Read The Reich Device for Free Online Page B

touched his friend gently on the shoulder. ‘
You
can’t go, but
I can
.’
    ‘Albert, you would do that for me?’
    ‘Yes, I am reasonably well known, and would be missed by friends in the international community; some with significant political standing. The Nazis would have a hard time explaining my disappearance.’
    Mayer shook his head. ‘No Albert, I should not put you in danger. I am sorry, I cannot ask this of you.’
    ‘There is a meeting of the Physics Society in Oxford. We could present your work there… ’ Einstein paused to let his friend digest the information. ‘It is a big decision, only you and I know about this technology.’ Mayer did not need reminding, they both knew things were at a pivotal point. ‘But, once we present this theory… this new technology, there will be no going back… ’
    Both men stared at each other, firm lines etched on their faces.
    Einstein finally broke the silence.
    ‘Gustav, be brave. The world’s media will be present in Oxford, and the paper could be delivered simultaneously to governments around the world.’
    ‘Alright… alright. I agree.’ Mayer closed his eyes and prayed that he had made the right decision. Then another realisation hit home. ‘Albert, the authorities here will pick me up as soon as this goes public. I need to get out of Germany!’
    ‘Yes, and where would you hide for the rest of your life? No, the Nazis will have no power over you once the information is published.’
    Mayer’s face drained to an ashen grey colour. ‘If I follow that logic, the moment after the press release I would make no difference to them. I could be murdered all the same.’
    The click of the door latch and a sudden crack of light announced Professor Mayer’s emergence on to the street. He pulled up his collar and, clutching his leather satchel close to his chest, headed up the street in a strange zigzag. He kept to the shadows, and with his stomach churning, tried to get a good pace going, despite the rain. Taking a precautionary detour, rather than the direct route home, suddenly seemed like a bad idea.
    After a few hundred metres, he glanced back down the street: a lone figure followed.
    A Brown Shirt?!
    Bile moved up into his gullet, and a burning sensation filled his chest. He erupted in sweat, despite the chill and increased the pace to get round the next street corner. He stopped, and, using the cover of a hedgerow, squinted back down the hill into the drizzle; but it was no good. The figure was too far away to tell. Was it a Brown Shirt or not? He risked waiting a few more seconds.
    No, not a Brown Shirt, but a tall man in a dark grey overcoat. Even worse! Gestapo?
    Mayer turned, lengthening his stride along the pavement, and with his heart pounding, nausea filled his belly. After a hundred metres or so, he risked another look over his shoulder. The figure had just turned the street corner!
    Mayer took the next left. Still sweating and with his throat on fire, the pain in his chest got worse. Regardless, he broke into a jog. It was a bad decision – the pain intensified – and the left turn narrowed quickly into an alleyway, strewn with rubbish bins and old packing crates.
    What would he say if the authorities stopped him here?
    A fresh wave of crushing discomfort filled his rib cage. His mouth went dry as he fought against rapid shallow breathing. Mayer collapsed into a doorway clutching his chest. The rain intensified to a heavy shower. He closed his eyes and tried to take deep breaths, regretting his decision to be out on the street at night.
    More deep breaths, in, out… slowly… slowly.
    His head started to clear. He listened to the rain clattering off assorted metal dustbins. It was impossible to hear anything else, but the weather was somehow comforting. His heart rate began to steady. He stood up, using the doorway for support, and poked his head around the wall.
    Thank God! He’s gone. No sign of anyone.
    Mayer squinted into the lashing