Chapter 87: Dark Sword
After the conversation ended, Jörg gave Raeder a faint look, indicating that he could leave first, then shifted his attention to Heydrich.
In truth, Heydrich looked almost exactly as Jörg remembered.
The high bridge of the nose, the sharply defined face, the eyes that seemed to be thinking even in silence, all of it matched the image in his memory. The only real difference was his current appearance. Dressed in a naval greatcoat, he looked nothing like the ruthless figure history would one day remember. Standing there, he seemed more like a respectful student awaiting his superior's judgment.
Only when the door had fully closed did Jörg speak.
He did not immediately extend an olive branch.
Officers could be judged by service records, battlefield merit, and evaluations. Their value was easier to measure. But someone like Heydrich, a man who had not yet stepped into intelligence work, required something else. Jörg needed to see how his mind moved.
So he chose a small test.
"Heydrich," he said calmly, "your service must already have internal measures against leaks. Suppose you were an intelligence officer. How would you eradicate resistance organizations operating inside the country?"
The question made Heydrich's heart jump.
He answered almost at once, though not without tension.
"I would use both bribery and force, sir."
Jörg took a sip of red tea.
"And what quality do you think matters most in an intelligence officer?"
"Loyalty."
A slight smile touched Jörg's lips.
"President Hindenburg intends to establish a new department for internal and external intelligence. I have seen many comments in your file regarding your talent in that field."
Before he could finish, Heydrich stepped forward half a pace and answered with almost unrestrained urgency, "I am willing, sir."
"Do not rush."
Jörg's tone was mild, but it immediately pressed the younger man back into silence.
"I have not yet said I intend to appoint you to that department. A few quick answers are not enough. I want you to write a full proposal for the structure of an intelligence organization, as well as detailed training regulations for its personnel."
He set down his teacup.
"In one month, I will review it personally."
The words struck Heydrich like a plunge from a great height. The hope that had surged in him instantly dropped. Yet before disappointment could fully settle, Jörg continued, and the next sentence pulled him back up just as sharply.
"If I am satisfied, you will become a candidate for deputy minister. If I am not satisfied, Heydrich, you will remain exactly where you are, on a ship."
The leap was so enormous that even Heydrich's breathing changed.
From an unremarkable ensign to the deputy minister of a powerful new department, it was the kind of opportunity that appeared only once in a lifetime, if at all. He knew at once that he could not afford to miss it.
"Yes, sir."
"Good."
Jörg rose from his seat.
"I will send a telegram to your unit. Starting tomorrow, you will be transferred to Berlin for one month of temporary office work and study. If you fail to produce what I want, you will leave just as quickly."
He paused, then added with deliberate casualness, "By the way, I have heard that you once had dealings with certain extremist political circles."
The color in Heydrich's face changed immediately.
Seeing the opening before him threatened by the shadow of his past, he shook his head almost desperately.
"Those were foolish mistakes made when I was young and ignorant, sir. Please give me another chance."
"Have you heard of the Progress Party?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then you should take the time to understand its ideas."
That was all Jörg said.
He turned and walked out, leaving Heydrich standing alone in the reception room, quietly repeating those two words to himself.
Progress Party.
As soon as Jörg stepped into the corridor, Ethan was already there waiting.
"Sir, the paper and pens are ready. I placed them on the left side of the rear seat."
The meeting had taken longer than expected. Without noticing, dusk had already descended over Hamburg. The setting sun cast a red glow over the coastline, staining the water with fire.
Jörg nodded.
"I know. By the way, Ethan, has Vito sent any recent news about the Workers Party?"
Ethan shook his head, then hesitated before adding, "Not recently, sir. But Vito did pass along one unconfirmed report earlier. Something about the man behind the Munich disturbance not being dead after all, but having escaped to Italy."
Italy.
At that single word, two faces appeared almost simultaneously in Jörg's mind, both men who worshipped will, force, and ruthless statecraft in their own way.
Were they linked already?
So the Workers Party was beginning to move again.
Jörg let out a quiet laugh and withdrew his gaze from the sinking sun. In the past, such information would have occupied much more of his attention. But now it was no longer the heart of the matter. He had already prepared a trap for that future extremist. The rope was in place. All that remained was to pull it tight.
"Arrange for additional police surveillance around Hermann Wilhelm," he said. "I want all current Workers Party activity to remain under observation."
He opened the rear door of the Imperial Eagle and settled into the back seat.
"And tell Vito to choose his successor for the Berlin police as quickly as possible. The position of minister for internal and external intelligence will be waiting for him. While President Hindenburg still favors me, I can still influence appointments inside Berlin. If we delay too long, that may no longer be true."
"Yes, sir. I will send the telegram immediately."
Then Ethan asked, "Do we proceed according to the original plan?"
"Yes. Head for the city center," Jörg said. "Do not keep those businessmen waiting. I cannot manufacture every weapon with my own two hands."
With that, he picked up the paper and pen.
Black ink spread across the white pages, clean and exact, becoming lines, shapes, and technical notes under his steady hand.
Meanwhile, in the center of Hamburg, on the top floor of the Central Hotel, the invited company owners were already gathered.
The dishes had all been served long ago, yet none of them had touched their plates. Every eye in the room turned again and again toward the door. They were not waiting for a meal.
They were waiting for power.
At last the door opened, and Jörg entered in a black suit, carrying with him the cold air of evening and an apology delivered with practiced ease.
"My apologies, gentlemen. Affairs of the Army proved even busier than I expected."
As he spoke, he moved directly to the head of the table, where the central seat had already been prepared for him.
Cardolan, seated at his left, rose slightly and began the introductions.
"Boss, this is Hugo Junkers of Junkers Aircraft. This is Ken Dolph of Rheinmetall. This is Alfred from Krupp Armaments. And this is Simon Zeiss, the head of Zeiss Optics."
The moment the word boss fell from Cardolan's mouth, more than one expression around the table changed.
In Berlin's financial world, and indeed throughout much of Germany, many people had already guessed who stood behind Cardolan Investment Company. But rumor and confirmation were two very different things. A hidden patron was one thing. Hearing Cardolan say it plainly was another.
"I have already given them a basic explanation of your intentions," Cardolan added.
Jörg swirled the red wine that had been breathing in the decanter for half an hour.
"Gentlemen, I believe you all know my name, so there is no need for further introduction."
He looked around the table, making sure each man felt the weight of his attention.
"I invited you here for two reasons."
He lifted the glass but did not drink.
"First, because I believe your firms possess significant future value. Cardolan Investment Company commands a considerable pool of capital, enough to help expand your production, your facilities, and your technical research."
He let that promise settle.
"Second, because the Reichswehr has a batch of military orders that must now be placed."
Only then did he take a small sip of wine.
"So my question is simple."
His eyes moved from face to face.
"Are you interested in contributing to the national defense of Germany?"
.....
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