You Are My Sunshine: A Novel Of The Holocaust (All My Love Detrick Book 2)

by Roberta Kagan

  A woman wearing a loose-fitting housedress came out of the apartment next door.

  “Shhhh… Quiet. The man who lived here was taken away on the transport last night. I saw the Gestapo come and get him. They dragged him outside and herded him onto a train that was leaving. The people who lived with him have not been back since yesterday. I don’t know where they are. I’m sorry, but you should go away from here. It’s not safe.”

  Zofia sunk to the floor burying her face in her hands. “My God, Dovid, what have I done to you?” Tears flooded her face as she wept, her grief pouring from her in loud, gulping sounds.

  “Come in. Please, I have some tea. You are welcome to a cup.”

  Zofia shook her head. “No, thank you.”

  She felt weak, and so she held on to the handle to the door of Dovid’s apartment that she had entered so often in the past and used it to help herself stand.

  “I’m all right,” she said. “Thank you.”

  Her hand gripped the railing and her knuckles turned white as she descended the stairs out into the street. Her legs felt like jelly beneath her, and she thought she might drop to the ground any minute. High in a tree, a black crow let out a scream. Zofia looked up to meet its eyes. A dull pain shot through her chest, and she reached up to touch her heart.

  This was Koppel’s way of punishing her. Koppel had done this.

  Chapter 40

  Christa changed Katja’s diaper. Then she carried her into the kitchen, humming softly. Manfred warmed a bottle on the stove, and carefully tested it on his inner wrist to be sure it was not too hot.

  “She’s so pretty, isn’t she?” Christa said.

  “She looks just like you. She has your blonde curls and your lovely skin,”Manfred said, leaning over to kiss his wife.

  “I am so happy that we adopted her,” Christa said.

  They sat on the sofa, side-by-side, while Christa fed the baby.

  “The doctor says she can have more table food now.”

  “Pretty soon she won’t be taking the bottle at all.”

  “I know. I will miss her being a baby. You know, I meant to tell you that she let go of the sofa for a few steps yesterday.”

  “I missed her first steps?” Manfred asked.

  “I’m sorry, you were at work. She walked for almost two whole steps. Then she looked at me to make sure I was watching, and it distracted her. So she sat back on her little bum.”

  They both laughed. “I wish I had seen it.”

  “Well, no doubt she will do it again.”

  “Yes, and then before you know it she’ll be running.”

  Manfred reached up and tenderly caressed his wife’s hand as she held the bottle.

  “It means everything to me to see you so happy,” he said.

  She reached over and brushed his lips with her own.

  “She’ll be asleep soon,” she said, a smile finding its way onto her face. Any feelings of attraction she’d thought she had for Reichsführer Himmler were gone. Motherhood suited Christa Blau.

  “Yes, and then I will have you all to myself.”

  “I can’t wait,” she said.

  “Me either…” He tenderly touched her cheek.

  She glanced over at the roses on the mantel over the fireplace and decided that she must be the luckiest woman in the world. How many wives could say that they received roses almost every week?

  Chapter 41

  On Katja’s third birthday, Christa and Manfred gave a small house party for the family. The only attendees were his mother and Christa’s parents. They had a nice dinner and a small cake. After they finished, Dr. Henkener stood up and apologized. He said he had to leave early because he had to check in on a patient at the hospital. As he was gathering his coat, the family surrounded the baby grand piano. Manfred played as everyone sang well-known German folk tunes. Christa sat cross-legged on the floor, holding Katja at the waist to secure the child, who was attempting to stand while she was playing with the toys she’d just received. Baby giggles filled the room, interrupting the singing, but nobody seemed to mind. They’d just enjoyed a sweet apple birthday cake, and even now, the smell of an orchard lingered behind, blending with the hearty aroma of rich South American coffee. The sun had just descended from the sky and the night was enfolding the city in the mysteries of her dark arms. Dr. Henkener took a last look around at his family. They were beautiful. If only Hitler had never risen to power, he would have been a happy man. But as things stood, he could not turn a blind eye. His sense of right and wrong would not allow it. And so, Thomas Henkener left the party and made his way to his office, watching behind him with every step, careful to ensure he was not followed. A light blanket of snow covered the sidewalks, and a cold wind began to blow out of the north, freezing the snow, turning it hard. But to Thomas Henkener, the winter was a blessing. It enabled him to hide the food he carried inside the lining of his wool coat. He’d stayed up late one night making pockets inside the garment, secure enough to hold the packages he planned to take. Tiny particles of snow danced in the street lamps as he hurried along. A slippery undercoat of ice was hidden beneath the powdery cover, causing the doctor to lose footing several times. His hand clutched the building as he moved closer to his office, taking great care to stay on his feet. And because his mind was so fixated on not falling, he never heard the soft footsteps lurking behind him. When he arrived at the heavy doors to his office building, he looked around assuring himself that he was alone, and then slipped inside. He wiped his shoes on the rug by the door, and then turned to lock it. Without flipping, the light on, he headed up toward the attic with the food he’d brought for his Jewish friends still hidden inside his coat. When he got to the end of the hall, he looked around again. In the silence, he could hear his own breathing. It was ragged, nervous. Dr. Henkener was getting older; the flirtation with danger was too taxing for him. Yet he must do this. The doctor removed the ladder from its secret hiding place and climbed up. Then he pushed the tile out of the way and entered the attic, where his friends waited. It brought a tear to his eye to see how badly in need they all were of the food he brought.

  They greeted him warmly hugging him, thanking him, blessing him.

  These were good people. Competent doctors who’d spent their entire careers saving lives. They had been reduced to this…

  Chapter 42

  Outside Dr. Henkener’s place of work, Gestapo officers Schweissguth and Girtz watched and waited. They had been following the doctor for several weeks on a tip from one of the other tenants in his office building. Because of the doctor’s relationship to Manfred Blau, that little ass-kissing puppy of Dr. Goebbels, they had to be careful before apprehending him. If Henkener proved innocent, there would be hell to pay. Goebbels would see to that. So, they’d taken extra time, followed the doctor, and observed his every move. And now, they were pretty sure that he was up to no good. The tenant who’d called them in the first place, a dentist working only a few doors to the left of Dr. Henkener, had shown them around the building, including the location of the hidden attic. But they had not gone up yet. They could not break their cover until they were able to catch Dr. Henkener in the act. If they did, the old man could always claim that he knew nothing about the Jews up there. And because of Goebbels, he’d get away with it. They weren’t going to let that happen. Girtz knew Manfred personally. They’d gone to school together. In Girtz’s mind, Manfred was nothing but a weakling, undeserving of the position he held. But mostly Girtz despised him for how quickly he’d earned the favor of Goebbels. Most of the men had to go through the army and rigorous training to be accepted into the SS. But not Manfred. Somehow he’d weaseled his way in with Goebbels. When the news of Manfred’s father-in-law possibly hiding Jews came to Girtz’s attention, he wanted to make sure to trap Manfred. The task of surveillance was top secret. Girtz had been told by his superior, who was also jealous of the snot-nosed kid who’d gotten into the SS and Goebbels office without working for it, that he must catch the
doctor red-handed. Otherwise, no arrest was to be made. If all of this worked out the way Girtz and his superior officer planned, shame would surely fall back on Manfred, who did not deserve to be working beside such a high-ranking officer. Not to mention that he, Girtz might just receive a promotion for his hard work. Schweissguth was Girtz’s best friend, they spent time together outside of work drinking beer and dreaming of success. Just recently, Schweissguth had married. Girtz trusted Schweissguth and told him about Dr. Henkener. Schweissguth volunteered to accompany his friend on the arrest, telling Girtz that he too desperately needed a promotion since his marriage. Now the two stood outside in the darkness, shivering with cold and anticipation, the old dentist’s key to the building snug in Girtz’s right pocket. His fingers fondled the key. This could be the key to his future. Both Girtz and Schweissguth had made arrests before, but nothing as big as this. By tomorrow morning, the entire Party, possibly Hitler himself, would know what had taken place. The arrest of his father-in-law would cast doubt on Manfred’s loyalty. Manfred… Goebbels’ right hand man.

  They waited in the darkness for a quarter of an hour to be sure that Dr. Henkener had already gone up to the attic.

  Girtz and Schweissguth turned to each other. “You think it’s enough time?”

  “Yes. I’m sure he is there right now. If we are quick, we can catch him in that attic with those Jews.”

  Girtz nodded. His hand was shaking as he put the key in the lock, turning it, and changing everything in Manfred’s life forever.

  The two Gestapo agents quietly made their way into the building. They dragged their feet to prevent the marble floor from clicking beneath their shoes. When they got to the secret door that opened into the attic, Schweissguth climbed the ladder then pushed the ceiling tile.

  Perele Shulman saw them first. She screamed her hand went to her lips “OY! Got in Himmel!” she cried.

  “Gesapot!” Girtz bellowed

  Guns drawn, the two SS officers entered the attic. Perele Shulman clutched her husband, who turned toward her, taking her into his arms. When he saw the two men, Dr. Shulman gasped softly. “Oy, dear God.”

  Zalaman Rosen stood gripping the small table his knuckles white, his face a pale mask. Bluma, his wife, began to cry.

  Thomas Henkener stood paralyzed, staring at the two young men in long, black leather coats.

  “You are under arrest, all of you. That goes for you, also, Dr. Henkener. I am sure you knew that it was a crime against the Reich, treason, to hide Jews,” Girtz said.

  The loaf of bread and hunk of cheese that Dr. Henkener brought stood in the middle of the table, untouched. Henkener looked at the food; then his eyes drifted up to the two men.

  “You boys should be ashamed of yourselves,” Dr. Henkener said.

  Girtz took his gun and cracked it across Dr. Henkener’s face. Blood spurted from the doctor’s nose, landing on the opposite wall.

  Thomas Henkener winced.

  “That should shut you up. Now, let’s go, quickly.”

  All five people were loaded into a waiting automobile. The Jews would be transported to Nazi Headquarters, and then from there to a camp for extermination. Henkener would face a worse fate. But before they were slaughtered, Girtz and Schweissguth would see to it that Manfred was knocked off his pedestal and brought to his knees.

  Chapter 43

  The phone rang at half past midnight. Christa jumped out of bed. A late night call could only mean one of her parents were ill. As she picked up the receiver, Manfred appeared at her side pushing the hair out of his face.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “I need to speak to Manfred. This is Dr. Goebbels.”

  “One moment, please…” she said to the caller, then turning to Manfred, she handed him the phone. “It’s Dr. Goebbels.”

  Goebbels? At this time of night? “Hello, Doctor,” he said into the receiver. “This is Manfred.”

  “You must meet me at the office immediately. There is a serious problem.”

  “I will be right there.”

  Manfred hung up the phone.

  “What did he want at this time of night?” Christa asked.

  “I don’t know,” Manfred said as he dressed quickly.

  “Be careful, my darling. Don’t drive too fast.”

  He leaned over and kissed her. “Go back to bed. I will be home as soon as I can,” he said. Then he left, quietly closing the door.

  Manfred’s hands trembled as he drove through the sleeping city. Almost no cars were on the road, and only a few people walked the sidewalks. For the most part, darkness surrounded him, save only small illuminations from the street lamps. His mind raced. Why would Goebbels be calling him at this time of night? What could be happening that could not wait until morning? Perhaps, it was a personal problem. Lately, Dr. Goebbels had begun to discuss his person problems with Manfred. Would he call at this time of night for something of that nature? Or perhaps, Hitler was making a surprise visit and the doctor wanted everything to go well. Maybe something had happened to Hitler. That would be terrible. Manfred pressed the gas, moving the automobile faster down the road.

  Manfred parked his car in front of the door and went inside. The entire structure was dark, except for one dim light in Goebbels’ office. Manfred entered.

  “Dr. Goebbels, you wanted to see me?”

  “Yes. Your father-in-law was arrested tonight for hiding Jews in the attic of his office building. The Gestapo is on their way to arrest your mother-in-law. If not for my intervention, they would have come for you and your wife. This is serious, Manfred. This is treason.”

  Manfred sunk into the chair opposite Goebbels. “I had no idea, none.”

  “I knew that. That’s why I intervened. But things are going to get very ugly.”

  “My wife? My career? I had nothing to do with this, Doctor. I swear it, on my life, on my wife’s life. Neither of us knew.”

  Goebbels lit a cigarette. “Your father-in-law has done a terrible thing. He’s broken the Nuremburg laws. I won’t be able to keep you here at the office. I will be forced to find you work elsewhere. Because of this, you must prove your loyalty to the Fatherland.”

  “But you know me, sir. You know I am devoted heart and soul to Hitler and the cause.”

  “I do know this. Still, there is much that is not under my control. Chances are good that you will be taken in for questioning.”

  “What can I do? Help me, sir, please help me.”

  Dr. Goebbels rubbed his chin. The minister of propaganda was lost in thought. He got up and looked out the window. For several moments, he was silent. Manfred felt as if his heart would jump out of his chest and lie bleeding on the floor.

  Finally, Joseph Goebbels turned to Manfred. “I have an idea.”

  “Sir?” Manfred said, hope rising with his heartbeat into his throat.

  “I will stand by you, but sadly, I think I must ask you to do something that will be very difficult for you.” Goebbels said taking a long drag of his cigarette.

  “Anything, anything at all just ask.”

  “You must show your devotion to the Party by executing Dr. Henkener. You will be the one to fire the shot. Your wife must be present to witness the execution of the traitor. Manfred, you must kill your wife’s father. He must die at your hand. This and only this will prove your loyalty.”

  Manfred gasped. He hung his head. He did not care much for Thomas Henkener, but he knew Christa would be devastated. Would she ever forgive him? He put his hands to his temples and squeezed.

  “My wife…she will never forgive me.”

  “She should be thankful that she is not being arrested and sent to a camp. She must be made to understand the seriousness of all of this. Her father is a traitor. Either way, he will be destroyed. If you are the one to complete the task, things will be better for both of you. You realize that you, too, are at risk here. If it is somehow suspected that you are a traitor, you could easily face execution yourself. Now, I’ve come up with
an idea that I believe will work. But you must do as I say.”

  Manfred’s head was spinning. He felt himself falling, plummeting from his high position to a slave in a concentration camp. Damn his father-in-law. Damn him to hell for this.

  “I’ll do it,” Manfred said. He’d never killed anyone. Just the idea was horrifying. And now, he had to kill his wife’s father. There was simply no refusing.

  Chapter 44

  Christa was awake when Manfred turned the key in the door and walked into the house. She was sitting at the edge of an overstuffed chair in the living room. When he entered, she jumped to her feet.

  “Manfred, what is going on here? My mother just called. My father went to the office earlier, and he has not returned. She is frantic.”

  “Yes.” Manfred said, but he could not meet her eyes. Instead he walked to the window and faced away from her

  “What is happening? Please tell me.” Christa ran to him and put her arm around his waist. “Manfred, talk to me. Please…”

  He took a deep breath then turned to face her. She looked at him pleading her eyes swollen with crying.