Shrouded In Silence

27





The 11:00 A.M. flight of the Lufthansa Fokker 100 landed smoothly on Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport runway, turned around, and headed back to the terminal. A cold wind blew rain across the window and left dampness in the air.

"Now that we are back in Rome," the detective said, "Klaus Baer can once again become Klaus Burchel. You can forget about that frightening grandfather of yours and go back to being just an everyday crook." The man laughed.

Klaus bit his tongue. He'd had enough of Stein's envoy to last six lifetimes. Big and strong, the man was inescapable and was the only one who enjoyed his asinine jokes.

"Actually, you are an extremely lucky fellow," the detective said. "Most employers would have written you off. Some would've had me just put a bullet in your head. Not Dr. Stein! I'm amazed that he wants you to come back to work for him after you knocked off a priest and ran. Actually, bumping off that man wasn't too cool."

Klaus kept looking straight ahead.

"Don't worry about getting through passport control. Nobody's connected you to the killing but Dr. Stein."

Klaus took a deep breath.

"I don't think you'll be in the mood to run once we get in the terminal, but remember all I have to do is pick up a phone and report a killer on the loose, give them a description, and you won't make it to the front door."

"I have no intention of running."

"Good. My car is in the parking lot. I'll take you to Stein's apartment. I think the good doctor even has a task ready for you to do immediately."

The pilot signaling the release of the seat belt sent both men to their feet. The detective stepped behind Klaus. "After you, young man," he said. "I'll be behind you all the way."



After a long hour of driving through congested streets, the Mercedes stopped in front of the familiar apartment on Via del Gracchi. Pulling over to the curb, the detective pointed at the building. "Think you can get up there by yourself or do I need to follow you?"

Klaus shook his head. "Don't worry. If I was going to try and make a break for it, I would have done so before now."

The man patted him condescendingly on the hand. "Good boy. Now you go up there and make your ol' Uncle Albert happy. Don't be a wise guy and make me run you down again. Next time it might prove to be truly painful."

Klaus nodded, opened the door, and stepped out.

"Be a nice boy just for me."

Klaus started to tell him where to go but thought better of it. He was already in enough trouble. Walking straight ahead, he entered the apartment building and took the elevator up to the second floor. Klaus had been there so many times that there was no mystery to finding the way. With a hesitant step, he walked to the door and knocked.

"Enter!" Stein shouted.

With intimidation, Klaus turned the knob, walked in, and shut the door behind him. Wearing a maroon robe, Stein was bent over his desk working on something. He glanced at Klaus and went back to whatever he was doing without saying a word. Klaus stood awkwardly waiting for Stein to unleash the fury of hell on him, but Stein said nothing. After a long minute, Stein closed a notebook, stuck his hand in his pocket, and looked at him. Reaching across the table, he picked up a small Walther P5 pistol.

"You're a grotesque little frog," Stein said.

Klaus caught his breath, but stood at attention, saying nothing. He felt his hand start to tremble.

"Why didn't you come back here after you killed that priest at the Santa Maria Church?"

"I panicked," Klaus mumbled. No point in lying. "I didn't mean to kill him. The man crept up on me, and I stabbed him more by reflex than anything else."

Dr. Stein studied him for a moment. "You know, I think you are telling me the truth, Burchel."

"Why would I lie? You've caught me."

Stein nodded. "Fortunately for you, I still need your services, but I don't want you ever to run again. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir."

"Next time I won't be so generous." Stein put the gun down on the table and pulled his hand out of the pocket of his robe. "I will be keeping this cassette recorder in a safe place." He held a small tape recorder before him. "The confession you just made is recorded here. You'll want to do your best to keep me alive so no one finds it."

Klaus stiffened. It was not what he had expected.

"Now change into those old clothes hanging behind the door in the bathroom. We have work to do today and tonight."