BERLIN: Reaping the Whirlwind (The Schultz family story Book 2)

by Paul Grant

  Hannah quickly removed her coat, shoving it between her legs. She slipped a headscarf from her pocket and placed over her hair. Goldstein passed within ten metres of her on the opposite side of the kiosk. The two Gestapo men were heading in her direction. She immediately walked around the front of the kiosk and back on to the concourse. She kept walking, dropping her coat into one of the mail trolleys as she went.

  As she headed for the large open exit to her right, she expected a shout at any moment. She dared not turn around to look for Goldstein, she just maintained as steady a pace as possible in the thronging chaos. It seemed to take an age to reach the door, but running wasn’t an option. She was angry with herself for falling into such a trap, for being in the station in the first place, even for leaving her comfortable hiding place.

  Finally, she reached the huge double archway which marked the exit of the station. She slipped behind the towering middle pillar, covered in its swastika banner. Looking across the crowded concourse, she could see Goldstein in animated discussion with one of the Gestapo men, who was all arms and gestures. It wouldn’t be long before they started a search of the toilets.

  Hannah Hirsch removed her headscarf and stepped boldly out into the Berlin sun, grateful to remain a fugitive in her home city.

  ***

  Maria checked her watch again. She hoped she had everything prepared. Helmi would be down in ten minutes to take care of Eva. She’d left some bread and potatoes for Ulrich when he came home; it was the last of the food until tomorrow’s rations.

  She was surprised by a knock at the door; she knew Helmi would come in without being invited; that was the norm.

  ‘Good afternoon, Frau Schultz.’ Reitsch smiled disarmingly.

  Maria’s heart sank. ‘Kriminalkommisar, what can I do for you?’

  ‘May I come in? I have a matter of importance to discuss.’

  Maria noted he was alone, his usual sidekick dispensed with. She heard a door close on the floor below and a shuffling of feet. She knew Ina Stinnes would be snooping at her apartment door.

  ‘Of course.’ Maria stepped aside, wondering what Reitsch could want.

  In the lounge, she was dismayed to see Reitsch sitting comfortably on her sofa. After the incident with Ulrich, she’d had to handle the man very carefully. Now, he was back at her apartment again, right at the time she needed to be on her way.

  Reitsch sat in silence for a moment, no doubt trying to make Maria feel uneasy. He was already doing that just by being there. His loose sleeve flapped down, so he placed it over his thigh.

  ‘Now, Frau Schultz, we’ve had reports of people listening to enemy radio stations in this apartment block.’

  Maria was shocked by what he had to say. So much so she had to stop herself laughing in relief. This was why he had come there. It seemed strange he would be there without his sidekick on such business. It was a serious enough offence, but Maria was concerned with bigger things.

  ‘Has somebody said I am listening to such radio stations, Kriminalkommisar?’

  ‘I couldn’t imagine you would be guilty of such a crime, Frau Schultz, but we get all sorts of reports coming into our department.’

  Maria could well imagine from whom those reports regularly emanated. She did listen to the BBC, as did everybody else who wanted to know what was really happening in the war, but she was always very careful to keep the volume low and to reset the dial afterwards. She knew others had been caught out like that.

  ‘Well I can assure you I have no need to do such a thing. In fact, I am so busy taking care of my children, I barely have time to listen to the radio.’ Maria glanced at her watch worried she would be late for her meeting with Hannah.

  Reitsch noticed, but he still didn’t seem ready to leave.

  ‘You understand I have to follow-up on these reports. It is important everybody is aware of the penalties for these offences.’

  The threat hung in the air, just like on his last visit. Finally, Reitsch stood. ‘I can see you are busy, Frau Schultz, so I will bid you good day.’

  In the hallway, he turned back to Maria. ‘I know how difficult things can be without a husband around.’

  Maria was starting to feel uneasy. She didn’t like the way Reitsch had turned up alone and she didn’t like the way the conversation was going.

  ‘I can imagine you don’t get much time to enjoy yourself. Perhaps you might...’

  Helmi chose that very moment to enter the apartment. ‘It’s only me...Oh I am so sorry, I didn’t realise there was somebody here.’

  Helmi stood open-mouthed at the presence of Reitsch. She knew who he was of course. Reitsch himself seemed duly put out by the interruption. Maria felt incredibly grateful. She was genuinely worried what Reitsch was planning to say.

  ‘Will that be all, Kriminalkommisar?’

  She was gambling he wouldn’t continue with Helmi present. At least she was praying he didn’t.

  ‘Yes, Frau Schultz.’ His eyes said something else. ‘Please keep in mind what I said about the radio. These are tough enough times without people spreading false propaganda.’

  Maria could see the look of shock on Helmi’s face as she went to show Reitsch out. ‘Of course, I will do that.’

  She closed the door with a huge sigh of relief, letting her forehead rest against the door.

  She turned to see Helmi in a fit of giggles. Maria couldn’t help smiling.

  ‘Don’t you dare, Helmi Leitz.’

  ***

  Maria was still unnerved by the appearance of Reitsch. She could imagine what he was about to ask and it made her sick to the stomach. She was in an impossible position with him; she had to keep on the right side of him, but she knew she had to keep him as far away as possible. The more interest he had in her, the more dangerous the next few days would be.

  The Major had managed to organise the documents and tickets for Hannah and Maria couldn’t wait to give her the news. She didn’t need Reitsch anywhere near her when the day to move Hannah arrived, and it wouldn’t be long now.

  Maria took heed of the Major’s words, taking a circuitous route to their rendezvous. She knew the Major wouldn’t say something without good reason. She did wonder if his stressed state at their last meeting had been anything to do with the heartfelt warning when they parted. She could imagine he was balancing many more plates than she was, and she knew how hard it was to do that. The decisions he had to make, the information he was privy to, meant lives were in his hands, and it was starting to tell on the Major.

  One of the upsides of the renewed British bombing campaign on Berlin was the increased number of bombed out properties in which Hannah could hide. On this occasion, she was back in Kreuzberg where, in the last few days, whole streets had been virtually levelled. When she arrived, Hannah looked tired and drawn, the last couple of months jumping from ruin to ruin having taken its toll on her. Maria hugged her, but when she went to let go, Hannah didn’t want to move.

  ‘What is it, Hannah?’

  ‘Just keep hold of me.’

  Maria could feel her body shaking. She held her, trying to soothe her, as she would a child. Eventually Hannah’s breathing calmed and she was ready to talk.

  ‘I had a very close call yesterday.’

  Her eyes were red as if she’d been crying. The tough, untouchable young woman Maria had first met in that cellar seemed to have melted before her over the last few weeks.

  ‘I went out for food.’

  She paused as if she was chastising herself for something, like she didn’t want to admit what she’d done.

  ‘I ended up in Friedrichstrasse station.’

  ‘Crowded places are so dangerous for you, Hannah.’

  She held up her hand. ‘I ran out of food and I couldn’t stand it any longer. Well, I went to a café there and saw somebody I knew.’

  ‘Jewish?’

  ‘Yes, but looking a bit too well and a bit too free, if you know what I mean? Something didn’t feel right.’


  ‘A Greifer?’

  She nodded. ‘I got away. Said I was going to the toilet then doubled back and melted into the crowd. I had to leave my coat.’

  ‘Don’t worry about the coat, we’ll get you another one somehow.’

  ‘Maria, he was waiting outside with two Gestapo, without a care in the world.’

  ‘Bastard.’

  ‘It was my fault. I shouldn’t have gone out. I am so annoyed with myself that I didn’t spot it sooner. He was offering me food. He said the resistance could help me.’

  ‘When, in reality, you’d have been on a train east quicker than you could eat a meal,’ Maria said, simmering with anger at the duplicity of the authorities.

  Hannah’s head drooped. ‘I don’t know how much more of this I can take. I spent the whole night crying. I feel exhausted.’

  ‘Listen, I have great news. We have the papers.’

  ‘Yes?’ Hannah was fighting the tears.

  ‘I have brought you some information. You need to read it, memorise it, then burn it. This is who you will be. This is who you need to believe you are.’

  Hannah nodded, seemingly struggling to take it in. ‘How long?’

  ‘Your actual papers will be ready in one week. Just one week, Hannah. You need to hang in there. I will be there to put you on the train myself.’

  ‘Where am I going?’

  ‘Sweden. Then you can report to their authorities, Jewish groups. Hopefully you can get from there to Palestine.’

  ‘I can’t thank you enough, Maria. You are putting yourself at great risk.’

  ‘There’s no way I won’t see you onto that train personally. I feel responsible for you.’

  Hannah looked up at her, more tears pricking in the corner of eyes. ‘I don’t know what I’d do without you.’

  ‘Just hold on. One more week, that’s all. Don’t do anything stupid.’

  CHAPTER 19

  SEPTEMBER 1943, BERLIN

  Maria Schultz stared at the passport in her hands. The photograph was genuine enough, Maria had been there when they took it. The stamps were also real, Wehrmacht with the necessary Sicherheitsdienst amendments for travel to Denmark. The name, however, was not. The Major said they were still in the process of organising the final leg from Denmark across to Sweden, but it was all in hand. Maria hoped this piece of card would be enough to save Hannah Hirsch and get her out of Germany.

  Maria placed the passport, along with the train tickets to Lübeck, Copenhagen and then, finally Helsingor, in her bag. Later that afternoon Hannah’s train would leave for the north, and it was Maria’s job, her responsibility, to ensure the girl was safely on it. She had to rely on Helmi again. She didn’t know what she would do without her in the apartment above, on call. She asked no questions, expected no explanation. Maria didn’t want to deceive her, so it was best not to say anything.

  ‘Only me, dear.’

  Eva shouted happily at Helmi’s arrival. Maria was thankful they got on so well. Helmi picked Eva up and made a fuss of her, as only she could. Eva was content, and long may it continue, thought Maria.

  ‘There’s some dinner left out for Ulrich. He shouldn’t be long.’

  ‘Is he out with Günther again?’

  ‘You know how boys of that age are, Helmi.’

  ‘Okay, dear. Now you take care.’ She gave Maria a telling look and then it was back to the focus on Eva. Maria, feeling slightly guilty, headed for the door, the excitement mounting in the pit of her stomach.

  The door was open, and she could hear steps and whistling from the stairwell. At the top, she bumped into Kriminalkommisar Reitsch on the way up. He held a limp looking bunch of flowers.

  ‘I’m so glad I caught you, Frau Schultz.’

  Maria couldn’t quite believe her bad luck.

  ‘I’m sorry Kriminalkommisar, I’m just on my way out.’ She pursed her lips, the panic rising in her throat.

  He bounded the final step so he was level with her. ‘Please, call me Reinhardt.’

  ‘I really do have to go...’

  ‘Always busy, Maria. You don’t mind if I call you Maria, do you?’

  ‘Er...’ She could think of nothing to say. She could only feel the pressing need to get away.

  ‘Good. I’ve come to take you out for dinner.’

  ‘Look, this is...’

  ‘I won’t take no for an answer.’ He smiled. Maria felt sick.

  ‘I am really busy right now. There’s something I must do,’ she continued to protest.

  ‘I’ll come for you at eight. We will eat in style – The Adlon.’

  He moved closer to her. She held up her hand, as much to buy herself time as to protect herself from him. Her mind was in turmoil. She couldn’t let Hannah down, not after all the planning, not after all she’d been through. Maria felt she didn’t have a choice.

  ‘That would be...nice, Kriminalkommisar.’

  ‘Excellent.’ He thrust the flowers into her hand and then skipped down the steps, leaving Maria to wonder what she’d just agreed to.

  ***

  Ulrich had left Günther half an hour before. He was waiting at the tram stop around the corner from his apartment. He’d been concerned for a few weeks now. So much so, he’d asked Helmi where his mother was going when she came downstairs to look after Eva and him. What was his mother doing? He’d decided not to go back to the apartment. He’d thought he would wait until his mother went out, then he would follow her. He was going to find out what she was up to.

  His mother appeared, looking flustered, carrying some flowers, which she dumped in the refuse bin next to the cigarette kiosk. Then she set off fast, as if she was late for an appointment, and Ulrich had trouble keeping up. After a time she slowed, bending down to tie her laces on more than one occasion. Ulrich had the distinct impression she was taking a circular route. She jumped on the S-Bahn at Lichterfelde and Ulrich was sure he’d lost her. Then, as the tram set off, he saw her on the other side of the street, making haste in the opposite direction.

  On one occasion, Ulrich was convinced she had spotted him. He hid behind a cart. An old man was leaning against the rear of the cart smoking a cigarette. He wore a gap-toothed smile, ‘Up to no good, lad? Be careful or you’ll end up like me, pushing a cart all day long.’

  Ulrich ran off, the old man cackling in his wake.

  He felt like he had walked for kilometres and was getting worried he would get lost. Still, he could see his mother up ahead. The sun was starting to dip behind the buildings and he was struggling to see her, squinting, shielding his eyes. Then, she was gone. He rushed to where she’d disappeared from the pavement, but there was nothing but ruins and boarded up shops.

  He decided to wait, finding a place to conceal himself in an alleyway next to a cobbler’s shop. He hoped it would give him enough time to get back to the apartment before his mother, if he didn’t find her again.

  ***

  Hannah was ready. She had a case packed containing the clothes Maria had brought her during the week. She wore a smart new dress and coat. Maria could see she looked much brighter than when she had last left her.

  ‘Okay. So, you know the drill?’

  Hannah nodded forcefully.

  ‘Well?’

  ‘I’m Helmi Peters. Eighteen years old. I’m travelling to Denmark to take up a job as nanny to Captain Helmut Steuler’s three children. He’s in the Kriegsmarine, based in Helsingor.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘My mother is Astrid Peters and lives in Leipzig. My father is at the front in Russia and my brother was captured in North Africa last year.’

  ‘Right. Your train leaves in forty minutes from Lehrter station, so it won’t take us long to get there. We should arrive ten minutes prior, no more than that. I am sure your papers will be fine, but I don’t want to be there any longer than is necessary.’

  ‘It will be fine, Maria. Don’t worry.’

  Maria nodded. She didn’t want to tell Hannah exactly how nervous she was. Aside from
that, she was going to miss her; she admired her spirit. After all she’d suffered, all the things she’d been through, she still managed to remain positive. She managed a smile and a joke and Maria could only wonder how. If Maria could help her get out of the clutches of the Nazis and at least aid the escape of one person, it would be worthwhile.

  Hannah’s hair was tied back and head scarf in place. She looked smart.

  ‘Ever the dutiful nanny,’ Maria quipped.

  ‘I’m not sure I’d know where to start changing a nappy.’

  ‘Hopefully you won’t have to. Not at this point anyway.’

  It was time to leave. In less than hour, if all went to plan, Hannah would be on the road to freedom.

  ***

  The draped swastika flags which adorned the recesses between the pillars on the façade of Lehrter station had seen better days. The single flag which flew over the central archway was at half-mast in respect of the fallen. Maria wondered if it was permanently in that position. Their walk to the station had been thankfully uneventful. It was fifteen minutes until the train departed. Maria carried Hannah’s case in the one hand and linked her arm in the other. She smiled reassuringly at her.

  ‘Just remember who you are. You’ve nothing to worry about,’ Maria murmured, as they entered the station proper. She squeezed her arm for good measure.

  Maria’s stomach was churning. Her nerves were tinged with the sadness of Hannah leaving. She just hoped everything went to plan; she’d had enough scares already with the shock appearance of Reitsch at the apartment.

  The station was teaming with life. A troop train was departing from the furthest platform. There was a scrum of grey uniforms milling around its target, like bees around a honeypot. Gruesome looking military policemen stood impassively by, brass chains around their necks, awaiting the smallest misdemeanour. Maria turned to look behind her. The clock in the main archway ticked around.

  ‘Ten minutes.’ Maria nodded, her arms full. ‘It’s the platform over there, closest to us.’