Free Web NovelChapter 91: Chapter 1: Seeking Aid at the Wall
August 23, 1961. The Berlin Wall had been up for ten days.
Dawn in East Berlin. A gloomy, grey sky hung over the city, a city split in two by concrete and barbed wire.
Joshua stood on a street corner near Alexanderplatz, gazing at the newly erected wall in the distance.
His eyes were bloodshot, his suit was rumpled, and his stubble was overgrown. He had barely slept in days.
"Damn it," he cursed under his breath, turning into a nearby alley.
The alley led to a small tavern, the new gathering spot for Black Market dealers.
Ever since the wall went up, the old Black Market near Alexanderplatz had become useless—it was too close to the border, with too many patrolling soldiers and Stasi agents.
The tavern door was ajar. Joshua pushed it open and went inside.
The air inside was thick with smoke. Seven or eight people were gathered in small groups, speaking in hushed tones.
As Joshua entered, several pairs of eyes snapped toward him, filled with wariness and scrutiny.
"What are you looking for?" a bald, middle-aged man asked, his voice hoarse.
"I’m looking for someone." Joshua glanced around the room. "Werner Betelich. Anyone know where I can find him?"
The bald man sneered. "Werner? Who isn’t looking for him right now? Get in line."
"He’s got merchandise, the good stuff," a lanky man nearby added. "But he’s damn hard to find. You don’t get to see him just because you want to."
"Everyone’s scrambling to buy his stuff now," another voice chimed in. "Prices have shot up several times over, and you still have to queue up."
Joshua’s heart sank. He looked around at the men. "Does anyone know where he is?"
The bald man shook his head. The others either did the same or turned away, clearly unwilling to say more.
Just as Joshua was about to leave, a small, weaselly-looking man slipped out after him.
"Hey, friend," the small man said, glancing around furtively before lowering his voice. "I know where Werner is."
Joshua turned and sized the man up.
"I can take you to him." The small man’s eyes darted about. "But it’ll cost you a finder’s fee. Fifty Marks."
Joshua hesitated for a moment before pulling some money from his pocket. "Twenty now. You’ll get the rest when you take me to him."
The small man considered it for a moment, then nodded. "Deal. Follow me."
* * *
Werner stood between the shelves, taking inventory.
Cardboard boxes were stacked neatly: West German cigarettes, Colombia coffee beans, Philips radios, nylon stockings, Switzerland watches, and photographic developer.
"Boss, another person’s asking about stock," his subordinate, Keller, said as he came through the door, a slip of paper in his hand. "That’s the thirteenth one today."
Werner took the note, glanced at it, and tossed it into a drawer. "Tell them we have the stock, but there’s a line. The price is double what it was last week." fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
"Double?" Keller drew in a sharp breath.
"Too expensive?" Werner lit a cigarette, smoke curling up slowly in the dim warehouse. "Then they can look elsewhere."
Keller chuckled. "As if there’s anywhere else to get it."
The words had barely left his mouth when a rapid knock sounded at the door.
Keller shot Werner a wary look. Werner waved a hand, gesturing for him to open the door.
The door opened and a middle-aged man in a rumpled suit slipped inside. His face was haggard, as if he hadn’t slept in days. It was Joshua.
"Mr. Werner." Joshua’s voice was laced with obvious exhaustion and urgency.
"Mr. Joshua. What a rare sight." Werner leaned against a shelf, his posture as relaxed as if he were in his own living room. "I thought you would have returned to West Berlin by now. Oh, that’s right, you can’t go back anymore, can you?"
The color drained from Joshua’s face.
"Sit." Werner pointed to a wooden crate. "Keller, go make some coffee. Use that bag of Colombia beans. I imagine Mr. Joshua hasn’t had a decent cup in a long time."
Keller took the hint and backed out. Only the two of them remained in the warehouse.
Joshua didn’t sit down. Instead, he got straight to the point. "Mr. Werner, that shipment we discussed before... I don’t need it anymore—"
"Don’t need it?" Werner laughed. "Mr. Joshua, do you have any idea how many orders I placed with my supplier in West Berlin for your shipment? Those specialized ropes, the flashlights... none of that is easy to get ahold of, and I ordered it all to your specifications."
He flicked the ash from his cigarette, his tone turning cold. "And now you’re telling me you don’t need it? The deposit is non-refundable. Those are the rules."
Joshua gritted his teeth and nodded. "Fine. I accept."
He took two steps forward and lowered his voice. "But I hear you still have plenty of stock. Unlike the other dealers whose supply lines have been cut, yours is still flowing."
"Just lucky, I guess." Werner was noncommittal.
"No." Joshua stared into Werner’s eyes. "This wasn’t luck. Werner, you knew before the Wall went up, didn’t you?"
The warehouse fell silent for a few seconds.
Werner slowly rose to his feet and walked over to Joshua, stopping just a meter away from him.
"What are you getting at?"
"I want to know if you have other... channels." Beads of sweat broke out on Joshua’s forehead.
"Other channels?"
"Like..." Joshua paused. "A channel for transporting people."
Werner narrowed his eyes.
Keller entered with two cups of coffee, shattering the tense silence. He glanced at the charged atmosphere between the two men, discreetly set down the cups, and backed out again.
Werner picked up a coffee cup, took a small sip, and then sat back down by the shelves.
"Mr. Joshua, do you know what happens if you’re caught trying to cross illegally now?"
"I know." Joshua’s voice was firm. "But some people have to get out."
Werner contemplated for a moment before speaking slowly. "I’m not running a charity, Mr. Joshua. This sort of thing is too risky." fгeewebnovёl.com
"I can pay," Joshua said urgently. "A lot."
"How much?"
"Five thousand West German Marks per person."
Werner let out a low whistle. "You’re certainly willing to spend. But—" His tone shifted. "Why should I trust you? What if this is a Stasi sting operation?"
"I can pay upfront."
"Money doesn’t solve the issue of trust." Werner stood up and began to pace around the warehouse. "Let’s do this. You let me meet the people who want to leave. I need to know who they are, why they’re leaving, and whether they’re worth the risk I’d be taking."
"That’s..." Joshua hesitated.
"Joshua, don’t tell me you can’t even offer that much good faith." Werner turned, looking him straight in the eye. "You came to me, which means you’re out of options. In all of East Berlin, how many other people can help you right now?"
The words struck a nerve.
He was silent for a long time before finally nodding. "Alright. I’ll arrange it. But you have to guarantee—"
"Guarantee what?" Werner cut him off. "I guarantee nothing. I’m just going to meet them, hear their stories, and then decide whether or not I’ll take the job. It’s as simple as that."
Joshua took a deep breath. "I need to make arrangements. I’ll come find you in a few days."
"No problem." Werner extended his hand.
As they shook hands, Joshua suddenly lowered his voice. "Werner, how did you do it? How did you stockpile so much before the Wall went up?"
Werner released his hand and smiled. "Joshua, there are two kinds of people in this world: those who see opportunities, and those who create them. Which one do you think I am?"
Joshua froze for a moment, then left with a wry, shaking head.
