Read Hidden Depths for Free Online Page B

told them.
    â€˜No, I’m sorry lad,’ Klaus replied.
    Felix frowned. ‘Please. I’m not afraid. Please let me come with you.’
    Bernd concurred with his brother. ‘Sorry, best not.’
    â€˜Susi needs me! Onkel, she might not even recognise you,’ Felix insisted, growing more and more frustrated. ‘She’ll think you’re just another bastard wanting to take advantage of her!’
    â€˜Felix!’ Ingrid cried. ‘Mind your language.’
    Angry, tearful and frustrated but wanting to hide his emotions, Felix ran out of the room.
    â€˜He’s upset. Leave him,’ Klaus ordered.
    â€˜He’s got a mind of his own,’ observed Bernd.
    â€˜Feisty, like his mother and Tante,’ said Klaus, glancing at Ingrid. ‘When he’s calmed down, we’ll be able to reason with him.’
    â€˜What if he’s right and Susanne doesn’t recognise you?’
    â€˜Susanne will know her Onkel Klaus,’ Klaus replied, assuredly.
    Bernd telephoned a colleague in the Dresden Politburo and was given the information he needed about Torgau. He and Klaus reached it a few hours later and were taken aback at the size of the imposing, fortress-styled building on the River Elbe as it came into view. The main prison was not their destination; the annexed fortress was where the children had been housed. The gates were open so they drove through a cobbled courtyard and parked. It was getting dark and they noticed that the only lights were coming from a reception area in the entrance hall. The place seemed empty. As they went inside, a middle-aged man with a bird-like face and glasses greeted them.
    â€˜Gentlemen, how may I help you?’
    Bernd spoke for his brother. ‘I’m from the Politburo,’ he began, showing his official identity badge. ‘We’re looking for a girl… our niece.’
    â€˜You’ll need to fill out a form and it’ll be dealt with in the next few weeks.’
    â€˜A few weeks!’ Klaus was instantly livid. ‘We want news today!’
    â€˜As you can see, we’re working with a skeleton staff here,’ the man explained.
    Bernd intervened. ‘How convenient. Everyone does a disappearing act so there’s no one left to answer any questions.’
    â€˜Well, since you are from the Politburo, you should know,’ the man said accusingly. ‘Everyone knows Egon Krenz is yesterday’s man and so you’ll excuse me for asking, but what jurisdiction do you have in the party?’
    It was the first time Bernd had experienced his authority being challenged.
    â€˜Krenz was an asshole and may serve a sentence at the prison here, given time,’ Bernd began, confidently and self-assured. ‘I believe orders came through from my colleague. Our newly-elected minister from Dresden, Hans Modrow, ordered Torgau’s penal colony for children to close with immediate effect. All detainees should have been sent home to their families, fostered or released.’
    â€˜Correct… and I’m here with a few colleagues to deal with enquiries.’
    â€˜And all the bastards who worked here, where have they disappeared to?’ Klaus shouted.
    The man defended himself. ‘Sir, I am not here to be abused.’
    â€˜No. Only the kids are to be abused,’ was Klaus’s riposte.
    â€˜I’m only doing my job,’ the man replied.
    Klaus banged his fist on the desk. ‘You don’t have to deal with the aftermath of these screwed-up kids!’
    Bernd intervened. ‘Klaus! Calm down. Let me deal with this. Do you have a list of where these kids have gone?’ Bernd asked the man in a civil voice.
    The man nodded. ‘I do. Child’s name?’
    â€˜Susanne Waltz. She’s 14.’ Bernd told him.
    â€˜I’ll get you a form.’
    Bernd read the man’s name on his identity badge. ‘Herr Stokowski, you have files in your office. I want