Page 76 of The Last Safe Place

The SD officer wasn’t so easily convinced. “This procedure doesn’t comply with my orders. I am instructed not to let any Jews leave the country. They must get off at the next station and clarify this with the border police.”

Under no circumstances was Knut prepared to let his charges disembark this train to freedom. Who knew what nasty surprises awaited them at the border police, or how long it would take for the next train to arrive? “We have tickets for this train. These persons have special permits, exit permits, entry permits, clearance certificates, everything necessary. They will not be leaving this train.” With all the arrogance he could muster, Knut looked down at the man, who was about half a head shorter than him. “If this exceeds your competencies, get your supervisor.”

“He’s based in Frankfurt am Main.” They had traveled through there over an hour ago.

“Then go to the train conductor and get confirmation by radio that my people are allowed to leave.”

“I-I can’t do that.” The man was visibly intimidated. “What would that look like? Jews leaving the country!”

“For the love of God!” Knut exploded. “This is an order from the Führer himself! I’m not supposed to tell you this, but the Führer has ordered that dangerous missions abroad are to be carried out primarily by Jews.”

Knut’s outburst had the desired effect. At his mention of the Führer, the SD officer instinctively clicked his heels together, and straightened his spine. “I’m very sorry. I didn’t know… Well, if it’s an order from the Führer, then of course the subjects are permitted onward travel.”

Why couldn’t you say so at the beginning,thought Knut, as he thanked the man curtly, stowing tickets and passports in his briefcase. As soon as the SD officer disappeared in the next carriage, he pulled a handkerchief from his jacket and wiped his forehead. It wasn’t much further to the border. Then they’d find out whether this operation had been worth all the effort.

38

Michaela looked out of the window at the rising sun. The train was just pulling into Lörrach station, the final stop before the Swiss border. She let out a deep sigh. Thanks to the Pervitin, Herr Seifert had endured the rattling of the train surprisingly well. As soon as they arrived in Basel, she’d make sure he received expert medical attention.

She got up to stretch her legs in the corridor and to speak to Lieutenant Hesse in private. He was standing by the window, smoking. She couldn’t remember ever seeing him smoke before this trip. Looking more closely at him she noticed the tense neck muscles and the lines around his mouth that betrayed his clenched jaw. He, too, was suffering under the responsibility he had to bear.

“Lieutenant Hesse, do you have a moment?” she asked softly.

“Of course. How is our patient?”

“Stable.” She gave him an encouraging smile. “It’s not far now. Provided nothing untoward happens, he’ll hold out, thanks to the Pervitin you got him.”

“It was the least I could do.” His agonized face touched her heart.

Michaela didn’t need a medical degree to realize he was carrying a heavy burden. She wished she knew what it was. Maybe she could help him. “You’ve done far more than millions of others, and I’d like to express my deepest gratitude. Without you, without the other brave men in your organization, we would never have managed?—”

He interrupted her with a wave of his hand. “Don’t thank me yet. We haven’t crossed the border.”

“Are you coming with us?”

“I’ll accompany you across the German side, into no man’s land. As soon as I see that you’re safe in Switzerland, I’ll get back on the train and return to Berlin.”

Michaela hesitated a few seconds before broaching the subject of her request. “I have a favor to ask you.”

“Fire away.” He gave her an encouraging look.

“I have a ring that belonged to my late husband. His wedding ring. It would break my heart if they were to take it from me at the border.” She hesitated, unsure if she could actually ask this favor of him. Lieutenant Hesse had already risked enough for Operation Seven.

“How can I help?”

“Could you bring the ring across the border? Across the German side, I mean. You could put it on your finger, then no one would notice.”

“May I see the ring?”

Michaela nodded, fumbled in her jacket pocket, where she’d put it a few minutes ago, and pulled out the ring. It was a plain gold band, with their initials and wedding date engraved on the inside.

He cast her an intense look as he took the ring. “You must have loved your husband very much.”

“I did. Every minute.” A wave of grief struck her and she had to take a deep breath before she could continue. “The last few years have been hard, but I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.”

Lieutenant Hesse slid the ring over his finger. It fitted perfectly. A look of longing stole across his face. Michaela wondered again what was going on in his mind, and why such a kind man wasn’t married. Though she refrained from asking personal questions, since he was neither her patient nor a friend.

A soft glow spread across his face. “No one will suspect anything. I’ll return the ring on the other side of the German border, in no man’s land.”