Expect Obsession

Gertrude Whitehead (Truda Weisskopf in her native German language) tapped the spiked heel of her red leather shoe against the concrete platform at Union Station in Washington, D.C. She awaited the appearance of the 8 a.m. train north. More importantly, she awaited the arrival of her quarry, Miss Tillie Weber. Yesterday, she was ordered to D.C. to assume the woman’s identity.

The importance of Miss Weber was she was the temporary replacement being sent from D.C. headquarters to fill in for a The Watch secretary, who took time off to nurse her battle-injured fiance back to health. The Philadelphia facility of The Watch Committee was a 20-room, three story mansion located on a five-acre estate in the stylish Germantown section of the city and named Hamilton House.

Gertrude’s assignment was to infiltrate Hamilton House using Miss Weber’s identity. The reason behind this substitution was Hamilton House was thought to have The Book of Cures, a grimoire of ancient spells and charms. Hitler coveted this grimoire. He believed it would increase his occult powers and make him victorious over the Allies. Gertrude remained astounded that der Mumm—Hitler's circle of occult practitioners—divined that the ancient grimoire had been taken to the states, but was not able to determine its exact location. Der Mumm’s lack was putting her neck on the line.

Gertrude’s brilliant red lips pressed together with resolve. Despite the extreme danger, she was certain she could succeed. Before she turned the grimoire over to Hitler, she’d leaf through to see if there were charms and spells she could use to increase her own powers.