“I agree with you, Mr. Bush,” Truman nodded. “But he was responsible, and the accident happened on his watch, as it happened on mine. You will note, though, that he is still working for the government.”

  “Yes, and I wondered about that. He is certainly keeping a low profile, though.”

  “We should not waste someone with Groves’ skills. The general is acting as a roving troubleshooter for me personally. He is still involved in the Manhattan project, though he obviously cannot be in charge of it.”

  “Very well,” Bush replied. “I suppose I have to accept that. But, finding a replacement of Groves’ caliber is going to be a challenge. And we do not want to wait very long. The entire project has lost momentum because of the accident, and it’s going to take some efforts to get things moving again.”

  “That is why we are having this meeting. What I had in mind, Mr. Bush, was for you to lead the project.”

  “Ah. I wondered if it was coming to that. I would need to resign my position at the Office of Scientific Research and Development to manage the Manhattan district properly. I feel like I have been effective there, and I hate to leave.”

  “You have been effective at the OSRD,” Truman stated. “If the situation were not so serious, I would be happy to leave you there. But we need someone of your skills to get this project back on track.”

  “I’m playing Devil’s advocate here, but are you truly convinced we need weapons of that magnitude?”

  “We know the Germans and the Brits are working on it, and we have inferred from some of Yamamoto’s comments that the Japanese were working on it. We can assume that Stalin has a team working on it as well. I believe the United States must have these weapons if we are going to be effective in the future.”

  Bush placed his teeth together and hissed through them. “It appears the genie is out of the bottle, then.”

  “Are you surprised?” Truman asked.

  “No. But I had my hopes.”

  “These scientists gossip like a bunch of old women. Oppenheimer explained to me that this was how things had advanced so quickly. Unfortunately, the fundamentals, as I understand them, are common knowledge in the scientific community.”

  “That means we are in a race, then,” Truman commented.

  “I suppose I shall accept the job, then,” Bush said. “This is an Army project, so I would strongly recommend that we have an Army officer report to me who would be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the project.”

  Leahy spoke for the first time during the meeting. “We have already embedded Mark Clark into the program. He would be the natural officer for the job, and he has a good track record.”

  “No,” Truman responded. “He has his hands full with the mess out in Washington state. I think we can all agree that the cleanup has priority. But with the end of the war, the Manhattan project will probably be the biggest item in the military budget.”

  “It’s going to be hard to keep it secret,” Bush commented.

  “When the Hanford plant blew up, we lost any ability to keep the project black.” Truman looked frustrated. “I’ve got both a house and a Senate committee looking into this. And there is going to be resistance to continued funding for the program.”

  “Can’t we shut the inquiry down because of national security?”

  “No, Mr. Bush. I refuse to do that. The Congress represents the people of this country and has oversight over everything we do. I did sit down with the members of both committees and stressed to them that if any of them are discovered to have leaked information, they will be arrested and probably end up in prison.”

  “Did they believe you?”

  Admiral Leahy laughed. “Let’s just say that we hope no one wants to find out.”

  Bush smiled. “I suppose I could say that your reputation precedes you, Mr. President.”

  “I certainly hope so.”

  “Very well, Mr. President. I assume this change is immediate.”

  “It is,” Truman confirmed.

  “May I consult with General Groves on the details of settling into the new position?”

  “You may. As it happens, he is in town at the moment. I will have Admiral Leahy give him a heads up on what is happening. I want to keep this change confidential. When asked, as you certainly will be, simply say you are involved in a task at the direction of the president. People will eventually figure out what you are doing, but they have also learned not to get nosy around this project.”

  “Mr. President, I am honored that you considered me for this job. I will do my very best.”

  Truman stood up, indicating the meeting was over. “I know you will, and I expected nothing less. Thank you for coming in today.”

  After the man whom everyone believed was the nation’s chief scientist had left the Oval Office, Admiral Leahy looked at the president.

  “I’m glad that went well. He was content over at OSRD, you know.”

  “Considering the scope of the disaster we have to clean up, it’s going to take our very best people to straighten things out.”

  Leahy nodded. “Do you think it is wise to leave town again so soon, Mr. President?”

  “I need to visit more of the refugee camps. A lot of American citizens still wonder what in the hell the government is doing. We have to continue to reassure them or things will start to come apart.”

  “And you’re going to have to fit your reelection campaign into this somehow.”

  “And you’re expecting me to say, ‘screw the election?’” Truman snapped. “That would be the coward’s way out, Admiral. We have a job to finish here. I am under no illusions that there are some Republicans who would be just as capable in this office as I. But there is no time for them to get up to speed. I plan to campaign aggressively. If we lose, then I am willing to leave things in the hands of Providence.”

  “Will there be anything else, Mr. President?”

  “While we are on the subject, please send a memo over my signature to Mr. Hoover requesting that he spare no effort to in keeping an eye on the congressional committees. The scientists are not the only ones who gossip like a bunch of old women. Now, if you would hold my next appointment for ten minutes, I feel the urgent need to return to the bathroom.”

  And the President of the United States walked quickly from the Oval Office.

  § § §

  May 11, 1944; 10 AM

  Stalin’s Office

  The Kremlin

  Moscow, USSR

  “You wished to see me, Comrade General Secretary?” The head of the NKVD asked.

  “Sit down, Sergei. We must talk.”

  Kruglov sat in the chair across from Stalin’s desk. It was unusual to be summoned directly to the leader’s inner sanctum. Usually, Stalin preferred to meet in his conference room. Kruglov wondered if Stalin could control the dynamics better in that room or if he chose not to have intrusions into his privacy.

  “How may I serve the Soviet Union?” he asked.

  “We have a problem in the West,” Stalin began without preamble. “The Nazis dealt us a severe defeat in Berlin, and now they have an army sitting in Breslau. The generals commanding the Red Army seem to have become timid. We should have lopped the head off of the serpent in Breslau and reinforced the armies on the Oder. I am also unhappy with Comrade Malenkov’s management of the war industries. We are missing too many opportunities, Sergei.”

  “Our options would be either to replace those in responsible positions or somehow encourage them to do better,” Kruglov said.

  “How long has Chuikov been in the West?”

  “About a month, Comrade General Secretary.”

  Stalin seemed to ponder this for a few moments and then raised a finger. “You will warn him that we expect results.”

  “I will get a message off immediately,” Kruglov replied.

  “No, Sergei. You will personally deliver the message.”

  “As you wish.”

  “Does this displease you, Sergei?”

  “No, Comrade General Secretary,” Kruglov replied quickly. “You surprised me.”

  Stalin busied himself with loading his pipe with the vile-smelling tobacco. Kruglov thought he detected a twinkle in the other man’s eye but was unwilling to bet his life on it. Stalin tunelessly hummed as he filled the pipe and then struck a match. Once the roiling smoke showed that he had it alight, he looked at Kruglov again.

  “I am not entirely happy with you, Sergei. The Kabul operation failed, and the project in Honolulu did not achieve the results we desired.”

  Kruglov willed his face to remain expressionless despite the chill that ran down his back. “I make no excuses, Comrade General Secretary. Both operations were my responsibility, and they did not pay off as we had hoped.”

  Stalin held his pipe in his hand as he stared at the NKVD chief. “I understand these were difficult operations. But we must do better.”

  “Of course, Comrade General Secretary.”

  “You have a trip to make,” Stalin said as he waved Kruglov out of the room.

  Once in the hallway, the head of the NKVD was able to sweat freely. He had held his breath for weeks waiting for Stalin to say something about the failure of the two operations. He had hoped that the shock and confusion of Smirnov’s surrender would deflect attention away from him. But Stalin had waited for an opportune time to tip him off balance. Kruglov reminded himself to never underestimate the man.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  May 12, 1944; 9 AM

  Old Executive Office Building

  Washington, DC, USA

  Leslie Groves was not sure what to expect from his German visitor. Erich Schumann had given some thought to the best way to ingratiate himself with his American hosts and decided his professorial persona would make the Americans more comfortable with him. He wasn't sure how people would react to his army uniform, although he was entitled to wear the badges of a Colonel.

  Groves walked into his outer office to greet the guest. The short, spare man was dressed in a finely tailored business suit and looked very much the scientist Groves was told to expect.

  "Doctor Schumann, I am Leslie Groves," the general, said reaching out to shake hands.

  "I am honored to meet you, General. You have a fine reputation in Germany both as a general officer and an engineer. I was delighted when Herr Doctor Heisenberg recommended me for this task."

  "To be honest, Doctor Schumann…."

  "Please, call me Erich," the German interrupted. The Americans had a reputation for informality, and he thought it might be a good idea to play upon that.

  "As I was saying, Erich, we had mixed feelings about bringing a foreign national into what is one of our most tightly guarded programs in the United States. But as Larry Oppenheimer reminded me, the physics behind what we are doing is widely known. We knew we weren't the only ones working in this area."

  Schumann chuckled. "As you say, the physics is widely known and not that difficult. The engineering, of course, is another matter."

  "And you will understand, of course, that there will be areas that we cannot allow you to see."

  "Of course, of course. My directive was to observe your cleanup efforts and to make suggestions if such made sense. We would like to understand the underlying causes of the disaster so that we can avoid something similar happening in Germany."

  Groves nodded. "I understand. We only recently got the fires put out. It will be months before we discover the cause of the accident if we ever do. Please, come on into my office. It is secure, and we will be able to talk more freely."

  Schumann glanced around the office and at the Army Master Sergeant, who acted as Groves’ gatekeeper.

  "I understand completely."

  They retreated to Groves’ office, and the Master Sergeant placed a pitcher of coffee and a plate of doughnuts on the edge of the desk.

  "First of all," Groves stated, "let me give you the details on how we will allow you to conduct your observation here in the United States. For the purposes of your work, you will be considered a guest of the United States Army. You will travel on Army-provided transport and be billeted in Army facilities. We will also provide meals. Any other expenses you will be expected to cover."

  "I understand," Schumann responded.

  "Furthermore, you will be accompanied by two members of the military police. Their job is to protect you from Americans who may be overly curious or perhaps even hostile. They will also function as guides and also politely suggest that you move on when there is something we do not want you to see."

  Schumann chuckled. "I understand completely, and I appreciate your hospitality."

  "I appreciate your understanding. We want to be as reasonable and forthcoming as possible so that nothing like this will ever happen to Germany. But I did want to make you aware of the limitations."

  "I am delighted that you have been very clear and forthcoming about this. I will work hard to avoid giving you any reason to mistrust me or doubt my word."

  "Thank you, Doctor Schumann." Groves picked up a thick binder containing a typewritten report. "This is a copy of the initial findings concerning the accident. There are two versions of this report. The top-secret report contains all the details of the accident that we have at this time. What you see here is merely secret." Groves grinned. "We have shown this version of the report to the Congress as well as people in military and civilian positions who have a general need to know."

  "That makes perfect sense," Schumann said. "We understand the need for compartmentalization."

  "Good. If you are ready to begin, I can assign you to an office where you can read the report. It will probably take most of the day. When you need to stop for meals or physical needs, ask the guard to send Master Sergeant Bieber in who will lock up the document until you return."

  "Thank you, General Groves. I am ready to begin."

  Schumann was amazed at the amount of information the Americans had managed to pull together. It was clear to him that the Americans were careful scientists and keen observers of physical phenomena. They were also careful to separate speculation from hard fact.

  This version of the document did not include theories on the cause of the accident; however, there was discussion of the potential instabilities of a graphite-moderated nuclear engine. Under some circumstances, procedures that would usually dampen the production of neutrons and slow the machine down would have the opposite effect and potentially cause a runaway reaction.

  They were not sure whether the jamming of the control rod that preceded the explosion resulted from a mechanical failure or a design flaw. Schumann inferred that the Americans had a team feverishly working the theoretical math underlying the design of the machine in hopes of spotting the flaw that precipitated the accident.

  § § §

  May 13, 1944; 6 PM

  Wüstewaltersdorf

  Lower Silesia

  “Herr General, it seems you have managed to snatch your forces from the jaws of the Russians,” Erwin Rommel said.

  “Well, Herr General, I am forced to admit that heeding your directives was the correct action,” a subdued General Schörner said. “We got out of Breslau by the thinnest of margins.”

  Rommel looked around him as the two generals stood talking. Schörner’s people were rapidly shaking down into defensive positions. When he had arrived, Rommel had instructed the pilot of his Storch to fly over the German lines. It looked as though Schörner had placed his forces in the gaps between the forested hills.

  “Do you believe this position to be defensible, Ferdinand?”

  “It depends on how determined the Russians are to come through here. If they are focused on the Oder River line, then I think they just wanted me out of the way. If they have decided on a major push into Prague, then I will have to pull back, of course.”

  “The Russians have exhibited straightforward thinking,” Rommel commented. “We believe they are working to get themselves into a position to cross the Oder again. But I haven’t really gotten the measure of Chuikov yet.”

  “If they decided to make a major push towards Prague, we have little to stop them,” Schörner replied. “I think we can back up into the mountains, such as they are, and hold them long enough to get reinforced.”

  “And we don’t have a lot with which to reinforce without pulling forces from the main front. And then we would have to worry about whether or not it was simply a feint. We need to be smart about this.”

  “I wonder if we have the opportunity to launch some quick thrusts against them and then pull back.”

  Rommel frowned. “Let’s take a look at a map.”

  Schörner led the other general into the building he had appropriated for his headquarters. Stapled to the wall was a large relief map of the southern Polish territory. He tapped the location of Wüstewaltersdorf with his index finger.

  “We could run a force to the north through the valley towards Waldenburg as though we were going to encircle Breslau again. Or perhaps to the southeast, and then north. It would keep the Russians off-balance while they are trying to move forces and supplies to the Oder.”

  Rommel considered what the other general had told him. “The problem is that your forces are pretty light to be doing anything after considering the Russian reinforcements. If Chuikov gets frisky, you could be in real trouble.”

  “I just feel like we are not being aggressive enough.”

  “Your move into Breslau was plenty aggressive,” Rommel stated forcefully. “But you also must know when it is time to be conservative. Our strategy in this war has been to bleed the Russians while conserving our forces. So far, it has worked well for us.”

  Schörner pointed to Frankfurt am Oder and tapped the map. “It seems to me you are plenty aggressive here, Herr General.”

  “And when presented with opportunities like that, we want to be as aggressive as possible. The Russians left themselves wide open, and we took full advantage of it.”