Chapter 191: Chapter 101: Provocation
"Do you remember Walter? The Black Market dealer you took down. Walter’s protector, Lorentz, was an old classmate of Master’s. Von Brown took out Lorentz, and Master is not happy about it."
Werner slowly exhaled a puff of smoke. "So Master has been looking for a chance to get revenge on Von Brown?"
"Right." Anna nodded. "But Von Brown is Director Schmidt’s golden boy. Master can’t make trouble for Von Brown openly, but if an opportunity arises, he definitely won’t let it go."
"And now, with this Lucas business..."
"It’s the perfect opportunity." Anna picked up where he left off. "Lucas was on Von Brown’s surveillance list. After he escaped, he published a book, embarrassing the entire Stasi. Master is using the investigation into Lucas’s escape as a pretext to target the people under Von Brown, but what he really wants is leverage on Von Brown himself."
Werner fell silent, his fingers drumming lightly on the table.
"What’s wrong?" Anna asked.
"Nothing." Werner stubbed out his cigarette and stood up. "Thanks for telling me all this."
"Be careful." Anna looked at him. "You’re in deep water this time."
*************
That night, Werner sat in his office at the port warehouse for a long time.
Anna’s words gave him an idea. Master and Von Brown had bad blood, and now Master was using the Lucas affair to cause trouble for Von Brown. If Werner could use this to muddy the waters even more...
He picked up the phone and dialed Von Brown’s number.
"Lieutenant Colonel, it’s me. I’d like to arrange a private meeting with you. I have something important to discuss."
There was silence for a few seconds on Von Brown’s end. "What is it?"
"It’s about Lucas. It’s not something I can discuss over the phone."
"Fine. Tomorrow night, eight o’clock. The usual place in the Friedrichshain District."
After hanging up, Werner walked to the window and stared out at the pitch-black night sky.
’I have to take a gamble. I’ll stoke the conflict between Von Brown and Master, let them tear each other apart. It’s the only way I can get out of this.’
**************
「The next evening at eight o’clock, in an abandoned factory in the Friedrichshain District.」
Von Brown had driven himself, bringing no one with him. He got out of the car and lit a cigarette, his expression grim.
"Speak. What’s so important?"
"It’s about Lucas." Werner lowered his voice. "Lieutenant Colonel, I’ve been thinking these past few days... about how exactly Lucas managed to escape."
"And?"
"So I think there might be more to this than meets the eye." Werner looked Von Brown in the eye. "Have you considered it? Why was Lucas, of all people, able to escape successfully? And after getting to West Germany, he immediately publishes a book, immediately gets media coverage, and immediately becomes a hero. Isn’t all of this... a little too convenient?"
Von Brown narrowed his eyes. "What are you trying to say?"
"I’m saying, maybe someone deliberately let him go," Werner said. "And that someone might be inside the Stasi."
"Do you have proof?"
"No hard evidence, but there are suspicious points." Werner took out a small notebook. "Look, before Lucas disappeared, Vonke’s side had already assigned people to watch him. But the surveillance team reported that their partner dozed off that night, and Lucas just ran off. Do you buy that excuse?"
Von Brown didn’t speak, just watched Werner.
"Also, after Lucas disappeared, all the border crossings weren’t sealed immediately. It was several hours before the search even began," Werner continued. "That gave Lucas plenty of time to escape to West Berlin."
"Are you saying... Vonke let Lucas go on purpose?"
"Not Vonke." Werner shook his head. "Master."
Von Brown’s expression changed.
"Lieutenant Colonel, I’ve heard that Colonel Master and you... don’t have the best relationship," Werner said cautiously. "Last year, with that Walter case, one of Colonel Master’s confidants... was implicated."
Von Brown took a deep drag from his cigarette, his gaze turning sinister. "Keep talking."
"After Lucas’s book was published, it caused a huge sensation. Director Schmidt is definitely going to hold someone accountable," Werner said. "And you were responsible for surveilling Lucas. I’m your man. Master is now relentlessly investigating me, the checkpoints, your entire intelligence network. On the surface, he’s investigating how Lucas escaped, but in reality, he’s trying to dig up dirt on you, to drag you down with him."
"That son of a bitch..." Von Brown viciously ground the cigarette butt under his heel.
"Lieutenant Colonel, I’m just offering a theory," Werner said. "What you do with it is your decision. But I think it’s better to go on the offensive than to just passively wait to be investigated."
"How do I go on the offensive?"
"Report to Director Schmidt. Tell him you suspect Master’s faction had a hand in Lucas’s escape," Werner said. "Propose an investigation into Master’s subordinates, especially those who had contact with the Lucas case. Muddy the waters, get them entangled in an investigation too. That way, the pressure won’t be entirely on you."
Von Brown was silent for a long time, then slowly nodded. "Master, that old fox, he’s always been trying to get me. This is the perfect opportunity."
"Besides, Lieutenant Colonel, you were just promoted. This is the time to assert your authority," Werner continued. "If you can leave Master scrambling this time, your position with Director Schmidt will be even more secure."
Von Brown glanced at Werner, a flicker of appraisal in his eyes. "Betelich, you’ve got a sharp mind. If this works out, I won’t forget you."
"Happy to be of service, Lieutenant Colonel."
The two of them talked for a while longer, discussing a few details, before leaving separately.
***************
「One week later. Stasi Headquarters, East Berlin.」
In Director Schmidt’s office, Von Brown was giving a report.
"Director, regarding the escape of Lucas Becker, I have some new findings." Von Brown placed a report on the desk. "I suspect this incident may involve personnel from within."
Director Schmidt was a man in his sixties with graying hair and gold-rimmed glasses, who looked like a gentle university professor. But Von Brown knew that this old man had more blood on his hands than everyone he had ever met combined.
"Personnel from within?" Schmidt picked up the report and flipped through it. "Are you saying someone deliberately let Lucas go?"
"I can’t be certain, but there are many suspicious points," Von Brown said. "First, the people monitoring Lucas were Comrade Vonke’s men, but they were derelict in their duty that night, allowing Lucas to escape. Second, after Lucas disappeared, the pursuit was initiated very slowly, giving him ample time to flee. Finally, once Lucas arrived in West Germany, everything went too smoothly—he immediately published a book, was immediately in the papers—it’s as if it was all pre-arranged."
"Who do you suspect?"
"Colonel Master." Von Brown said the name. "He’s in charge of counter-intelligence; he has many channels at his disposal. And... after the Lorentz affair, he’s had it in for me."
Schmidt took off his glasses and slowly wiped the lenses with a handkerchief. "Comrade Von Brown, do you realize what you’re saying? Colonel Master is one of our old comrades."
"I know." Von Brown lowered his head. "But that’s precisely why he’d know how to do it without leaving a trace. Director, I’m not framing him. I just think this matter requires a thorough investigation. If there really is a mole, no matter who it is, they must be rooted out."
Schmidt put his glasses back on and looked at Von Brown.
After a long moment, he finally spoke. "Very well. I’ll arrange for an investigation. However, Comrade Von Brown, you need to get your own house in order, too. That informant of yours, Betelich—are you sure he’s clean?"
"Positive," Von Brown said with certainty. "I’ve investigated him thoroughly. He has no connection to Lucas’s escape."
"I hope so." Schmidt stood up and walked to the window. "This affair has caused a huge stir. The higher-ups are not pleased. If we can’t produce results, we’ll all be held responsible."
"I understand."
Von Brown excused himself and left. As he was walking out of the office, he ran into Master in the hallway.
The two men locked eyes for a moment. Neither spoke as they brushed past each other.
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