‘I have no doubt under normal circumstances you won’t say anything,’ replied Max. He cast his gaze around the room, finding the ashtray he was looking for and stubbed his cigarette out. ‘Under interrogation is another matter.’ His face softened. ‘Be assured that you are making a difference. You are saving lives.’
‘I hope so,’ whispered Clara, more to herself than to him.
‘Next week, I’ll be on the tram you take to the clinic. Make sure the list is folded between the pages of a newspaper. Take the empty seat next to me, but do not start up any kind of conversation. When you get to your stop, leave the newspaper on the seat. Understood?’
‘This is a regular thing?’
Max nodded. ‘Yes. Not just a one-off. For as long as the information is available, you will need to bring it to us. Even after the baby has been born.’
‘But six weeks after Frau Müller has her baby, I won’t have a reason to be there.’
‘Then find one. You wanted to help, well, now you are. If you don’t have the courage for it, then you had better tell me now.’
If he was goading her, challenging her, then he was doing a jolly good job. Clara bristled at the insinuation that she might not have the courage. ‘Of course I can do this,’ she said. ‘I want to help.’ She knew other women weren’t as fortunate as her to have any choice in what they did or what happened to them. The list proved that.
‘Good. We might need you for other things later on. But first, like everyone else, you have to prove your worth.’
‘That’s fine.’ She stood a little straighter, raising her chin a fraction.
A small smile played at the corners of Max’s mouth. ‘There is one more thing you should know.’ He took his packet of cigarettes from his pocket. ‘You cannot talk to anyone else about what you are doing.’
‘I know that.’ Clara was a little insulted he felt the need to tell her.
‘Don’t be offended. I’m just reminding you because we have a problem. Someone in the Jewish community is feeding information to the authorities.’
Clara’s stomach dropped. ‘Do you know who?’
‘No. Not yet. But we believe there’s a corrupt policeman who has been taking bribes in exchange for protection, but some people are paying with information instead.’ Max’s expression darkened. ‘Names, addresses, hiding places. People are betraying their own neighbours to save themselves.’
Chapter 16
Clara was somewhat relieved when Max left. Just him being in the apartment was enough to put her on edge. She’d just settled herself in the armchair with a coffee when there was another knock at her door.
Her heart raced. Another unexpected visitor? She didn’t know if she was cut out for all this. She got to her feet and crossed to the doorway, her hand resting on the wall as she stared at the front door, willing the caller to leave.
Whoever it was had no intention of going away. They knocked again. This time more insistently. Clara approached the door. Paused for a moment to compose herself, before opening it a fraction to peer through the gap.
‘Marie! What are you doing here?’
Marie smiled. ‘I thought I would come and see my friend.’ Her eyes widened and she gave a sideways glance to the apartment door on the other side of the landing. ‘Did you forget I was coming?’
Clara hadn’t been expecting Marie at all. Something must be wrong. ‘Come on in.’ Once Marie was in, she closed the door. ‘Don’t worry about my neighbour, she’s hard of hearing.’ She quickly ushered her friend through to the living room. Only then did she ask Marie what was wrong.
Marie shrugged off her coat. ‘I wanted to speak to you about something. Sorry for surprising you.’
Clara hung up her friend’s coat. Her friend looked worried, but Clara sensed she wasn’t quite ready to talk about it. She needed some time. ‘I’ll make some supper. Are you hungry?’
‘Let me help you,’ said Marie.
Clara set about making them a light meal as Marie made coffee. While they ate, Clara asked about Marie’s family, then moved onto work and how things were at the Charité Hospital.
They continued to chat while they finished their meal, when Marie put her cutlery down on her now empty plate.
Clara pushed her own empty plate to one side. ‘Shall I get us a sherry?’
Marie nodded. ‘I’ll clear the table.’
Once the plates and cups were dispensed in the kitchen, Clara and Marie moved to the living room. Marie perched on the edge of the armchair, while Clara sat on the sofa. She could see Marie was wrestling with her thoughts as her leg jigged up and down.
