American Fraulein

JUDY

INTRODUCTION

Foreign agents operate in countries of interest in times of peace, belligerence, and war. Their purpose is to seek pertinent information and pass it on to the country of their allegiance, and be open to opportunistic means of causing havoc and unrest among the local populace. When apprehended, we know them for their treachery and call them out as spies. But who are these people, and why would they embrace a life cloaked in the shadows of darkness and chicanery? American Fräulein speaks of a young woman caught in a Nazi web of love, deceit and murder.

In 1941, Germany's vision of world domination sparks several baffling murders in the city of Los Angeles. The striking figure of Erika Willets, whose biography is as imposing as her physical appearance, adds another dimension to a puzzle whose pieces do not seem to fit. Although the modus operandi, locations, and background of victims differ, it appears there may be linkage. A newspaper reporter and a detective are unwittingly thrust together to find answers to the recent killings.

American Fräulein evokes an interest in Erika, whose persona parallels the beauty and the beast, and reveals a spy mystery with heightened emotions and an out of box storyline.

PART I

CHAPTER 1

Foreboding Journey

It was a brisk, windy morning, November 12, 1941, when a fashionably dressed twenty-six year-old Erika Willets stepped into Chicago’s Union Rail Station. Walking through the lobby, she quickly became aware of others casting attention in her direction—something she was long accustomed to. She was smartly dressed in royal blue slacks, matching waist length business jacket over a white, long-sleeved blouse. A white beret sat atop her long sandy blonde hair. But it wasn’t so much what she was wearing that caused others to focus on her. No, their attention was mostly on the woman herself. At six feet, one inch, she was athletic, attractive, and well proportioned. And in her heels, she stood nearly six-four.

Her three suitcases were booked into the baggage coach. She took extra caution to secure the largest of the bags to prevent an accidental opening. If anyone discovered its contents, her cover would be blown.

All aboard!

Erika drew her bottom lip in, knowing the seriousness of the trip to Los Angeles.

Once in her coach, Erika glanced out the window and saw flagmen giving the okay for the train to commence its journey. With a shimmer, a jolt, and loud whistle, the giant steam engine pulled out of the station, wound its way through Chicago, and set out into open country. Erika stared at the boarding ticket she was clutching.

Too late to turn back. The mission is in play.

Erika smiled at passengers walking the aisle, and took an occasional nap as day turned into night, then back to day.

In the morning she visited the dining car. Returning to her coach, she slumped heavily into her seat. Feeling melancholy, she reflected on the events that had impacted her life and ultimately led to this moment in time.

Erika’s paternal grandfather, Heinrich Willets left Germany for America in 1883. It was a sudden departure for reasons known only to Heinrich. Perhaps it was best kept that way. As a skilled accountant, he lived comfortably and married a German émigré. The couple had a son they named Harold. Against the advice of others, Heinrich purchased a failing publishing company. Aided by his accounting background and a punishing effort, he was able to keep the business afloat.

After Heinrich’s death, his son Harold became sole owner of Willets Publishing. Harold’s leadership and deft business acumen led to the company’s significant growth and success. In 1915, Harold and wife Marie celebrated the birth of their daughter Erika. Both parents had been raised in German-speaking households, and it was important to them that Erika be bilingual, so they spoke German in the home.

Harold kept himself physically fit, and possessed a shrewd intellect. Marie combined a quick wit with grace and refinement. Both were above average in height. Erika grew to be her own person, but she appreciated the genetic contributions that added to her persona.

Erika enjoyed a happy childhood as something of a tomboy. At fourteen, she was tall for her age and enjoyed playing after school basketball, even though she was the only girl on the court. After scoring a basket one afternoon, Erika was approached by a boy on the opposing team named Thomas James Yost. Yost threw the ball into Erika’s lanky frame, striking her upper back as she turned to deflect it. When she turned around, Yost shoved her back several feet with both hands, saying she didn’t belong on the court playing a boy’s game. Regaining her balance, she hastily closed the distance between them and glared straight into his eyes.

You started this. Now you are going to pay!

Shut up! Yost retorted.

Big mistake. With a bull rush and effective use of her fists, Erika sent Yost flying to the ground. Once he picked himself off the asphalt, he limped off the court with a bloody nose, swollen lip, and bruised ego. No one ever again questioned Erika’s right to play basketball.

High school was best remembered for friendships, academic honors, and an introduction to a new girls’ sports program which included league soccer. Erika developed a passion for the game and became a star player. During the off-season, she honed her skills playing advanced soccer on a traveling squad. Despite her roughhousing, she developed into a radiant debutante.

After graduation, Erika chose to attend Alnendale, an exclusive women’s college located approximately one-hundred fifty miles outside of Chicago. Alnendale fulfilled all her requirements. It was academically challenging, offered a degree in journalism, maintained an excellent sports program which included track and field, and most importantly, boasted a first-class soccer team that dominated league play.

At the start of her sophomore year, Alnendale invited its brother college, Fishman Engineering, to a night of dancing and entertainment. During the festivities Erika saw what she believed to be a familiar face. Yes, it was Thomas James Yost, now simply known as T.J. Putting the past behind, they kept steady company for the next three years. Friends envisioned a post-graduation marriage. But both had other ideas. Erika was anxious to begin a career in her family’s publication business. T.J. would move to California and enter that state’s progressive field of aeronautical engineering. Their relationship ended amicably, which if the truth be told, was a relief for both.

Erika’s first assignment at Willets Publishing was to participate in a project that would take her father Harold, herself, and selected associates on a six-week economic fact-finding tour of Europe. The U.S. was emerging from its Great Depression, but not without rough spots. Harold saw a need for the nation to go outside itself for fresh ideas relative to economic recovery. Therefore, his task force would conduct interviews with government officials, public figures, industrial leaders, and successful entrepreneurs, in addition to visiting cities and venues which were experiencing significant economic growth. They would share their findings with U.S. government entities, and also print them in a series of articles in selected publications.

Word of an American economic fact-finding expedition was transmitted to Berlin’s Reich Chancellery, and later directed to the Office of Public Affairs, or OPA. The OPA was established in 1935 to serve as an adjunct to the Office of Propaganda. The Office of Propaganda used all media outlets to promote Germany’s Führer and his projects. The OPA’s interest in the media was no less than sinister. It was authorized to oversee all outlets for the purpose of insuring adherence to the Führer’s leadership, interests, and concerns. The Führer selected his long time confidant, former World War I General, Joel Neuhauser as director of the powerful OPA.

Upon learning of the expedition of U.S. delegates, Neuhauser thought it prudent to know who was leading the effort. He assigned a member of the OPA to attend all interviews conducted by Harold Willets and his daughter, Erika. The ever-suspicious Neuhauser also decided he needed to meet these Americans and size them up. Since the Willetses’ arrival was weeks away, Neuhauser instructed his staff to extend an offer to sit for an interview, followed by a lunch in the Chancellery dining room. The offer was accepted, and scheduled into the itinerary.

Erika and her father shipped out of New York on September 19, 1937. After stops in England, France, and Italy, they prepared for their extended stay in Germany. Their arrival in Berlin did not go unnoticed. On orders from Neuhauser, a team from the OPA kept tabs on their whereabouts.

On October 14, the Willetses awoke to a beautiful autumn morning in Germany. The air was crisp and the trees were brightly adorned in their fall colors. It was the day they would visit the OPA and its director, retired General Neuhauser.

An aide to Neuhauser was stationed outside the Chancellery to welcome and escort the Willetses to the director’s office. After the initial greeting, the aide had difficulty keeping his eyes off Erika. Both were about the same age, and she was aware of his embarrassment. It was amusing to her as she was thinking, He’s not so bad, himself.

Once inside Neuhauser’s office, the aide conducted the introductions before being dismissed. The amicability of Harold Willets and his daughter was a pleasant surprise. In addition, both spoke fluent German, took pride in their heritage, and were generally upbeat in their observations. The meeting went well and was informative for both parties. At the conclusion, Neuhauser’s aide returned, and they all proceeded to the Chancellery’s dining room for the luncheon.

During the course of the meal Neuhauser proposed an intriguing opportunity.

If the Führer’s schedule permits, perhaps you will be able to meet him prior to your departure.

While Harold was thinking what a coup it would be to meet Germany’s Führer, Neuhauser was contemplating the benefits of a large U.S. publishing company printing favorable reviews of Germany for the American people to read. Toward the end of lunch he suggested that his aide Friedrich give Erika a tour of the Reich building and its grounds while he and Harold finish business. Erika and Friedrich readily agreed. Neuhauser had his own reasons to finish business. He wished to learn more of the political trends of the U.S., both domestically and in its international relations, and how they would affect its relationship with Germany.

Soon Erika and Friedrich were walking the grounds outside the building. He was Friedrich Hingle, twenty-four years old with blue eyes and coal black hair. He stood slightly shorter than Erika, but of course she was wearing heels for the occasion. His pro-Nazi bent and banter, and revelation that his father was a major financial contributor to the Führer’s success, did not impress her. Once the conversation changed to what most twenty-somethings talk about, they began to enjoy each other’s company even more. Both were heavily involved in their work. It was good to meet someone who offered a respite from the grind. Even better, someone so attractive! As they shared what little time they had, Erika hoped she would see him again. Friedrich had similar thoughts. Before re-entering the building, they exchanged telephone numbers. Yes, they would meet again, as much as possible prior to her departure.

True to his word, Neuhauser sought and was able to arrange an appointment for the Willetses to meet the Führer, Adolph Hitler. It was a very cordial Hitler who met them. He spoke of Germany’s post-World War I economic collapse, the requisites for recovery, and his vision of a peaceful, prosperous future. Erika was inspired by Hitler as by no other public figure before. Clearly, Neuhauser had briefed him regarding the importance of his guests. Hitler took it to the next level: all carrot, no stick.

Time was running short. One evening toward the end of Erika’s visit, she and Friedrich were strolling back to her hotel when Friedrich stopped and turned to her.

Erika, I know it’s only been a short time we’ve known each other, but I tell you I have never met someone like you. Please don’t laugh or get sore, but I really believe I love you.

At first Erika said nothing. They embraced, then she whispered to him.

I know it may be too soon, but love isn’t all that practical, or fixed to a time piece or calendar. It happens, then it grows. With us, it just happened.

Neither Erika nor Friedrich wanted the romance to end. They were all too aware that time and distance may forever separate them.

Nearly three months after Erika’s return to the states, fate finally intervened on Friedrich’s behalf. He was summoned into Neuhauser’s office and invited to take a seat. Sitting behind his desk, Neuhauser momentarily looked at Friedrich, then he spoke.

"We have been advised by the Führer’s office that in the event of hostilities, the Office of Public Affairs will be enlarged in order to assume additional responsibilities. As example, selected OPA personnel will be embedded with our war correspondents for the purpose of reviewing their reports. This will include correspondents sent to the front lines as well as those in rear echelon. Additional OPA designees will be assigned to countries of interest where we have established clandestine operations. As you can imagine, there is a lack of supervision among these agents, yet we depend so much on what they report. Therefore, the OPA will have on-site authority to review their reports, and will file informational dispatches relative to our needs. I’m sure the ABWEHR and its Intelligence Services will not be pleased to have Political Officers review their foreign agents’ reports, and in addition, consult and advise in matters which are in the domain of the OPA. Regardless, the authorization to do so comes from the Führer himself. He has his reasons—perhaps best if we just call it ‘checks and balances.’ Needless to say, this project will require close coordination between