‘Ah, yes, Captain Friedrich Bergmann, Logistics Officer specialising in medical supplies,’ said Max.
Clara stilled at the comment. They knew Friedrich and not just in a vague manner. Her stomach did a nervous flip and her heart picked up its pace. ‘What do you want?’
‘Don’t be nervous, Frau Bergmann,’ said Max. ‘Or can I call you Clara?’
Clara was sure that saying no wasn’t an option. Besides, she didn’t want to antagonise the two men. Her confidence had been brief. ‘If you want.’
‘Do you know what else you’re called?’ continued Max, sitting back casually in the chair. Clara shook her head and Max continued. ‘Engel des Lebens.’
‘Angel of Life,’ Clara whispered first in English and then carefully in German. ‘Engel des Lebens.’ Her hand went to the pin on her midwife’s cape. ‘Who calls me that?’
This time Max smiled. ‘Have a guess.’
Another shake of her head. ‘I don’t know.’
‘The Jewish women,’ supplied Karl, clearly not into playing games.
‘The ones you’ve helped, often in the dead of night,’ said Max. ‘They speak of the midwife who comes to help them when they have been denied any kind of care from the authorities. When they are living in fear of a knock on the door or a letter on the doormat telling them they are being relocated. Where, they don’t know but fear they will have no help then.’
Clara looked warily from one man to the other, fearful she might be walking into a trap of some kind. ‘I have not heard of this midwife,’ she said, licking her dry lips. ‘Why are you telling me about her?’
Karl went to say something but stopped as Max lifted his hand. ‘We would like to speak to this midwife to ensure her motives are genuine. And that she is not gathering information.’
‘Information?’
‘To pass onto the authorities about who is living where, who has had a baby, who might not share the correct political views.’ Max took another sip of his drink, before placing the glass back down, his fingers then drumming against the table. For a moment, the calm and cold mask slipped, revealing something raw underneath. Then he caught Clara watching and he snatched his hand away. ‘Do you understand what I mean?’
Clara shifted in her seat. ‘I’m sure the midwife’s motives are genuine, and she only wants to help the mothers and babies.’
There was a heavy silence in the room. Clara was aware for the first time of a clock ticking on the mantelpiece. From the corner of her eye, she saw the cat stretch its front paws out along the back of the sofa, its claws digging into the worn fabric.
‘Let’s stop playing games,’ said Karl.
Max looked faintly annoyed for a moment, but his expression softened. ‘You’re right, Karl. No more games.’ He took one last swig of the shot and put the glass down heavily on the table.
Clara flinched but refused to look away. She wasn’t sure what sort of situation she was in, but she didn’t want them to think she was weak. It felt important that she stay strong. Capitulating and fawning like a helpless person weren’t going to get her out of there safely, she was sure.
‘What is it you want?’ She felt like she was repeating herself constantly. ‘Let’s get to the point of this, otherwise I might as well leave now.’ She went to get up from her chair, but Karl stepped forward and put his hand on the backrest, making it impossible for her to move.
‘Clara,’ began Max. ‘Please, let’s talk.’
Clara relented and sat back in her chair. ‘Who are you?’ she asked. ‘I don’t mean your names, your false names, but who are you? Where are your loyalties?’
‘Interesting question,’ mused Max. ‘Our loyalties are to Germany.’
It was the sort of answer Friedrich had given her. She knew where his loyalties were. ‘To Germany now or before?’
‘Why are you asking questions?’ interrupted Karl.
‘Because I want to know who I’m dealing with. Who wants something from me.’ She was playing a risky game. These two men could easily kill her now if they wanted to. They were dancing around each other because no one quite trusted the other. But one of them had to give otherwise they would get nowhere. All she wanted to do was to get out of there alive and preferably unharmed. She took a deep breath. ‘So, I’m going to guess you don’t work for the government. You’re not police. You’re not military.’
‘What makes you so sure of that?’ asked Max. He seemed amused again.
‘The way you didn’t want to draw attention to us on the street. The way you cursed when you saw The Greens. The way we’re in a quiet street and you’ve practically smuggled me in here. If you were the authorities then you would want to make a big display of your power in front of everyone. To incite some fear.’
Max inclined his head. ‘And you are correct.’
‘Do you want me to guess anything else?’
