Chapter 9 The Secret List #2
have been frozen. The new administration enjoys strong support in these neighborhoods and will no doubt want these programs
to continue.” Helene took a deep breath. Besides looking for the list, she did hope to get funding reinstated.
Krüss paused and nodded thoughtfully, leaning back in his leather chair, then studied the scenery outside the window as if
it might offer an answer.
“Surely those funds will become available again. But first we need to do some cleaning up. There has been more than one example
of librarians using such programs to indoctrinate the people with aberrant political ideologies. We know that’s not true in
your case, Miss Nathan, but until the inspectors are able to complete their reviews, all programs have been put on hold, albeit
temporarily. I hope you understand the situation. The government has been in power for such a short time and is facing very
powerful enemies. To restore strength and the German spirit to the people, we must all make some sacrifices.”
“Yes, of course.” Lena nodded with a convincing look of concern, giving Helene the chance to make her move.
“Excuse me, Herr Krüss, but is there a restroom nearby I could use?”
“Certainly. Go out and on your right you’ll see a door, then two more. The first is for men and the second for ladies.”
Helene got up more clumsily than she would have preferred and went to the hallway. Checking to make sure no one was in sight,
she ducked into Rudolf Kummer’s empty office. To her relief, it was rather small. There was an ordinary-looking desk, two
filing cabinets, and a nearly empty bookshelf.
The filing cabinets held nothing of import, just a few files of new employees that the Gestapo and the SS were bringing in
to oversee the librarians. The desk had one locked drawer. Helene looked around for something to force it open. She’d had
to do so countless times at her own desk when she forgot her keys. She picked up a paper cutter, which did the trick.
“Voilà!” she exclaimed, then slapped her hands over her mouth, fearing to be overheard.
She rummaged through the papers and inside a gray cardboard folder found the list she was after. This time she silently mouthed,
“Eureka!”
She pulled out her tiny camera and took pictures as quickly as possible, then arranged everything back in the drawer exactly
as she had found it, including relocking the drawer and replacing the paper cutter in its spot. She slipped out of the door.
Two steps away from the bathroom, she heard a voice behind her.
“May I help you, ma’am?”
The male voice echoed in the vaulted ceiling of the hallway. Helene turned and froze.
“I was looking for the bathroom.”
The man studied her carefully. He was nearing middle age, but his face exuded a fierce energy, coming especially from his
piercing blue eyes.
“Are you Miss Helene Nathan?”
Helene was stunned momentarily speechless. The man smiled, but it did little to put her at ease.
“Yes, I . . . well, we . . . we’ve come to see Herr Krüss about some programming matters.”
“I’ve read about your work—admirable, to be sure. You’ve not succumbed to the pressures of the communist elements in your
neighborhood trying suck you into their orbit.”
“I don’t care much for politics . . .” she began, but by the time she realized what she was saying, it was too late to backpedal.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Rudolf Kummer. You may have heard of me through the Association of German Librarians. Our
next meeting is in two days, and I do hope you’ll join us.”
“It would be an honor,” Helene replied, knowing she was a terrible liar.
“Your last name is Jewish?” he asked with a malicious smile.
“My last name is Weber, but I took my mother’s maiden name in honor of my grandmother, who instilled in me a love of literature.”
“Quaint details, to be sure, but I won’t hold you up. Go on and see the ‘boss.’” Kummer saluted her and then went into his
office.
Helene stood fixed to the floor, unable to breathe. Had he seen her come out of his office, or was their run-in coincidental?
She forced herself to turn to Krüss’s door and go in. She must have looked deathly pale, as both Lena and the director asked
if she were unwell.
“I think I’m a bit dizzy,” she explained truthfully.
“Herr Krüss was just saying that he would do everything in his power to get our programs back up and running,” Lena said,
getting to her feet.
“We won’t take any more of your time. Thank you so much for seeing us,” Helene added, shaking his hand. Hers was simultaneously
freezing and sweaty, but she tried to keep it steady.
“The pleasure is mine, ladies. Miss Nathan, one bit of advice: Use your father’s last name from here on out. Jewish last names
are not appreciated in the new Reich.”
Helene forced an expression of servile gratitude. “Ah, thank you. I’ll do that.”
When the door clicked behind them, Helene let out a long sigh.
“What happened?” Lena asked as they retraced their steps down the cold, empty hallways.
“Not now,” was all Helene could answer.
A few blocks away, Helene steadied herself against a tree, wondering if she might faint. She recounted for Lena her conversation
with Kummer and concluded with, “I’ve got the list, thank goodness. But I feel like I just came face-to-face with the devil
incarnate.”