Page 65 of Winter’s End

Zoe thought for a minute. “There is no way to move them discreetly – and maybe no need. Have one of the women draw up dance party notices – and Dutch Carnival. Crank out a few copies, leave them lying about as evidence of what the machines are used for.”

“Business as usual…” Leela nodded, already in motion, gathering materials for removal.

“Our best hope if the Germans enter the hall,” Zoe said, “is that we give them no reason to look beyond the outer room. Be charming, be busy, perhaps a dance class for the little ones. Show them photographs, Carnival brochures, dance invitations, handmade decorations….”

“We will do our best,” Leela said. “Leive godfor the warning…”

Zoe felt the tightness in her chest begin to easde. Leela could be relied upon to take charge.

“Leela, “ she began.

“No need, Zoe. Go! Take a stack of these with you in your handbag.”

MILA

Mila packed a small overnight bag – a black jersey dress with a deep vee-neckline, black high-heeled pumps she’d buffed to a shine, a change of under garments, some make-up. Checking the contents one last time, she closed the lid, snapped the bag shut, set it near the doorway of her bedroom.

Pieter had secured an automobile and enough petrol for the short trip to Amsterdam, no more than a twenty-minute drive. The plan they had conceived was deceptively simple…the best kind of plan, Mila knew, a small variation of the operation she had mapped out for Evi Strobel.

De Boer, according to his driver, lunched each weekday at the same Amsterdam restaurant – an elegant brasserie near theRembrandtspleinunderwritten by the Germans, primarily for their own enjoyment and for friends of the Reich.

Mila was to charm her way in, catch de Boer’s eye, and hopefully arrange an evening date, subtly suggesting the promise of sex if he would agree to meet her first at the famous fountain on theLeiderspleinso she could see it at its glorious lighted best

She powdered her nose and made a last turn before the mirror. If all went well, Pieter would be waiting to deliver a bullet and melt away into the night. It was a clean, straightforward plan, and if the traitor’s driver could be counted upon to keep his word, as foolproof as any plan could be.

She looked at her watch. It was time. Straightening, she took a deep breath, picked up her overnight bag and quietly headed downstairs. She had arranged with Reit to be sure Hondje was fed and walked in her absence. Now, all she needed to do was avoid a confrontation with her father.

At the bottom of the stairs, she peered around the corner into the hallway. It was quiet. Her father was either working in his study or had gone to his office near St. Bavo Church. Either way, she was able to avoid him. She slipped quietly out the front door.

...

As arranged, Pieter was waiting for her in the next street behind the wheel of a pre-war gray Renault sedan. He got out when he saw her, and went around to open her door.

Mila bent to get in, brushing lightly against his coat, aware of the tweedy scent of him.

“You are well?” he asked.

She smiled in response.

“Ready?”

“Yes.”

“Guod.”

He closed her door, moved back to the driver’s side, slipped into the vehicle. “We will first check in to the hotel.”

EVI

Jacob walked quickly, clearing brush out of his way as he moved, staying close to the inner edge of the road.

Evi followed a distance behind, far enough behind that she had to pedal fast around the curves just to keep him in sight in the dimming light.

What am I doing? she scolded herself.I will be mortified if Jacob sees me. But curiosity pulled at her in much the same way as Mam pulled the yarn to unravel her afghan blankets.Where on earth could he be going?

She fell once, tangled in the wheels of her bicycle, scrambling to duck out of sight when he looked behind him, as he frequently did. She clambered up again and righted the bicycle. Now she recognized the terrain.

To her astonishment, Jacob was nearing the tavern where he had shot her would-be rapist. He passed by the precise spot where it happened, in fact, then began to make his way into the pines behind it.