The Schliemann Legacy by D.A. Graystone

his desk drawer. In the enclosed space, Morritt noticed the acrid smell of cordite, smoke, and sweat that permeated the material of his jumpsuit. Acutely aware of his filthy uniform, David stood straighter and formally addressed the older man. " Hamefaked ."
    Assi rose. He was short but powerfully built with broad shoulders. He limped around the desk and thrust out his thick arm to shake David's hand. "None of that nonsense," he said. " Hamefaked , my ass. I am only your Commander outside this office - and when you do stupid things. Like this practice raid."
    David winced. Now he knew why Assi had forced him to return. The Director returned to his seat and David gently lowered himself into a chair. "Assi, I'm only trying to fight the boredom. I should be in the field, not stuck behind some desk. Retiring to a desk at my age is ridiculous."
    "Relax, David. I didn't call you here to discuss this indiscretion of yours. Not that you don't deserve a reprimand. I was unhappy to hear you were in the desert again. I thought I scheduled you for the classroom." When David tried to reply, Assi interrupted him. "But this is not why you are here. I have important news which may solve several problems for both of us."
    David leaned forward, recognizing the tone in his old friend's voice. "Go ahead, I'm listening."
    Assi pulled a single sheet of paper from a drawer and placed it face down on his desk. "I wanted to see you at your home," he said. "This meeting should have been private, but time would not permit it. Instead, this conversation never took place."
    David looked puzzled and pointed toward the roof. "But the flight? Not exactly a quiet way of getting me here."
    "I've taken care of that. You will have an official reprimand on your record." Assi waved down David's protest. "You went on the exercise without my permission. You were away without leave. You are deep in it, old friend."
    Then, the Director lightened his tone. "Naturally, we don't want to embarrass such a well respected man. We will ignore your childish behavior. However, I have granted your request for a vacation - so you can consider your tenuous position."
    David slumped back in his chair at the mention of the unwanted holiday. "Thank you, old friend . I deeply appreciate your consideration. Now, what the hell does all this mean?"
    "Early today, I received a message from Henri Mardinaud. He has come across some information he thought might interest me." Assi took a deep breath. "He has located Friedrich Heiden."
    David flinched. A chill passed through his body. Vivid memories assaulted his senses. The stench of urine, blood, and sweat filled his nostrils. Bile rose in his throat. He fought to breathe. Noises battered him. The clang of the bell. The deep rumble of the locomotive. The moans of thousands, the scream of one.
    His chest constricted and he felt the cold glass of a window pressed against his face. Inside, he could see Heiden, the Nazi's pants down around his ankles and an ugly gash dripping blood from below his left eye. David watched Heiden's club, rise and fall, spraying blood across the wall and window. A woman lay across the table. She had stopped screaming, stopped moving. Still, he bludgeoned her with the stick. He beat her until his arm fell limp and her face was an unrecognizable mass of torn flesh and broken bone.
    David opened his eyes, fighting to escape the memories. He shook uncontrollably as he fought the hands pinning his arms. Then his vision focused and David realized Assi held him. His heartbeat slowed and returned to normal as Assi gently lowered him back into the chair.
    "I'm sorry, Assi," he said in a weak voice. He coughed and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. "It's been a long time since I remembered that day in so much...detail."
    Assi gave David a glass of water. "I'm the one who should apologize," Assi said. "I could've broken it to you better. Forgive me. God knows, when I read Mardinaud's message, I thought I'd have a