Codename: Omega (feat. The Apiary Society) by Bernard Schaffer Read Free Book Online Page A

themselves.  After that happens, you are going to euthanize my little ones.  My wife and I will then leave the Fuhrerbunker and kill ourselves.”  Goebbels smiled and said, “I’m sure you understand, I cannot give them the cyanide myself.  That would be unthinkable.” 
    ***
    The Fuhrerbunker’s staff and all of their families lined up in front of the Fuhrer and his wife.  Eva Braun moved in unison with her husband as they said goodbye to each of them.  Eva smiled gently when the young Goebbels children rushed forward to hug her.  She ran her fingers through their blonde hair and kissed them one by one, saying, “I love you, so much.”  
    “We love you too, Aunt Eva.  And you too, Uncle Adolph.”  
    Hitler patted the children on their heads, but did not linger on any individual.  He made his way down the rest of the line slowly, hunched over, muttering softly when he spoke.     
    Hitler and Eva waved to everyone and walked together into the Fuhrer’s private study.  Hitler shut the heavy metal door behind his wife and loosened his tie.  “It is time.  At last.”
    Eva looked at her watch and nodded.  It was two-thirty in the afternoon.  She took out the small white cyanide pill from its plastic container and cupped it in her palm.  “I am ready,” she said. 
    They sat together on the couch and Hitler let out a long sigh.  He touched his wife on the leg.  She put her hand over his.  “Will it really smell like almonds?” she said. 
    Hitler nodded, then took his pistol out and rested it on his lap.  He looked down at the weapon but did not move for it.  “No almonds for me,” he said.  He looked up from the pistol and smiled gently at Eva.  “Let us sit here for just a moment longer.  History can wait.”
    ***
    “Eva?  Wake up.  Eva?  Can you hear me?”
    Eva Braun’s eyes fluttered open.  A naked man knelt on the floor in front of her and shook her by the shoulders.  She groaned as she tried to lift her head.  “Sean?  Is it done?”        
    “It is,” he said.  “I came through the wall just as he pulled the trigger.” 
    Eva turned to see the slumped over body of Adolph Hitler.  Blood leaked from the bullet hole in his right temple.  Price examined the Fuhrer’s body, taking a deep breath before he said, “You did it.  You actually did it.”
    “I did it,” she whispered.  Her face twisted in disgust.  She pursed her lips and spat at Hitler.  “Burn in hell, you monster.”
    “We have to go,” Price said.  “They heard the gunshot and won’t wait much longer.  Can you stand?”
    “First, get the file.  It has the artifact’s location.”  Eva pointed at the row of books on the shelf behind him.  “Third one in, hidden between the pages.”
    Price stood up and removed the third book in from the middle shelf.  He flipped through the pages quickly until he found a small, crudely-drawn map of Antarctica with hand-written coordinates along the margins.  Price memorized the latitude and longitude as he studied the map.  “Do you really believe they found it?”  
    “He certainly seemed to think so,” Eva said.  She went to stand up but her legs wobbled and gave out under her.  “I need to rest a moment.”  
    Price searched for a box of matches.  He grabbed several and lit them all at once, setting fire to the map and letting it burn in his hands until the page turned to black ash.   
    Eva leaned back on the sofa cushion and closed her eyes.  She sniffed the air and her eyes flew open.  “Sean?  Do you smell roasted almonds?”
    “No.  It’s just the burnt paper.”  
    She ran her tongue along the front of her teeth and said, “No!  Oh my God.  Is that what you meant, all those years ago at Berchtesgaden ?  Why did you let me take them?”  Eva’s head snapped back and her arms and legs shot out violently and began to flail.   
    Price grabbed her by the shoulders and tried to hold her steady.  Her