I'm a Profiteer in Cold War Germany

Chapter 232: Chapter 15: Emergency Transfer Order?

Anna stopped and looked at him. The steam from the bathroom hadn’t yet dispersed, her hair clinging to her cheeks, but her gaze was exceptionally lucid.

"Werner, this is my job," she said softly. "There can be danger at any moment."

After putting on her makeup, Anna reverted to her usual sharp, professional appearance. She picked up her bag, ready to leave, but stopped at the door.

Turning back, she looked at Werner, who was standing in the middle of the living room.

The dim yellow light fell on him. His shirt was still unbuttoned, and his hair was somewhat disheveled.

She suddenly walked back and kissed him forcefully.

It wasn’t their usual flirtatious kiss, but one that carried a certain finality. Werner could taste her lipstick, and a subtle hint of fear.

"If I don’t come back," Anna released him, her voice very soft, "remember me like this."

Then she turned and left, her high heels CLICK-CLACKING in the corridor before quickly vanishing into the night.

Werner stood at the door, watching the stairwell lights go out, floor by floor.

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

The first day, no news.

Werner went to work at Koko as usual, handling procurement, attending meetings, and signing papers.

On the surface, everything was normal, but his colleagues noticed the deputy director was unusually quiet today.

"Deputy Director, the shipping plan for this batch of goods—"

"Approved."

"That factory manager wants to meet with you to discuss—"

"Turn him down."

"Director Otto is looking for you—"

"Later."

That afternoon, Gunter came over in person. "Werner, you’re not yourself today."

"I’m fine, Comrade Gunter." Werner looked up, forcing a smile. "Just a little tired."

Gunter stared at him for a few seconds, then turned and left without another word.

When Werner returned to the apartment that evening, the place was empty. He sat on the sofa and lit a cigarette.

The phone didn’t ring.

The second day, still no news.

On the morning of the third day, Werner had just arrived at his office when his secretary knocked and entered.

"Deputy Director, there’s a woman here to see you."

Werner’s heart skipped a beat. "Who?"

"She said her name is Schmidt."

’It’s not Anna.’ Werner suppressed his disappointment and nodded. "Let her in."

A middle-aged woman in her forties entered, dressed in a plain gray suit and carrying a briefcase.

"Hello, Deputy Director." The woman nodded politely. "Comrade Anna asked me to deliver a document to you."

Werner took the manila envelope. Inside was a report on West German economic intelligence and a small note.

The note held just a single line: All is well, see you this weekend.

Werner stared at the words, and the tension he’d held for three days finally eased.

"Please tell her," he said to the woman, "that I understand."

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

On Saturday evening, Anna appeared at the door, right on time.

She was wearing a black trench coat. Her face was a little pale, but her eyes were as sharp as ever.

"Miss me?" she asked, taking off her coat to reveal the suit dress underneath.

Werner walked over and hugged her without a word.

"Don’t worry." Anna patted his back. "I was just in a meeting."

"What kind of meeting?"

"Classified." Anna let go of him and sat down on the sofa. "But I can tell you this: my transfer has been confirmed."

"The Foreign Intelligence Collection Department?"

"That’s right." Anna pulled a cigarette case from her bag. "My main responsibility will be collecting and analyzing intelligence on West Germany. To put it bluntly, my job is to watch what that bunch on the other side is up to."

Werner poured her a glass of red wine. "Is it dangerous?"

"More exciting than my current work," Anna said, taking the glass and sipping it. "But also more valuable."

"The emergency summons the other night—"

"Planning an intelligence operation against West Germany." Anna leaned back on the sofa. "I can’t tell you the specifics, but it involves several high-value targets. I was selected to be part of the operations team."

"So that’s why you said that."

"Said what?"

"’If I don’t come back.’" Werner sat down beside her. "Did you think something would go wrong with the operation?"

Anna watched the red liquid swirl in her glass, silent for a few moments.

"Werner, that’s just how it is in our line of work," she said softly. "Every mission could be the last. I have to be prepared for that."

"Then why do you still—"

"That’s why I needed to see you even more," Anna interrupted, turning to look him in the eye. "It’s because I never know which time will be the one I don’t come back from. I don’t want to have any regrets."

Werner took her hand. It was cold, but her grip was firm.

"We need to establish a more robust system of codes," Anna said, her tone suddenly becoming all business. "My work is going to be more sensitive from now on. We can’t meet casually like this anymore."

"How?"

"First, scheduled contact. Once a week, at a fixed time." Anna set down her glass and took a pen and paper from her bag. "If you don’t hear from me for a full week, go to the villa in the suburbs and check for a message."

"What else?"

"Coded newspaper ads." Anna wrote a few phrases on the paper. "If I need an urgent meeting, I’ll place a classified ad for used furniture in the *New German Newspaper*. If you see the phrase ’oak wardrobe, 80% new,’ you’ll know it’s from me."

Werner jotted it down. "And the location?"

"We’ll rotate it based on the day. Monday, the park. Tuesday, the movie theater. Wednesday—"

They spent the next half hour designing a complete system of signals, covering everything from meeting confirmations and danger warnings to emergency extractions.

"Is all this really necessary?" Werner asked.

"Yes." Anna put away the paper and pen, her expression grim. "Werner, things are about to get much more complicated. We’re both walking a tightrope, and one misstep means we fall. These preparations aren’t redundant. They’re essential."

Outside the window, the night was dark and deep. The ring of a distant tram bell broke the silence. East Berlin nights were always quiet like this—unsettlingly so.

"Oh, by the way," Anna suddenly laughed. "I heard you were promoted to Deputy Director? At only twenty-four? I’m surprised that old fox Gunter was willing to let you have it."

"He needs people who can get things done," Werner shrugged. "Besides, Klaus gave things a little push."

"So, Mr. Deputy Director," Anna leaned in close, her voice turning languid, "how do you plan on celebrating your promotion?"

Werner looked at her slightly flushed face, his gaze darkening. "What do you think?"

"I think..." Anna’s finger traced his chin. "...we should celebrate it properly."

**********

Anna was wearing a black dress tonight, one Werner had never seen on her before.

The V-neck was cut low, accentuating her graceful curves. She wore meticulous makeup, with long, winged eyeliner and deep red lipstick.

She stood in the bedroom doorway, one hand on the frame, her posture languid and sensual.

"Did you get all dressed up just to seduce me?" he asked, walking over and placing a hand on her waist.

"Shouldn’t we celebrate?" Anna rose onto her tiptoes, her lips brushing against his ear. "Comrade Deputy Director."

Her voice was a soft whisper, laced with provocation. Werner felt her warm breath, and his body tensed instantly.

"You’re a little different tonight," he murmured, his hand sliding up from her waist.

"Am I?" Anna took a step back and gave a little twirl. "How so?"

"More like a woman."

"I am a woman." Anna arched an eyebrow. "It’s just that I usually spend my time playing the part of a Stasi agent. Tonight, I don’t want to be an agent. I just want to be your woman."

Werner pulled her into his arms. Anna let out a soft laugh and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"What’s the rush?" she murmured, nipping his lower lip. "We have all night."

"I don’t want to wait anymore."

"Then don’t."

That night, they were both exceptionally passionate.

Werner sensed a vulnerability in her that he hadn’t felt for a long time.

"Werner—" she gasped in his ear. "Harder."

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