Page 29 of A Song in the Dark

After a ten-minute break in the washroom to gather herself and do her best to wash the swirling words from her mind, she nodded at Melanie. “I’m afraid I’ve allowed my pride to get in the way, Mel.”

“What do you mean?”

“Wanting to use this tour to help ... thinking I was strong enough, famous enough—”she waved a hand and shook her head—“to withstand this. But hearing those men speak earlier? It shook me. To my very core. This is real. Lives are on the line. We are on the verge of war ... And then that man at the end? I’ve been so accustomed to everyone’s applause and praise.

This gift God has given me is incredible—I know that—but I’ve taken it for granted. ”

“Don’t let the words of that man—”

Chaisley held up a hand. “I’m not worried about what he said, although I’ll admit he riled me up.

I feel as if the Holy Spirit took over for me and calmed me.

And then I had the most unusual thought.

Jesus was praised in the streets a mere week before the crowds cried to crucify Him.

At the concert where Hitler was present, I wondered if those cheering for me and singing my praises were the same who praised the Nazi leader.

It makes me think of what our Lord must have gone through.

” She gave a sad laugh. “And yet, I know He didn’t have His own pride standing in the way.

..” Letting the words linger for a moment, she bit her lip and then continued.

“My prayer was to be more like Jesus. And I’m realizing I have such a long way to go. ”

“Oh, Chais...” Melanie sniffed. “I hadn’t even thought about what that must be like for you.” She sniffed again and then blew her nose. “You inspire me more and more each day to be more like Jesus. And even if we can help just one—that must be why we’re here.”

Chaisley opened her arms and leaned forward. Her friend moved into them, and they held each other for several seconds.

After a moment, she pulled back, giving Melanie’s hands a squeeze. “All right, there’s so much more I want to say, but I don’t want to keep our hosts waiting.”

“Why don’t you sit here and collect yourself. There’s a comfy-looking chair in the corner here. Seven steps to your right.” Melanie led her to the chair and Chaisley sank into it with a sigh. “Good. Now how about I go find them and then I’ll come and get you?”

“That’s a good plan.” She held up a hand. “Do we know if they are Nazi sympathizers?”

“No. Sorry.”

Chaisley smoothed her hands over her dress. “That’s all right. I just wanted to prepare myself.”

“I’ll be back as soon as I find them. Stay in here. I’ll make sure Rick is outside the door.”

“Thank you.” She waited until she heard the door close and then lifted her face upward.

God, help me. I need Your armor more than ever. I wanted to punch that man in the face. Forgive me for my pride and my ugly thoughts toward him. Help me to honor You.

She recited the passage from Ephesians. “‘.

..be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

“‘Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

“‘And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints—’”

The door creaked, and she turned her face toward it.

“I’ve found them.” The joy in Melanie’s voice was indescribable. “You are going to love them. They are believers, Chais, and they need our help.”

Chaisley closed her eyes. Fellow believers!

Finally, some good news after a difficult evening.

Lord, thank You for the chance to help Your people.

Her throat was thick with tears, but she swallowed them.

There would be time to process all her jumbled emotions later.

“Let’s go hear their story.” She allowed her friend to lead her to the couple and heard a door click softly behind them.

“We shouldn’t be disturbed here.” A man’s gentle voice greeted her ears. “And all the Nazi officers have left.”

She nodded. This was not the man she’d assumed was the host from earlier. “You are our hosts? The ones who invited us for this concert?”

“Yes.” This time it was a lady who spoke. “I’m Jacqueline, and this is my husband, Gustaf. We have been in awe of the talents God has given you.”

“Thank you.” She curtsied.

“We don’t have much time.” The woman’s voice held an urgency. “I hate to be so blunt, but it’s a necessity of the times.”

Chaisley nodded. “I understand you are believers?”

“Yes. And we are of Jewish blood as well. Our granddaughter was born blind and is only six years old. We are afraid what the future will hold for us here in Austria, no matter how much money and influence we have at the moment. As soon as the Nazis find out we have Jewish blood, we will be scrutinized, and we can’t risk that. ”

“Please.” The man sounded like he was choked up. “Do you have any connections that might help us escape? We will leave everything behind if we must.”

Paris, France—Monday, June 6, 1938

Rick took long steps back to the car. He opened the door and got in. But then he couldn’t force himself to start it up. He sat there with his hands on the steering wheel and stared out at the street.

The news from London wasn’t good. They hadn’t heard from anyone until Rick contacted the SIS. The man directly above him had been taken as a political prisoner in Germany. Communications were to be ceased for at least three weeks. Maybe longer.

Much longer.

Too many informants and contacts for the SIS had been rounded up and sent to work camps.

He didn’t even know of any he could use anymore.

On top of that, the handful of SIS operatives in Europe all seemed to be silent as well.

Everyone except for him. How was that possible? How were the Nazis discovering them?

The head of the SIS—Laurence Grand—wasn’t certain whether there was a leak, a double agent, or if Germany was spreading its wings and intercepting wires or listening in to phone calls.

It didn’t appear that they had the manpower or capability for that across Europe, but perhaps the SIS had underestimated their enemy.

Just like they’d already underestimated Hitler and how far he was willing to go to put his plan into place.

Nevertheless, it was time for Rick and the others—if they weren’t already captured—to clamp down and change their strategy. London was upping the urgency and manpower, but it would take some time to get people in place.

Section D was now in play. The group he’d been asked to be a part of by the leader himself.

When the plans were still being laid out, the timeline seemed far off.

But now? They had to be ready to implement at a moment’s notice.

And since Rick was in place undercover, a great deal might fall to him when the time came.

Section D. The details ran through his mind, and he gritted his teeth.

He started the engine and gripped the steering wheel until his fingers ached.

The car felt like it was shrinking around him, suffocating him.

He inhaled and pushed the air out in a burst. He couldn’t afford to lose his nerve now.

For three months, he’d kept his cover with Chaisley.

He’d told her he’d be honest with her. But all-out war was coming.

Again.

If he buried the thoughts of Section D in his mind—and simply didn’t think about it—then he could work on staying honest with her and keeping his voice steady so she wouldn’t suspect. The problem was, she had no idea he worked for the SIS.

And it was a secret he had to keep.

It would be so much easier if he could tell Chaisley and Mel.

He’d listened in on their conversation in the car after the concert at the Marble Hall.

Chaisley actually overheard a conversation about the Nazis’ intent to arrest professors who didn’t line up with their plan.

The two brave ladies had made sure to get in touch with their friend—the doctor—and warn him.

Surely, they had saved several lives that night.

They were on the same team. So was there harm in him telling them the truth?

Then he wouldn’t have to run around in secret—always worrying if he would be caught. As Section D was implemented and he had to spy on and destroy Nazi communications and transportation, the women would understand what was going on.

But he’d made an oath to the SIS.

On the other hand, they could help him keep his cover. Although he’d developed such a great friendship as they traveled, he hated to jeopardize that.

Who was he kidding? He wasn’t worried about the friendships.

No matter how he’d tried to stop it from happening, he’d come to care for Chaisley a great deal more than he’d ever thought possible.

Sometimes, late at night, he’d allowed his thoughts to wander.

What it would be like to fall in love ..

. have a family ... live a normal life.

None of which could ever happen. Not now. On the precipice of war.

As he navigated back to the hotel, he prepared himself for what he would say to the ladies.

It was simple. They needed to know the truth. At least that he worked for the British government.

His grief over his friends and colleagues could certainly cover his stress over what he had to keep to himself.

At the hotel, he parked the limousine and braced for what he had to do.

Best to remember that they were all trying to help people. They were trying to save lives. An omission of part of the truth was necessary.

As he entered the suite, Melanie took his hat and coat.

Chaisley’s face brimmed with a smile. “You’re back.”

It warmed him to see her delight. “I am.” If only he could bottle the smile on her face and the sparkle in her eyes for just a few moments.

But her face turned serious. Drat that uncanny ability of hers.

“Oh no! What’s happened?”

“I’m not sure how to say this.” Rick didn’t want to make a mess of things. Especially since he’d come to respect these ladies so much. But now, he worried about telling them. How would they react?

Chaisley frowned. She moved her stockinged feet out from under her and set them on the floor. Resting her elbows on her knees, she gripped her hands together. “Just tell us the truth.”

His mind started to backpedal.

Would it be okay to go rogue and continue to do what was right to help the British against Germany?

The agency had told him to carry on with his job. Well, there were times when a man had to take matters into his own hands and make decisions.

Rick took a bolstering breath. “I’m not just a driver.” He’d start small and go from there. “First, I speak multiple languages. French included.”

No response from either of them, but he could practically see the wheels turning in their thoughts as they digested this information.

Melanie was first to show her understanding of what he’d just said. Her brow creased, her eyes narrowed. “You’re telling us that you have listened in on our conversations? Without telling us.”

But Chaisley laid a hand on her companion’s arm. Her face serene. What was she feeling? “If you’re not just a driver ... then who are you?”

There. A slight tremble in her chin. What did she think of him at this moment? “I work for the British Secret Intelligence Service.”