“We were on an intelligence operation that went wrong,” Peter said.
“‘We were on’?” Willi asked. “You were there?”
Peter nodded. “I was there.”
“What happened?” Willi asked. “What kind of an intelligence operation?”
“That, I’m sorry to have to say, is a state secret,” Karl said.
“Fuck you and your state secrets, U-boat,” Willi said.
“We were trying to get the officers from the Graf Spee out of Argentina—” Peter said.
“That’s quite enough, Major von Wachtstein,” Boltitz snapped.
“—and when we landed, they were waiting for us,” Peter said. “Your father was shot. He died instantly, Willi.”
“And they missed you, right?”
Peter nodded.
“You always were a lucky bastard, Hansel,” Willi said.
He shrugged and then looked at Peter again. “Who is they, as in ‘they were waiting’ for you?”
“Maybe the Argentines, maybe the Americans,” Peter said. “I don’t really know.”
“I strongly advise you, Major von Wachtstein, to heed my order that you have already said more than you should have,” Boltitz said.
“Or you’ll turn me in, Herr Korvettenkapitän? Do what your duty requires you to do.”
“Don’t get your ass in a crack, Hansel,” Willi said, and turned to Boltitz. “One more question, Herr Korvettenkapitän. If it’s not another of your fucking state secrets, that is. Where is my father buried?”
“Goddamn it, Karl, he’s entitled to know that,” Peter said. “If you won’t tell him, I will.”
“The remains of your father, Herr Hauptmann,” Boltitz said, “are being returned to Germany for interment. With full military honors, of course.”
“When? Now? Or after the Gottverdamnte war?”
“They are en route to Germany now,” Boltitz said. “I’m sure you will be given further details when they are available.”
Willi considered that for a moment, then looked at Peter. “Stick around a minute, Hansel,” he said. “I won’t be long.”
Peter nodded.
Willi went into the nave of the church and walked up the aisle to the third row of chairs. He stopped there, with his hands behind his back, and looked toward the altar.
“You didn’t expect to see him, did you?” Boltitz asked.
Peter looked at him but didn’t answer.
Willi stood motionless for a full minute, then suddenly came to attention and saluted the cross crisply—a military, stiff-fingers-to-the-brim-of-his-uniform-cap salute, rather than the Nazi salute—then did a crisp about-face movement and walked back to Peter and Karl.
“I’m going back to the am Zoo,” he announced. “If U-boat will let you come with me, Hansel, I’ll buy you a drink.” He turned to Karl. “Come with us or not, U-boat, I don’t really give a shit.”
“Karl’s all right, Willi,” Peter said. “He’s just doing his duty.”
“I don’t want to intrude,” Boltitz said.