Chapter 27 The Threat
The Threat
Berlin
Time does not heal wounds, but it does mitigate the pain.
Helene had found meaning and purpose in life through Alexander. In his absolute innocence and purity of being, there was hope
for the world again. They developed new rhythms as a family. Derek would come home right away from work, and they would take
Alexander for an afternoon walk to let the sun wash over him. Back home, they would eat a light supper, then put Alexander
to bed, then Derek and Helene stayed up talking about books, music, and life in general, or simply enjoyed each other’s company
in pleasant silence. They avoided the subject of politics. If Derek could hold out for four more years, he could retire with
a decent pension, and his was the only salary for the foreseeable future.
On Sundays, they visited Helene’s parents.
Her grandfather had moved in with Gustav and Maria, but he was not the man he had once been.
His wife’s death had unraveled the little that remained of his world.
Several of his children had chosen exile rather than continue to suffer in Germany, and Maria was the only one left.
Sunday afternoons, after leaving her parents’ house, Helene and Derek took a walk through Tiergarten, the beautiful, tree-filled
park. It was pleasantly cool in the shade, and they could forget for a while that they were in Hitler’s Germany. There were
no swastikas or posters with the dictator’s image there.
One Sunday in July, they had been at the park for a while when they walked by a man reading a newspaper. The headlines announced
a coup d’etat in Spain. A few paces beyond the bench, they mutually broke their rule about not talking politics.
“What do you think will happen in Spain?” Helene asked.
“We don’t have much information, but we know it’s a military uprising with the support of some of the far-right and Fascist
parties. Wilhelm Canaris, the director of secret services, has contacts with the rebels. I think they’re going to ask Hitler
for assistance. Their army’s best troops are in Africa.”
“Oh no, another war? After all that Europe has gone through, haven’t we learned anything?”
They were both aware of the growing tension in Europe and that Hitler’s goal was to acquire more territory for the Reich,
though he had promised German citizens that he would not start a war. Helene and Derek came to another bench and sat down.
Though she had been out of Moringen for almost a year, her body still bore the effects, and she was easily fatigued. Plus,
as delightful as her baby was, caring for Alexander was exhausting.
“I wish you could leave the army. It seems more and more dangerous to stay.”
“I know. I wish I could leave, too, but my job is our lifeline. Without it, the Nazis would come after us again.”
Derek sighed. It was the conundrum of his life. Von Blomberg was Derek’s security guarantee, even though he seemed to be getting
further from the echelons of Nazi power. Hermann Goring despised Derek’s boss and wanted his title as Minister of War and
Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Yet Hitler kept trusting von Blomberg.
“What’s up with Lena lately?” he asked. “I haven’t seen her around the house much.”
Helene squirmed in her seat. She did not like to talk about it. Lena was working hard taking care of two libraries, and Helene
was unable to help at all.
“She’s all right. She’s really busy, so we don’t see each other much.”
A shadow fell over them, one that was different from the surrounding trees. Derek and Helene both looked up to find Rudolf
Kummer standing before them, dressed in his SS uniform.
“Good afternoon. I hope the young family is enjoying this beautiful Sunday afternoon. You already know, dear Helene, how I’ve
always detested this city. But since it’s clean and orderly, it’s nothing like it once was. It’s beautiful now, and the Olympics
will be a big success.”
Derek and Helene stayed silent and did not return the greeting.
“Cat got your tongues? Kaiser—I believe that’s his name—will pardon the joke. I see you’re keeping your distance from books,
Helene. You’ve learned by now how dangerous they can be. Only the highly trained can deal with them without getting contaminated.
I’m afraid books won’t be necessary in the future. Movies and the radio can teach people all they need to know.”
The couple continued to stare at Kummer, wondering where his odd monologue was headed.
“My dear Derek, my dear Helene, I want you to know that we found Alice.”
At that Helene began to shudder involuntary.
“Oh yes, I thought that might interest you. We don’t know exactly how she escaped from Moringen and got to the other side
of the country on her own. She wasn’t forthcoming with that information, despite our encouragement. The saddest part is that
the poor girl did not last long when questioned, and she’s no longer with us. Such a pity. But I want you two to know that
I haven’t forgotten you. I have an idea of how Alice got to Saarland, and I know you’re still hiding books somewhere. You’re
not safe or secure. I know how to lock you both in a camp and send your darling little boy to a true Aryan family. I’ve got
powerful friends too,” he said, eyeing Derek. He tipped his hat and ended with, “Good day to you,” then turned and walked
away.
The afternoon smell of the trees, the gentle breeze, the chirping birds—they all disappeared. Helene was shaking uncontrollably,
and Derek was red with the strain of controlling himself.
“Who does he think he is? Who does he think we are? Why can’t he leave us alone?” Derek burst out.
“Don’t let him get to you. He’s completely mad,” Helene said, but she started to cry. Alice had been such a sweet girl, an
innocent young thing with her whole life ahead of her.
Derek stood and held his arm out to Helene.
She took it, and he guided the stroller with his other hand.
They said nothing the rest of the way back to the apartment, each absorbed in their own thoughts.
Derek was frantically searching for ways to protect their family.
A different idea altogether was pounding through Helene’s head, begging to get out.
If Kummer was not going to leave them alone, even though she was now following all the rules, she felt obligated to change
things. She had to put herself once again at the service of books and people. She would rather lose it all than continue living
in that world of evil and deceit.