“She is Jewish, you swine.” He shoved Hemming, but Hemming didn’t budge.
The German spoke to the Schalburg man in German, with a sharp tone.
“Yes, sir.” The Danish traitor backed up, then flicked up his chin. “Take us to the Jewess.”
Else forced herself to sound calm. “Dr. Berend isn’t here. She’s with her family.”
Tiny eyes flashed at her. “Who are you?”
“I’m her roommate.”
“Take us to her room.”
Fru Riber stood behind Else, clutching her bathrobe shut at the neck. “I—I’m the landlady. I’ll take you. See? We’re good, law-abiding Danes.”
Those tiny, pale eyes snapped to Fru Riber. “Any other Jews live here?”
“Only Dr. Berend. She hasn’t been home for days.” Fru Riber headed upstairs, and Else, Hemming, and the Nazis followed.
“Where does her family live?” the Schalburg man asked.
“I’m sure they’re on your list.” Else couldn’t keep the snippiness out of her voice.
“I have the address. I’ll get it for you.” Fru Riber ducked into the living room.
Else gaped after her. How could she? What if the Berends had been at home instead of at Lyd-af-Lys?
“Your room?” Herre Schalburg said.
Else dragged her gaze past Hemming’s fortifying expression and to the staircase, and she resumed her climb.
On her floor, Else opened her door and stood back. “As you can see, she isn’t here.”
Annika and Dorthe opened their door and peeked out, aghast. Hemming stood by Else’s side, and his arm brushed hers in a comforting way.
The intruders invaded the room. The Dane poked at the bed, kicked the chair, and shoved papers off the desk.
“Nein!” The German spoke a rapid string of words.
The Schalburg man grunted, picked up the papers, and flung them onto the desk. The two men strode out, glaring at Else and Hemming.
Fru Riber bustled down the hall and handed the German a slip of paper. “Here’s the address. Remember how we cooperated.”
The Dane translated, the German gave a crisp bow, and they tramped downstairs.
The need to yelp burned its way out. “You gave them the address? How could you?”
Fru Riber blinked a few times, her eyebrows high. “They asked for it.”
“What if the Berends are home?” Else flung her hand in the direction of the street. “What if they’re arrested and sent to concentration camps? What if they die?”
“I can’t believe you did that,” Annika said with a curl to her lip.
Dorthe crossed her arms. “That was a horrible thing to do.”
Fru Riber groped at the collar of her bathrobe. “I’m just—I’m following the law. You should do likewise.” She stomped away and slammed the door behind her.
Annika grasped Else’s arm. “We need to warn Laila. Do you—”
