The Debt

ATAROT MILITARY AIRPORT ISRAEL 1966

Breathe.

We should never forget how young they were.

My father, Stephan Gold,

was the youngest unit commander in Mossad.

David Peretz had his 29th birthday while on the mission.

When my mother crossed through the checkpoint,

into Soviet-controlled East Berlin,

she was only 25.

They'd had the courage to confront an unimaginable evil.

A man whose sadistic experiments

left thousands disfigured or dead,

who became known by a name which defiles the annals of medicine,

the Surgeon of Birkenau.

Their mission had been to capture him

and return him to lsrael to stand trial.

Instead, it ended on the streets of East Berlin.

These three dared to relive lsrael's greatest nightmare,

her greatest pain.

And in the simple act of facing the monster,

they helped to vanquish it.

This book is dedicated to my inspiration,

my mother, Rachel Singer.

Mother.

Mother,

I'm so very proud to be your daughter.

TEL AVIV 1997

David Peretz? Yes.

You were expecting me?

Yes, I was expecting you.

Would you come with me, sir?

Let's go.

Are you all right, sir?

Sorry, I think I...

When are you going to stop?

Stop what?

The smoking.

I gave up alcohol. What more do you want?

Okay, soon.

I hope so. Do it for your grandson.

I've marked the place. Perhaps from Chapter 11.

Good. Thank you.

You must be very proud.

Yes, I am. It's a great achievement.

I'm very proud of her.

And I'm sure you were invaluable in the research.

Actually my mother withstood all interrogation.

My father was the talker.

I'm the only journalist in lsrael she won't speak to.

I thought he couldn't come.

Sit down.

So did I.

My God, it must be election season.

Papa, you came.

I came.

Rachel. Stephan.

Okay. So, you're the expert.

Maybe you can tell me something.

Who is the handsome devil on this cover?

It went well?

She was wonderful.

That's good. Good, good. That's very good.

I just want to thank you all

for coming to celebrate the launch of this wonderful book.

And I'm sure we are all particularly thrilled

to have two of the heroes of the story here with us tonight.

And even more thrilled that one of them has agreed to read for us.

Miss Rachel Singer.

"On the evening of the 31 st of December,

"it began to rain more heavily.

"So isolated had they become from the outside world,

"that it was only when she looked out of the window

"that Rachel remembered that it was New Year's Eve.

"There were fireworks in the sky,

"and everyone else in Berlin was celebrating."

What's so important? Where are we going?

We're going to David's apartment.

David?

I know he came to see you yesterday.

What's this? The jealous ex-husband or the intelligence officer?

What did he want?

He told me that he'd been traveling, that he'd been teaching.

We spoke for a few minutes, and then I had to go.

If you don't believe me, ask him yourself.

Why did he do it?

My car is waiting outside.

Come down!

Thank you.

You're welcome.

How was your trip?

Fine. Everyone sends their love.

You've cut your hair.

It looks good.

Thank you.

I'm David. I'm Rachel.

BERLIN, SOVIET SECTOR EAST GERMANY 1965

Stephan. This is Rachel.

Where do I sleep? You're in my room.

I'm moving in with him. You're at the end there.

What do you think of your new wife?

She's too young. Very pretty.

You didn't notice.

You know what I've noticed?

You don't notice women. I've noticed that.

How long have I known you?

I don't know.

Two years.

All the places we've been to, you never look at women.

Is there anything you have to tell me before I get into that bed?

I think you just noticed.

Yes?

Now from behind.

Where have you come from?

Argentina.

Really? Whereabouts? Córdoba.

What were you doing there?

My husband is an industrial chemist.

He does look like a chemist.

She's not going to break, David. Move.

What were you doing before this?

Before Argentina we lived in Hungary,

where my husband studied chemistry.

In Mossad, what did you do?

Liaison.

And what did you do in Liaison?

Translator.

Translator?

So, first time in the field?

Good. That's good.

Welcome to the mission.

I'll be waiting here.

I won't be very long.

Frau Roget.

Good morning, Frau Roget...

I'm Doctor Bernhardt.

Good morning, Doctor.

Please, just relax...

we're only going to do a little examination...

if you feel at all uncomfortable, you just say.

Yes.

Good.

This is my hand and this is the speculum...

it's going to feel cold.

Can I ask how old you are?

Twenty-five.

And how long have you...

and your husband been trying for a baby?

Nearly two years.

Your ovaries look fine...

your cervix is slightly retroverted.

Really?

Yes, but that generally shouldn't affect fertility.

What a relief.

You have a slight accent, Frau Roget...

where are you from?

Argentina.

We just moved here...

This might sting a little, dear.

Argentina... Buenos Aires?

Yes.

Beautiful.

I went once, when I was young...

we went to the opera house.

What's the opera called again?

Teatro Colon.

That's right.

Wonderful...yes.

Unfortunately we'll need to run a few more tests...

ls that alright?

Fine.

Good girl.

So...

is everything okay?

Next appointment is on Wednesday.

Excuse me.

The West Berlin Transit System.

When the Wall was built, some stations ended up on the wrong side,

in the Eastern sector.

They're closed and guarded by soldiers.

They will shoot to kill to prevent any escape.

This is where we get him out.

It's a ghost station.

West Berlin trains pass through the station on this track,

but don't stop. Usually.