Rick had snuck around to several of the so-calledwork camps.The conditions were hideous, and the purpose for them was all too clear.
Vernichtung. Extermination. He’d heard it from Nazi officers’ lips too many times. Even so, it was hard to believe it was true.
He’d lost the contents of his stomach multiple times as he’d spied on what was happening. It was all too real.
He gripped the steering wheel tighter and took slow, deep breaths to keep his stomach from roiling again.
How could he help the world see the Nazis’ true actions and intent? No way would the Nazis allow anyone close enough to take pictures and document their atrocities. The press were under Nazi control in Germany. Any reporters from other countries weren’t allowed around.
No one was.
At least the night of broken glass had gotten the world’s attention. There was far too much destruction to keep from the press. He pressed his lips tight. The Nazis seemed to enjoy the notoriety. Of course, they wanted their own spin on the story, but they were proud of what they’d done.
If the world powers didn’t believe they were in an all-out war yet, they were sadly mistaken.
As he drove back to Amsterdam, his gaze went to the box on the floor. It was full of missives he’d found buried underneath rubble of several synagogues, and a few trinkets from businesses. If the guards wanted to rummage through it at the border, he’d have to put on his best acting and convince them he was a German just bringing back a few trophies for his family.
The urgency to rescue the children still left in Germany who needed them had raced to a fever pace,so he had to risk bringing the letters of those seeking help back himself. There were hundreds of children hidden across Germany with little to no food or supplies. And how long they could hold out shrank by the minute.
He’d destroyed a dozen communication lines in the past few days and had sent detailed sketches back to London of railway hubs and larger communication lines he hadn’t been able to touch. He hid the sketches in pairs of his socks that he shipped home and kept copies with him in case they got confiscated somewhere along the way.
He’d gathered what information he could on Germany’s power industry, but the Nazis were smart. They’d kept everything hidden and under close watch.
But as much as he wanted in his flesh to take Hitler down with his own hands, Rick now felt a deeper purpose. A stronger conviction. He’d done what he could as an operative for SIS. Now, he wanted to help Chaisley, Melanie, Celestia, and Dr. Grafton as they rescued as many as they could out of the clutches of evil. He’d prayed about it all last night and felt peace about his decision. His superiors would have to understand the importance of what they were doing.
At the moment, though, his focus had to be getting their little group safely back to London. And that might be harder than any of them imagined.
Amsterdam, Netherlands—Thursday, December 8, 1938
Snowflakes floated from the sky, some sticking to her bedroom window, most landing on the ground without a sound. They were giant, fluffy flakes that reminded her of the stiff tutus some of the ballet dancers wore inThe Nutcracker. Melanie pressed her hand to the cold glass, her fingers following the path of the flakes.
Goodness, was it only four years ago when she went to the ballet? When life had been happy and normal?
She wrapped her arms around her middle and continued to stare. The world had upended itself in so many ways in such a short amount of time. Joy and peace seemed in short supply for everyone.
Her breath created a cloud on the glass, and she turned away. If she continued to stand there, chances were high she’d catch a chill.
Padding across the room, Melanie glanced at the clock. 11:13 a.m. Good. She still had time before meeting Chaisley and Rick in the front foyer of Celestia’s home. She sat in an overstuffed chair and curled her feet beneath her.
Melanie chewed the corner of her lip, staring at her hands. Kristallnacht had changed everything. It was no longer safe totravel through Germany. The country’s borders were locking up tighter than she’d ever seen.
Little wonder Chaisley had paused the tour indefinitely.
Führer Hitler was no doubt furious that his prized pianist hadn’t shown up for his celebration. Every day for the first two weeks after Kristallnacht, Melanie had expected Nazis to pound on the doors and attempt to drag them all away. Time alone had calmed that anxiety inside her.
Standing up and blowing a stray hair off her forehead, she walked over to her closet. She tugged warm winter boots with thick rubber soles on over her heaviest wool socks. Plucking her coat off the back of another chair, she slipped her arms into it and buttoned it tight. She wrapped a navy-blue scarf around her head and neck, ready to face the winter weather.
Descending the stairs, she spotted Rick and Chaisley together. They were also bundled up for the cold, but standing as close as they could, hushed whispers passing between them.
Melanie smiled and approached them. “All right, you lovebirds, let’s brave this crazy weather and go get some lunch.”
The pair turned toward her, both of their grins wide.
“I just pulled the car up.” Rick held his elbows out for both women. “Shall we?”
The drive into Amsterdam’s downtown was quiet. There weren’t many people out and about, which allowed them to enter Melanie’s favorite café and get a table with relative ease. Once their orders of soups, sandwiches, and hot chocolate were placed, the trio relaxed into the booth.
“Thank you for driving in this snow so we could have lunch.” Melanie nodded at Rick. “If I had to spend one more day in that beautiful mansion, I might have gone cuckoo.”
