Free Web NovelChapter 76: Chapter 76: Arrangements at the Foreign Trade Store
"You must have noticed the political atmosphere lately, right?" Werner lowered his voice. "The border checks are getting stricter, and the patrols are more frequent."
This was no lie.
In the weeks before the Berlin Wall was built, the East German Government did indeed tighten border controls. As a spy operating in East Berlin, Joshua should have noticed these details as well.
Sure enough, Joshua’s expression grew a little more serious. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that if you insist on getting the goods before mid-September, I’ll have to take a bigger risk." Werner flicked the ash from his cigarette. "Procuring these supplies is already sensitive. If I have to get it done before September, many of the normal channels will be unusable. I’ll have to use more...covert methods."
Joshua was clearly weighing his options. After a moment, he asked, "So what do you propose?"
"I’ll do my best to meet my client’s demands," Werner said. "But I’ll need to adjust the price and the deposit ratio."
Joshua frowned. "To how much?"
"Well, let me run the numbers for you."
Werner took out a pen and quickly calculated on the list. "Under normal circumstances, this shipment would cost about 8,000 Marks, with a 30% deposit of 2,400. But considering the tight schedule and high risk, I need to make an adjustment."
"The total price will increase to 10,000 Marks, and the deposit will be raised to 50%, which is 5,000 Marks."
Joshua’s brows furrowed. "That’s too steep of an increase. And a 50% deposit..."
"It’s for the risk I’m taking, sir." Werner cut him off, hinting that he had more or less guessed the nature of his "outdoor training program." "After all, not every training program requires so many thermal supplies and first-aid kits on such short notice."
He paused, then added in a low voice, "And I’ve heard that more and more people are going to the ’West’ for training lately."
Joshua’s expression didn’t change, but his Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. His tone was perfectly level. "Mr. Betelich, you’re quite well-informed."
Werner smiled. "Also, Mr. Schlotter, you should understand what a deposit entails—as long as I deliver the goods on time, no matter what happens on your end, the deposit is non-refundable."
He looked Joshua in the eye and continued, "Of course, if I’m unable to deliver on time, the deposit will be fully refunded. But if it’s on your end... for example, if your ’outdoor training program’ is suddenly canceled, or the number of participants changes, then I won’t be refunding the deposit."
Joshua was silent for a few seconds, clearly weighing the risks of this condition.
Werner took a leisurely sip of his coffee, waiting for Joshua’s answer.
This was the crux of his scheme to trap Joshua—once the Berlin Wall was erected on August 13th, Joshua’s escape plan would inevitably fail. The people on his side wouldn’t be able to get out, and they would no longer need these supplies.
But according to the rules of the deposit, the problem would be on Joshua’s end, so the deposit would not be refunded.
At that point, the 5,000 Marks would be pure profit.
And the best part was, Werner wouldn’t even have to actually procure the supplies—after all, Joshua’s plan would fail before the delivery date, so there would never be a "delivery day."
"I understand the rules," Joshua finally said. "But you have to understand, this is very risky for me as well. So about the price..."
"Mr. Schlotter, I don’t want to raise the price either." Werner spread his hands. "But you must understand, with such a tight schedule, my suppliers will also raise their prices, and the risks during transport will increase. This price is the absolute lowest I can offer."
Joshua fell into deep thought.
After a long moment, Joshua spoke. "Alright, we’ll do it your way. But I need a few days to prepare the deposit."
Werner nodded. "No problem. As soon as the deposit is in place, I’ll start contacting my sources."
"Back here, the day after tomorrow in the afternoon," Joshua said. "Same time, same place. I’ll bring the deposit."
"No problem." Werner extended his hand. "A pleasure doing business with you."
Werner gloated internally.
The original deposit of 2,400 Marks had now become 5,000 Marks.
Once the Berlin Wall was built, Joshua’s escape plan would be ruined. Those political prisoners wouldn’t be able to escape at all, so they wouldn’t need the supplies anymore. But the deposit? That was non-refundable.
5,000 Marks, pure profit.
"Then it’s settled." Werner stood up. "See you the day after tomorrow, Mr. Schlotter."
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July 12, 1961 freewebnøvel.coɱ
Days until the Berlin Wall is built: 32
Werner pushed open the glass door of the foreign trade shop, a bell chiming softly.
The cloyingly sweet scent of Western perfume drifted through the shop, a stark contrast to the smell of coal smoke on the street.
Eva stood behind the cash register, using a calculator to tally up the foreign exchange certificates for a Soviet Army officer’s wife.
Her curly blonde hair shone under the lights, and her white shirt collar revealed a sliver of her pale neck. Hearing the bell, she looked up, a flash of surprise in her blue eyes.
"Werner? What are you doing here?" she asked in a low voice, glancing at the officer’s wife, who was picking out French perfume.
"Just came to see my business partner." Werner walked up to the counter, pretending to casually browse the price list. "How’s business lately?"
"Not bad." Eva skillfully made change and saw the officer’s wife out before finally relaxing. "We might be getting a shipment of Swiss watches soon. If you need any, I can set some aside for you."
Werner nodded, but his eyes were scanning the shop, checking if any other employees or customers were paying attention to them.
Because today, he had something more important to discuss.
"Eva, I want to ask you something." He lowered his voice. "If... and I’m just saying if... you wanted to go live in West Berlin, when would you leave?"
The pen in Eva’s hand froze. She slowly raised her head, a complex look in her eyes.
"Why do you ask?"
"Just making small talk." Werner shrugged. "I heard the border checks have been getting stricter lately."
This was no lie.
Although he couldn’t directly tell Eva that the Berlin Wall would be built in a month, hinting to her that now was the last chance was the greatest kindness he could offer.
Eva was silent for a long time.
She looked down, tidying the invoices, her slender fingers trembling slightly.
The heater in the shop hummed softly, and the wall clock ticked away. Each second seemed to stretch on for an eternity.
"You know, Werner," she said, her voice soft, "I stand here every day, looking at all these Western goods, and sometimes I wonder... what are their lives like, those people in the West?"
She stopped what she was doing, her gaze drifting through the glass window to the street outside.
A few workers in gray overalls were hurrying past, the same tired expression on their faces.
"Then why don’t you go?" Werner’s voice was gentle.
"Because..." Eva bit her lower lip. "Because there’s someone here I can’t bear to leave."
She looked up, her blue eyes fixed directly on Werner.
In that instant, the air seemed to freeze.
Werner could hear his own heartbeat. He could also sense the cautious hope in Eva’s eyes.
’Damn it.’
He cursed silently.
’Why had he never noticed the way she looked at him before?’
