She lost herself in the music, in the love of God that He had showered upon her. It was as if she’d stepped into a beautiful painting, where the colors were vibrant and bright and sunshine was being poured out on her.
When the concert was all done, shouts ofZugabe!Zugabe!echoed throughout the concert hall. With a wide smile, Chaisley bowed and headed backstage. Melanie was at her elbow before she reached the velvet curtains and escorted her back toward her dressing room.
“No matter how many times they shout for an encore or just one more, you leave them wanting more.”
Chaisley stilled. Who was this stranger whose voice greeted her?
Her senses went on high alert. “It’s a little something I learned touring in America.”
Melanie’s grip tightened on Chaisley’s arm. A sure sign that this was someone unexpected but quite important.
“It is ingenious.” The man’s smooth words didn’t stop the chill that started at the base of her neck.
This man wasn’t to be trusted. “Thank you.”
“I am here to inform you, Miss Frappier, that the Führer himself will be in attendance for your concert in four days’ time. I’m sure you wouldn’t mind adding a few of his favorites to your repertoire since you will have someone so prestigious in your audience? I would be happy to provide you an extensive list.”
Slick words with no heart or feeling behind them. They were empty. Shallow. Dull.
“I will see what I can do.” She kept a neutral expression. No sense trying to even pretend she wanted to look at the man. She stepped forward to her dressing room, praying Melanie would help her since she’d lost count of steps with the interruption. Something she never did.
Melanie had hold of her arm in an instant. “Excuse us, sir. Miss Frappier is exhausted after her performance, and I must insist that she rest.” Her tone was firm, yet courteous.
“Yes, yes, of course.”
Her friend led her into the room and closed the door. Chaisley held her arms out in front of her to find the chair she had vacated just an hour or so prior. She leaned on it. Her breaths came in great gasps.
Melanie’s breathing didn’t sound much better. “I don’t think my heart has beat that fast in quite some time.” Her voice betrayed a hint of fear.
Neither of them spoke for several moments as the weight of what they just learned hit full force.
Chaisley collapsed in the chair, her legs barely able to hold her up. She placed her elbows on her knees. “So. It would seem that the man who wants to control the world will be coming to one of my concerts.”
chapter
Six
As he drove the car back to the hotel, Rick did his best to appear focused on the road and not give any sign that he was listening to Chaisley and Melanie talk in French.
Hitler was coming to one of her concerts? Just the thought of seeing the man made his skin crawl. And his outrage burn.
Should he wire London? Ask if there’s something they wished for him to do? He’d never been close to the man himself before.
And he would be in the front row, watching Chaisley perform.
His pulse tripped.
Hitler was going to seeChaisleyplay the piano. Not knowing she was blind. What would happen if that madman found out? Rick rubbed a hand over his mouth. Well, he’d have to ensure no one found out.
There was no way he’d let Adolf Hitler get within six feet of Chaisley Frappier.
Barely two weeks had passed since he’d started his job as her driver, and he’d done everything in his power to dig up everything he could on his employer. While he was still in the dark about whatMiss Frappier, her grandmother, and Miss Brigman were up to, he was certain of one thing.
Chaisley was an amazing person. Agoodperson.
They were on the same side. They had to be. He felt it deep in his gut. And if he couldn’t trust his instincts? He shouldn’t be a spy.
Wait a minute. What did Melanie just say about a code? A code for what? First contacts, now a code. Whatwerethey up to?
