I'm a Profiteer in Cold War Germany

Chapter 239: Chapter 22: A Backer or Shackles?

In the East German system, having the Stasi’s backing was a good thing, but it also made one an object of fear and exclusion.

If everyone at Koko thought he was a Stasi lapdog, his path would only become more constrained.

"Director, what are your thoughts?" he asked.

"Me?" Otto chuckled. "I think you’re doing quite well. You have the Stasi watching your back, but you don’t give people the impression that you’re only relying on your patron. You handled that BND affair beautifully. I’ve heard all about it."

Werner looked up, somewhat surprised.

"You know about it?"

"Gunter told me," Otto said. "He holds you in high regard. Said you’re not only capable but can also solve problems independently at critical moments."

"It was all luck."

"Don’t be so modest." Otto stood up and patted his shoulder. "Werner, keep up the good work. But remember, lay low when you need to. Don’t give anyone ammunition to use against you."

"I’ll remember that, Director."

After Otto left, Werner sat at his desk and lit a cigarette.

He understood what Otto meant.

What he needed now wasn’t to keep charging ahead, but to stabilize his position and deny those who were jealous any pretext for an attack.

For the next few weeks, Werner deliberately kept a low profile.

In department meetings, he always made a point of giving Otto the credit.

"This plan was created under the director’s guidance."

"It’s thanks to the director’s oversight that we avoided any issues."

"The director is very experienced. I still have much to learn."

Although Otto knew Werner was putting on an act, he ate it up. He even started putting in a good word for Werner with Gunter, saying the young man was humble, eager to learn, and had a promising future.

Gradually, the criticism of Werner within the department died down.

Everyone felt that although this deputy director was young, he knew how to respect his elders and wasn’t some petty, arrogant tyrant.

***

One evening in late November, Von Brown invited Werner for a drink.

The venue was a high-end restaurant in East Berlin, open only to senior government officials and foreigners.

The restaurant was dimly lit, soft jazz played in the background, and all the waiters wore crisp suits.

Von Brown was already waiting in a private room. He was in casual clothes, but his demeanor was still sharp and imposing.

"Werner, sit." He gestured to the seat across from him.

Werner took off his coat and sat down. The table was already laden with food—roast venison, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, and a bottle of vodka.

"I hear you’ve been doing well at Koko lately." Von Brown poured two glasses of vodka. "Gunter praised you at a senior-level meeting?"

"It’s all thanks to my superiors’ guidance." Werner raised his glass. "Colonel von Brown, if it weren’t for your initial recommendation, I never would have gotten into Koko."

"Cut the formalities." Von Brown clinked their glasses and downed his in one go. "Werner, we don’t need such empty pleasantries between us."

"Yes."

Von Brown set down his glass and lit a cigarette.

"Gunter thinks very highly of you," he said. "He says you’re the most capable of Koko’s younger generation."

"That’s too kind."

"It’s not an overstatement." Von Brown exhaled a cloud of smoke, his eyes turning sharp. "Werner, I want to know, what is your goal at Koko?"

Werner’s heart tightened.

’This is a test.’

"My goal?" He feigned a thoughtful expression. "To do my job well and earn foreign currency for the country."

"Is that all?"

"That’s all." Werner looked Von Brown in the eye. "Colonel, I know my abilities are limited. Making it to deputy director has already exceeded my expectations."

Von Brown stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.

"Werner, you’re as cautious as ever," he said. "But that’s for the best. Ambition in a young man is a good thing, but being too brazen about it is not."

"I understand."

"Good that you understand." Von Brown refilled both their glasses. "Werner, I brought you here today to remind you of something."

"Please, go on."

"The better you do at Koko, the more you need to remember who your patron is." Von Brown’s tone grew serious. "You are where you are today not because you’re capable, but because I’m the one protecting you."

Werner understood immediately.

Von Brown was worried that if Werner became too powerful at Koko, he would stop listening to him.

"Colonel, your words are unsettling," Werner said, making his position clear. "I am where I am today entirely thanks to your patronage."

"As long as you don’t forget." Von Brown nodded, satisfied. "Werner, as long as you remember this relationship, I will always have your back. In the Stasi, at Koko, even in higher circles, I can put in a word for you."

"Thank you, Colonel."

"But..." Von Brown paused, his eyes turning icy. "If you betray me, the consequences will be severe."

A chill ran down Werner’s spine.

"I know you won’t," Von Brown’s tone relaxed again. "I’m just giving you a reminder. After all, people in high positions tend to get ahead of themselves."

"Rest assured, I know my place."

"Good." Von Brown raised his glass. "Come, a toast to our partnership."

The two clinked glasses and downed their drinks.

Werner scoffed inwardly.

He had seen through Von Brown long ago.

The man was ruthlessly ambitious and only cared about personal gain. This so-called debt of gratitude was nothing more than a tool of control.

Tonight’s words were, on the surface, a reminder, but in reality, they were a threat.

Von Brown was warning him: ’You’re my man. Don’t even think about escaping my grasp.’

But Werner had no intention of being someone else’s pawn forever.

He needed time and opportunity to gradually reduce his dependence on Von Brown.

Once his position at Koko was secure enough, once he had built his own network, then—

"Werner, what are you thinking about?" Von Brown’s voice broke his train of thought.

"Nothing, Colonel." Werner smiled. "Just thinking about how I can better serve you."

"You certainly know what to say." Von Brown chuckled. "Right, there’s something I need your help with."

"Name it."

Von Brown took a file from his briefcase and pushed it across the table to Werner.

"Helmut Neumann, the head of Koko’s Financial Settlement Department," he said. "I suspect he’s involved in embezzlement."

Werner opened the file and saw a photograph of a middle-aged man. Helmut was about fifty, wore glasses, and had a scholarly look about him.

"You want me to—"

"Keep an eye on him," Von Brown said. "Watch his financial transactions, his lifestyle, any unusual spending. If you find anything, report to me immediately."

Werner knew this was Von Brown’s attempt to plant an informant in Koko and expand the Stasi’s control.

Helmut was in charge of financial settlements, controlling a massive amount of information on foreign currency flows. If Von Brown could control him, it would be like getting a foothold in one of Koko’s core departments.

"Colonel, it’s just—" Werner hesitated. "The Financial Settlement Department isn’t under my purview. It won’t be easy for me to get close to Helmut."

"I know," Von Brown said. "That’s why I’m creating an opportunity for you. There’s a cross-departmental business coordination meeting next month. You and Helmut will both be attending. Use that chance to get close to him and extract some information."

"Understood."

"And one more thing." Von Brown looked at him. "This is between you and me. Don’t tell anyone. That includes Anna."

Werner felt a jolt, but his expression remained impassive.

"Yes, Colonel."

***

After leaving the restaurant, Werner drove aimlessly through the streets of East Berlin.

The night was deep and the streetlights cast a dim, yellow glow. A police car would occasionally drive past, its siren echoing through the empty streets.

He needed time to process the information from tonight.

The task Von Brown had given him was, on the surface, an investigation into Helmut, but in reality, it was a test of his loyalty.

If he performed well, Von Brown would trust him more.

But if he performed *too* well, the people at Koko would brand him a Stasi lapdog.

It was a double-bind.

Werner parked his car by the Spree River, lit a cigarette, and stared blankly at the water.

He had to find a way to satisfy Von Brown without antagonizing the people at Koko.

The best approach was to put on a show of investigating without actually digging up anything damning.

He would feed Von Brown some trivial information, just enough to make it look like he was on the job, but not enough to actually bring Helmut down.

’This will require a delicate balance.’

Werner took a deep drag from his cigarette, watching the smoke dissipate into the night sky.

He suddenly had a strong urge to see Anna.

But Von Brown had specifically told him not to tell her.

’What does that mean?’

’It means Von Brown is wary of Anna.’

’Or rather, Von Brown wants to drive a wedge between me and Anna.’

Werner crushed his cigarette butt and started the car.

Whatever Von Brown was thinking, he had to see Anna.

There were some things he had to discuss with her.

***

「Half an hour later.」

Werner arrived at the small villa in the suburbs.

Anna’s car was already parked in the driveway.

He pushed the door open and went inside. Anna was sitting before the fireplace, reading a book. The firelight flickered across her face, making her look exceptionally gentle.

"What brings you here so suddenly?" She closed her book and stood up. "I thought you had a dinner engagement tonight."

"It’s over." Werner took off his coat and walked to the fireplace to warm his hands. "Von Brown invited me for a drink."

Anna’s expression changed. "What did he want with you?"

"A test." Werner briefly recounted the night’s conversation. "He also gave me a mission: investigate Helmut at Koko."

Anna frowned. "Helmut? The one from the Financial Settlement Department?"

"You know him?"

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