing our cities to ruins.”
    â€œAn honest assessment.” Schellenberg stood, came round his desk, and sat on the edge. “What do you know about my top agent in Cairo?”
    â€œI presume you mean Nightingale? Only that I’ve heard he’s the best you ever had.”
    Schellenberg laughed and shook his head. “Forget Nightingale, that’s far in the past. I’m talking about the present.”
    â€œAbsolutely nothing. You know very well you keep that information to yourself.”
    Schellenberg smiled. “But times change, and now it’s time to cooperate. The war is hardly going in our favor right now. Indeed, there are some who say we’re on the losing side.”
    Canaris raised his eyebrows. “I really wouldn’t express that view too loudly, Walter. Unless you want to whistle good-bye to your career and have your testicles reshaped in the cellars.”
    Schellenberg threw his head back and laughed. “That’s what I like about you, Wilhelm, you always have my interests at heart. But back to matters in hand. Actually, we have two principal agents still active in Cairo. The most important is a man named Harvey Deacon, code name Besheeba. Born in Hamburg, forty-eight years of age.”
    â€œHe’s a German citizen?”
    â€œBritish, actually. Ironical, that, considering he hates the Allies with a vengeance.”
    â€œMay I ask why?”
    â€œThe British were responsible for killing his father.”
    â€œWhich makes for rather a neat motive.”
    â€œExactly. He’s a nightclub owner and businessman. I can also tell you that he’s ruthless and immensely capable. He’s done rather well for us in the past, extremely well in