From the Ashes by Marion Kummerow

Author:Marion Kummerow [Kummerow, Marion]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-12T12:36:59+00:00

“See,” he sighed, obviously uncomfortable with the topic. “It’s just, he’s been voicing his criticism about the Soviets so adamantly, people have noticed. Powerful people.” His eyes bored into hers, willing her to understand. “While suggestions for improvement are welcome and necessary, constant nagging isn’t. I personally believe he’s doing this with the best intentions, but others are not so benevolent in their judgment. There’s even the suspicion that he’s been hired by enemies of the people to undermine the successful functioning of the university and thus deny education to the German people.”

Marlene’s jaw dropped to the floor and she sprang up. “No, no, Georg would never…he’s the most honest, upright and incorruptible person I know. Did you know that the Nazis sent him to Mauthausen, because he criticized them?”

“I certainly do.” Off course he did. It was said the Soviets had a file on every person in Berlin. “And as I said, I have nothing but the highest opinion of Georg. But he needs to tread careful and avoid further annoying our Soviet benefactors.” She didn’t think the Russians were benefactors. “Will you please tell him to tune down his opposition, at least for a while? Until things have calmed down?”

She squinted her eyes at Werner and a terrible suspicion stabbed deep into her heart. Her eyes blazing with anger, she spit out the words. “So, the coffee, the book, the first name, all of this was a ruse to get me to help you deal with a critic of your glorious communist ideology?”

“No…” He looked at her with so much hurt, she almost doubled over. But this couldn’t deter her from giving him the cold shoulder.

“I should leave. I have homework to do. Good night, Herr Böhm,” she said with the iciest tone she could muster and quickly left the office, her head raised high. Only when she’d left the long hallways behind and stepped out on the street, did she notice she was still carrying his book. Damn him !

Chapter 18

Werner was flummoxed. He might have a way with words, but understanding a woman was way above his capabilities. Shaking his head, he returned to his desk, wondering what he’d done wrong. Shouldn’t Marlene be pleased that he looked out for her friend?

The ringing telephone interrupted his thoughts and he answered it, “Werner Böhm.”

“Hey, Werner, it’s Norbert. You haven’t forgotten the party invitation from the Americans, have you?”

Shoot . “Off course not.” Werner glanced at his wristwatch. The party had already started. “I called at your office,” he lied, “that I’m running late, but I’m on my way as we speak.”

“Hurry up, you’re missing out,” Norbert laughed and hung up.

Nothing was further from his mind than chatting and drinking with rowdy men he’d never seen before. But in post-war Berlin invitations and return invitations by the four victorious powers came hard and fast. While the Germans suffered from food shortages, the allies certainly were intent on bathing the city in vodka, champagne, beer or tea, according to their national preferences.

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