Page 211

“Which meant,” Schultz went on, “that the officers could go to the wardroom and have a little sip to give them the courage to face the rest of the day.”

“Fascinating,” Nervo said, chuckling. “May I say something about the way you’re dressed, Jefe?”

“Of course,” Schultz said, just a little warily.

“As one professional officer to another,” Nervo said, “your gaucho costume is complete except for one small detail.”

“What’s that?”

“I was raised on an estancia in Patagonia,” Nervo said. “And never can I remember a gaucho who did not have, very close by—”

“She’s visiting her mother,” Schultz interrupted, smiling knowingly. “She should be back sometime today.”

Nervo literally convulsed; he stood up, spilled his drink, and then, laughing heartily, wrapped his arm around Schultz.

They’re buddies, delighted with themselves!

When Nervo finally sat down and was pouring himself another drink, Frade said, “Santiago, tell Casanova what it is that you are also having a hard time believing.”

Nervo pointed with his glass at one of the manager’s houses, into which the Möllers and the Körtigs and their families had been taken. Clete knew that both Dorotea and Claudia were there “to help with the children” and also that there were enough peones discreetly watching the house to make sure everything remained under control.

“Something smells with those two,” Nervo said.

Schultz met his eyes. “Yeah,” he said softly.

That’s interesting. What have I missed that these two see?

“Look, Cletus,” Nervo said, as if he’d read his mind. “I’m a policeman. I’m not like you and Martín, into politics and espionage and all that. Just a simple policeman.”

Like hell you’re just a simple policeman. You didn’t get to be Inspector General of the Gendarmería by being simple.

What is he doing now? Schmoozing me?

“But . . . ?” Frade said.

“Like most old policemen, I have learned to know when people are lying. And those two are.”

“About what?”

Nervo shrugged. “You tell me. What have they got to lie about?”

Clete shrugged.

“They’re either not who they say they are,” Schultz said, “or they’re not telling you something, or both.”

“What do you mean, they’re not who they say they are?”

Now Schultz shrugged.

“Tell me about this Gehlen guy,” Nervo said. “He must be pretty smart, would you say?”

Smart enough to run the Russian Intelligence branch of the Abwehr, and smart enough to deal with Allen Dulles.

Yeah, I’d say he has to be pretty smart.

“He’d have to be,” Frade said, “wouldn’t he?”

“And he knows about Valkyrie, right?”