Glenn Meade by The Sands of Sakkara (html)

file, a harsh
look on his face. 'Get to the point.'
    'There's a matter I wish to
discuss. Something rather daring and dangerous that perhaps may put a little
life back into that tortured soul of yours. Canaris has offered to loan you to
me, if you agree.'
    'I don't work for the SD. And the
answer's no, whatever it is.
    I'm not interested. Me, I'm
content to sit out the rest of the war in
Berlin
.’
    'And then what? Wait for the
Allies to hang you as a traitor?
    You may be a German citizen, but
you're American-born, and with your war record it's quite a likely scenario.
Where would your son be then? He needs you, Jack. Even more so now. And do you
really think Canaris could allow you to relax in
Berlin
?
    Now that your wounds are healed,
he'd use you every chance he got, especially with the war going the way it is.
Which rather diminishes your chances of remaining alive. On the other hand, if
you help me with this mission, we'll wipe the slate clean and you're free to
go.'
    'You mean leave the Abwehr?'
    'I mean leave
Germany
. Get
away from the war, if that's what you wish.' Schellenberg saw the surprise on
Haider's face.
    'You have my word on it, Jack. And
Himmler's and the Fiihrer's. You and your son can start a new life together,
somewhere safe and far from here.'
    Haider frowned. 'And what's the
price I've got to pay?'
    Schellenberg smiled. 'You're ahead
of the posse, as they say.'
    'So tell me.'
    And Schellenberg told him.
    Haider looked bewildered for
several moments, then he laughed. 'Walter, you're definitely going crazy in
your old age.'
    'I assure you, the plan's
feasible. And you know me, I always do my homework thoroughly.'
    'The admiral knows about this?'
    'It's to be a joint operation.
Unusual, I know, but necessary under the circumstances. I shall take personal
command of the planning and briefing.'
    Haider crossed to the window, ran
a hand through his hair, and looked back. 'Kill
Roosevelt
?
I know you think I'm an adventurer, but believe me, that doesn't include a
vocation for suicide. Whoever accepted the mission would have about as much
chance of surviving as a one-legged man of escaping a forest fire.’
    Schellenberg laughed. 'An
interesting comparison, but hardly valid. The plan is quite simple, really.
Once you and the team reach
Cairo
,
you'd be established in a safe house. Any equipment you might need to move
around the city with relative freedom - Allied uniforms and vehicles - should
already have been secured for you by my agents, and they'll provide any further
help you might need. All you have to do is affirm exactly where
Roosevelt
will be quartered - most likely at the Mena
House - and find a weakness in their security that can be breached. You'll also
need to secure a small airfield, about ten kilometers south of the
Giza
pyramids, that's
largely unprotected.
    Once your objectives have been
achieved, you radio us. When our SS paratroops land you lead them to the target
and leave the rest to them. After that, we get you out.'
    'How?'
    'The same way Skorzeny's men will
get out - by air.'
    'You mean if anyone's lucky enough
to survive. And why the hell do you need me?'
    'I told you, my agents in
Cairo
may be cunning
fellows, but they would be incapable of handling such a mission all by
themselves. You, on the other hand, are a perfect candidate.
    You've already worked deep behind
enemy lines in
Egypt
, speak
fluent Arabic, and you're familiar with
Cairo
.'
    'There have to be better reasons
than that. You're bound to have agents who speak Arabic and know the city
better than me.'
    Schellenberg shook his head. 'Not
many, actually, and certainly not of your caliber with a proven track record.
You've impersonated American and British officers to perfection many times, so
a repeat performance shouldn't be beyond your abilities.' He opened his
briefcase and unfolded a map on the table. 'I've brought along a map to help you
refamiliarise yourself