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Max Drexler read the Verkehrspolizei report on the death of young Theodor Radler and the Stasi reports on Karl Huber which included the claims he’d made to his ‘superiors’. His assistant, Hans, managed to locate the only remaining exhibit in the case, a dented fog light with a badly cracked lens. Previously a motor mechanic for the organisation, Hans was a methodical man with a tendency to be a little too meticulous but his opinion was valued by Drexler.
When asked if the vehicle the light came from could be identified in any way, Hans replied, “It’s from a Tatra 603. Produced 1968, maybe ’69.” Asked if he was sure, Hans began to go into details that Drexler quickly found somewhat tedious. Could it have come from a Wartburg? A short guffaw followed by an apology provided the answer. Aren’t these vehicles only used officially? Hans nodded agreement then added, “But there are some high party officials who own this type of car, very high party officials. However, Herr Drexler, they won’t have this type of fog lamp. This came from a Government vehicle.” His boss had another question; had he not found the registration plate the traffic report said had been handed to its officers? Hans shook his head. “I could find no record of it ever having been physically booked in, Sir. The reference number given is meaningless. I also couldn’t find any trace of the registration plate Herr Huber said he handed in.” Why then had they booked in the fog light? Hans had smiled, “They were obviously not Government mechanics, Sir. They didn’t realise the significance.”
Even though his high rank and departmental position gave him access to almost anything, there were certain files that even Max couldn’t see without a relevant authorisation and anything the internal investigation section held was on that list. Whilst he could try to get so authorised, the time, effort and possible consequences were just not worth it. He knew what had taken place. Radler’s son had been run over and killed by a Government and high Party official and, by the way the cover-up had swept immediately into place, he could only surmise that person held a significant Government post.
They’d lied to Radler. He’d taken what they told him as the truth because he’d had no reason to disbelieve, but now, when Huber had clearly, in Max’s mind, spilled the beans, he could imagine his boss’s reaction to the deceit and disrespect. Not only that, but knowledge of the contempt they’d showered upon him and his wife before and after her death must have been crushing.
Max had sat thinking about that for some time then eventually he went to Radler’s office, locked the door behind him and began to rummage through his desk. He found the keys that opened two filing cabinets and all the drawers, except one. He picked up the phone, “Hans, get me a locksmith.”