Professor Erik Keller, a world-renowned Nuclear Physicist, defecting from Poland to the West, in February 1983 at the height of the Cold War was shot outside the Hotel Imperial in Vienna. His two companions, Sir Alex Campbell, chairman of an international drinks business, who from time-to-time worked with the British Secret Service (MI6) and Anna Kaluza, a British Secret Service Agent formerly resident in Warsaw, were hustled into a car as Professor Keller fell to the ground, and driven to Vienna Airport for a flight to London. The would be assassins appear to work for one of Austria’s most successful, politically connected industrialists, Karl von Schuyler. Professor Keller was rushed to hospital in Vienna, and a further attempt on his life was made inside the hospital two days later while he was in the intensive care unit. That prompted MI6 to make arrangements for him to be secretly flown to London for treatment. The media in Austria announced the “murder” at the hospital, and the subsequent “funeral” set up by MI6 in conjunction with the Austrian Security Services.
Keller makes a slow recovery in London, but Tim Bevans, the head of MI6 has a dilemma. Although Keller defected, he left his all-important papers, containing complex calculations, solutions, notes and sketches, with a close academic friend at Warsaw University. How to get these all important papers retrieved? Eventually, Bevans decides to ask Anna Kaluza to return to Warsaw under a new name, passport and appearance to work for the British Council as they plan and execute arrangements for a tour of Poland by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Alex Campbell, who is a member of the Board of Trustees of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, agrees to join the board for the last few days of the tour in Warsaw. Anna is eager to complete her mission, particularly because her brother, Jan, is being held in a Warsaw prison, having being caught up in Professor Keller’s defection. She is concerned that he will not survive.
What follows is a game of “cat and mouse,” pursuing the recovery of the Keller Papers, including murder, intrigue and twists and turns. Who was responsible for the attempted assassination of Professor Keller? What is the connection to Karl von Schuyler, the Austrian industrialist? Can Anna get her brother out of prison? Is there a KBG involvement?
“The Keller Papers” is a fast-moving espionage story, including factual events and personalities of the times, which have become so relevant in today’s strained East/West political environment. A worthy sequel to “Bear Any Burden.”
Keller makes a slow recovery in London, but Tim Bevans, the head of MI6 has a dilemma. Although Keller defected, he left his all-important papers, containing complex calculations, solutions, notes and sketches, with a close academic friend at Warsaw University. How to get these all important papers retrieved? Eventually, Bevans decides to ask Anna Kaluza to return to Warsaw under a new name, passport and appearance to work for the British Council as they plan and execute arrangements for a tour of Poland by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Alex Campbell, who is a member of the Board of Trustees of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, agrees to join the board for the last few days of the tour in Warsaw. Anna is eager to complete her mission, particularly because her brother, Jan, is being held in a Warsaw prison, having being caught up in Professor Keller’s defection. She is concerned that he will not survive.
What follows is a game of “cat and mouse,” pursuing the recovery of the Keller Papers, including murder, intrigue and twists and turns. Who was responsible for the attempted assassination of Professor Keller? What is the connection to Karl von Schuyler, the Austrian industrialist? Can Anna get her brother out of prison? Is there a KBG involvement?
“The Keller Papers” is a fast-moving espionage story, including factual events and personalities of the times, which have become so relevant in today’s strained East/West political environment. A worthy sequel to “Bear Any Burden.”