33
Vladi
After the phone call with Zara, he walked to the director of the military hospital and asked for a secure line to the SMAD.
“Comrade Propov, please,” Vladi said into the phone.
“I’m sorry, but the Lieutenant Colonel is not here,” the secretary answered.
Vladi put a hand across the receiver and uttered a string of curses. “How may I reach him? It’s important.”
“It will have to wait. He’s on a retreat with Stalin – no disturbances.”
Vladi groaned with despair. These top-secret retreats could last anything from a few hours to several days. “How long has he been there?”
“Not long. He left in the morning for Moscow.”
“Thank you very much. Would you please let him know to give me a call at the Erfurt hospital as soon as it is convenient?”
“Certainly.”
Vladi ran a hand through
