Rick cleared his throat. “We’ve heard the basics of their story, and we believe they are who they say they are. It’s a mother and daughter.”
“Good.” She swallowed. It had to be the exhaustion that overwhelmed her at the moment. Now was the time to be strong. Lifting her chin, she went to the chair over by the dressing table and found her seat. “Is there still a crowd outside?”
“Yes. Many of the young people are waiting to see if they can catch a glimpse of you as you leave.”
“Well then, bring the visitors in here. They can sit on the couch. I’m assuming we will need the privacy.”
“You’re right. I can go get them, but let me pack up our things first.” Melanie shuffled around the room.
“I’ll go get them,” Rick volunteered. “That way I can check around and make sure no one else is lurking about. I’ll find the manager and find out when we need to be out.”
Leaning up againstthe door to the dressing room to guard against anyone who dared to enter, Rick crossed his arms over his chest and listened as Irene and her daughter Helen shared their story with Chaisley. Their clothes were ragged, their faces grim.
Melanie’s face was filled with caution. Chaisley’s—
With compassion.
“Up until November of last year, we lived in Germany. My husband was taken to one of the camps six months ago.” The mother’s frown deepened. She was gaunt and feeble looking. Even though she was still quite young, perhaps only thirty-five or so, the woman’s appearance was that of someone twice her age. “We searched for him but were told we would be imprisoned as well if we didn’t go away.” She sniffed and put a worn hankie to her face.
The daughter spoke up, her voice stronger, angry, and yet full of fear. “They came for me at school since I am blind. Said they were going to put me in a special school, that I wouldn’t live at home anymore. I couldn’t bear to not be with my mother. I still don’t know how I got away, but I just knew they were going to do unthinkable things ... perform that awful surgery. We’ve all heard the rumors.”
“How old are you, Helen?” Chaisley’s soothing voice calmed the room.
The young woman deflated. Her shoulders sagged and tears spilled onto her cheeks. “Sixteen.”
Rick fisted his hands at his side. She was just a kid!
Melanie sucked in a quick breath.
Chaisley frowned. “I’m glad you escaped.”
“My mother found me hiding in the sewers behind the school and we have been running ever since.”
Irene sat up straighter and found her voice again. “When I saw the newspaper talking about you, I felt the Lord was giving me direction and that I must find you. No matter what. Please ... is there any way you can help us? We have no money. We have no clothes. We have nothing. We haven’t eaten in days—but we will do whatever you ask of us if you can just get my daughter safely away from Hitler and the Nazis. I can stay and wait for my husband.”
Helen began to sob. “No! Mama, you must come with me! I can’t do this alone. I’m scared ... I won’t go without you.”
Melanie wrapped her arms around the girl as Chaisley reached for the mother’s hands. She grabbed them and then knelt before Irene. “You must listen to me, Irene. I’ll make sure you have clothing and food, but as for getting your daughter to safety, I don’t know what I can do, but I will contact some friends. If we find a way for you to safely leave, youmustgo with your daughter. Give me your husband’s name, and I will get it into the hands of whomever I can to help, but you’ve got to trust me. Your daughter needs you. You must go.”
Now the mother began to sob in earnest. “I can’t leave him here.”
“Promise me.” Chaisley found the woman’s face and held it in her hands. “Promise me you will go if we find a way.”
Irene nodded and the mother and daughter then collapsed into each other’s arms crying and whispering that they loved each other.
Rick left his post at the door and wiggled around the women until he was at Chaisley’s side. “Here ... let me help you.” Heassisted her from her kneeling position and leaned close to whisper in her ear. “You are doing a noble thing, but are you certain your contact will be able to help?”
She dipped her chin in a nod. “Whomever Dr. Grafton has on his list means they are willing and capable of doing just about anything.”
He raised his eyebrows.
“Don’t be so shocked, Mr. Zimmerman.” She patted his chest. “If you knew Dr. G like I do, you’d be certain as well.”
He wanted to laugh at how she knew what he’d been thinking. The woman was remarkable.
Shuffling back to his place at the door, he watched as the group of four women mopped up faces, shared whispered words of encouragement, and then all stood and hugged each other.
“Let me go check the exits.” He left the room and scanned the rear of the building, where the limousine was parked. Satisfied, he went back to the dressing room. “I believe the crowds have all gone.” He kept his voice soft so he wouldn’t scare off the two women who didn’t know him. “Perhaps we could go back to the hotel and feed everyone and make a plan from there.”
