But even as I tried to reassure my mama, I couldn’t think of any logical reason Papa would disappear. It didn’t make sense. A pit in the center of my gut told me that something was dreadfully wrong.
“May we help?” Calan asked as he appeared just outside the room with Sir Rothschild beside him.
I took a deep breath, not wanting Mama to see how worried I felt. “My father has gone missing,” I told them. “He had a free day in Berlin yesterday and was supposed to meet with Colonel Lindbergh last night, but he didn’t show. And then this morning, when he didn’t arrive for their flight to a factory, they began to look for him. His room was undisturbed, and no one knows where he went.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” Sir Rothschild said as he entered the room. “You need to take your mother home, Miss Voland.”
“But—”
“We will oversee the rest of the exhibit,” Calan interrupted. “Your plans are in perfect order, and we shouldn’t have any trouble executing them. Right now, you are needed somewhere more important.”
Mama was in shock, and I knew they were right. She needed me more than the museum staff did. I wouldn’t be much help to them, anyway. Not in my current state of mind.
“Perhaps you’re right.” I nodded as I put my arm around Mama to lead her out of the museum.
“Call us the moment you hear something,” Sir Rothschild said.
“We’ll be praying for all of you,” Calan added.
“Thank you.” I tried to smile, to be strong for Mama, but I couldn’t force myself to pretend.
We would need all the prayers we could get.
The moment Lady Astor heard about Papa, she came to Berkeley Square and spent the afternoon with us, calling anyone and everyone she knew who might have authority to help. Lord Astor arrived shortly before supper, letting us know he had done the same. None of us could eat a thing.
Calan arrived around eight to let me know that the exhibit was finished and ready for the grand opening tomorrow. I was still in shock and realized I hadn’t thought of the exhibit once.
“Are you hungry?” I asked him as we stood in the front hall. “No one touched supper, and I’d hate to see it go to waste.”
“I’ve already eaten,” he said, his face filled with concern. “Have you heard anything?”
I shook my head, glancing up the stairs where Mama was sitting in the parlor with the Astors. “Nothing from Germany, though Mama received a call from the US secretary of state today, Cordell Hull. They are aware of the situation and doing all they can to ensure Papa is returned home safely.”
“The secretary of state?” Calan asked, his eyes widening. “Do they think someone abducted your father?”
“No one knows, but they are taking his disappearance very seriously. My father is a brigadier general in the US Army Air Corps. He was a flight instructor during the Great War and was instrumental in forming the Air Corps in the 1920s. He not only has classified knowledge, but he’s also a high-ranking officer. The world is on the brink of war with Hitler. Something like this is a very serious situation and doesn’t feel like a coincidence.”
“Who might have taken him, if that’s what happened?” Calan asked, quietly. “What would they gain?”
“I don’t know.” I crossed my arms, wanting something todo. I hated all this sitting around and waiting. I was half tempted to fly to Berlin to look for Papa myself.
Calan placed his hand on my arm and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I know your father will come home safely, Kathryn. Don’t give up hope.”
“I won’t.”
“And don’t worry about the grand opening tomorrow. We can manage—”
“I will be there,” I promised. “Papa would want me there.”
“Only if you’re certain.”
I tried to smile, knowing it was the right thing, though I wasn’t sure how I would get through the event if Papa wasn’t found yet. “I am certain.”
Calan left, and as I closed the door behind him—about to face Mama and the Astors again—I longed for Austen. I wanted his reassurance. I wanted to share this burden with him because I knew that he would do everything in his power to help me if he could.
I returned to the parlor, where Mama sat on the chair, another handkerchief in hand. She’d gone through six of them already. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her face was pale. Even through her tears, I had been impressed with how composed she’d remained all day, though I knew she was a mess inside.
“How is everything at the museum?” she asked me as I took a seat on the chair next to her.
