Hilde grinned at him. “You’re hopping up and down like a small child. Is it already Christmas?”
“No. Better. You’ll see.”
When they arrived at his place, he said, “Look what I bought.”
“A radio? This is the big surprise?” She’d grown accustomed to his excitement about anything technical, but a simple radio?
“It’s one of the most technologically advanced radios in existence. A Volksempfänger. You know, the one they’ve been advertising in newspapers and on advertising columns?”
“I’ve seen the advertisements,” she smiled at him, “but I’m sure there’s more to it than meets the eye.”
“How did you know?”
Hilde giggled, because after their going out more than one year, he still seemed surprised when she knew he was hiding something.
He kissed her and said, “You know me too well. Of course there’s more. The little Goebbelsschnauze here could only receive middle and long wave, which let us listen to German stations. I’ve tinkered with the inner life of our little baby and installed a trap circuit so we can distinguish the weaker signals as well. Want to listen?”
Q turned the knob, and a French voice sounded from the radio, and they both listened to the broken words. “There’s too much interference. This is the problem with middle and long waves. I’ll have to think of something better. If I could adapt the Volksempfänger to receive short waves as well…”
He had all but forgotten about Hilde and strode over into his office where he searched for a screwdriver on his desk. Hilde followed him and asked, “What are you doing?”
“Here, I found it.” He looked up into her confused face. “Sorry, darling, but I just had a great idea. Why don’t you make us some coffee, and I’ll show you in a few minutes?”
Hilde just rolled her eyes and trotted off. When she came back a while later with two mugs of coffee in her hands, he was sitting at his desk amidst heaps of paper with scribbled sketches, several tools, and wires lying around the brand new radio disassembled into its components. Her voice startled him. “Where should I put the coffee?”
“Coffee? Sure!” He pointed to a corner, and she actually found a spot to set down the mugs. A moment later, she stood at his side and pointed to his desk. “Q, this place is a mess. Let me help you straighten–”
“Don’t you touch anything. Everything is right where it belongs.”
She glanced around. “There’s no way that’s true. I could help you build some files and–”
“No! I like things just like they are. If you straighten it up, I won’t be able to find anything.”
Hilde rolled her eyes at him again. “I don’t know how you find anything now.”
He winked at her. “I have my own system. Now, see this.” He showed her one of his sketches and explained, “With a smaller reel and copper wires and a few adjustments here and there, our radio can receive short waves.”
“And?”
“Hilde, this means we’ll be able to hear foreign radio stations as well. Italian operas. French chansons. British history programs. Isn’t that great?” And the real news, not the propaganda our government wants us to believe.
She put her hands on his shoulders. “Did you see this sticker on the radio? The one that says, ‘Listening to foreign radio stations is a crime against national security and will be punished with imprisonment.’”
He stood up and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Don’t worry so much. Think of all the possibilities.”
Hilde kissed him on the nose. “Please promise me you’ll be careful. Don’t let anyone know what you’re doing.”
“Duly noted.” He stood and kissed her chin, then her cheek, then the top of her head. He pulled away, not daring to go any further. “And now let’s have our coffee. I can finish this tomorrow.”
***
In his free time, Q worked relentlessly on several new inventions. One of them was refining the mist filters for gas masks, the same thing he’d researched while still at Auer-Gesellschaft a few years back. It still bothered him a great deal that he hadn’t been able to complete that specific task.
He made sure to stay away from the old technology, and finally found a completely different method. A better and cheaper method, no less. He tweaked the end results some more to make sure he wouldn’t violate any of the patents he’d filed as an employee of the Auer-Gesellschaft.
As soon as he’d filed for and been granted the patent of Anordnung zur Richtungsbestimmung, he scouted for companies willing to buy the commercial rights from him. Soon enough, he found a serious prospect.
Drägerwerke was Germany’s leading manufacturer of medical equipment, and once he’d sent them a copy of his patent, the head of production had been very anxious to meet with him. A few days later, Q traveled to their headquarters in Lübeck.
During the meeting, it soon became clear why they so badly wanted to buy the commercial rights to his patent. They were after a big military contract from the German government. Apparently, the contract would only be granted if they could provide medical equipment as well as gas masks. And up until now, Auer-Gesellschaft effectively held a monopoly on them, thanks to Q’s earlier patents.
Q knew his new method of folding and applying the adhesive was superior to the old one, and that the performance of the gas filters would be greatly enhanced when using it. Drägerwerke was a good company, but Q still had a nagging feeling in his stomach because the head of production was more interested in crushing the competition – Q’s former employer – and making big money with the government contract than in providing the cheapest and best possible protection for the general public. Once again, his invention would be used mainly for military purposes.
But when the procurement manager named a staggering figure they were willing to pay for the exclusive commercial rights in Germany, he pushed the nagging feeling away and agreed. After all, he would need a nest egg if he were to marry Hilde and have a family with her, and the amount they offered was equivalent to a three-years’ salary.
On his way home, he was disheartened. Why didn’t anyone understand his wishes that his inventions should be used for the people and not against them? Why was everyone so keen on Germany’s re-militarization? Didn’t they see this would inevitably lead to war and complete destruction?
After pondering the situation, he decided not to search for a buyer of the commercial rights for Italy, where he’d already filed for and been granted the patent as well. Any Italian company would only follow the example of Drägerwerke.
Instead, he set up a meeting with his Russian contacts at the Soviet trade mission, confident the communists would use his technology for the protection of the general public and not for profit.
Pavel was surprised to see him after Q hadn’t contacted him in quite a while. “Hello, Q, what brings you here?” the agent asked.
“I’ve been working on improvements for the gas mask filters I showed you earlier.”
“Oh, yes, I remember. Your technical knowledge has served our comrades well, but unfortunately, the production process is tedious and cost-intensive.”
Q nodded. “I know. But my new folding and adhesive technology will solve those problems. I want gas masks to be accessible to every last person in case a new war breaks out.”
After some discussion back and forth with Moscow, Pavel produced a very generous offer. “I have good news for you. Your technology is worth quite a lot, and we’re very interested in acquiring the commercial rights outside of Germany.” He named the exact amount of money Q had already received from Drägerwerke.
Q shook his head. “No. No. I couldn’t possibly accept that kind of money. Consider this my contribution to a peaceful coexistence of our nations.”
Pavel tried to convince him to take the money, but Q adamantly refused to. Some of his friends probably thought him naïve to pass up so much money, but wasn’t it a worthy cause? Giving back to mankind and doing his bit for peace.
&nb
sp; He left the Soviet trade mission at Unter den Linden with a whistle on his lips and the feeling of having done the right thing.
Chapter 24
Hilde looked out of the window of her mother’s kitchen for the hundredth time. Why doesn’t he come already? She paced back to the living room, eyeing the letter on the bureau as if it could suddenly spring to life and attack her. Her fingers trembled as she reached for it and touched the soft white paper with her hands. The letter was lightweight and slim, probably only one sheet of paper.
Her name and address were written with a typewriter. No sender. But the postage stamp indicated it came from Hamburg. It’s from my father. It must be.
She looked at the clock on top of the bureau and then paced back to the kitchen with the letter in hand, looking out of the window once again. He should be here by now. Why isn’t he coming?
Her first intention had been to tear open the letter in the privacy of her bedroom, but then she couldn’t. She’d stood there staring at it, unable to move. What if it contained bad news? If her father didn’t want to see her? Or if her mother walked in and caught her opening the letter written by the man she still hated so much? What if Annie destroyed her father’s note before she could read the contents? It wasn’t safe, Hilde tried to rationalize. She’d wait for Q to arrive. He would know what to do.
She returned to the living room and looked around the place. On the corner of the couch she spied one of her half-brother’s Hitlerjugend uniforms lying there, together with the ever-present swastika arm band and several swastika flags in different sizes. A lump formed in her throat and she had the urgent need to breathe air. Fresh air.
The Nazis had long ago invaded even her most private space. Since her half-brother had joined the NS youth organization, Hitlerjugend, there was no escaping the constant propaganda. Not even in the safety of her home. I have to leave this place. Soon. I feel like I’m drowning.
With a bitterness that surprised her, she thought that at least on that account her mother shared the same opinion. More than once, she’d told Hilde it was time for her to get married and move out.
Finally, she heard a car approach and saw Q pull up out front. She rushed from the house and climbed into the vehicle, all before he could turn off the engine or even think about coming to get her.
“Happy to see me?” he asked with a wink.
She pulled the envelope from her pocket and thrust it at him. “This came today.” Now that he’d finally arrived, the words came tumbling out of her mouth faster than lightning. “It’s from Hamburg. It must be from my father, but I was afraid Mother would come home and see it, so I hid it in my pocket. I was afraid to open it because I wasn’t sure–”
Q chuckled and placed a finger over her lips, effectively silencing her for a moment. “Easy, Hilde. Take a deep breath for me and then start again.”
She nodded, swallowing hard. “Can we drive to your place and open it there?”
“I think I can do that. You don’t want Annie to know about the letter?”
“No, I don’t. She still hates my father so much. She would disapprove of my contacting him in the first place.”
Q drove her to his building and escorted her up the stairs to the little apartment. “Sit down, then open the letter and see what he has to say.”
Hilde sat down, and he placed the letter in her lap. She looked around the room, thinking once again how nicely it was decorated considering it belonged to a bachelor. The wooden floors were covered by a large rug, and the couch she sat on had obviously not been used by many people. Two side chairs sat on either side of the couch, stacked high with papers. Q and his penchant for collecting everything.
She took a steadying breath and attempted to open the letter, but her fingers were shaking too badly to manage the task.
“Here, let me open it for you.” He produced a letter opener and slit the top of the envelope before handing it back to her.
She took a nervous breath and unfolded the paper. The letters sprang around on the paper, but somehow she managed to read the note.
Dear Hilde,
I was so happy to hear from you. All of us have missed you. You are welcome to visit anytime. This is still your home.
Please bring your young man with you. I would love to make his acquaintance.
Love,
Your father
“He sounds happy,” Hilde murmured, almost unable to believe her eyes. A huge weight lifted from her chest as she carefully stroked the paper and imagined her father in his office, smoking a cigar while writing the letter.
“Do you want to visit him? I could drive us to Hamburg for a weekend,” Q offered.
She nodded, wanting to see her father and yet afraid her happiness would disappear once she got there.
Q produced some paper, a pen, inkwell, and envelope. “Why don’t you write him back and give him your phone number as well? That way he can contact you sooner and we can make arrangements to go visit him right away.”
She blankly stared at him. “I can’t do that. What if he calls and my mother answers the line?”
“True, that could cause a problem.” Q furrowed his brow. “Why don’t you give him my phone number?”
“You would do that for me?” she asked, lifting the pen up and preparing to start the letter.
He grabbed her around the waist and pressed a kiss to her neck. “I would do anything for you, Hildelein. I love you. Go ahead. Write him with my phone number and then I’ll take you out to dinner to celebrate.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Hilde said.
“Then bring those things with us and I’ll help you write the letter while we wait for our food to arrive. I’m starving.”
Hilde smiled and gathered up the writing supplies. Dinner was wonderful, and in no time at all, they had a letter to her father composed.
On the way back to her mother’s house, Hilde grew nervous once again. She couldn’t purchase a stamp or mail the letter until the morning. Q walked her up to the third floor, but before she could ask him about mailing the letter for her, Annie opened the door. She glanced at them, her eyes locking on the envelope in her daughter’s hand.
“What’s that? Did the postman leave a piece of mail on the front step?” Annie reached for the envelope, yanking it out of her hands before Hilde could pull it away.
Her mother looked like she’d sucked on a lemon, blatant disgust on her face. “This is for Carl. What on earth do you have to say to your father?”
Q snatched the letter from Annie’s fingers and said to Hilde, “I’ll mail it in the morning.”
“Show me the letter!” Hilde’s mother demanded. “I hope you’re not complaining about me to this…disgraceful person. Since the day I married him, he’s caused nothing but trouble. A man who leaves his wife and baby daughter alone to go sauntering around the world isn’t worth the cost of the paper and ink to write him. I refuse to permit you further contact with him.”
“Saunter around the world? He was a soldier, fighting at the front, for God’s sake!” Hilde replied, but her mother only gave her a cold stare.
“Others stayed at home to care for their wives. He chose not to.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Q whispered and kissed Hilde’s cheek before he quietly backed out of the corridor and stormed down the stairs as if the devil incarnate was chasing him.
Hilde didn’t blame him, knowing another nasty argument with her mother was on its way. She took a steadying breath and attempted to brush past her mother and into the house. If she could reach the safety of her bedroom and close the door before her mother caught up, she might be able to hold onto the happiness she’d felt earlier.
But she had no such luck. Annie drew level with her a few feet from her room. “You’d better start looking for another place to stay. In fact, if you insist on having contact with Carl, why don’t you go and move back in with him?”
Hilde didn’t bother to turn around or respond. She put one foot in front of th
e other until she reached her room and sank down onto the bed. I wish I had someplace else to live. I hate this house. I hate her.
Chapter 25
“Nervous?” Q asked Hilde as they passed the Brandenburger Tor on their way to Hamburg.
“Why would I be nervous? We’re only visiting the father I left after a row five years ago and haven’t talked to since.” She tried a joke but shuddered inwardly. She closed her eyes to take a deep breath. Without Q, she wouldn’t be here. He’d nudged her to take the first step and had even offered to accompany her and drive her to Hamburg in his little Ford. Otherwise, she’d have taken the train and probably have jumped off at the first stop and run back.
A wave of reassurance washed over her as she observed his slim, long fingers grasping the steering wheel. He drove the car like he did anything in his life: with meticulous attention to detail and great authority. She loved that man so much, it occupied every last corner of her body and soul.
Q glanced at her. “Don’t overthink it. Everything will be fine.”
Hilde nodded and they drove in silence until they reached the new Autobahn to Hamburg.
“With the Autobahn we’ll be in Hamburg in no time at all,” Q said.
Hilde giggled. “At work that’s just about everything they talk about. The wonderful new highways, better and faster mobility for everyone. The Nazis should rename themselves to The Autoparty.”
Q reached out for her hand. “I know. And it may be the only good thing Hitler has done for our country. But then, it’s a big show, just like everything else that has happened since the Machtergreifung.”
Just a few days ago, Berlin had seen another huge deployment of soldiers, with colorful parades and thousands of people cheering and celebrating the Führer and his farseeing politics.
“The people are celebrating this man as if he was Jesus Christ personally, God-sent to redeem the German Nation,” Hilde said with disgust and turned on the radio, just to hear the newest propaganda by Minister Goebbels himself.
Unrelenting: Love and Resistance in Pre-War Germany Page 12
