She nodded. This wasnotthe man she’d assumed was the host from earlier. “You are our hosts? The ones who invited us for this concert?”
“Yes.” This time it was a lady who spoke. “I’m Jacqueline, and this is my husband, Gustaf. We have been in awe of the talents God has given you.”
“Thank you.” She curtsied.
“We don’t have much time.” The woman’s voice held an urgency. “I hate to be so blunt, but it’s a necessity of the times.”
Chaisley nodded. “I understand you are believers?”
“Yes. And we are of Jewish blood as well. Our granddaughter was born blind and is only six years old. We are afraid what the future will hold for us here in Austria, no matter how much moneyand influence we have at the moment. As soon as the Nazis find out we have Jewish blood, we will be scrutinized, and we can’t risk that.”
“Please.” The man sounded like he was choked up. “Do you have any connections that might help us escape? We will leave everything behind if we must.”
Paris, France—Monday, June 6, 1938
Rick took long steps back to the car. He opened the door and got in. But then he couldn’t force himself to start it up. He sat there with his hands on the steering wheel and stared out at the street.
The news from London wasn’t good. They hadn’t heard from anyone until Rick contacted the SIS. The man directly above him had been taken as a political prisoner in Germany. Communications were to be ceased for at least three weeks. Maybe longer.
Much longer.
Too many informants and contacts for the SIS had been rounded up and sent to work camps. He didn’t even know of any he could use anymore. On top of that, the handful of SIS operatives in Europe all seemed to be silent as well. Everyone except for him. How was that possible? How were the Nazis discovering them?
The head of the SIS—Laurence Grand—wasn’t certain whether there was a leak, a double agent, or if Germany was spreading its wings and intercepting wires or listening in to phone calls. It didn’t appear that they had the manpower or capability for thatacrossEurope, but perhaps the SIS had underestimated their enemy. Just like they’d already underestimated Hitler and how far he was willing to go to put his plan into place.
Nevertheless, it was time for Rick and the others—if they weren’t already captured—to clamp down and change their strategy. London was upping the urgency and manpower, but it would take some time to get people in place.
Section D was now in play. The group he’d been asked to be a part of by the leader himself. When the plans were still being laid out, the timeline seemed far off. But now? They had to be ready to implement at a moment’s notice. And since Rick was in place undercover, a great deal might fall to him when the time came.
Section D. The details ran through his mind, and he gritted his teeth.
He started the engine and gripped the steering wheel until his fingers ached. The car felt like it was shrinking around him, suffocating him. He inhaled and pushed the air out in a burst. He couldn’t afford to lose his nerve now. For three months, he’d kept his cover with Chaisley. He’d told her he’d be honest with her. But all-out war was coming.
Again.
If he buried the thoughts of Section D in his mind—and simply didn’t think about it—then he could work on staying honest with her and keeping his voice steady so she wouldn’t suspect. The problem was, she had no idea he worked for the SIS.
And it was a secret hehadto keep.
It would be so much easier if he could tell Chaisley and Mel.
He’d listened in on their conversation in the car after the concert at the Marble Hall. Chaisley actually overheard a conversation about the Nazis’ intent to arrest professors who didn’t line up with their plan. The two brave ladies had made sure to get in touch with their friend—the doctor—and warn him. Surely, they had saved several lives that night.
They were on the same team. So was there harm in him telling them the truth?
Then he wouldn’t have to run around in secret—always worrying if he would be caught. As Section D was implemented and he had to spy on and destroy Nazi communications and transportation, the women would understand what was going on.
But he’d made an oath to the SIS.
On the other hand, they could help him keep his cover. Although he’d developed such a great friendship as they traveled, he hated to jeopardize that.
Who was he kidding? He wasn’t worried about the friendships. No matter how he’d tried to stop it from happening, he’d come to care for Chaisley a great deal more than he’d ever thought possible. Sometimes, late at night, he’d allowed his thoughts to wander. What it would be like to fall in love ... have a family ... live a normal life.
None of which could ever happen. Not now. On the precipice of war.
As he navigated back to the hotel, he prepared himself for what he would say to the ladies.
It was simple. They needed to know the truth. At least that he worked for the British government.
