Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Kit
THE MORNING OF MAY FIRST, NEWS reached me of Adolf Hitler’s death.
A hasty communication claimed he was shot, by Russian soldiers, and I was called in to brC to deliver a speech.
The sense of exuberance and exhilaration in the building was palpable, though missing a certain gravity, most of the staff having been on this side of the Atlantic the entire war.
I spent a few frantic minutes scribbling notes for myself, and then we were recording.
“Good morning, this is Kit Daring speaking from Halifax, Nova Scotia. We’ve all heard the breaking news by now, and I’d like to share my thoughts about it with you. I hope you’ll bear with me, they’re a tad long.
Today, I’m thinking about the men packed like sardines on ships bearing down on D-day.
The ones who laughed and joked and were kind and gracious to one another when they had every reason to be miserable.
The ones who didn’t make it through that great and terrible day, and the ones who did.
The boys who fought bloody, brutal battles on a scale never before seen, who gave everything they had to eradicate fascism and vile hatred.
The ones who drove the Nazis back over and over, who pressed forward at every opportunity and sacrificed so much, sometimes everything, for all of us.
Today I’m thinking of the women of Paris who greeted us on her liberation with flowers and kisses in the streets as our vehicles poured into that jewel of a city, so joyous were they for their freedom. The children who waved and cheered and played, grins beaming ear to ear.
I’m thinking of the Jewish people and everyone else in the camps who have been tortured, brutalized, and murdered. Men, women, and children who never did a thing to deserve any of what befell them. Who deserve to live free of oppression. Who deserve to be alive, too many of whom are not.
I’m thinking of everything they’ve lost and how on earth anything can ever be all right again.
I’m thinking of every single human targeted and made other, isolated, slandered, slaughtered.
I’m thinking of that twisted, evil man whose disturbed mind is responsible for what is surely the greatest tragedy in human history.
And how he wasn’t alone in his crimes. I’m thinking of his degenerate enablers, of all the co-conspirators and allies who are even now looking for ways to scurry off their sinking ship.
And I’ll tell you what: I think being struck by an enemy bullet in battle, as we’re being told it happened, was too good a death for Adolf Hitler. It was too easy. He should have been brought to justice for his horrific crimes, which we cannot allow to be forgotten.
So while the world rejoices his death, and I’m sure our soldiers are celebrating it, as they deserve to, I want you to remember this isn’t over.
Hitler was not the sole party responsible.
He did not work by his lonesome. And while his death is a triumph for us, it does not necessarily mean a swift end to this war.
Our sources in Germany have informed us the Nazis are instructing every last citizen to take up arms against us and our allies. So, what happens next seems partly determined by how well those orders are heeded. For their sake I should hope they stand down.
Thank you for listening, Canada. This was Kit Daring, speaking from Halifax, Nova Scotia.”
Silence in the booth rang in my ears for a moment as I let it sink in. I could imagine our soldiers with a renewed spirit, ready to bring this war to a close, and I wished them speed and luck.
The radio engineer shook my hand, and we exchanged pleasantries before I left, feeling wrung out and dazed.
The strap of my bag dug into my shoulder, and I ducked into the washroom, leaned against the door, and tipped my head back.
I stared at the white ceiling, trying to breathe.
So much was happening. Too many emotions were coursing through me.
On impulse, I unlatched my bag and dug inside for the music box I’d stashed there. Please, Ted. Please.
My fingers brushed over the ornately carved wood, beautiful lifelike flower petals blossoming out from the centre of the lid.
Opening it, the tinkling notes of my mother’s favourite song filled the air, and inside—below a dancing couple twirling—was a folded sheet of paper.
My heart skipped a beat. I retrieved it and shut the box, cutting off the haunting music.
Dear Kit,
Tell me you’re not still looking. Not since you found my note. Kit, you can’t! You’re going to get yourself killed, damn it. Just let it go. When we’re safe, I’ll let you know.
I’ve never heard of anyone named Albert Salter. Whoever he is, leave him alone.
Yes, Meggie told me we’re half-fae. But I don’t care, and neither should you.
Fae are dangerous, Kit. Don’t go seeking any out.
I can’t tell you much, but I’ll tell you what Meggie said when I asked her.
Their magic is intrinsically linked to their reputation.
The better they’re viewed by others, the stronger they are.
They’ll protect their reputation at any cost. And you and I?
Our existence is a threat. Don’t go looking for fae and stop looking for me.
Your favourite brother,
Teddy
I growled and shoved the note and music box back into my bag. My handy lie detecting skill didn’t extend to written correspondence, but I didn’t buy Ted not knowing Salter. Otherwise why would he care if I got in contact?
The information about fae was interesting.
I had considered asking Meggie to put me in touch with the one she knew, but not until things with Ted and Mary-Alice were settled.
Why wouldn’t Ted just tell me where he was?
If he did, if I could go see him with my own two eyes and make sure he was all right.
We could figure this out together. Whatever trouble he was in, between me, Gus, Marion, and Agnes, we could handle nearly anything. Why couldn’t he understand that?
I walked over to the sink and splashed cold water on my face.
After I dried off, I took a moment to stare at my reflection in the mirror, trying to see anything not-quite-human, but I just looked like me.
A tired man who’d been through too much for his age.
Who was barely holding it together. I was attractive, objectively, but supernaturally attractive?
I didn’t think so. People tended to find me charming, but I assumed it was my personality and talent.
Only what if it wasn’t? What if some well-concealed part of me was manipulating everyone around me? A heavy weight sank in my gut.
In an echo of our first meeting, I was almost to the elevator when Montgomery Herbert stopped me.
“Kit, glad I caught you! Listen, we loved having you at the theatre. I had a wonderful time introducing you to everyone. A few politicians are asking after you, actually, and indicating their support of you and our mission.”
An automatic attempt at a smile stretched my lips. “I’m happy to have helped.”
His expression lit up like that was precisely what he wanted to hear. “I’m happy you’re happy, because we’re gearing up for another round of greasing the political wheels tomorrow night. We really need you on board again.”
Rubbing elbows was the last thing I needed. “Tomorrow? I’m not sure I can get away on such little notice.”
At my hesitation Montgomery’s face tightened. “I’m afraid I have to insist.”
“It’s just—The family emergency I came home for is—”
“I’m dreadfully sorry about that. I heard your brother is missing,” he said, the picture of sympathy. “Has there been any news?”
“No. So I really don’t feel up to greasing anything right now.” My face flushed slightly when I realized how that sounded. Montgomery’s mouth twitched with suppressed laughter, and then his expression went serious again, regretful.
“I’m sorry, but we simply can’t spare you. Everyone will want to speak with you. You’ve got unique insights on Hitler and the Nazis. Insights earned on our dime, Kit.”
“Right, I know.” Holding back a grimace because I didn’t like the implication I owed them for my employment when they’d been compensating me for a job I’d performed well, I considered my options.
I didn’t believe for a moment I was indispensable; any of the broadcasters or newsmen here could fill my shoes for a night.
So why exactly was Montgomery Herbert so keen on getting me there?
He couldn’t like me that much. Was there a hidden motive behind his pushiness?
Ted had implied someone powerful was after him. And Montgomery was certainly well placed to interact with unimaginably influential people. Could he be working for one in secret?
His smile warmed again, a flirty edge to it I didn’t like. “So you’ll come tomorrow? It’s only a little party. Very exclusive. It should be fun. How long has it been since you’ve really had that?”
The memory of waking up in bed with Gus after seventeen years apart flashed in my mind.
That had been fun. Fraught, but fun. A party full of cunning and manipulative liars who were after power was the opposite.
But if there was a chance the person responsible for Ted and Mary Alice’s disappearance would be there, I had to see what I could discover.
I avoided his last question and focused on the first. “I’ll be there. ”
“Excellent. I’m looking forward to seeing you again already,” he said, voice silky.
It took effort to conceal my building resentment, but I managed a small smile of my own and jotted down the specifics of the party on a fresh page from the notebook I kept in my suit jacket pocket. Gus wasn’t going to like this anymore than I did.
Gus
THE KNOCK ON THE FRONT DOOR surprised me. It was after nine at night, and I was dressed for bed in a pair of worn striped pyjamas my mother had given me at Christmas years ago. As I moved toward the door, I shoved my arms into an equally threadbare housecoat.