Dangerous Allies (16 page)

Hands shaking, Katia set her cup and saucer aside. She couldn’t hold her tongue any longer. She couldn’t. “Would your grandfather agree?”

Calmly, without an ounce of self-consciousness, Elena plucked a linen napkin from the tea service and dabbed at her lips. “Do not be so quick to judge, Katarina. Grandpapa would want me safe. Marriage to Hermann will provide a certain level of protection I cannot achieve otherwise.”

Then it was as Katia had suspected. Her mother was hiding in plain sight. With her royal title, Aryan good looks and marriage to a high-ranking Nazi, no one would think to look into Elena Kerensky’s past. But what if they did? What if hatred of the Jews increased? What if the Nazi paranoia grew worse?

By marrying Hermann Schmidt, Elena was taking a terrible risk.

A servant dressed in the required uniform of stark black and white swept through the room, moving close to the two of them. Katia waited until she bustled out again.

“Leaving Germany would provide far better protection,” she murmured, holding her mother’s gaze with unwavering resolve.

Elena blinked. Then blinked again.

Still, Katia held her stare.

For the first time in years, Elena broke their eye contact first.

Katia reached out and squeezed her mother’s hand. “It’s not impossible.”

Elena tugged free. “Don’t say such a thing. Don’t even think it. The Führer cannot be stopped. Soon, not only Europe but all the world will become a part of the new Germany.”

The new Germany? Elena Kerensky’s choice of words confounded Katia, especially when there was an unmistakable warning in her eyes. Clearly her mother saw the danger of staying in Germany. Yet she chose to remain.

Why? Did she really believe there was so little hope left? That Hitler could not be stopped, and would take over the entire world?

Katia would never lose that much faith in good overcoming evil. She must trust in the Lord, even when she couldn’t hear His voice. No, especially then. Her father’s death had been a horrible thing, but he’d died free in his belief. His faith in God had never wavered, not even in the end. God had not abandoned her father, nor had the Lord abandoned her as she’d once thought.

She had been the one to turn away.

Forgive me, Lord.

As much as she wanted to rejoice in her resurrected faith, she had to finish what she’d started here. Perhaps she still could convince her mother to leave Germany. She couldn’t live with herself if she didn’t try. Driven
by a newfound desperation, she went to her mother and placed her mouth next to her ear.

“I can get us out.” The words fell from her lips almost without a sound.

“No.”
Elena drew away, nearly shoving Katia back into her chair.

“Oh, but I could.”

Horror filled her mother’s eyes and she looked desperately around her, as though there were as many invisible people as the visible servants listening to their conversation. “You speak too boldly.”

Her mother was right, of course. The secret police had ways of knowing things they had no business knowing. It would be foolish to let her guard down, even in her own mother’s house—
especially
in her mother’s house.

Realizing no good would come from continuing the conversation with so many servants meandering about, Katia let the matter drop. For now. “I’m sorry, Mother, I misspoke.”

“You are tired, darling.” Elena placed her hand over Katia’s and squeezed gently. “That is all.”

“Yes, that must be it.”

Elena nodded. “You should consider marriage,” she said again, more vehemently this time. “You could start a family and stop what you are doing, before it is too late.”

What an odd choice of words. Either her mother was simply being a concerned mother or Elena Kerensky knew more than she should.

Which was impossible, of course. How could Elena know of Katia’s secret life?

“You want me to leave the stage,” she asked for clarification. “Is that what this sudden push for marriage is about?”

“Yes.” Elena gave a short shake of her head. “I wish for you to quit the stage as well as your other, shall we call them, pursuits?”

Her other pursuits?

Fear congealed in Katia’s throat. She was no longer certain of her mother’s meaning. She was no longer certain of herself. “Do you…do you know that I…”

She trailed off and took a moment to think.

Her mother couldn’t possibly know about her dealings with the British. Katia had been careful. She’d been
more
than careful. And yet the truth was blazing in her mother’s eyes, in the silent accusation hanging heavy in the air between them.

“Mother, do you know that I play unusual…roles, on and off the stage?” Katia kept her words vague, in case a nosy servant thought to listen to their conversation.

“Yes, Katarina.” Her mother’s confirmation snaked between them like the hissing vapor from a steam engine. “I know all about the dangerous
roles
you play,” she spoke, lowering her voice to less than a whisper, “for the enemy.”

“I…I…I…” She had no words.

Elena dabbed again at her lips with her napkin. “And now that I know, I demand you stop at once.”

T
he cloud of panic that had been hovering over Katia’s head for the last two days crashed over her with a force that nearly threw her from her chair.

“But how?” she gasped. “Mother, how do you know?”

When Elena simply stared her, her expression completely unreadable, Katia forgot to play a role. She forgot to breathe. She was a child again, vulnerable and scared and stripped of all her protective barriers. “Mother?”

Elena’s expression never changed, but deep lines of worry cradled her mouth. She cut a quick glance at the servant dusting the mantel and then rose abruptly. “Come, darling, I want to show you the decorations I’ve added to the backyard for this evening’s festivities.”

Glad to perform such a simple act, Katia followed her mother onto the outdoor deck. She had no idea what to say or do next. It was already too late to be wary. Her mother knew she was a mole for the British. Silence was her only defense now.

Once outside, Elena pulled Katia close, easing her into
the kind of motherly hug she hadn’t given her daughter since she was a child.

Katia resisted the urge to cling.

“I have suspected for some time,” Elena breathed in her ear. Drawing slowly away, she commanded Katia’s stare. “But you confirmed my suspicions yesterday.”

Swamped with a fear she’d never known before, not even when the Communists had come for her father, Katia stuttered. “I…I…I did?”

Had she said or done something wrong during lunch, something telling? In so doing had she blown Jack’s cover as well as her own?

“It was the roses,” Elena whispered.

Katia blinked. The roses. Of course. The hated
white
roses Hermann had given her yesterday morning.

Elena walked to the edge of the deck and placed her hands on the railing. “Your reaction, or rather lack of reaction, was the defining moment for me.”

Katia choked in a painful breath of air.

How had this happened? One small mistake, though certainly not her first or even her worst, and now Katia’s control of her world was lost forever.

“The roses were your idea,” she said softly.

Elena nodded, but she kept her gaze locked on to the horizon. “I couldn’t stand living in doubt. I couldn’t stand not knowing.” She turned to look at Katia, a shadow of an apology filling her eyes. “I had to confirm my suspicions.”

Katia could only stand there blinking. The roses had been a trap. Such elemental simplicity.

Katia’s throat clenched around a sob. If her own
mother could snare her so easily, surely the Nazis would not be far behind. “Does Hermann know?”

“Of course not. Nor will he ever find out.”

A spurt of relief came fast. Nevertheless, Katia chased her gaze around the deck, automatically searching for a hidden enemy that couldn’t be found so easily. Paranoia was the legacy of her secret life. Would there ever be a time she wouldn’t have to look over her shoulder?

“You play a stupid, dangerous game, Katarina.” Elena’s voice was no less blistering despite its softness. “Especially with men like Friedrich Reiter courting you at the same time. Unless he, too—”

“He is not a part of what I do.” For once, a lie came swiftly and easily off her tongue. A lie that sounded altogether true. Even to her own ears she sounded angry and protective. No, she sounded in love.

Elena gripped Katia’s shoulders. “Herr Reiter’s pursuit of you is genuine, then?”

Was it? Katia had to think for a minute. He’d gone to Kiel alone, claiming it would be too dangerous for her to go with him. Yet he’d come straight to her when he’d been wounded. He’d revealed his darkest secrets in her bathroom, secrets that could get him killed. And then he’d lowered to his knees and prayed with her.

No intelligent spy would take such risks. And Friedrich Reiter was anything but stupid.

“Yes,” she said at last. “His feelings for me are real.”
As are mine for him.

The thought brought her no comfort. Only fear.

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…

Elena released a sigh. “Perhaps Herr Reiter is the one you should marry.”

What a wonderful, impossible,
terrible
suggestion. If Katia were to marry such a man, she would spend her life in endless worry.

Would that be any different from now?

She hadn’t slept last night, knowing he’d gone alone to meet with Heinrich Himmler, knowing his wound could have begun bleeding again and she wouldn’t be there to patch him up a second time.

“Perhaps he is the one,” she admitted, then quickly shook her head. “It is too soon to tell.”

Looking satisfied, Elena pushed her agenda a little harder. “Then you will consider marriage and stop your other…pursuits?”

If only matters were that simple. Katia was already in too deep with the British. She knew too much. They would never let her quit. But it was a truth her mother must never know.

Lifting her shoulder in a careless shrug, she set out to ease Elena’s mind. “Yes, Mother, I will consider marriage.”

“Good, now let us return to the parlor and finish our tea.”

“Mother, wait.”

Elena paused.

Katia rushed to her and hugged her close, close enough to whisper in her ear. “Are you a…
Gottglaubig?
”

“To the world, yes. In my heart, no. I am a true Christian.” She pulled away and patted Katia on the cheek, a
sad smile spread across her lips. “But I will never speak of this again with you.”

“I understand.” It was enough. It had to be enough.

Yet still, Katia followed her mother into the front parlor with a sense of defeat trailing her. Now that she understood her mother better, fretted for her less, her mind whisked back to another topic. The idea of marriage had been put in her head and she couldn’t get it out. She could not marry the British spy, of course. Not as things stood.

He worked for the SS. And although his loyalties might be with the British, he served Heinrich Himmler and Katia could never abide that.

What a complicated, tangled mess. Nevertheless, Katia settled into a benign discussion with her mother about the ball later that evening.

The change in Elena, the obvious relief in her voice, was marvelous to witness. Smiling and nodding, Katia allowed her mother the illusion that she’d convinced her daughter to quit working as a mole for the British. Unfortunately, Katia feared this new trail of lies was as twisted and endless as all the others.

When Elena turned the conversation to the extensive guest list, it seemed to Katia that nearly every high-ranking official in the Third Reich would be in attendance. Her ears pricked as her mother mentioned a familiar name.

“Did you say Admiral Doenitz contacted you personally?” she asked, holding her breath for the answer.

“Yes, he telephoned yesterday. He made a point
to ask me if my famous daughter would be attending tonight.”

Caution had Katia speaking very slowly. Her mother already knew too much. “He asked about me,” she repeated as she swallowed back the lump in her throat, “directly?”

“Yes. And then he asked to speak with Hermann, something to do with his next command.”

Katia knew she should ask about Hermann’s orders, not out of politeness but because she might learn something valuable. But as Elena continued chattering, Katia found it impossible to concentrate on the words. Her ears were ringing too loudly.

And then one thought shoved out all the others. Karl Doenitz suspected she’d been the intruder in his room two nights ago. Why else would he make a point to speak with her mother, personally, just to accept an invitation to a party?

Nausea rose in short, sickening waves.

Struggling for composure, Katia stared at the patchwork of light the sun made on the rug at her feet.

What was she going to do?

Get control of herself, that’s what. Then she had to find Jack. No, Friedrich. She had to continue thinking of him as Friedrich. Yes, she had to tell
Friedrich
about this new development.

Most of all, she must pray for protection.
Lord, I—

Elena clicked her tongue, the gesture regaining Katia’s attention. “Did you say something, Mother?”

Glancing at the clock on the mantel, she gave a little gasp. “I hadn’t realized it was getting so late. I
would like to freshen up before Hermann returns from Wilhelmshaven.”

“Of course, Mother, I understand.”

Elena rose and kissed Katia on the cheek. “We live in dangerous times, Katarina.” Her eyes turned fierce and determined. “Remember what I said about marriage.” Katia nodded.

“You know your way out.”

“Yes.” Katia rose, as well. “I will see you this evening, after my performance.”

Elena sighed in resignation. “Very well.”

Katia battled against her own emotions as Elena floated out of the room. Too many thoughts collided with one another. Her mother knew she worked for the British. Doenitz knew—no, he suspected—she’d infiltrated his private chambers. Friedrich Reiter knew her secret. And Hermann was due back at any moment.

In less than two days, Katia had lost all control of her life.

Who was she trying to fool? She’d never had control. She’d been deluding herself all along, and had blamed God when things went wrong because of her own pride and arrogance.

Lord, God, forgive me. I have sought security in my own abilities and I have failed. I realize there is no lasting security apart from You.

Almost immediately, she felt the Lord’s strength fuse around her, giving her courage.

I cannot do this alone. I pray for Your continued protection and strength.

Feeling less burdened than she had in years, she left the parlor and headed toward the foyer.

Determined to find Friedrich as soon as possible, she picked up her pace. And nearly collided head-on with Hermann Schmidt in the foyer. “Oh.”

He steadied her with a firm grip to her arm. “Fräulein. You are in an unusual hurry this morning.”

Almost too late she remembered the role she played with this man. “I’m, oh, I’m out of breath.” She fluttered her hand in front of her face.

“You should sit.” He directed her toward the lone chair in the entryway and then applied hard pressure to her shoulder.

Other than fighting against his touch, she had no choice but to obey. She sat, or rather collapsed, and then looked into the Nazi’s gaze.

There seemed nothing unusual in the way he looked at her. In fact, he watched her with the same condescending expression she always saw in his eyes.

“It’s rather warm in here.” She let out a shaky breath. “Don’t you think, Hermann?”

“I hadn’t noticed.”

Fanning her face with her splayed fingers, she caught sight of the items he’d set by the front door. Her gaze homed in on the metal cylinder propped up against the wall. It was the kind of tube designed to house blueprints.

But what sort of blueprints would Hermann carry at this hour of the day?

“You seem tired, Fräulein. Did you and Herr Reiter have a long evening?”

Oh, he was a clever one, this Nazi. He was testing her. They both knew she’d claimed a headache last night. He thought her stupid. She might as well encourage the misconception.

“Oh, we did.” She leaned forward. “In fact, we had a very long night. But don’t tell Mother.”

“I wouldn’t dream of ruining Elena’s illusions.” His lips pulled into a snarl. “She seems to think you are a good girl.”

“Oh, but, Hermann.” Katia gave him a sultry look, stopping just short of batting her eyes. “I am a good girl.”

He reared back in obvious disgust. “So it would seem.”

Playing her role with insipid boldness, she pointed to the metal cylinder. Elena’s spoiled daughter would never keep her mouth shut in the face of such a shiny new object. “Oh, look at that, did you bring Mother a gift?”

“No.” He yanked the metal tube off the floor with practiced agility. “
This
is none of your business.”

“Oh.” She hid her interest behind a look of mild curiosity. “Is it something…secret?”

Eyes deadly now, he set the tube out of her reach. “You will not touch this or any of my things. Do you understand?”

“Well!” She drew her bottom lip between her teeth and forced a few tears to the edge of her eyelashes. “You don’t have to be rude.”

He waved his hand in a dismissive gesture but his
tone turned chilling. “I am not fooled by your little act, Fräulein.”

Shock stole her breath. “Whatever are you talking about?”

Try as she might, she wasn’t able to hide the tremble in her voice. To add to her distress, her heart quit beating then started again at an accelerated rate.

“We both know you are pretending to be upset, trying to get your way as any spoiled child would do.”

She sucked in a relieved burst of air, one that sounded exactly like stunned disbelief. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Stop it, Katarina. You are not a child. You are a grown woman who has had her share of male company. Your silly games might work on men like Friedrich Reiter, but they will not work on me.”

It would seem the deception she’d woven for the benefit of this Nazi had been more than effective. Continuing the ruse, she blinked up at him in hurt confusion. “You are really quite mean, Hermann.”

“Go home, Fräulein.” He gave her an impatient glare, the kind men threw at women they had no further use for. “I have important matters on my mind.”

He opened the door for her.

“Well, I certainly won’t stay where I’m not wanted.” Rising, she flicked her hair behind her back and moved past him with her chin positioned at a regal angle.

He banged the door shut behind her.

Katia didn’t even flinch. The arrogant Nazi had just made a tactical error in judgment. He thought her
ridiculous and harmless, a mistake she would use to her advantage.

She mentally sorted through the pieces of new information she’d just gathered. Fact: Hermann Schmidt was a U-boat captain. Fact: he had been called to Wilhelmshaven for a meeting with Admiral Doenitz himself. Fact: he’d returned with a cylinder designed to carry blueprints.