Saving Anna by Sharon Struth

Author:Sharon Struth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2018-07-23T12:19:20+00:00

Chapter 15

Anna’s pulse raced while Josef spoke to the man at the door in their native tongue, his words fast and consonants strong. Their fourth try. Would he be the one?

She strained her ear, only catching an occasional word like Frankfurt or America, and focused on every smile, nod, and hand gesture for clues as to what they were saying. She didn’t even know if his name was Gunther or a relative of the man she’d located in her search.

Maybe it was wishful thinking, but she saw a clear resemblance in this man’s eyes to the photograph Isaak left her. This man stood with the door halfway open, blocking half his body on the side where the real Gunther had lost an arm. So she couldn’t tell from that clue if this was him, or not.

She gave up on guessing what they discussed and admired the property. The address in Müden, on the outskirts of the small town, was set on a hillside. From the porch of the two-story house, the lawn peppered with several well-cared-for gardens, she enjoyed a view of the Moselle River and the sharp-peaked roofs of houses made with inlaid wood.

“Anna?”

She turned to Josef and he motioned her forward. “This is Siegfried, Gunther’s brother.”

The old man made eye contact and nodded.

She smiled. “Hello.”

Before Josef could tell her more, Siegfried resumed speaking in German, his eyes getting a glassy sheen as he spoke. Josef listened with a frown and softened his tone when he replied.

He turned to her. “His brother has passed away.”

“I’m so sorry,” she said to Siegfried, and Josef translated.

Her research had been wrong. The records indicated this Gunther was alive, but she’d just learned a lesson in the accuracy of the databases she’d been using.

Siegfried’s sadness made her feel horrible for coming here and reminding him of his brother, but she had to ask him one more thing. With a glance to Josef, she said, “Could his brother have been the man who helped Isaak?”

She handed the photo to Siegfried, who listened to Josef’s question before scanning the image.

“Nein.” He shook his head, then rambled again in German.

No. When she’d set out, a part of her believed this search might be a challenge. Yet she’d hoped in a world of computerized databases and the internet, she’d find her man quickly. But she wasn’t a private detective, or someone who understood the nuances of searching through mounds of historical data.

Josef listened to Siegfried’s lengthy response. At times the older man’s eyes welled with tears. This subject evoked so much emotion in those who’d suffered through the regime’s terror. Anna felt horrible about bringing the topic to his day.

Josef finally turned her way. “The photograph isn’t his brother. They did live in Frankfurt and knew many Jews, in both their neighborhood and local businesses. But Siegfried said none of them were able to help any of their friends who were in danger. He also wants you to know he admires the man who saved Isaak’s life. He only wishes he could have done more in those days.

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