Brandenberg, Germany
27 July 1943

My Dear Sarolta,

Many things have changed since last I wrote. What I said then about my work here is still true- there are yet worse things in the world than the Nazis, and I have fought them, in the name of God. But where before I had some measure of security among the like-minded members of my team, now that security is gone. Our commander, General von Lahousen, a quiet anti-nazi and even something of a friend to me, has been replaced. Hauptmann Steidel was placed under arrest, on charges of treason, although I heard he escaped from his captors. Others have simply disappeared. Slowly but surely the atmosphere of the AsA has been changing- no longer do the Nazis wish to simply expose or destroy the horrors we've seen... they wish to enlist them in our stead.

I sense Westcote-Kern's hand in these affairs, like the stench of death from a corpse. There is something... utterly corrupt about this man, Sarolta. There is more evil in him, I fear, than is natural for any man. Too many times we have stepped in the way of his unholy plans, and each time he has turned the Fuhrer's mind more against us. Now it would seem, with Germany's situation growing more desperate, Hitler would have an AsA that better serves the Nazi agenda.

So that is why I write to you now. My time here grows short, and I will be leaving soon. I have been contacted secretly by an agent of the American "Detachment 66". We've known about them ever since the affair with the Motahim, in Poland, but we've had little contact since then. This agent has told me many things- including that your own Baransky is among them now. It would seem he is very different now from the passionate young artist I knew in Budapest. But then, we are all different now.

I have spoken with the American agent at length, and it has been arranged that myself and several others among the AsA will attempt to defect. I say attempt because this will likely be expected by Westcote-Kern, and he will wish to stop us. Therefore, there is little time to waste- we leave for Rome tonight, using our Abwehr credentials to get us there, where we will meet with operatives of the Detachment 66. I take with me only my knowledge of the Kabbala, my experience with that which is Unseen, and my love for you and the world.

And yes, my American contact told me one other thing as well. I know now that you are gone, killed by men like those for whom I've worked. God help me for the choices I've made. I write these words now to say goodbye, and to beg for your forgiveness, but I will burn this letter before I go. I can only hope that in my attempt to flee the monster I helped create I will be killed- and that the Moshiach will deem me righteous enough to join you again in the Olam Ha Ba when it comes.

With all of my love from your father,