Page 56 of The Last Safe Place

“Pleased to meet you.” Johanna shook the doctor’s hand.

The door sprang open at Eberhard’s shove and he invited the women into his office, just as the street door opened, and Anton and Gerda appeared. Fräulein Vogel scurried in behind them, panting.

“Am I too late?”

“No, you’re right on time, young lady.” Anton was charming, as usual.

Eberhard’s office wouldn’t hold this many visitors, so he invited the group into the waiting room and locked the door behind him. With what they had to discuss, he didn’t wish to risk unwanted interruptions.

“So, what is so urgent that you’ve called us together on a Sunday?” asked Fräulein Vogel, brisk as usual.

Sunday had proved to be extremely practical, since nobody would be at work and everyone could attend without a problem.

“I’m about to tell you.” Eberhard repeated what Lieutenant Hesse had explained to him. He looked around at their shocked faces as he concluded with the words: “I think this is the only viable way. I have taken the liberty of preparing a contract.”

Fräulein Vogel leapt up. “Give it to me. Where do I sign?”

“You’re going to simply hand over all your possessions to the Nazis?” asked Frau Kronberg incredulously.

“Sure. Firstly, I own next to nothing anyway, after being forced to leave my home three times in as many months, and secondly, my life is worth more than all the money in the world.”

“I agree with you on that point, but to sign over all our belongings to the Abwehr seems dangerous to me. What happens if our emigration is unsuccessful? Then we’ll be caught in the trap, and completely penniless,” Gerda Seifert pointed out. She had received an inheritance in recent years, so the Seiferts were doing relatively well.

“If our emigration is unsuccessful, money will be the least of our problems. It won’t be long before we’re all on a train heading east.” Fräulein Vogel eyed the group with her lower lip pushed forward. “I’m willing to do pretty much anything to leave this damn country and finally start enjoying my life again. If needed, I’d march across the border stark naked.”

Gerda shot the young woman a reproachful look for this scandalous suggestion. “It won’t come to that. Even the Nazis still have a small shred of decency left and will at least let us keep our clothes on. Won’t they?” Half imploringly, she gazed at Eberhard, seeking reassurance.

Although he’d heard rumors to the contrary, he reassured his old friend. “There’s no need to worry, my dear. Before I forget, each of us has been asked to make a list of things we want to take with us. It must all fit in a medium-sized suitcase and mustn’t have material value. All items must be declared, including clothing, crockery, photo albums or books. As soon as I have the lists, I’ll obtain permission from customs for our luggage.”

“Do we really have to write everything down?” asked Frau Kronberg with an incredulous expression.

“Indeed. Only items on the approved and stamped list may be taken. So don’t forget to list stockings and underwear.”

Both Selma and Gerda pressed their lips together in indignation at this scandalous mention of intimate clothing. Fräulein Vogel, on the other hand, shrugged her shoulders as if it was nothing.

28

“Are these your daughters?” asked Leonore.

“Yes. This is Eva.” Michaela pointed to the older one. “And this is Ilse. I’m so grateful they can both come with us.”

“I’m not,” Eva pouted.

“Really? Don’t you want to get away from here?” Looking at the young girl, Leonore was transported back to her own youth, to the time before Hitler had come to power and turned her world upside down. Even at that age, she’d felt the urge to visit foreign countries, to experience new worlds and to write about them. That was where her dream of becoming a journalist and making it big had begun. She wanted to become as famous as Gabriele Tergit, the great court reporter, or the dazzling Rosie Waldeck, who according to rumors was a German-French double agent.

Unfortunately, Hitler had destroyed those dreams.

“I was happy with Aunt Carola.” Eva stuck out her chin to give her words more force. It wasn’t quite enough to convince Leonore that Eva was speaking the words with one hundred percent conviction.

“We’ve already discussed this,” Michaela interrupted.

Leonore made a subtle gesture to Michaela to let her talk to the girl and asked, “Shall I come with you and help with your inventory list?”

At Michaela’s silent nod, Leonore hooked her arm through Eva’s and they walked along behind the other two. Ignoring Eva’s petulant expression, Leonore continued as they walked, “You know, I can understand you not wanting to leave.”

“Really?” Relief appeared on Eva’s face.

“Yes. Really.”