There wasn’t any chance they could obtain visas that fast.
A loud banging on the door to the suite jolted Melanie. “Who could that be?”
Another loud round of knocks.
“Message from the Führer, Herr Hitler!” resonated through the door.
Mary Beth and her mother both trembled, then the tears started in earnest.
Melanie ran to their guests and grabbed their hands. “I’m going to take you into the other room with Miss Frappier. But you must be very quiet. Don’t worry.”
Mary Beth’s hand trembled in hers, but they followed her instructions, making no noise as she settled them in chairs and shut the connecting door.
Melanie took deep breaths as she rushed back to the door just as another loud round of knocks began. She schooled her features to portray her annoyance at the loud interruption and opened the door a couple of inches.
“Whatisit?” Jaw set, shoulders rigid, she hoped to give off an air of confident irritation.
“An important message from the Führer himself.” The man’s bellow could surely be heard down the street.
“Must you disturb the entire hotel? Hush now.” How she dared to speak to an officer this way was beyond her.
The man scowled. “You will deliver this message to Fräulein Frappier immediately.” He thrust an envelope at her, raised his arm in salute, and clicked his heels together. “Heil Hitler!”
She closed the door before he could expect a response. Then she locked it and put the chain on for good measure.
For several minutes, she leaned against the door, the envelope feeling like it got warmer every second she held it. She wanted to throw it into the fire immediately, but that could have disastrous consequences for them all.
“Mel?” Chaisley had snuck up beside her. “Are you all right?”
Her hands shook. “I’m fine.”
“You handled yourself quite well.” Chaisley touched her arm. “I don’t know if I could have held myself together like that.”
Melanie flopped down into a chair, her nervousness escaping in a wry laugh. “I can’t believe I scolded him!” She smacked a hand to her forehead.
Geraldine and her daughter huddled by the bedroom door, obviously shaken by the man’s harsh interruption.
“But you played the part. That’s what you had to do.” Chaisley sat across from her. “Geraldine, Mary Beth. Please, come sit. It’s all right. He’s gone.”
Melanie rushed to her feet and guided them over to the sitting area. The mother still trembled as she held her daughter close.
“I’m so sorry about that.” Melanie did her best to comfort them. “Would some tea help?”
“Thank you, but no.” Geraldine’s head shook back and forth. “The only thing that will help is getting out of Germany and going far, far away. But I don’t know if that’s even possible anymore.”
Chaisley straightened in her chair, a determined look on her face. “I will get you out of Germany, my friends. I don’t know how or when. But Iwillget you out.”
Melanie cringed and shifted in her seat. Chaisley meant well. And probablywouldfigure out a way to save this mother and daughter. But sometimes her friend’s sweeping declarations made her uncomfortable. Especially when her own bravery was nowhere to be found.
And then there were the practical details of the situation. Where could they hide them in the meantime?
“I will get you a hotel room somewhere safe for the time being.” Chaisley patted Geraldine’s arm. “With plenty of food for a few weeks until we can arrange something else.”
It was as if she’d read Melanie’s mind. “Yes. I’ll work on that right away.”
“Now.” Chaisley lifted her chin. “I guess you better read me the message.”
Melanie opened the envelope and scanned the one page. “Itappears,” she huffed, “that Hitler is demanding your attendance at a private concert for his most distinguished supporters on August the fifth.”
