The kids were safe. He’d dropped them at Celestia Frappier’s home after a stress-filled eight hours in the car and then drove back over the border into Germany.
The guards at the German border had questioned him for a long time since the kids’ visas were expiring soon but eventually let him through. It was a miracle.
What would he have done if they had refused him? What would have happened to those four incredible young people who had so much to offer to the world?
Shaking off the remnants of the nightmare, Rick climbed out of the rear seat and back into the driver’s seat. The drive had given him a good view of several places to investigate for the SIS.
Now, more than ever—after getting to know those kids and hearing their stories—he wanted to help stop the Nazi machine that seemed to gain steam at every turn. He didn’t care if he got caught or lost his life in the process, he would do everything in his power to make sureeveryonewas seen worthy of life.
Berlin
Melanie opened the door to the suite. “Shh.” Hopefully the surprise would help Chaisley’s melancholy after the tough day yesterday.
“Why are you shushing, Mel? I haven’t said anything.” Chaisley’s voice floated from one of the bedrooms.
Goodness, so much for being stealthy. The woman could hear a hippo sneeze all the way in Africa! “I have a surprise for you, so why don’t you come out.” She suppressed her excitement and led her guests in.
Chaisley walked into the sitting room from the bedroom, her eyes red-rimmed as if she’d been crying, but she pasted on a smile.“Guten morgen.”
“Good morning, to you too, my friend.” Melanie put a hand to the back of each of her visitors. “I’d like to introduce you to Mary Beth and Geraldine Klein.”
Chaisley squealed, threw out her arms, and rushed toward them. “Mary Beth, where are you, my dear?” Her hands searched the air until Melanie positioned the young girl within her reach.
“Fräulein...” The girl burst into tears.
Chaisley pulled her into her arms, and they sobbed together.
Melanie wrapped an arm around Geraldine’s shoulders as the other woman cried silent tears. “I told you everything would be all right.”
“It’s not a dream?” The woman’s German was broken up by gulping sobs.
“No, ma’am. It isn’t.”
“Fräulein Frappier is anangel.”
Chaisley laughed as she held Mary Beth. “Not in the least ... all credit goes to Melanie here and the good Lord.” She moved toward Geraldine and Melanie helped them all navigate into a three-person hug.
After several minutes of tears and laughter, Chaisley releasedtheir guests. “Please, you must tell me how this happened. I was so hoping you’d be able to come to the concert.”
Mary Beth bounced on the settee and crossed her ankles in front of her. “Oh, Mama was afraid to try. My teacher was taken to one of the work camps.”
Melanie watched Chaisley’s face turn fierce as she responded. “Why?”
“They said he was an informant against the Nazis.” Mrs. Klein wiped at her nose.
Melanie barely restrained a scoff. A piano teacher? An informant? But wait. Hadn’t Rick told them that the Gestapo had rounded up a lot of informants?Dear God, help us all.Even with all she’d heard from the students, Dr. Grafton’s connections, and the newspapers, it was difficult to comprehend what was happening here in Germany.
“... listening to phone calls. The Nazis will stop at nothing to achieve what they want.”
Melanie wanted to get out of this country as soon as possible. They were supposed to be leaving for Amsterdam in the morning, but it wasn’t soon enough. Perhaps they should leave as soon as Rick returned with the auto.
“We have nowhere to go now.” Mrs. Klein continued to wipe the tears from her face. “No one will hire me, and I can’t risk them taking my sweet Mary Beth away.”
Chaisley stood. “Give me just a moment, please. I’ll get us some refreshments.” She walked to her bedroom. “Mel?”
Melanie followed her into the room. “You’re going to call Dr. Grafton, aren’t you?”
“Yes. There’s got to be a way to get them visas. If therewasa way, I’d take them with us tomorrow.”
