Rick breathed deep. Best to just get it out. “Last night I couldn’t sleep, and so I went to see a contact. I had a bad feeling about vom Rath’s shooting. A wire came through about an hour ago that the Nazis have destroyed synagogues, arrested tens of thousands of Jewish men, destroyed and plundered Jewish businesses, and desecrated Jewish cemeteries. They had apparently been waiting forthe perfect time to do all of this, because it happened in hundreds of towns across all German territories at the same time. The Nazis’ excuse was the young Polish Jew who murdered the ambassador. Word now is that they will go after Jews full force.”
Tears filled each woman’s eyes, and their expressions held fire.
“Do we need to postpone the wedding again? You’re needed, aren’t you?” Chaisley’s voice was steady. Firm.
Now that Celestia had rallied, they’d rescheduled the wedding. “I hate to do that, but yes. I need to go for a few days and see what I can do to help—whatwecan do to help.” He reached over and squeezed Chaisley’s hand. “Perhaps we can wait until Christmas to marry, since your grandmother seems to be recovering?”
She nodded. “But there’s more bad news, isn’t there? I can hear it in your tone.”
He took a breath.God, help us all.“Not only are they trying to get rid of the Jews, but word is that they will soon be rounding up anyone who doesn’t meet their criteria. I don’t know if this is true, but one of our informants states that Schloss Hartheim will be used to ... exterminate all of those deemed unworthy of life.”
chapter
Eighteen
Berlin, Germany—Friday, November 11, 1938
No need to hide Germany’s intentions any longer. The world knew not to tangle with them—and if they didn’t?
They’d learn soon enough.
If only the fools he brought in could decipher the braille communications they’d intercepted traveling around Germany and Europe.
Several originated in Amsterdam. Several, Berlin. The rest—coincidentally—followed the travels of Miss Frappier.
He tapped a missive in his hand. It was no coincidence.
If the communications had simply been in braille, he would have no interest in them. Those were easily translated.
But these were not.
What was the woman hiding? Why the need to communicate in some sort of code?
The answer was obvious. She was betraying the Führer.
Now was the time to expose that pianist for the disgusting vermin that she was. She loved Jews. She loved cripples. She loved the diseased and the scum of the earth. He’d had people watching her. Every concert, she spoke tothosepeople afterward.
Well, she could just be exterminated with the rest of them. Allhe had to do was bring the proof to the Führer and show him what that traitor was doing right under his nose.
The shuffling of feet brought his attention back up.
“Here’s the ones you requested.” A lower-ranking officer led a shackled group of scrawny and filthy men into the room. “Heil Hitler.”
“Heil Hitler.” He shooed the man away and stepped up to the prisoners. “Do you all read braille?”
Nods were slow to come, but they affirmed that they did.
“Good. If you want to live to see tomorrow, you’ll decipher this for me.” He set the paper on the table. “You have one hour.”
Germany—Wednesday, November 30, 1938
The devastation across Germany, Austria, and the Sudetenland was the worst that Rick had seen since the Great War.
The Nazis claimed each attack and every bit of devastation was the public outrage over the assassination of vom Rath. And yet nothing of this caliber could have been simple public outrage. Not on this scale. Not across the continent.
No. Kristallnacht was planned. Probably weeks or months in advance. And the Nazis themselves carried it out.
The Jews who hadn’t been able to leave yet were now in a fight for their lives.
