I'm a Profiteer in Cold War Germany

Chapter 190: Chapter 100: Accountability

Werner drove to the Stasi’s secret office in the Neukölln District. The five-story gray building was now heavily guarded, with armed soldiers at the entrance who checked identification three times.

Major von Brown’s office was on the third floor. Werner knocked and entered, finding not only Von Brown but also two other middle-aged men in uniform. One had the shoulder insignia of a colonel, the other a major.

"Sit." Von Brown pointed to a chair, his face grim.

Werner sat down and looked around. The atmosphere in the office was so tense it felt like it could freeze.

"This is Colonel Master, head of the counter-intelligence department," Von Brown said, his tone tinged with a barely perceptible hostility. "And this is Major Hoffman, Director Schmidt’s secretary."

Werner nodded. The two men just stared at him coldly, without responding.

"Do you know that Lucas Becker’s book has been published?" Von Brown got straight to the point.

"I do," Werner said. "I saw it in a West German newspaper the day before yesterday."

"Then do you know how angry the higher-ups are right now?" Von Brown stood up and paced back and forth in the room. "Deputy Director Schmidt is personally looking into this matter. He’s demanding a thorough investigation into how Lucas escaped and who helped him."

"Major, I reported to you at the time that Lucas was a flight risk..."

"I know you reported it!" Von Brown cut him off. "But the problem is, he succeeded! And now he’s even published a book that’s a bestseller in West Germany, bringing complete disgrace upon the entire East German Government!"

Colonel Master spoke up then, his voice low and cold. "Comrade Betelich, Lucas was on your surveillance list. Tell us, how did he escape?"

"I don’t know," Werner said calmly. "I was only responsible for monitoring his movements and providing intelligence. The actual arrest operation was handled by Comrade Vonke’s side."

"But have you considered that he might have escaped through your channels?" Master’s gaze was as sharp as a knife. "You have many connections in the Black Market. If anyone were to help someone escape, you would be the most suitable candidate."

Werner’s heart raced, but he didn’t let it show on his face. "Colonel, if I were going to help Lucas escape, why would I report to Major von Brown that he was a flight risk? Wouldn’t that be digging my own grave?"

Master didn’t answer immediately, looking instead at Von Brown.

Von Brown lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. "What Colonel Master means is that we need to thoroughly investigate all possible channels. Your Black Market network, your connections at the checkpoints, and everyone you’ve been in contact with—all will be re-examined."

"I understand," Werner said. "I’ll cooperate."

"Do you have acquaintances at the checkpoints?" Major Hoffman suddenly asked.

Werner’s heart tightened, but he replied calmly, "A few. When you’re in the Black Market business, you inevitably have dealings with people at the checkpoints."

"Who, specifically?"

"A few soldiers at the Friedrichstrasse checkpoint. I occasionally give them small favors—buy them a meal, give them some cigarettes or liquor. It makes things easier when getting goods through," Werner said. "But it’s all normal networking, nothing shady."

"What about Mathias Bauer?" Hoffman opened the file in his hand. "He’s the captain at the Friedrichstrasse checkpoint. Are you familiar with him?"

"I know him," Werner said. "But we’re not close."

"We checked the checkpoint records. We found that in the early morning on the day Lucas disappeared, your car passed through the Friedrichstrasse checkpoint." Hoffman stared at Werner. "Can you explain that?"

"I went to West Berlin that day to procure parts. You can check my pass from the Foreign Trade Department." Werner had his story ready. "The checkpoint records should also show that my car underwent a full inspection and there were no issues."

"But the timing is very coincidental," Master said.

"Colonel, there are hundreds of thousands of people in East Berlin. Mine wasn’t the only car to pass through the checkpoint that morning." Werner looked Master in the eye. "If you suspect me, you can search my car for any trace of a hidden person. You can interrogate everyone on duty at the checkpoint that day and see if they noticed anything unusual."

Master fell silent. He turned to Von Brown. "Major, this matter requires further investigation."

"I know." Von Brown stubbed out his cigarette. "Betelich, you can go for now. But don’t leave East Berlin anytime soon. Be on standby for questioning at any time."

"Yes, sir."

Werner stood up and walked to the door.

As he passed by Master, he could feel that cold gaze fixed on his back.

***************

Walking out of the Stasi Building, Werner’s back was soaked with cold sweat.

He immediately drove to the vicinity of the Friedrichstrasse checkpoint, but instead of going in directly, he called Matthias from a public phone booth.

"It’s me," Werner said in a low voice. "Have you been questioned?"

"I have." Matthias’s voice was also tense. "Colonel Master came in person yesterday. He asked a lot of questions about the day Lucas disappeared."

"What did you say?"

"I said it was a routine inspection and nothing unusual was found." Matthias took a deep breath. "They also checked all the crossing records and investigated everyone on duty that day. But they couldn’t find any evidence, so they had to let me go for now."

"How did they investigate?"

"They called in everyone on duty and questioned them one by one. They also checked the pass registration log, verifying the information for every vehicle." Matthias paused. "But Betelich, I have to be clear with you, we can’t use this route anymore. The scrutiny is too intense right now. I can’t take any more risks."

"I understand," Werner said. "You just take care of yourself."

After hanging up, Werner lit a cigarette and leaned against the glass of the phone booth.

’Matthias is in the clear for now, which is good news. But this checkpoint route is basically useless. At least for the foreseeable future, I can’t use it.’

’The Stasi is throwing everything they have into tracing Lucas’s escape route. If I let them keep digging, they’ll find more clues eventually.’

’I have to do something to muddy the waters.’

Werner looked at his watch. Three in the afternoon.

He drove to a café in the Mitte District, one of his secret meeting spots with Anna.

Anna was already there waiting, sitting in a corner with a cup of cold coffee in front of her.

When she saw Werner enter, she didn’t greet him, but simply gestured with her eyes for him to sit down.

"The whole department is in an uproar over Lucas," Anna said in a low voice. "Director Schmidt flew into a rage. He’s demanding we find out how Lucas escaped, or everyone involved will be disciplined."

"I know." Werner lit a cigarette. "Colonel Master has already spoken with me."

"Master..." A complex look flickered in Anna’s eyes. "He’s being very proactive this time."

"What do you mean?"

"You don’t know?" Anna looked at Werner. "Master and your Major von Brown have a very strained relationship in private."

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