[Intertwined Souls 05.0] No Good Deed

by Mary D. Brooks

  Eva looked up with a dejected look on her face.

  “What were you trying to do, love?” Zoe came forward and put her arms around Eva’s apron-clad waist. She looked up and smiled. “I think it is dead, whatever it is.”

  “Um, I was trying for a breakfast roll casserole.” Eva’s very quiet response made Zoe want to kiss her. “Um…it didn’t quite end up that way.”

  “You burned it.”

  “Hm, I burned it,” Eva replied, scrunching up her nose. “Surprise.”

  “I’m surprised.” Zoe embraced Eva and rested her head on her’ chest. “Thank you.”

  “I burned it.”

  “I know.” Zoe looked up and smiled. “I love how you never give up trying even if they smell like Ourania’s litter box.”

  “Eww.” Eva gave Zoe a quick kiss before taking the oven mittens and using them to take the offending casserole to the sink. She picked up a spatula and attempted to cleave most of the burned food into the kitchen bin. She turned on the tap and filled the casserole dish with water to let it soak. She dried her hands with a towel and went back to where Zoe had sat down.

  “Good morning,” Eva said and leaned down for a kiss. She took Zoe’s hand and led her into the living room and away from the catastrophe that was the kitchen.

  Eva sat down on the sofa, stretched out her long frame, and brought Zoe down to rest against her chest.

  “You were up early.”

  “Hm. I was feeling sick and had to go to the bathroom.”

  Zoe looked up at Eva. “I sure wish Stella was here instead of the mountains.”

  “It’s just a cold, Zo. You know how I get. It’s going to pass.”

  “I hope it passes soon, because you’re not getting enough sleep,” Zoe said and then picked up a letter that was lying near her and held it up. “How is Uncle Wilbur?”

  Eva’s arm encircled Zoe’s waist as she gazed at the letter. “The good news is that he’s getting married.”

  “Ah.” Zoe looked up and smiled. “He finally took that leap!”

  “He was fast—it’s only taken him six months,” Eva said facetiously.

  “When is the wedding? And we have to go!”

  Eva smiled. “It would mean going back to Germany.”

  “Hm.” Zoe stopped for a moment. “I would be willing to head back there for Wilbur.”

  “He doesn’t want you to.”

  “Pardon? He doesn’t want me to come to the wedding?” Zoe asked, feeling a little more than just hurt at the news. “I thought he liked me. I like him.”

  “He does like you, my love. He doesn’t want you to come to Germany for the wedding because he knows how much you hate it. They are going to come to Sydney for their honeymoon and for some Lambros Steel business.”

  Zoe twisted around and looked up at Eva’s’ smiling face. “How wonderful! When are they coming?”

  “They were thinking around October.”

  “I can’t wait to see them again. They’re good people, and we will have our new home then so there will be plenty of room.”

  “Yes. Wilbur is the only Muller I would ever allow in our home,” Eva replied quietly. “I’m not sure how he escaped the Muller curse, but somehow he did.”

  Zoe intertwined her fingers with Eva’s and held them against her. “This sounds awful, but the best thing to happen to him was his mother dying.”

  “I know. He can get on with his life now. He’s been in love with Marlene for a very long time. They were courting when they were younger until my grandmother put a stop to it.”

  “Why would she do that?”

  “She didn’t like Marlene or her politics.”

  “Poor Wilbur, but he’s finally got the girl, so that’s good. What else does he say?”

  Eva brought the letter towards her and gazed at it for a moment. “Dieter is dead.”

  “I thought his execution was next month.”

  “He wasn’t hanged,” Eva said quietly. “He took his own life.”

  “What a coward,” Zoe said. “Bullies are cowards in the end.”

  “Apparently he was. Uncle Wilbur says he didn’t want to die at the end of a rope—he wanted to do it himself.”

  “How do you feel about that?”

  “It doesn’t matter to me. He doesn’t matter anymore. You gave me the chance to face him down and tell him what I thought of him. What he did or didn’t do is irrelevant now.”

  “Is there a small part of you that wishes he would have been hanged for his treatment of you?”

  Eva looked down at Zoe for a long moment. “Yes, but I know whatever sentence the judge had given him is nothing compared to what God would pass on him.”

  “Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord,” Zoe repeated the scripture she often heard in church and a sentiment she didn’t agree with. “Personally, I wouldn’t have minded helping the Lord with this task.”

  Eva kissed the top of Zoe’s head. “I know.”

  “With Dieter gone, it’s over.”

  “Yes. Uncle Wilbur says that Dieter was proud of the work he did in Aiden and couldn’t shut up about it. Wilbur didn’t say much about that, but they are investigating what happened in the research facility and are going after those involved.”

  “Well, it’s about time. So you can’t raze the entire complex to the ground?”

  Eva sighed. “No. Not yet. I want to obliterate that place off the face of the planet, but it will have to wait. Uncle Wilbur did say the Australian War Crimes investigators will be in contact if their German counterparts needed any information.”

  “Hm, another visit from the keystone cops.”

  “Now, now, Zo. David and Freddy won’t like you calling them keystone cops,” Eva jokingly admonished.

  “It’s alright. They already know I call them that.” Zoe giggled. “I still laugh every time I think of the time they burst into the room where Father H was sleeping. Let’s not bring up them allowing your stepfather access to our home.”

  “We have gone through horrible times,” Eva quietly agreed. “I think I’ve had enough excitement.”

  Zoe squirmed around and pulled out a book that had been in the back of one of the pillows. “How to Inseminate Your Goat,” she read aloud and gazed up at Eva with an incredulous look. “Evy, what are you reading?”

  “I’ve been thinking that maybe Stella is wrong about how to make a baby.”

  Zoe stared at Eva for a very long time. “I think she knows how to make babies. Just because I can’t conceive…”

  “I didn’t mean that. I meant that maybe this will work.”

  “Didn’t we agree that if I get my monthlies we are stopping? Then we can start the adoption process. The process won’t hurt…” Zoe stopped on seeing Eva’s stricken look. “Evy…”

  “It hurts you.”

  Zoe wanted to slap herself and mentally sighed. That was the last thing her already stressed out partner needed to hear. “It’s a little painful and embarrassing.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I thought that is what it’s supposed to feel like… Isn’t it?”

  “No.”

  Zoe gazed at Eva for a long moment. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to discuss this now.”

  “Alright. If that’s what you want.”

  “No, it’s what we both want. Alright?”

  Eva nodded. She smiled, took Zoe’s hand, and got up. “Would you like to go make a baby with me now?”

  “Don’t think you can do that, but if you are up to the challenge, who am I to say no?” Zoe got up and took Eva’s hand.

  “Practice makes perfect,” Eva replied with a suggestive leer which only made Zoe laugh as they walked back into their room.

  CHAPTER 8

  The radio blared in the background, something about traffic problems on the Harbour Bridge, while Eva played with her fork, pushing the bacon from one end of the plate to the other. Her mind was elsewhere. Today was going to be her first day of her new job and she
was extremely nervous, so nervous her stomach was doing flip-flops. She didn’t feel like eating but she was trying. Zoe was getting too worried about her and the last thing Eva needed was to worry Zoe.

  She looked up as Zoe came out of the kitchen with a couple of pieces of toast for herself. Zoe put down the toast, went over to Eva, and put her arms around her shoulders.

  “It’s going to be great, so don’t worry yourself all up in knots,” Zoe reassured her. “It’s like the first day at school. Everyone will want to know who you are, what you like, if you can play basketball and then,” Zoe gently teased, “you’re going to knock ‘em dead, Miss Eva.”

  “I’ll be meeting people from all over the world. Did you know that Jana met the king of Botswana...?”

  “And?”

  “Zo, that’s royalty!”

  “So what? Do you think they are better than you?” Zoe asked. Eva pushed back her chair, allowing Zoe to sit on her lap, where she tweaked Eva’s chin and smiled before giving her a gentle kiss.

  “No, but—”

  “You are equal to them.”

  Eva hugged Zoe for her simple and straightforward logic. Zoe was one of the most down-to-earth women she had ever met. At times, her diplomacy could use a little work.

  “Now, of course, if Queen Elizabeth comes to our house then you can have a nervous breakdown,” Zoe teased.

  “If I meet the Queen, love, I don’t think you would be able to get me down from the clouds for days!”

  Zoe chuckled. “You’re going to be great at this job, Evy. I know it. Jana Hester made the best decision of her life.”

  “You think so?”

  “I know so. You’re going to have Debbie, and you won’t have to be interrogated again by a new secretary.”

  Eva smiled. “Debbie won’t need to ask me about my husband or any other personal stuff that I really love to share.”

  “Exactly. She won’t gossip about you either. Now, what are you going to wear?”

  “I think the black skirt, a white shirt, and the blue jacket,” Eva replied. She took a sip of Zoe’s tea and made a face. “I don’t know how you can drink this with so much sugar.”

  “I like it sweet, just like my woman.”

  Eva laughed and Zoe leaned down and kissed her. “I love the sound of your laugh.”

  “I’m the luckiest woman alive,” Eva replied as she hugged Zoe. “So what are you doing today?”

  “I’m going to call Aunty Stella about how you are feeling because this hasn’t gone away.”

  “Oh, Zoe,” Eva whined as Zoe gazed at her knowingly.

  “I want you to see Aunty Stella tomorrow. I don’t think it’s a cold. You are looking gorgeous though.” Zoe ran her hands through Eva’s dark hair and gazed into her eyes. “You are a gorgeous woman,” she whispered. Eva smiled and captured Zoe’s mouth in a gentle kiss.

  “Hm, I love the taste of what you just had to eat.”

  Zoe gazed at Eva with a puzzled expression on her face. “It’s just toast with…”

  Eva glanced at Zoe’s plate and picked up the toast and took a bite out of it. “I like this.”

  Zoe blinked. “That’s got Vegemite on it.”

  “It’s not so bad. A little salty, but it tastes different. Maybe you got a different brand.”

  Zoe gazed at Eva for a long moment and then turned to where the Vegemite jar was sitting on the counter. “It is the same brand I always buy.”

  Eva shrugged and continued to eat Zoe’s breakfast.

  ***

  Eva wanted to throw up. She took several deep breaths before looking in the bathroom mirror, and then she straightened her jacket and picked some lint off her shoulder. She opened the bathroom door and exited to the lobby of the External Affairs building.

  Her handbag felt heavy in her hand as she waited by the lift alongside other people. She took another deep breath to settle herself, walked into the lift, and pushed the top button.

  The lift finally arrived at its destination and Eva stepped out into a cream-colored corridor with offices on either side and a main central waiting area. She was very impressed with the look of the place, which was a world away from the crowded Interpreter Service she had worked in for the last five years. The civil service had a tier of service, and gaining entry into the External Affairs Department was a plum job. Jana Hester had warned her that some might chafe at her promotion. Eva was certain that this was going to happen and steeled herself for the inevitable ‘talk’ about her.

  Following the signs, she found the Personnel Department and filled out all the forms that they needed, and she was once again out in the corridor trying to find their temporary offices. She eventually found where they had put her, Debbie, and Mrs. Hester.

  Eva smiled when she saw the name on the door on a white piece of paper that she assumed was affixed to the door so someone would know where she was. The temporary sign read ‘Mrs. Eva Lambros.’ Mrs. Hester’s office was to be located in a heritage-listed cottage nearby, but it wasn’t ready. Painters and other workmen were still hard at work. Eva wasn’t sure why Jana had an office in the department but she didn’t want to ask. She pushed the door open and entered an outer office.

  Debbie was deep in conversation with a woman. The two women looked up and Debbie broke out in a huge smile.

  “Well, well, well, aren’t you looking sharp?” Debbie came around the desk and hugged Eva under the woman’s disapproving gaze. “So, you’re looking good!”

  “Welcome aboard, Deborah,” Eva teased, using her full first name, which made Debbie smile broadly.

  “Mrs. Lambros, this is Mrs. Paula Wainright, Mr. Hester’s secretary.”

  Eva stuck out her hand. Mrs. Wainright looked down at Eva’s hand and hesitated for a brief moment. She muttered something under breath that Eva couldn’t quite hear.

  “Let me take your handbag. You have a meeting with Mrs. Hester. Into the frying pan for you.” Debbie took charge, taking Eva’s handbag from her arm and turning her towards the door.

  “Where is she?”

  “Mrs. Hester said to tell you to meet her in Mr. Hester’s office, which is on level seven.”

  “Oh, I don’t have time for a cup of tea?”

  “No. Now you have a meeting. Go.” Debbie pushed her towards the door.

  “Remind me when I come back as to why I recommended you,” Eva teased and gave her a wave.

  “Because you love me,” Debbie replied loudly, getting a laugh out of Eva as the door closed.

  ***

  Debbie watched her leave and sighed. She was going to enjoy working with Eva. Their rapport was going to help in the transition and to quell a few grumbles she had overheard. It wasn’t even the end of the first day and already she knew she was going to have to douse some fires.

  “You better watch that one,” Paula grumbled and shuffled her files.

  Debbie turned and frowned. “Pardon?”

  “Mrs. Lambros. You better watch your back with that one.”

  Debbie scowled. “What are you talking about?”

  “She’s German and you know all of them are former Nazis.”

  “What? Not all Germans are Nazis, Mrs. Wainright.”

  “Of course, not if you are a Jew but she’s not Jewish.” Paula sniffed. “She’s the daughter of a war criminal.”

  “Yes, a war criminal she helped catch. That doesn’t make her a war criminal.”

  “How often do war criminals drop in on you, Debbie? I have it on good authority from a girl that works at the War Crimes Unit that this woman is dangerous and she’s not stable.”

  “My husband works there.”

  “Yes, I know. Mr. David Harrison, such a handsome fellow. I’ve seen him when he has been in to see Mr. Hester.”

  “You must know a lot of people, Mrs. Wainright.”

  “Paula, honey. No need to call me Mrs. Wainright.”

  “Thank you, Paula. How do you know Mrs. Lambros is not stable? What does that mean?”

  �
��She’s a rich woman. What is she doing working for Immigration? I find that very suspicious and I have a friend in the War Crimes Unit, as I said, and she knows it’s true. She’s read her file and she was treated for mental issues so you know what that means.”

  Debbie was appalled at the lapse of security at her husband’s workplace and made a mental note to tell him as soon as she got home. The damage had already been done but how much damage was the question that needed to be addressed.

  “Mental issues?” Debbie asked not knowing if that was true since she didn’t know Eva’s time in Germany.

  “Yes, she’s diseased in the mind,” Paula lowered her voice even though they were alone in the office. She leaned in and whispered, “Mrs. Lambros is a deviant.”

  “That can’t be.”

  “I’m not a gossip, but I believe my friend. What’s worse is that Mr. Hester knows. This will bring scandal down on his head.”

  “Does he really know? How awful,” Debbie exclaimed in mock outrage.

  “And the minister didn’t even mind! Why he hired a deviant is beyond me, but I have my suspicions.”

  “You do? Maybe it’s not true. That’s possible, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it’s possible but this time it’s true. My sister-in-law’s second cousin was like that and got sent off to get cured. He came back all normal and now he’s married to a pretty girl and they are expecting.” Paula nodded and leaned forward to whisper. “So it’s possible that she got cured but still I don’t trust doctors to do that. You just never know. I think the minister finds her attractive.”

  “Well, she is,” Debbie told Paula. “She’s a very tall, beautiful woman.”

  “My point exactly. Mr. Hester is smitten with her.” Paula sniffed. “If you like that kind of woman. She’s a kraut as well!”

  “Oh, so do you think she is also a Nazi?”

  “Between me and you? I think she is. I could really see her in that black SS uniform saluting that Hitler fellow.”

  Debbie wanted to roll her eyes at the absurdity. Eva as an SS officer was highly improbable and completely absurd. “So do you think she has her SS uniform at home?”