فصل 95

joana

I placed the baby in Emilia’s arms and leaned down to whisper, “I told Dr. Richter I found a Latvian to translate. I think he believed me.” Emilia didn’t look convinced. I righted my posture and my voice. “Have you thought of a name yet?”

She nodded, smiling. “Halinka.”

“Halinka. That’s a beautiful name,” I said.

“My mother’s name was Halina. My father always called her Halinka.”

I thought of my own father. How long would the Soviets occupy our country? Eva had said the occupation could last as long as ten years. That couldn’t be true.

I heard the stiff step of boots. The blond Nazi entered the room.

“Good morning, Litwinka. Ready to sail?”

“Can’t be soon enough,” I replied. “What do you need?”

“Are you always so serious?” he asked, sauntering toward me. “I was just down on E deck. The girls in the pool are much friendlier.”

“Perhaps they’re not as busy as I am.”

“I’m busy too,” he said. He removed his brimmed hat and placed it under his arm. “I’m still looking for your patient, Florian Beck. The office received a return wire from Gauleiter Koch.” He stared at me.

He was alone. Relaxed. If Florian was to be arrested, there would be rushing, searching, more soldiers. “What’s the message?” I asked.

“Ah, you’re interested?” he said.

My curiosity burned. I reluctantly gave him my best smile, trying to coax details from him. “A nurse is always interested in her patients.”

“Can I be a patient?” he asked. His smugness was annoying. This was the type of man who looked at a picture on the wall and instead of admiring the photo, looked at his own reflection in the glass.

I forced myself to flirt with him and stepped in close. “Let’s see how well you communicate with the nursing staff. Read me the message.”

He removed a piece of paper from his pocket and read:

“Have Beck contact me directly. Tell DRL dead. Keys needed. Urgent.”

I repeated the message in my mind, memorizing it. I stepped away from him and back toward Emilia. Gauleiter Koch had sent a direct message. Florian wasn’t lying.

“Well?” said the soldier.

“Sounds like you’d better deliver that message to Herr Beck.”

“Yes, but he seems to have disappeared,” he said.

“I told you, he wanted to board the Hansa.”

“Hansa is pulling out now.”

“Well, then I guess you’ve missed your chance, haven’t you?”