Page 47 of A Song in the Dark

But the Germans were a strong force. With additions to their army every day, it wouldn’t take them long to rebuild. Which meant the SIS would have to continuously attack if they wanted to accomplish anything. How long could they keep this up?

Rick crouched in the low brush and checked his map.

This next hub was significant. Which meant it would be heavily guarded by now.

He checked his backpack. Only four sticks of dynamite left. It wouldn’t do a lot, but it could be enough if he hit the right spot. But then he’d have to make it out in time.

Without getting caught.

He leaned up against a tree and let his mind wander back to Chaisley. If only they’d met at a different time. When the world wasn’t in the tumultuous state it was in now. Perhaps they’d be living back in London with a couple of kids.

That thought put a smile on his face.

Noise from the road a hundred meters below him caused his senses to go on high alert. Who was coming?

He pulled out the binoculars and studied the officers in the German vehicle. The one in the back appeared to be high-ranking.

Rick glanced back at the dynamite.

His timing would have to be perfect.

But was he ready to kill?

With a shake of his head, he gathered his things and made his way closer to the target. They had to stop this growing threat. Which meant he had to do his part.

Twenty meters to the target.

He tried to stay hidden in the trees. So far, so good.

Click .

The unmistakable sound of the hammer of a revolver.

“ Halt ! Wer bist du ?” Whoever was behind him sounded young. Way too young to be wielding a weapon.

Rick slowly turned around with his hands up.

The hatred in the young Nazi’s eyes in front of him made him want to be sick. How had they hardened this young man? He couldn’t be more than sixteen.

The soldier put the gun to Rick’s forehead and narrowed his eyes.

In that split second, Rick watched as the boy’s finger on the trigger began to pull. He ducked right before the shot rang out and punched the young man in the gut, grabbing for the gun with his other hand.

They fell to the ground, wrestling with the gun between them. Rick’s experience, strength, and age gave him an upper hand. The kid was underneath him but held onto the gun with both hands.

Rick slammed his opponent into the ground hoping to knock the wind out of him, but the wiry boy was stronger than he looked as he yelled obscenities at him and screamed for help.

It wouldn’t be long before other soldiers descended upon them.

With everything in him, Rick wrenched the gun from the Nazi’s hands.

But the kid pulled out a knife.

Rick didn’t have a choice. He slammed the butt of the gun into the young soldier’s head.

The kid’s head hit the ground hard. Blood pooled underneath. His eyes went blank.

“Halt!”

Voices came from the station.

Running footsteps headed toward him.

There was no time to catch his breath. Rick grabbed the gun, shoved it into his pack, grabbed the dynamite and matches.

He worked his way around to the east, knowing he only had a few seconds before the other soldiers found the kid.

Rick spotted the target. At this point, this was the best he could do. He lit the match, ignited the dynamite, threw it at the hub, and then took off running for all he was worth.

He couldn’t think about how many soldiers might come after him.

He couldn’t think about the kid he might’ve killed.

All he could think about was Chaisley and if he’d ever see her again.

Amsterdam, Netherlands—Monday, November 7, 1938

Sleep had been replaced with tears each night since Rick left, until Chaisley couldn’t cry any longer. She’d rescheduled as many dates as she could, hoping that he would return here at any moment. But she couldn’t hide and postpone things forever.

He’d written her a beautiful letter in braille that she had read every day. But to not hear his voice ... not feel his presence. Her heart ached with missing him.

Chaisley paced her bedroom and shook away the thoughts. They’d been through a lot the past six months together. They’d shared meals, conversations, hours upon hours in a vehicle together. They’d shared life. Real life. They could get through this time apart.

Oh, God, please keep him safe.

As she started the prayer, she made her way over to the window and knelt at the sill.

She poured out her heart. For healing for her grandmother, safety for Rick, and to find Mary Beth and her mother and bring them to safety.

Then she went down the list of the names of each person they housed at the manor.

So many beautiful lives. And there were still more to help.

She got to her feet and headed toward the hall. If Rick didn’t return today, she’d simply have to go back on tour without him. A thought she despised. But she and Mel had prayed for strength.

God would supply.

It was time.

She passed an open window and heard the engine of an auto rumble closer to the house. As it came up the drive, she recognized the engine’s sound. That was Rick.

She made her way down the stairs and waited for him inside the foyer. She wanted to be the first thing he saw when he walked into the house.

The door creaked.

“Chaisley.”

Her name on his lips couldn’t have sounded sweeter.

She rushed toward him with her arms outstretched and prayed they wouldn’t smash their heads together when she reached him.

He pulled her into his arms. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” She laid her head on his chest. “I’m so thankful you are safe!”

“It has been a harrowing few days, but I’m glad to be back in time to keep my cover as your driver. I was afraid you would already be on tour without me.”

“What every lady wishes to hear.” Melanie’s comment accompanied her light laugh. “It’s good to have you back, Rick.”

“Oh, leave him alone, Mel. He’s got plenty of time to practice what he should say later.” Chaisley could feel the heat in her cheeks, but she was so grateful to have him back. She tugged on his hand. “Let’s go sit and chat for a bit.”

“I’d love to.”

She led him toward the sitting room.

“How is your grandmother?”

“She rallied again yesterday. Dr. G says it still might be a few days before we know if she’s going to get rid of the infection for good.” She walked beside him and moved them in a different direction toward the music room.

“Ah. I was hoping you’d bring me here.” They sat on the bench side by side. “Will you teach me how to play one day?”

“I’d love to.” She touched several keys, then tilted her head toward him, and their lips met in a soft kiss.

When he pulled back, he ran a finger over her cheek. “I might not have expected God to work like this, but marrying you is exactly what I want.”

“Me too.” Heat continued to fill her chest and neck.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but it’s good to see you two happy.” Melanie’s no-nonsense greeting came from the door. “Looks like we still have work to do. Rick, you just received a wire.”

Chaisley relished his closeness as she listened to Mel’s steps and then heard the envelope rip open.

“Oh no,” Rick breathed.

She felt him stiffen. “What is it?”

“Ernst vom Rath—a German embassy official in Paris—was shot by a young Jewish man. The SIS is certain Germany will retaliate.” He kissed Chaisley’s cheek. “Do you mind if I head into town?”

“Not at all.” Every time a new report came, it never seemed to be good. As things spiraled, her hope that Hitler could be stopped waned. Would they be at war soon? Would it be the war to end all wars?

“I’ll be back as soon as I can with news.” He moved from the bench and his quick steps made her heart ache with his absence. How long could she keep touring Europe when such atrocities kept happening? But how else could she continue to help?

Her mind felt like a pendulum swinging one way and then the other. Wanting to hope. Spurred on to action. And then discouraged that they couldn’t possibly do enough. Or afraid that the Nazis would come after them next.

“Everything okay?” Mel replaced Rick on the cushioned piano bench.

She nodded, then shook her head.

“I had a feeling.” Mel nudged her with a shoulder. “Want to talk about it?”

Chaisley played an A-minor chord fortissimo , followed by an arpeggio of the same chord pianissimo. “Did you know why the piano has its name?”

Melanie tinkered with a few notes above her. “Tell me.”

“The piano’s predecessor was the harpsichord, but there was no volume control.

Only so much that could be conveyed. No dynamics.

No emotion, really. The piano was first called a pianoforte because it can be played both loud and soft.

With all variations of dynamics. Over time, most people simply called it a piano. ”

She ran her fingers down the white keys.

“I never understood what was missing in my life—but now I do. My life before Rick was like the harpsichord. Full of beautiful music, but there was only one volume. Now that I know love, my life is like the pianoforte.” She lifted her hands and placed them in her lap.

“I don’t want to lose that, Mel. I don’t want to lose him .

And this world keeps getting scarier each day. ”

Thursday, November 10, 1938—Kristallnacht

Rick stood outside Chaisley’s bedroom door before sunrise, doing his best to calm his breathing from running up two flights of stairs.

It was awful enough to have to wake her at this atrocious hour, but the news he had to deliver would shake them all.

No, it would be worse than that. They would be devastated. Heartbroken.

He lifted his hand and knocked.

A minute later, the door opened. “What is it? Is it Grandmother?”

Even with her hair disheveled and tired eyes, Chaisley was beautiful.

“Your grandmother is fine. Please, we have to talk immediately. I’ll be down in the parlor after I wake Melanie.”

She nodded. “I’ll be right there.”

Within five minutes, the three of them were huddled in the parlor.

There was no way to say this gently. He leaned his elbows on his knees and fisted his hands. “I’ll get right to it. The Nazis have done something unthinkable throughout all of Germany and its territories.”

Melanie straightened beside Chaisley and wrapped an arm around her. “Go on.”

Rick breathed deep. Best to just get it out.

“Last night I couldn’t sleep, and so I went to see a contact.

I had a bad feeling about vom Rath’s shooting.

A wire came through about an hour ago that the Nazis have destroyed synagogues, arrested tens of thousands of Jewish men, destroyed and plundered Jewish businesses, and desecrated Jewish cemeteries.

They had apparently been waiting for the perfect time to do all of this, because it happened in hundreds of towns across all German territories at the same time.

The Nazis’ excuse was the young Polish Jew who murdered the ambassador.

Word now is that they will go after Jews full force. ”

Tears filled each woman’s eyes, and their expressions held fire.

“Do we need to postpone the wedding again? You’re needed, aren’t you?” Chaisley’s voice was steady. Firm.

Now that Celestia had rallied, they’d rescheduled the wedding.

“I hate to do that, but yes. I need to go for a few days and see what I can do to help—what we can do to help.” He reached over and squeezed Chaisley’s hand.

“Perhaps we can wait until Christmas to marry, since your grandmother seems to be recovering?”

She nodded. “But there’s more bad news, isn’t there? I can hear it in your tone.”

He took a breath. God, help us all. “Not only are they trying to get rid of the Jews, but word is that they will soon be rounding up anyone who doesn’t meet their criteria.

I don’t know if this is true, but one of our informants states that Schloss Hartheim will be used to .

.. exterminate all of those deemed unworthy of life. ”