A Death in Vienna

that? Each SS man Hudal assisted required pocket money, passage on a ship, a visa, and a new life in a foreign country, not to mention the cost of providing them sanctuary in Rome until they could be shipped off. Hudal is thought to have helpedhundreds of SS men in this way. That’s a lot of money, Luigi—hundreds of thousands of dollars. I find it hard to believe the Anima had that kind of spare change lying around.”
    “So you’re assuming he was given money by someone,” Donati said, expertly twirling pasta onto his fork. “Someone like the Holy Father, for example.”
    “The money had to come from somewhere.”
    Donati laid down his fork and folded his hands thoughtfully. “There is evidence to suggest that Bishop Hudaldid receive Vatican funds to pay for his refugee work.”
    “They weren’trefugees, Luigi. Not all of them, at least. Many of them were guilty of unspeakable crimes. Are you telling me Pius had no idea Hudal was helping wanted war criminals escape justice?”
    “Let us just say that, based on available documentary evidence and testimony from surviving witnesses, it would be very difficult to prove that charge.”
    “I didn’t know you’d studied Canon Law, Luigi.” Gabriel repeated the question, slowly, with a prosecutorial emphasis on the relevant words. “Did the pope know Hudal was helping war criminals escape justice?”
    “His Holiness opposed the Nuremberg trials because he believed they would only serve to further weaken Germany and embolden the Communists. He also believed the Allies were after vengeance and not justice. It’s quite possible the Holy Father knew Bishop Hudal was helping Nazis and that he approved. Proving that contention, however, is another matter.” Donati aimed the prongs of his fork at Gabriel’s untouched pasta. “You’d better eat that before it gets cold.”
    “I’m afraid I’ve lost my appetite.”
    Donati plunged his fork into Gabriel’s pasta. “So what is this Radek fellow alleged to have done?”
    Gabriel gave a brief synopsis of Sturmbannführer Erich Radek’s illustrious SS career, beginning with his work for Adolf Eichmann’s Jewish emigration office in Vienna and concluding with his command ofAktion 1005. By the end of Gabriel’s account, Donati too had lost his appetite.
    “Did they really believe they could conceal all the evidence of a crime so enormous?”
    “I’m not sure whether they believed it was possible, but they succeeded to a large extent. Because of men like Erich Radek, we’ll never know how many peoplereally perished in the Shoah.”
    Donati contemplated his wine. “What is it you want to know about Bishop Hudal’s assistance to Radek?”
    “We can assume that Radek needed a passport. For that, Hudal would have turned to the International Red Cross. I want to know the name on that passport. Radek would have also needed a place to go. He would have needed a visa.” Gabriel paused. “I know it was a long time ago, but Bishop Hudal kept records, didn’t he?”
    Donati nodded slowly. “Bishop Hudal’s private papers are stored in the archives of the Anima. As you might expect, they are sealed.”
    “If there’s anyone in Rome who can unseal them, it’s you, Luigi.”
    “We can’t just barge into the Anima and ask to see the bishop’s papers. The current rector is Bishop Theodor Drexler, and he’s no fool. We’d need an excuse—a cover story, as they say in your trade.”
    “We have one.”
    “What’s that?”
    “The Historical Commission.”
    “You’re suggesting we tell the rector that the Commission has requested Hudal’s papers?”
    “Precisely.”
    “And if he balks?”
    “Then we name-drop.”
    “And who are you supposed to be?”
    Gabriel reached into his pocket and produced a laminated identification card, complete with a photograph.
    “Shmuel Rubenstein, professor of comparative religion at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.” Donati handed the card back to Gabriel and shook his head. “Theodor Drexler is a brilliant theologian. He’ll want to engage you in a discussion—perhaps something about the common roots of the two oldest religions in the western world. I’m quite confident you’ll fall flat on your face, and the bishop will see right through your little act.”
    “It’s your job to see that doesn’t happen.”
    “You overestimate my abilities, Gabriel.”
    “Call him, Luigi. I need to see Bishop Hudal’s papers.”
    “I will, but first, I have one