Beyond the Wire by James D. Shipman

Author:James D. Shipman [Shipman, James D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2021-10-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

The Waiting Game

October 1944

Auschwitz

Jakub watched out the window of Crematorium II as the SS moved rapidly away from the fence line and toward the fire in the distance. In a few minutes they were out of sight, except for a handful of guards who spread out, weapons fixed on the crematorium.

“They’re boxing us in to prevent an escape,” he said.

“Let them,” responded Roch. “That plays right into our hands.” He scanned the windows, peering out into the distance toward the other segments of the camp. “Is there any other sign of resistance yet?” he asked.

“Negative,” said Jakub.

“Don’t worry, there will be.”

Jakub wondered whether that was true. He thought of Tomasz. He’d tried to see if his friend had made his way out to the fence, but their view was blocked out toward the trees. He hoped he’d succeeded, and somehow worked a miracle to save his own life. Should he have joined him? The thought tore through his mind again, shaking his conviction. Survive. His father’s voice echoed through him. Had he just walked away from his best chance in order to follow Roch? Was his leader the well-meaning but naïve fool that Tomasz claimed he was?

“We should interrogate the German,” said Roch abruptly.

Jakub was jolted out of his thoughts. “What good would that do?”

“Probably none. But he might know something.” The leader turned and started toward the bunk, a dozen meters away, where Dieter was sitting, still gagged and with his hands tied, surrounded by inmates watching him closely.

Jakub hurried up and took Roch’s arm. “You’re needed here,” he said.

Roch turned back. “I don’t think so. There should be plenty of time before they get back.”

“The men need you,” said Jakub. “Why don’t you let me question him?”

The leader hesitated, considering this thought. “That’s a good idea, Jakub. Loan me your pistol so I can give it to another of the men to watch the window. Question this guard and find out anything you can. Ask about how many men they have in the camp, is there any artillery, do they have reserves nearby. Anything you can find out.”

Jakub nodded. “I’ll take care of it,” he said.

He returned to Roch a half hour later.

“Well?” the leader asked.

Jakub shook his head. “Nothing much of importance. He started in the camp a few days ago, apparently. He was supposed to be observing things and getting used to his duties. He doesn’t even know the names of the other Germans. I’m afraid he’s not going to be of much help to us. That’s probably why he was caught in the gas chamber in the first place. He didn’t know what he was doing.”

Roch sighed. “Well, I wasn’t expecting the information to solve all our problems, but I was hoping it would give us a little advantage. Maybe I should talk to him as well.”

“There’s no point,” said Jakub. He turned Roch’s attention to the window. “Any sign of fighting in the camp?”

“None,” said Roch, turning to scan the horizon again. “I don’t understand it.

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