Chapter 290 - 73: The Value of the Eye of Moscow

Chapter 290: Chapter 73: The Value of the Eye of Moscow

"Yes." Werner nodded. "We were all shocked at the time. He claimed to have a source in Moscow, and ever since then, we’ve treated him as a high-priority informant."

"What’s his identity in East Germany?"

"Koko’s second-in-command," Werner said. "He’s in charge of special procurement and trading political prisoners. He has extensive contacts in West Germany’s business and political circles."

Miller interjected, "If he really has a source in Moscow, his value is immense. We’ve always lacked a reliable channel for high-level intelligence from the Soviet Union."

Knapp was still hesitant. "But, for the sake of one informant, letting a possible double agent go... that sets a bad precedent."

"Why does he care so much about this woman?" Schroeder asked.

Werner shook his head. "He didn’t say. But from his attitude, it’s clear this woman is very important to him."

Schroeder pondered for a moment, then looked at Knapp. "What’s the status of the interrogation?"

"It’s still under investigation," Knapp said. "We have some circumstantial evidence, but nothing conclusive. She’s very smart; her answers are airtight."

"So you’re saying, even if we continue the interrogation, we might not find anything?"

Knapp nodded. "That’s possible."

Schroeder turned to Miller. "What are your thoughts?"

Miller thought for a moment. "From an intelligence standpoint, Eye of Moscow is a very important informant. If he can continue to provide high-level intelligence from Moscow and East Germany, his value far exceeds that of a peripheral double agent. Besides..."

He paused. "If we refuse this deal, we might lose him as an informant. The fact that he dared to make this request means he’s prepared for the worst. If he starts to think we’re unreliable, he might cut off all contact."

Schroeder nodded.

He looked at the files on the table, weighing the options for a long time before finally making a decision.

"Approve the deal," he said. "Knapp, end the interrogation of that woman. Make it look natural; don’t arouse any suspicion from East Germany."

Although Knapp was reluctant, he still nodded. "Understood."

Schroeder looked at Werner. "Tell Eye of Moscow we accept his deal. But he must continue to provide valuable intelligence."

"Understood," Werner said.

"Also," Schroeder added, "increase protection for Eye of Moscow. Informants like him are rare. We can’t let anything happen to him."

"I’ll see to it."

After the meeting, Miller and Werner walked out of the conference room together.

"This informant, Eye of Moscow... does he really have a source in Moscow?" Miller asked.

Werner considered it. "I’m not sure. But the intelligence he provided about Khrushchev’s ouster was very timely. And he has a very deep understanding of some of the Soviet Union’s internal affairs."

"Is it possible... he just got lucky?"

"Perhaps," Werner said. "But we don’t have any better options right now. If he can truly continue to provide accurate intelligence from Moscow, then we’re the lucky ones."

Miller nodded. "Let’s hope so."

*************

That evening, Werner appeared punctually at a tavern in West Berlin.

Werner was already waiting for him.

Werner sat down, not speaking, simply looking at Werner.

Werner took out a document and pushed it in front of him.

"Your friend is indeed in our custody. She was suspected of being a double agent and is under interrogation."

Werner’s expression did not change.

"And?"

"We’ve agreed to your deal," Werner said. "The interrogation will be terminated."

Werner nodded, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"Good."

"But," Werner said, looking at him, "you must keep your promise. The intelligence from Moscow, the intelligence from East Germany—you have to keep providing it. And the quality must be maintained."

"Of course." Werner leaned back in his chair and lit a cigarette. "I’m a man of my word."

He took a drag from his cigarette and slowly exhaled. "The relationship between the Soviet Union and East Germany will undergo some subtle changes in the coming months. Brezhnev isn’t happy with some of Ublis’s policies. I’ve heard that someone in Moscow is considering replacing Ublis."

Werner immediately took out a notebook. "Are you sure?"

"Eighty percent certain." Werner flicked the ash from his cigarette. "There might be a personnel change sometime next year. You can start preparing in advance."

Werner quickly jotted down the information.

"Anything else?"

"There is," Werner said. "Koko is currently planning a new arms deal, targeting Third World countries. I’m still gathering the specific details. I’ll tell you when I have more information."

Werner wrote that down as well.

"Very good," he said. "If this intelligence is accurate, we will be very satisfied."

"Don’t worry." Werner stood up. "I never provide false intelligence. It wouldn’t do anyone any good."

He put on his overcoat and looked at Werner. "I want to see her return safely. If anything happens to her..."

He didn’t finish the sentence, but the threat was clear.

Werner nodded. "I guarantee her safety."

"Good."

Werner turned and walked out of the tavern.

Werner remained seated, watching his back disappear into the night.

**************

A few days later, one evening, Werner drove to a secret villa in the suburbs.

This was the meeting point he had arranged with Anna. If she made it back to East Germany safely, she would come here.

Werner waited in the villa for two hours, his eyes fixed on the door.

As dusk fell, a soft knock came from the door.

Three knocks, a pause, then two more.

It was Anna’s code.

Werner practically bolted to the door to open it.

Standing outside was a woman in a gray overcoat, her hat pulled down low.

It was Anna.

But Werner almost didn’t recognize her.

She had lost a lot of weight and had deep, dark circles under her eyes. She looked completely haggard, as if she had just recovered from a major illness.

"Anna..."

Anna looked up at him. Her eyes held unconcealable exhaustion, along with the lingering fear of a survivor.

She said nothing, simply walking inside and throwing her arms around Werner.

Werner could feel her trembling.

"I thought..." Anna’s voice was faint. "I thought I’d never see you again."

Werner held her tight, gently stroking her hair with one hand. "It’s okay now. You’re back."

Anna buried her face in his shoulder, her body trembling slightly.

Werner could feel that she was crying.

Anna rarely cried. This strong woman had never shed a tear in front of him, not even in the most dangerous of times.

But now, she was crying.

Werner said nothing, just held her tightly, letting her release all her pent-up fear and anguish.

A long time later, Anna finally calmed down.

She looked up, her eyes red, but some of the light had returned to them.

"Thank you," she said. "I know it was you who saved me."

Werner shook his head. "I wouldn’t let you die. No matter the cost."

Anna looked at him, her expression complex.

"What was the cost?"

Werner was silent for a few seconds, then said, "It doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you’re back."

Anna knew Werner didn’t want to talk about it. But she also understood that he must have paid a heavy price.

She rose onto her tiptoes and kissed him.

"We’re both still alive," she said softly. "That’s enough."

Werner held her tightly and closed his eyes.

That night, Werner and Anna talked for a long time in the villa.

Anna told him that during her interrogation in West Germany, she had lived in constant fear. The West German interrogators questioned her relentlessly, trying to find a hole in her story.

"They suspected I was actually working for East Germany," Anna said. "I knew that if they confirmed it, I was finished."

"But you made it through," Werner said.

"Because one day, the interrogation suddenly stopped," Anna said, looking at him. "They told me I had passed the review and was free to go. I knew you must have done something."

Werner didn’t deny it, nor did he elaborate.

"What about the Stasi now?" he asked. "Do they suspect you?"