She went to object but hesitated and then did as he instructed. ‘What?’
‘Give me forty-eight hours.’
‘I can’t wait that long.’
‘It’s the best I can offer. It’s not my decision alone.’ Max’s face was grim. ‘If you go charging in there without a plan, you’ll compromise everything. Every safe house. Every contact. Wait and I will help you.’
Clara stared at Max, she couldn’t agree to his timescale, she didn’t have the luxury of time. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said in a whisper.
Max studied her for a long moment. ‘You’re not going to wait are you?’ She didn’t answer and then, cursing under his breath, he let go of her wrist. ‘Meet me here Monday morning at eight o’clock. It’s the best I can do.’
Clara closed her eyes in relief. ‘Thank you,’ she said, looking at Max again. ‘Thank you.’ She sidled out of the aisle.
‘Clara.’ She turned to look at him. ‘The Levin baby, did she have blonde hair?’
Clara nodded. ‘Beautiful white blonde and big blue eyes.’ It was almost painful to recall the infant’s face.
‘Then she’s probably still alive. They give the Aryan-looking ones to German families.’ His expression was unreadable. ‘I don’t know if that makes it better or worse.’
She met his gaze. ‘I don’t either.’
Chapter 19
‘Don’t be worried, now,’ said Friedrich, as he stood in the hallway of their apartment. It was seven o’clock, the following morning. His bag was by the door, all packed ready for his trip away. ‘I’ll be back in a week, maybe sooner if I manage to get everything done that I need to and find out what the problem with the supply chain is.’
‘I know,’ said Clara. ‘Please don’t worry about me either.’
‘I will always worry about you.’ He kissed her and then held her from him, looking intently into her eyes. ‘You must take care.’
She smiled and tried to make light of the comment. ‘I’m not a risk taker. I fear I should be the one telling you to be careful.’ She straightened the knot of his tie, which didn’t need straightening, but meant she didn’t have to look him in the eye.
Friedrich held her a little longer as he hugged her goodbye. ‘Remember, take care. Great care,’ he said quietly into her ear.
As always, she waved to him from the window as he climbed into the car waiting to whisk him away. Her stomach was in knots. She knew what she was risking. Part of her wanted to stay here, keep the promise she’d made to Friedrich. But she couldn’t. Hannah’s name was on that list.
The rest of the day passed agonisingly slow. Clara wasn’t one to wish her life away, but all she could think about was Hannah and every minute doing nothing was a minute closer to whatever fate lay ahead for the young Jewish woman.
That night sleep had finally come to her, but she was awake early before dawn. By seven o’clock she was making a phone call to the clinic.
‘I’m so sorry, Frau Lange, but I’m not feeling very well. I won’t be in to work today,’ she said, trying to sound fatigued.
‘I’m sorry to hear that, Frau Bergmann. In what way are you unwell?’
‘I have a terrible headache and feel quite sick with it.’
‘Do you suffer with migraines?’
‘Occasionally,’ replied Clara, feeling utterly treacherous at lying to her superior.
‘Get some rest and hopefully you will be well enough to attend work tomorrow. I’ll arrange cover for your afternoon home visits.’
‘Thank you, Frau Lange.’
Clara put the phone down and checked her watch. She had to be at the church by eight o’clock. It didn’t leave much time. She made herself a coffee, but was already feeling queasy, and the smell did nothing to improve matters. She ended up tipping it away. Such a waste, but she just couldn’t face it.
As she watched the dark liquid swirl down the plughole, the name Neuruppin and its significance struck her. It had been playing on her mind and now she remembered with a cold realisation. That was where Marie said Brandt had been transferred to. She had gone to work in a maternity clinic, north of the city.
Clara grabbed her coat and headed out straightaway, not daring to be late. As she closed her apartment door and locked it, the door of her neighbour across the hall opened.
