The Steel Wave by Jeff Shaara

would waste no one’s time. Concerned about the brutality of the Gestapo, Strölin had visited Rommel months before, with deeply disturbing reports that the relocation of the Jews and other minorities had in fact become mass exterminations. Rommel had heard rumors of such things, even Lucie had brought him suspicions that the Jews were not simply being moved to new settlements. But he was deeply skeptical that there was so much blood on the hands of the Gestapo, on SS officers who were said to have performed unspeakable atrocities. In North Africa, Rommel was far removed from such talk, but now the rumors had been given substance, details Rommel still found hard to believe. To a soldier’s mind, such things had nothing to do with duty.
    Manfred spoke now, holding himself at attention. “Father, did you know that Dr. Strölin is the mayor of Stuttgart?”
    Rommel tried to smile. “Yes, I am aware of that. We are honored to have such a visitor. And such an old friend.”
    There was silence now, awkward. “Is there something I can do for you, Doctor?”
    Strölin glanced at Manfred. “May we speak in your office, Field Marshal?”
    Strölin was strangely formal, and Rommel felt suddenly cautious. “No, we may speak here. In this house we do not have secrets.”
    Strölin nodded and pointed toward a chair. “Very well. May I sit?”
    “I will join you. Manfred, sit there.”
    The boy moved silently, obedient. Strölin sat gingerly, seeming to pause, seeking the right opening.
    “There are a great many men of influence and substance in Germany who have become distressed by what we see as the destruction of our country.”
    “The war hurts everyone, Doctor.”
    “I am not talking about the war. Not entirely. I came to you a while ago, with the purpose of revealing things…events I knew you might not be aware of. I took a great risk that I might anger you, that our friendship would be destroyed. But I had to know that you are still the decent man that I knew you to be before…before all of this. The tragedies are ongoing and cannot be washed away. Our Führer has shown himself to be no friend of Germany. Indeed, there is a growing concern across this land that he is our enemy.”
    Rommel stood now, forced himself to be angry. “I will not have you slander our Führer’s name in front of my son.”
    He saw pain in Strölin’s face, unexpected. “Then please allow me to speak to you alone. I did not come here to promote rumor or to slander anyone. Please. It is most important.”
    Rommel looked at Manfred, saw disappointment. Yes, you understand, don’t you? “Let us retire to my office, Doctor. Manfred, I will speak to you later. You may check the rifles; be sure they are clean. There is a large boar roaming the hill up above us here. Perhaps we should pursue him later this afternoon.”
    Manfred seemed to perk up, could not hide his enthusiasm. “Yes, Father!”
    The two men moved to the office. Rommel waited for Strölin to sit, then he closed the door. “Now, Doctor, you may speak to me about anything you wish. But I cannot promise I will agree with you. Or even listen.”
    “Do you no longer call me Karl? All right, I understand your caution. And I understand a soldier’s duty. That is part of my dilemma. I must not anger you by what I have to say. I do not speak to you today for myself alone. I am but one voice among many hundreds…thousands, perhaps. It is well known that your—um, enthusiasm for the Führer is not what it once was.” Rommel started to object, and Strölin held up a hand. “Please, Erwin. Let me speak. There need be no pretense here. I have come here to reveal to you things for which I could be imprisoned. But I cannot be intimidated by that. As I said, I am only one voice of many. And despite what you may believe, I am still your friend.”
    Rommel felt his head spinning, the room growing warmer. He gripped the sides of his tall chair. “I do not wish to talk about politics, Doctor.