Page 39 of A Song in the Dark

chapter Fourteen

The day she dreaded was here.

The request—no, the demand —to return to the concert hall in Berlin for Hitler’s special concert had put her on edge for weeks.

When the demand came, Melanie protested. Grandmother protested. Rick protested.

But they all knew she had to do it.

Chaisley had burned the handwritten note after sending her reply. She didn’t want any trace of the man in her possession. Somehow burning it felt a little cleansing.

But now? She’d have to face him again.

There was always the chance she was being double-crossed. Had Hitler invited her to make her an example in front of his high-ranking officers?

So far, her facade had held. And she needed it for a little longer.

Her fingers trailed across the cool glass of the car window.

Lord, I need Your wisdom. Thank You for Your protection.

Please continue to keep us safe. They’d received contact from several others in Germany who were trying to get children out.

Children who were born deaf, blind, missing a limb, or suffering from epilepsy.

All conditions which would put them at risk with the Führer’s purification plans.

Thank heaven the use of braille in their communications was holding up so far.

No one seemed the wiser. Grandmother was certain that mail had been intercepted, but if that were true, the enemy hadn’t cracked the code.

Otherwise, they’d all be in work camps—or worse—by now.

Her mind went back to the concert where she’d met Adolf Hitler.

Leaving the door of his invitation open seemed brave at the time.

As if she were capable of doing something so impressive that she would have an opportunity to stop him and his mad plan to take over the world killing millions along the way.

How foolish she’d been to put them all at risk.

Now that she knew so much more? She wished she could take it back and never agree to it.

But there was no chance of that wish ever coming true. The things she heard each day sickened her.

The news from France and Spain—where they would be headed next—was also grim. Many families knew they couldn’t wait to take action. And everyone feared they would hear of Germany attacking Czechoslovakia at any moment.

Who would be next?

Grandmother now had fifteen Jewish people staying with her until she could secure them passage elsewhere.

The four blind students staying with Grandmother refused to leave. Instead, they helped to read the letters that came in from their contacts. Chaisley couldn’t blame them for wanting to help. Feeling useful at a time like this was paramount.

As the car rounded a turn, Melanie grabbed onto Chaisley’s hand. “We’re almost there. Promise me this will be the last concert here? I’m afraid of what will happen to us if we come back.”

With a nod, she squeezed her friend’s hand.

“I promise. I don’t like it either. But this seemed necessary to keep up appearances and, hopefully, keep Hitler distracted from our work.

” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “I only wish I could have met Mr. Otto Weidt, the man with the brush factory, and thank him for what he’s doing.

But I wouldn’t wish to put him or those he employs in danger. ”

The auto pulled to a stop and Rick’s clear voice was aimed at them. “I’m going to park the car and then I will be right beside you the whole time. Both of you.” He cleared his throat. “Please wait and take your time going up the steps. I want to catch up with you before you go inside.”

Chaisley nodded.

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Melanie groaned. “The last thing I want to do is face all those officers without you beside us.”

Chaisley took a sharp inhale. “I guess we better go. The sooner I get this over with, the sooner we can leave.” She heard the door open, and she scooted toward Melanie’s side of the car.

Once they were out and the door was closed, the noise of the engine moved away.

“All right,” Melanie whispered close to her. “Rick’s almost to the parking lot. If we pretend we’re just chatting here for a moment, then take the steps slow, I bet he’ll catch up to us before we reach the top.”

“Sounds like a great plan.” Chaisley shifted her bag containing her music.

“Wait. Don’t move. Someone is coming.”

She stilled at Melanie’s hushed warning, then pretended to smile. “Keep your appearance up. We’re just standing here chatting, remember? Perhaps they will simply pass by.”

But as the footsteps came closer, Chaisley’s insides began to shake.

“Miss Frappier.” A man whispered her name. “Please help.”

Something crinkled and then footsteps began again, but running away.

Quick steps toward them accompanied those moving away. “Hey, who was that?” Rick’s concerned tone was accented by a deep breath.

“I’m not sure.” Melanie sounded as confused as Chaisley felt. “But he gave me an envelope.”

Chaisley took it and turned around. “Let’s go back to the car, where we can read it and then lock it up in the auto if we need to. We’ve got plenty of time before the concert begins.”

“But Herr Hitler is expecting you in less than twenty minutes.” Melanie’s voice quavered.

“If we’re late, we’re late. Let him think me a diva. I don’t care.” She took long strides in the direction she assumed was the parking lot.

“Watch out.” Rick gripped her elbow. “There’s a step coming up.”

The three of them walked to the car side by side, and once they were all inside, they each locked their doors.

Chaisley wasted no time opening the envelope.

Just like she suspected, it was written in braille.

And not just braille—but their code. Which meant that Grandmother or one of Dr. Grafton’s contacts must have helped this man reach out to her.

Her fingers quickly scanned the letter and tears burned at the corners of her eyes.

She swallowed against the lump growing in her throat.

“That man was a teacher. He’s hidden twenty-seven young children that are deaf or blind and needs help getting them out of Germany.

They’ve been threatened, and he’s afraid they have run out of time.

Three sets of the parents went to the Nazi leaders to protest the order that they be sent away to special schools. Those parents were taken to the camps.”

“Oh no.” Melanie’s words came out on a sad sigh. “What about the others?”

“A few of the parents have completely abandoned their children. Some are trying to get extra jobs to earn enough money to leave. Then there are a few that are Jewish, and the teacher doesn’t know where they are or what has happened to them.

” Bile rose up her throat and Chaisley hated repeating what was on the page.

“After the concert this evening, I’ll call Dr. G and get his advice.

” She tapped the paper against her palm. “But we are helping those children.”

“Give me the letter.” Rick’s command was soft. “I need to hide it.”

She folded it and placed it back in the envelope and then handed it over.

“We better hurry and get inside.” Mel’s voice sounded much more anxious than it had before. “Like you said, the sooner you perform, the sooner we can leave.”

With a nod, she opened her door and waited for her companions to be on each side of her. This time, there was no chatter, just their footsteps as they moved in quick silence to the concert hall.

“Wait here,” Melanie instructed, and Chaisley listened to the click of her heels across the floor.

Sticking to routine was best. Her assistant would go speak to whomever was in charge and find the place they were to use as a dressing room.

Then she would ask about Chaisley warming up on the piano.

After that, they would hide out until the concert began.

Except this time, a wrench was thrown in the works.

Hitler demanded to speak to her.

They’d barely made it into the room when the rhythmic thumps of marching boots echoed down the hall.

As it grew louder, she reached for Rick’s hand and then Melanie’s. “Lord, help us!” The words rushed out.

“Amen.” Rick squeezed her hand.

“Quick. Sit in the chair and look like I’m about to do your hair.”

Mel practically shoved her into the seat.

The rhythm had now turned into thundering steps. They were close. Why had she agreed to this? Her heart pounded so hard she thought for sure it must be visible through her evening gown.

“Breathe, Chais.” Rick’s lips touched her cheek after his quiet words.

Taking his advice, she breathed deep. Then again. And again.

The marching stopped. “Heil Hitler!” The loud shouts were almost enough to bust down the door.

Why such a racket to simply speak to her? To show his power? To intimidate them?

The loud single knock was superfluous at this point.

“Here we go,” Melanie whispered. Three steps to the door. The turn of the knob. “Good evening. How may I help you?”

“Miss Frappier is expecting the Führer.” The voice was high-pitched for a man and sounded far too young to be serving as a soldier. “Heil Hitler!”

“We are short on time, Herr Hitler, so I must insist that you don’t take up all of Miss Frappier’s time.”

Where that bravado came from in Melanie, Chaisley wasn’t sure, but she wanted to cheer her friend on.

“Fr?ulein Frappier.” The voice of Hitler. A man she’d come to despise. Hate even. “It is wonderful to see you again.”

Every word grated on her skin. But she lifted a hand to him, knuckles up. “Good evening.” She couldn’t even bring herself to speak his name.

And then... he touched her. Took her hand in his and kissed the back of it.

At least the man could pretend he had the manners of good society. Old society. Before war had torn up the world. She pulled her hand back.

“Thank you for coming to perform for us tonight. This will be a gift to my men and most trusted supporters. There are intense days ahead, and I know this will be a boost to them.”