The next day I was escorted to a courtroom. Two men in dark suits and a severely dressed woman with a tight bun of gray hair sat on a raised platform at one end of the room. I was directed to a chair placed squarely in front of and facing the judges. Armed guards flanked the door. The witness chair was flanked by a pair of desks. At the desk to my left sat two men. One was a nervous looking man who looked to be in his fifties. He was obviously the defendant. Next to him sat a younger man with several folders on the desk in front of him. I wondered how much effort the advocate was putting into the defense. On my right was the prosecutor.
I had never met Hans Glickenhoff before but I recognized him from his photographs. He was about the same age as Baker but looked ten years younger. He must have been feeding on many of my kind over the years to be aging that slowly. He gave me a predatory look as I sat in the witness chair. I felt like I was being sized up like a side of beef. He rose and spoke in a booming voice that filled the courtroom.
“The people of the German Democratic Republic welcome our visitor from the west. With the tribunal’s permission I will use this witness to establish the credibility of the witness Alex Baker.”
The defense attorney jumped up. “I object to this witness! This woman has no credibility. She is a criminal herself.”
“The witness has no personal stake in this affair. She has no reason to lie. Surely the tribunal will allow this witness to testify.”
The three judges whispered together for a moment. One of the men then spoke. “The objection is overruled. The witness will testify.”
“But the witness is being held in a cell. She’ll say whatever it takes to go free.”
The woman judge glared at the defense attorney. “The tribunal has made its ruling. Sit down.”
The attorney sat down and sulked. I wondered how much trouble he would be in for trying too hard to actually defend his client.
Glickenhoff began his questioning. I stated my name (at least the one I was currently living under) and confirmed that I was a resident of West Germany.
“How do you know Alex Baker?” he asked.
“For the last five years I’ve had business dealings with Mr. Baker.”
“What sort of business dealings?”
I hesitated. He wanted me to admit to a serious crime in court. On the other hand, my situation could not get much worse. “Alex Baker paid me to smuggle things across the inner German border. I took packages to and from West Germany.”
“Was Mr. Baker a businessman?”
“No. Alex Baker worked for British Intelligence.”
“Mr. Baker approached you recently to get him across the border. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Was there anything unusual about that?”
“As a rule, I don’t take people across the border. It’s just too dangerous. Baker knew this but asked me to do it anyway.”
“Was there anything else odd about his request?”
“Baker did not contact me through the usual procedure.”
“What do you think that meant?”
“Objection!” The defense attorney sprang up again. “The prosecutor wants his witness to engage in wild speculation.”
Glickenhoff replied in a calm tone. “If the tribunal will allow me to finish my examination of this witness, I will show that she is not wildly speculating but drawing a reasonable conclusion based on evidence.”
Frau Gray Bun glared at the defense attorney again. “Overruled. Sit down.”
Glickenhoff picked up right where he had left off. “What do you think was the significance of Mr. Baker not following the usual procedure?”
“Baker did not want British Intelligence to know he was talking to me.”
“And what leads you to that conclusion?”
“Baker told me he wanted to defect and obviously didn’t want the British to know what he was up to.”
“And you took all this at face value?”
“Not at first. But Baker’s superior at British Intelligence personally contacted me after Baker’s defection. I was questioned about Baker’s whereabouts and activity. He specifically asked me if I had helped Baker cross the border.”
“Very good. I am finished with this witness.”
The defense attorney rose. “Were you kidnapped from Hamburg to appear at this tribunal?”
“You are out of order.” Frau Gray Bun’s voice was ice cold. “Your cross examination is over and the witness is excused.”
I was taken back to my cell. I had no doubt what the verdict of the tribunal would be. I also had no doubt there was a lot more going on that I did not know about.
A few hours later a guard led me outside the building to a large enclosed courtyard. Hans Glickenhoff was waiting there. “Take a walk with me.”
He was a head taller than me and I had trouble keeping up with his long stride. The guard remained at the entrance and watched us from his post. “There are hidden microphones in just about every room here. This is a conversation I don’t think either of us wants overheard, Leyla.”
I started at the use of my real name. “Oh, yes. I know exactly who you are, Leyla. I’m sure you know who I am as well. So let us speak plainly to each other.”
“Fine, Hans. What do you want to talk about?”
“You have made quite a nuisance of yourself over the years. Paul Jenkins is certain you were the one who thwarted his recovery operation at the Bavarian camp in ’45. You have killed several friends of mine starting with the man you killed the day we collected your parents. But now I find myself needing your assistance .”
“Go to Hell.”
“Watch your tongue, creature. I can make you disappear whenever I want. You’re only alive because I need you alive.”
Creature. We were not even people to him. “So why am I useful?”
“Your friend Alex Baker has made it clear that the price for his cooperation is your well being. I still need his cooperation so you will be returned to West Germany as promised.”
I was struck by a sudden realization. “You’re the real mole in the Stasi.”
“Keep your voice down, creature. You’ll get us both killed.”
“So that poor man on trial was innocent.”
“He was close to finding out about me so I accused him first.”
“Alex’s defection was a ruse?”
“Baker came over to provide the damning evidence I needed. He’ll spend a few years here providing outdated and false information. In a few years, he’ll be exchanged for a Soviet spy and live a quiet retirement someplace warm as reward for his service to Queen and Country.
“Baker knows there is some animosity between us though he does not know why. He wants proof that you are alive and well. Perhaps a personal visit once in a while to satisfy your friend?”
“As much as I have enjoyed the Stasi’s hospitality, I’d have to decline the offer.”
“Of course no one thinks you are that foolish, creature. A letter from you every month or so will suffice. Be sure to mention current events as proof of when you wrote it.”
“And that’s it? I’m free to go if I agree?”
“Your friend Baker was most insistent. I wonder if he would be so concerned about you if he knew your real nature.” There was real hatred in his voice. “You are an unnatural abomination. You wear a human face but you are not human. The only value you and those like you have is the gift of youth and vigor your bodies provide. You are personally responsible for the deaths of several good men. I would like nothing more than to avenge their deaths. I will enjoy feasting on your body if you are anywhere as tasty as your parents were.”
Glickenhoff caught my arm as I swung at him. He waved away the guard and chuckled. “You’re so predictable, creature. Do we have a deal?”
I nodded. “I don’t really have a choice, do I?”
He flashed that predatory smile. “Excellent. I will have you released tonight.”
As I sat in my cell waiting, I thought over the conversation in the courtyard.
I had not realized I was so well known to the Hunters. This was troubling in many ways. If I had any doubts about abandoning my current identity, this news dispelled them. I needed to disappear for a while and let the trail grow cold.
Alex Baker was never leaving East Germany alive. Glickenhoff would kill him anyway as soon as he felt secure, probably in about six months or so. When my letter didn’t arrive in a month he would just move up his timetable. It would look like an accident or suicide. There was nothing I could do for him.
I saw Alex for the last time as I was led to the car taking me to the border crossing. He didn’t say anything but gave me a nod and slight smile. I think he knew what his fate was likely to be. I think he was trying to tell me he understood if I ran away and abandoned him. I tell myself that every time I feel the guilt.
i liked the trial, very one sided and felt like the defense was being railroaded without feeling completely overdone, especially with the small window we saw on it.
ReplyDeleteI also liked how you ended this so wide open for more.