A Daring Escape

by Tricia Goyer

  “And what are we to do with the files?” she dared to ask.

  “I am not certain when the Germans will be here, but they will. We must destroy any documents that might be incriminating if they fell into the wrong hands…the names of our refugees, their associates, their past histories, any anti-Nazi comments, their reasons for wanting to immigrate—all of those papers must be burned.”

  Amity nodded and turned to Clark. “I need to help. But I know you have to go…” Deep down, Amity hoped Clark would offer to stay longer. Instead, he offered a reassuring smile.

  “I need to take care of a few things, but I will be back to walk you home. I need to send a telegram to Celia. I am certain she will be worried sick. And I need to send one to my editor. Of course, he’s going to be thrilled I finally have some ideas for my book. And I also have to buy a new train ticket.” He lifted his eyebrows and stared intently at her. “Should I buy one or two?”

  Amity jutted out her chin. “You will just need one train ticket, Clark,” she said loud enough for Madeline to hear. “I will be staying.”

  Clark squeezed her arm, and then turned and left. And even though Amity had been working in this office for months, it suddenly felt like a foreign place to her. Emil looked over at her and shrugged. Amity told herself that emotions were high, but it was hard to feel as if she suddenly wasn’t wanted, wasn’t needed.

  Did I stay for no reason at all?

  She moved to the back room, where Marek sat in a chair. A stack of files was on the floor by his feet. “So, how can I help you?” she asked before she remembered he didn’t speak English.

  Still, the thin man seemed to know what she was saying. He pointed to a pile of files and then to the stove in the other room. All those had to be burned.

  TWENTY-NINE

  The fire was blazing, consuming their files, and Amity hoped Marek was being careful. They needed to keep the necessary information for those who still remained, yet they had to destroy all the files of anyone who’d already left. She checked everything they had written in English for the British Home Office, but she had to trust that Marek was taking care of everything written in Czech.

  She was feeding another stack of files into the stove when Clark strode into the office, followed by Emil.

  Clark rushed up to her side. “I’d just arrived when I saw their car show up.”

  “Their car? Who are you talking about?” But from the fearful look in Clark’s gaze she didn’t have to guess.

  Emil placed a hand on her shoulder. “Amity, you have been summoned.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The Nazi high command. They sent a request for you to meet with them. They want you there in an hour’s time.”

  Fear flashed through her, followed quickly by obstinacy. “I don’t want to go meet with the German high command. Why would I want to do that?”

  Clark took a step closer to her, as if his presence could protect her from what was to come. Amity wished it could.

  She put down the files and brushed her hair back from her face. “Me? What ever could they want from me? How do they even know about me?”

  Madeline gave her a look that said I told you so. “They’re already arresting enemies of the Reich. Some of my friends…”

  Amity sat down in a chair in misery. A lump in her throat felt the size of a teacup. “Do they consider me an enemy?”

  “Are you their enemy?” Emil shook his head. “Obviously not. If you were, they would have already arrested you. I would say you are a person of interest. My guess is they have questions about your transports—also, they want you to know they are well aware of your work.”

  A sharp pain struck her chest, taking her breath away. In her mind’s eye she pictured herself standing before a high-ranking soldier. With a snap of his fingers he could end her life—or worse, stop the transports.

  “Are you all right?” Clark placed a hand on her shoulder. “Can you breathe? You’re not going to faint, are you?”

  This is what I was afraid of.

  Her eyelids fluttered closed, and she told herself not to get worked up. “It’s all right,” she managed, breathless. “The pain in my chest is lessening. The worry, not so much.”

  In all her life she could not have imagined such a thing. She was a nobody. She never stood out in school. She was a simple tutor, never demanding or receiving attention, running from the spotlight. And now, less than twenty-four hours after the Germans had invaded the Czech capital, they had requested her to join them for a meeting. Of course, it wasn’t a request. And she only had one hour before she had to be there. If she left now, she’d just make it. Yet how could she get across the city with her knees as soft as ice cream?

  Clark must have noted the concern on Amity’s face. “I will take you. You should not have to do this alone.”

  Relief flooded over her, followed by confusion. “You don’t have a car.”

  “We’ll get a taxi.”

  “I have a friend who can drive you,” Emil piped up.

  This brought the smallest bit of a smile. “Your friend will not try to flee the country with me, will he? Actually, I will be grateful for a ride. I am thankful you have people to turn to.”

  “When you live in such a city, in such turbulent times, you have to know who can help when you find yourself in a bind.”

  “I’ll accept your offer then—both of your offers. Give me a minute to freshen up, will you?”

  “Yes, of course,” Emil said. “I’ll be back in ten minutes.”

  “Thank you. I…uh…just thank you.”

  Amity rushed into the water closet and placed her hands on both sides of the sink, attempting to stop their trembling. She had read about the German high command on the BBC, and none of it had been good. Would it be possible not to go to this meeting? She didn’t think so.

  As promised, Emil was waiting outside with an automobile. Clark opened the door for her. She paused before getting in, pointing a finger at him. “If you try to take notes…”

  He shook his head and climbed into the backseat beside her. “Of course not. I would never.”

  Emil drove her to Prague Castle and parked outside the main gates. Amity released a soft breath seeing that the Czech castle guard still stood at attention in their sharp blue uniforms. At least not everything had changed overnight. Yet beside the castle guards stood German troops, and from the windows Nazi flags had been hung.

  She opened the car door.

  “Do you want me to go with you?”

  Amity shook her head. “No, although I will take note of details for your novel.”

  “I don’t need that. I just wanted to support you.”

  She smiled. “I will be fine. I’m sure of it.”

  “Yes, but remember to answer only the questions he asks you. Don’t elaborate.”

  “Thank you.” She climbed from the car. “I will remember that.”

  Amity approached the front door, gave her name, and was ushered inside. She was led down a long hall to a room on the ground floor. The office was fully furnished. Who occupied this room just yesterday? Are they still alive?

  The assistant who’d led her inside didn’t offer her a chair, so she stood tall in the middle of the room, her fingers threaded together in front of her.

  A few minutes later she heard the sound of a man’s footsteps coming down the hall and striding through the door. She continued to face the desk as he entered. With a smile he approached.

  He was a young man with spectacles and had a stocky build. His hair was so blond it was nearly white. She would have considered him handsome if it hadn’t been for these circumstances.

  “Well, so you have come.” He spoke in perfect English, which surprised her. He waved a hand to the small wooden chair beside the desk. “Please, have a seat, Miss Amity Mitchell.”

  She did as she was told. “And your name?” she dared to ask.

  “Oberleutnant Klaus Böhm, but from now on I will be the one asking the que
stions. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Oberleutnant Böhm. Please excuse me.”

  The Oberleutnant sat in a high-backed chair. He picked up a file, looking through it.

  They have a file on me? The Germans have a file…

  “So, they tell me you are with the British government?”

  “Oh, no, sir, that’s my bro—” She paused, remembering what Clark had said. “I am just a tutor.”

  “A tutor? In a school?”

  “A private tutor. For a family. I just have one student.”

  The man adjusted his spectacles. “And who is your employer?”

  Amity paused. She was fine revealing information about herself, but now she was bringing Clark into this.

  The man concentrated on her face without flinching. Did he already know the answer and asked this just to test her? Amity guessed that was the case.

  She forced a smile. “His name is Clark Cartwright.”

  “And his work?” The Oberleutnant again flipped through his file.

  “He’s an English novelist and academic. He writes crime fiction. I believe he currently has nine novels in print.”

  The officer nodded to himself, as if something in his mind had been confirmed.

  “Yes, a few of those novels were translated into German. I greatly enjoyed his main character, Sir Henry Wilson, an inspector at Scotland Yard. Amazing what one can learn from fiction.”

  “I also enjoy his work.”

  “Has Mr. Cartwright been enjoying our city?”

  So he knows Clark is here too.

  “I believe so.”

  “Good. A shame he will be leaving us so soon. I imagine he has conducted excellent research for his next book. Surely Mr. Cartwright has good connections here.”

  “I am not certain of that, sir. I really don’t know. My main job is to make sure his daughter finishes her math homework.”

  The German across from her laughed appreciatively and then leaned forward. “I am not here to cause any problems, Miss Mitchell. I am not here to interrogate you. My job is simply to make sure you follow rules. Our rules. You have my interest, and you will keep that interest until the day you leave our protectorate.”

  Amity knew what he was saying—that she would be watched—but she didn’t want him to know she was worried. She crossed one leg over the other and relaxed into her seat. “I am thankful to know I can feel safe here under your protection. With all the people in this large city, it’s an honor that you’re taking time for me.”

  Amusement brightened his face. “I have my job. You have yours.” Then he stood. “Can I have someone drive you to your hotel? It is usually a safe city, but with all the refugees, I am worried there could be a problem.”

  “Oh, no. I have a ride waiting.”

  His face brightened. “Is Mr. Cartwright in the vehicle? I would love to meet him.”

  “Yes, he is.”

  She stood and led the way. Her soft-soled shoes barely made a sound down the hall, but his boots reverberated loudly. From the other direction a small group of Germans in uniform walked slowly, admiring the art on the walls as if they were appreciating a great museum.

  Just like that, this is all theirs now.

  Clark must have seen her descending the steps with the Oberleutnant. As the German officer approached, Clark stepped out of the car and extended his hand.

  Amity smiled. “Clark, it seems you have a reader who would like to meet you.”

  “A reader…is that right?”

  “Only a few of your volumes. I’m waiting for more to be translated into German.”

  “Well.” Clark stroked his chin. “I’m unsure whether that will happen now. It might not be a priority for my publisher. Although your English seems good.”

  “Not good enough for reading in English, but I thank you.” He cocked one eyebrow. “But if you do write a novel of the occupation of Czechoslovakia, can you name one of the characters Oberleutnant Böhm?”

  “I could, but he would most likely be one of the villains.”

  The Oberleutnant smiled wickedly and nodded his head. “Ja! Of course. Gut!” Then with another firm handshake, he strode away.

  Madeline was waiting for them when they arrived back at the small office. Her face was white, and if possible, she looked even more tired than she had earlier that morning.

  The woman glanced up at Amity with a weary gaze. “Well, how did it go?”

  “He didn’t say much. The Oberleutnant simply encouraged me to follow their rules in all we do. Oh, and he made it very clear that I am being watched. He had a file on me. A real file…and he asked to meet Clark. It seems he knows of his work.”

  Madeline gasped. “He did not.”

  “Oh, he most certainly did. He is a fan…and he asked if Clark could use his name in an upcoming novel.”

  Madeline turned her gaze to Clark, eyes wide.

  “I suppose you did not understand just who we had in our presence,” Amity said.

  But instead of a smile, Clark’s mouth turned into a frown. “I know it sounds like a good time was had by all, but this makes me even more worried. What else does he know about us that wasn’t revealed today?”

  “Well, just as long as we can continue taking children to safety, I don’t really care what he knows.” Amity slipped off her sweater and placed it on the back of the chair. She tried to act as if it really hadn’t bothered her to be interviewed by the Germans. Or that she was being watched.

  My every move has been recorded. And that had happened before the Nazis had invaded the country. What would happen now that they were here and in control?

  Unwilling to think about that anymore, she turned to Madeline. “Let me guess, the travel documents for the children haven’t yet come in?”

  Madeline let out a long, frustrated sigh. “No. What is the Home Office thinking, that we’re all on holiday around here?”

  Amity had barely sat down when she rose to her feet again. “I suppose this warrants another call.” She slipped her sweater back on and turned to Clark. “Do you wish to come with me? They still let me use the phones at the Hotel Evropa. I don’t feel safe using the lines here anymore.”

  He opened the office door for her. “Yes, of course.”

  She glanced back at Emil and Madeline, wishing she knew what Emil was thinking. He’d been silent on the ride home from the castle. He’d been quiet since they’d entered the room.

  “Wish me luck,” Amity quipped.

  “You’ll need all the luck you can find,” Madeline mumbled under her breath. “I imagine every hotel lobby will be full of new German soldiers. They are taking over every space available. You’ll spend an hour waiting for the phone at least.”

  Amity and Clark discovered what Madeline said was true. Making an urgent phone call in the lobby was now more difficult with the presence of noisy Oberleutnants phoning their wives. She’d finally gotten through, only to discover that Andrew was not there. But she received even worse news as she and Clark walked back to Madeline’s house.

  “I have to tell you, Amity, that I have a train ticket, but it is for tomorrow. The ticket office said they could not guarantee anything beyond that with circumstances as they are.”

  “Yes, of course. It makes perfect sense. I’m glad, though, that you’ve been here, especially the last couple of days. I needed you by my side.”

  They passed the Church of Saint Salvator on Křižovnická Street by the bridgehead, and Clark paused and pointed. “Amity, look.”

  The church was completely full. No mass was being said, but everyone was kneeling. Amity’s chest ached as if thorns were being pressed into her heart.

  They continued on to the Charles Bridge, and they discovered yet another German convoy was heading into town. As soon as the trucks and tanks passed, they had to stop on the bridge itself to let a line of infantry march across. The soldiers’ boots pounded on the stone roads in a heavy staccato beat. And then almost in defiance, cathedral bells from all aroun
d the city chimed out, drowning out the sound.

  Tears came to Amity then. She hadn’t cried all day, but hearing those bells stirred her deeply. She tried to keep her sobs quiet, but one broke through. Clark paused and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. His frozen breath puffed from his mouth and filled the air between them.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She laughed, a sad laugh. “What isn’t wrong?” She pointed to the white slopes of Petřín Hill. “They are deploying field guns on the slopes, but that’s not why I’m crying.” She sighed. “The bells—they reminded me that God is still here.” She placed a hand over her heart. “The enemy can come, but God is still here for those who believe—for those who kneel before Him.”

  As they neared Madeline’s house, they noticed groups of soldiers attaching loudspeakers to lampposts and trees. And not too many hours later, voices came over the loudspeakers. Martial law was declared and a nine o’clock curfew was announced. Joachim von Ribbentrop, foreign minister of Nazi Germany, had also commandeered the main radio stations. Czechoslovakia had ceased to exist. Bohemia and Moravia would be incorporated into greater Germany. The government, now a protectorate, would take orders from Berlin.

  “What do you think they will do about the transports? Do you think they will allow us to continue?” Amity dared to ask Clark as they sat at Madeline’s table drinking a cup of tea.

  “I suppose you can only keep going until they tell you to stop.”

  You. The word hung in the air.

  “You will leave in the morning?”

  He picked up her hand and stroked her fingers. Then he placed them to his lips and kissed each one. A shiver traveled up Amity’s arm, and she was certain of another thing too—when it was time for her to return to London, she would have Clark’s love waiting there.

  “I will be leaving in the morning, but I will make you this promise. You continue to do what you’re doing here, and Celia and I will find as many people as possible to take the children.”