But his original question came back to haunt him. What was the British government thinking? Did the prime minister truly think that Hitler would lie down and play nice if they gave him another piece of the world?
Everything Rick witnessed in the last few months suggested otherwise. The thousands and thousands of families who had their children ripped from their arms would also disagree. And German Jews, who loved their country but were losing their homes and livelihoods with increasing rapidity, knew better than anyone that Hitler wouldn’t be appeased withsomepower.
He wanted it all.
Rick pushed away from the tree and made his way back to the car. Tossing his supplies back in his sack, he sat for a moment, hands on the steering wheel. He would look at the list of sites when he made it back to the hotel. Hopefully he could integrate a few of the locations into delivering children to Chaisley’s grandmother.
Chaisley.
He let out a groan and rested his forehead on the wheel, resisting the urge to bang it against the hard metal.
How on earth could he keep news such as this from her?
chapter
Fourteen
Berlin, Germany—Friday, August 5, 1938
Private Concert Hall of the Führer
The day she dreaded was here.
The request—no, thedemand—to return to the concert hall in Berlin for Hitler’s special concert had put her on edge for weeks.
When the demand came, Melanie protested. Grandmother protested. Rick protested.
But they all knew she had to do it.
Chaisley had burned the handwritten note after sending her reply. She didn’t want any trace of the man in her possession. Somehow burning it felt a little cleansing.
But now? She’d have to face him again.
There was always the chance she was being double-crossed. Had Hitler invited her to make her an example in front of his high-ranking officers?
So far, her facade had held. And she needed it for a little longer. Her fingers trailed across the cool glass of the car window.Lord, I need Your wisdom. Thank You for Your protection. Please continue to keep us safe.They’d received contact from several othersin Germany who were trying to get children out. Children who were born deaf, blind, missing a limb, or suffering from epilepsy.
All conditions which would put them at risk with the Führer’s purification plans. Thank heaven the use of braille in their communications was holding up so far. No one seemed the wiser. Grandmother was certain that mail had been intercepted, but if that were true, the enemy hadn’t cracked the code. Otherwise, they’d all be in work camps—or worse—by now.
Her mind went back to the concert where she’d met Adolf Hitler. Leaving the door of his invitation open seemed brave at the time. As if she were capable of doing something so impressive that she would have an opportunity to stop him and his mad plan to take over the world killing millions along the way. How foolish she’d been to put them all at risk. Now that she knew so much more? She wished she could take it back and never agree to it.
But there was no chance of that wish ever coming true. The things she heard each day sickened her.
The news from France and Spain—where they would be headed next—was also grim. Many families knew they couldn’t wait to take action. And everyone feared they would hear of Germany attacking Czechoslovakia at any moment.
Who would be next?
Grandmother now had fifteen Jewish people staying with her until she could secure them passage elsewhere.
The four blind students staying with Grandmother refused to leave. Instead, they helped to read the letters that came in from their contacts. Chaisley couldn’t blame them for wanting to help. Feeling useful at a time like this was paramount.
As the car rounded a turn, Melanie grabbed onto Chaisley’s hand. “We’re almost there. Promise me this will be the last concert here? I’m afraid of what will happen to us if we come back.”
With a nod, she squeezed her friend’s hand. “I promise. I don’tlike it either. But this seemed necessary to keep up appearances and, hopefully, keep Hitler distracted from our work.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “I only wish I could have met Mr. Otto Weidt, the man with the brush factory, and thank him for what he’s doing. But I wouldn’t wish to put him or those he employs in danger.”
The auto pulled to a stop and Rick’s clear voice was aimed at them. “I’m going to park the car and then I will be right beside you the whole time. Both of you.” He cleared his throat. “Please wait and take your time going up the steps. I want to catch up with you before you go inside.”
Chaisley nodded.
