Once they were in Chaisley’s rooms, her whole body quaked so hard, her teeth chattered.
Rick wrapped her in a thick blanket and shoved a cup of coffee in her hands. “Drink.”
She obeyed.
“What’s happened?” Chaisley’s panicked voice echoed across the hotel room.
Melanie listened as Rick explained in hushed tones.
“We’re leaving Hungary. Tonight!”
Melanie had never seen such fury in Chaisley’s face. She sounded ready to order an army into battle. But as furious as Chaisley was now, if she’d been able to see the devastated state Melanie was in...
Melanie closed her eyes. Forced a word past her trembling lips.
“No.” It came out stronger than she’d thought it would. “We can’t leave until we help—”
“Hush.” Chaisley came closer and placed a hand on Melanie’s head. “Dr. Grafton’s contact has already come and gone with them. They are taken care of. We are not staying here, Melanie.If you’d like a bath before we leave, that’s fine. But we. Leave. Tonight.”
She had no more strength to argue but peered up at Rick. It was a miracle that he’d rescued her. How had he been in the right place at the right time? She studied him for several seconds. “I didn’t thank you for saving me. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize to me, Melanie. I’m just thankful I was there.”
She chewed on her lip. “Howwereyou there? How did you find me, Rick? I’d walked a long way from the hotel.”
The silence was overwhelming as she waited for his answer. But she could see the muscle in his jaw moving. What didn’t he want to tell them?
“The answer is simple. I was following you.”
chapter
Nine
Switzerland—Monday, May 9, 1938
Chaisley paced the hotel suite in front of the windows. Rick had moved furniture for her so she’d have a clear place to walk and think. Thirty paces one way, turn around, thirty paces back.
Dr. G was supposed to arrive this morning since he’d been delayed in France last week. She’d been trying to convince Melanie to tell him about the attack, but as of last night, she still refused to speak about it. She insisted she was fine—that Rick arrived just in time.
Rick.
He said he followed Melanie that night because he was worried about her leaving the hotel on her own. Chaisley wanted to believe him. But she’d heard that same tiny change in his voice when he’d told them that as when they first met. So it was part truth and part lie? But why?
Why would he lie to them?
Over their short time together, she’d come to enjoy his company and, dare she say... trust him. But should she? He already knew too much if she’d made a mistake on that account. She couldn’t imagine him double-crossing her or putting her in harm’s way.
With a shake of her head, she turned in her pacing once again. No. When she’d confronted him about not telling the full truth at the beginning, he’d conceded. Every instinct within her told her that Rickwastrustworthy.
And that wasn’t just because shewantedhim to be trustworthy. Because she liked him. More than she probably should.
Was her judgment clouded?
If only Grandmother were here. She was always able to help when Chaisley started overthinking everything.
Tap, tap.
The simple sound put a smile on her face. She made her way to the door and pulled it open. “Dr. G!” She opened her arms.
