Tears welled up as he said, “I know.” He put his hand over hers, the one holding Therese’s hand. He’d never felt so powerless. There was nothing he could do to save his child, his light and joy. There was no amount of comfort he could provide for his beautiful wife to protect her from this loss. He’d just helped saved millions of people, but he couldn’t save his own daughter. It wasn’t fair. Herman struggled to take his next breath. All he could do was hang on to them both, and that’s what he did.
For the next two hours, they remained that way, holding their baby girl, smoothing her lovely red curls back from her face, and telling her softly how much they loved her. At 4:42 that afternoon, Therese Faust’s brain functions ceased. At 6:02 that evening, she coded, and within twenty minutes, her tired body gave up the fight.
A gut-wrenching sound ripped from Helga’s soul, passing her lips, and chilling Joseph to the bone as he stood outside of the room where his best friend’s daughter had quietly slipped away. Her sobs were that of a wounded animal, a mother mourning her baby. It hurt to hear her grief, but when he glanced inside the room, it was the look on Herman’s face that haunted him. His friend stood, holding Helga who cried into his shirt front. His expression was pure shock, like a man lost. The tears in his blue eyes gathered at the corners, blinding him as he stared off at nothing. Joseph didn’t know what to do.
Major Beck came up beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Come, let’s go get some coffee.” He led Joseph away as Colonel von Friedrich stepped around him, entering the room. Helga’s mother, Margaret, followed. “Let us allow the family their time to grieve.”
THE SUN WAS ESPECIALLY bright that morning. The warmth radiating down upon the snow-covered ground allowed for enough of a thaw to proceed with the somber service. Friends and family stood around the small grave at Wilmersdorf Cemetery as the minister spoke words of comfort. Herman bowed his head, holding Helga close to his side. The moment felt surreal. Inside the tiny white coffin was their child, their baby. Even though the wooden box was draped with pink and white roses, camellias, and lilies, he knew she was in there, all alone and cold. He could not reconcile the fact that she’d passed with the panic welling up inside of him. His brain told him she was no longer there inside her tiny body, but his heart screamed like a wounded animal that she would not be able to breathe, that she would be frightened to wake inside a dark box buried in the ground.
Faust’s sucked in air, feeling starved of oxygen. Helga hugged him tighter as the minister recited a final blessing, sprinkling holy water over their daughter’s coffin as it began to descend into its final resting place. Soft music began somewhere behind them. He glanced around noticing his mother-in-law next to Helga quietly sobbing. Next to her, her brother, the Colonel, stood tall, distinguished in his suit. Across from him, Joseph stood holding hands with Eva, the woman he’d recently begun seeing. She was kind, and he knew Helga liked her. The two had been to their home for many dinners and had joined them on outings. Eva had even remarked on how good Joseph was with children after seeing him playing around with Therese. This sparked a conversation between himself and his wife later that night over whether or not Eva was ‘the one.’ Helga believed she was. Herman admitted she knew more than he did about relationships, so he bowed to her wisdom, earning good husband points for his acquiescence.
Beyond extended family and friends stood Faust’s entire police brethren including Captain Schneider. They were joined by Colonel von Friedrich’s men, Major Beck and company. He was surprised to see Direktor Muller and three of the Landeskriminalamt agents also in attendance paying their respects. When Herman’s eyes returned once again to the grave, Therese’s coffin was no longer in sight, but rested at the bottom of the darkened hole in the ground. It was over. She was gone. His heart went with her.
The minister came to stand before them, offering his condolences, and then, one by one, people approached in a line following suit. For Faust, it seemed to go on forever. He felt numb. Finally, there were no more. Joseph and Eva waited patiently until both Herman and Helga were ready to leave and walked beside them.
Near the car, Direktor Muller approached. “Officer Faust, Frau Faust, on behalf of the Landeskriminalamt, I offer our condolences for your loss.” He held Helga’s hand respectfully.
“Thank you, Herr Direktor,” she replied, her voice hoarse from her tears. A fresh round threatened to overwhelm her. Eva looked at Joseph, and then wrapped her arms around Helga, leading her back to the car.
When they were alone, Muller addressed Herman. “No man should have to bury his child. I cannot begin to imagine your pain, Faust. You know, I have three children of my own, all of them in their teens now. They drive me crazy,” he paused, “but I am thankful for them every day.” He drew in a breath. “I know you don’t want to hear this now, but Herman, you’re young, both of you,” he looked over at Helga getting into the backseat of a car, “and I pray you’re blessed once again with children.”
“Thank you, Direktor.” The response was automatic. Herman couldn’t think beyond his pain in that moment.
“On Monday, come by my office.” Muller handed him his card.
Herman looked at it. “What for? The case is over.”
He handed another to Joseph. “You, too.” He returned his gaze to Faust. “We have much to discuss beginning with where you go next in your careers. Nine o’clock sharp. Don’t be late.” He gave a quick nod and turned to leave.
“Wait, Direktor?” Heinz stopped him.
“Yes.” Muller stood, hands in his pockets, waiting.
“Did you ever discover the traitor?”
Interest lit Faust’s eyes. He looked up from the card in his hand. “Yes, whatever became of that? You were going to investigate Rheinhardt’s pager once it was recovered safely from the HazMat medical unit.”
Muller’s face remained stoic. “It’s an ongoing investigation, gentlemen, and you are not cleared for that information. Monday. Don’t be late.” He turned, walking away, and paused, throwing one last comment over his shoulder. “Oh, and if you know any qualified candidates with integrity, the LKA now has an opening for Assistant Direktor.” Muller left.
Faust and Heinz exchanged a long look.
“Christ,” said Joseph, running a hand over his face. “Platz? That nasty little shit?”
“Indeed.” Herman chewed the inside of his cheek, thinking. “Well, shall we?” He turned, walking to the car. Joseph fell in step beside him as they joined their women for the long ride home.
Books by Bestselling Author Michele E. Gwynn
micheleegwynnauthor.com
Checkpoint Novels
Exposed: The Education of Sarah Brown (novel)
The Evolution of Elsa Kreiss (novel)
The Redemption of Joseph Heinz (novel)
The Making of Herman Faust - A Checkpoint Prequel Novella
Special Forces: Operation Alpha Novellas
Rescuing Emma
Loving Leisl
Freeing Fatima
Saving Christmas
The Men of PATCH-COM
Secondhand Soldier
The Harvest Trilogy
Harvest
Hybrids
Census
Angelic Hosts Series
Camael’s Gift
Camael’s Battle
Sophie’s Wish
Nephilim Rising (Coming 2020)
Stand Alones
Darkest Communion (Paranormal Romance)
Waiting a Lifetime (Contemporary Romance, Mystical)
Accidentally, On Purpose (Contemporary Romance)
Fractured: 3 Disturbing Tales (Paranormal/Horror)
Hiring John (Romantic Comedy 18+)
Queen’s Island (Contemporary Romance 18+)
The Checkpoint, Berlin Detective Series Box Set Page 81
