Under the Iron Bridge by Kathy Kacer

Author:Kathy Kacer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Second Story Press
Published: 2021-07-06T17:53:57+00:00

Chapter 15

Thursday, October 27, 1938

The Pirates were still not ready to resume their resistance activities. Luka said it was better to stay quiet for a while longer. Kiki would signal Paul when it was time to get back to work. For the time being, Paul’s evenings were now free, and he spent them at home with his parents who were delighted to have him around. “It’s so nice to have you at home. You’re out so much these days,” Mama said, one night.

Paul usually diverted her curiosity by saying he was visiting Harold. “Harold’s been upset ever since he burned his leg in that fire,” Paul said. “I just want to keep him company and get his mind off of those things.”

“You’re a good friend,” she replied.

Paul and his parents were gathered around the radio after dinner. The Nazi-controlled radio station spewed out the usual broadcast about national pride, patriotism, and respect for Hitler. Papa tried to find a station from London, England that would broadcast some “real news,” as he called it. Everyone knew that it was a treasonable offense to listen to overseas broadcasts, and anyone caught tuning in to something other than Nazi news would be jailed. But Papa didn’t worry too much about that. “I need to know what’s really happening in the world,” he said as he turned the circular dial and listened to the shifting signals. “We’re here in our own home. Who’s going to hear us? No one’s going to know.”

Just as those words left Papa’s lips, there was a sudden loud knock at the door. Paul jumped and stared at his father who quickly switched off the radio. Then, he placed a finger across his lips. Silence fell on the room. Paul swallowed uneasily. It was impossible that anyone could have heard the radio or their conversation. So that couldn’t be the reason for the knock.

“Who could that be?” Mama whispered. “At this hour.”

A moment passed and then the knocking resumed, louder and more insistent.

“Let me answer,” Papa said, rising. “You stay here.”

Paul trailed after his father to the front door and stood behind him while Papa took a deep breath, straightened the vest that he was wearing, and opened the door. Two men stood on the other side, each wearing a long gray overcoat and cap, with tall black boots. A band with a swastika encircled each of their arms.

One man clicked his heels together. “Gestapo!” he announced.

Paul sucked in his breath. The secret police of the Nazi government! The men who had taken Luka and interrogated and beaten him.

“Herr Ritter?” the man asked Papa.

“Yes?”

“We’d like to come in. We have a few questions we’d like to ask.”

Paul could see Papa’s hands shaking as he pulled the door open and stepped aside to allow the Gestapo to enter. Meanwhile, Paul’s mind was racing. Questions? Was this about the pamphlet drop? Had someone seen him and reported it? There was only person who could have done that. Ernst!

Mama rose when the officers entered the sitting room.

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