64 | John W. Warner IV Hours passed. As Menzies and the Admiral interrogated Hess behind closed doors in Hesss quarters, Bernie quietly read the London Times in the hallway in a comfy chair adorned by the dim light coming through the wired glass window. He knew the cover story was bullshit, the flight made little sense given both German and RAF coastal radar, as Hesss unscheduled flight would have been intercepted in minutes by either side. Though the conversation was garbled, Bernie smiled when Hess raised his voice in temper while being peppered with intense, unrelenting questions, then became incandescent with rage. Easy now, Walter. Theyre just doing their duty, he mumbled, then snapped the pages to attention as an army guard eyed him coldly. Yanks of all stripes, cocky Johnny- come-latelies were a plague to all English soldiers now that the Americans were flooding into Britain. His kilt hid nothing. Menzies and the captain exited with a door slam. Hes all yours, Rodgers. Good luck getting him to admit anything useful, and you can eighty-six that damn smug look on your face, said Menzies in mocking American military slang, snugging on his hat in a huff. He turned to the guards. Carte blanche. Dont disturb them no matter what, clear} The sergeant came to attention. Sah! Thanks, Chief, said Bernie with a smile. TH do my best. A damn sight better than that would prove ideal, said Menzies down the hall. Youve got four hours precisely. Well be waiting at the car when youre done with him. Right now, its pints and pie for us in town. Trains at three sharp. When Bernie slowly opened the second interior steel door to Hesss private room, Hess had his back to him sitting in his scruffy overstaffed chair. The threadbare carpet smelled musty, and the bed was unkempt, an unusual sight given that Hess had traditionally kept a clinically clean and tight bedroom. Clothes lay on the simple dresser, and a pitcher of water sat beside him. On the table was a flamed photo of his wife and children. Bernie spoke in German and pitched his tweed cap to the bed. Guten tag, Walter. Its just me. They left. Ja-ja. Hess motioned with his hand, his eyes staring out the window to the trees. I only agreed to speak with them if they changed my room at the very last minute. No eavesdropping with electronics. I like the kilt, suits you.