Eagles At War by Boyne Walter J

Author:Boyne, Walter J. [Boyne, Walter J.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: IPS Books
Published: 2009-08-21T16:00:00+00:00

"What shall we name him?"

"If it's a him, Helmut, of course."

"No, I've never liked the name Helmut. My mother's family name was Ulrich—let's call him that. If it's a girl, Gunilla. How would that be?"

He realized that she was softly sobbing.

"What's the matter? Did I say something?"

"No, it's just that the times are so confusing. Should we be bringing a baby into the world at all?"

"Of course. Think of all the people who have been killed. We need good babies for the future. And be glad you're here. The bombing in Germany is going to get worse and worse; we've only seen the start of it. It was bad enough to have you in danger before; now . . ."He rubbed her stomach again.

Lyra had been two months pregnant before she gave in to him and agreed to go to Stockholm. Even then her decision was based in part on the fact that she would be able to communicate with Caldwell much more directly. Ironically, Josten had asked Bruno Hafner to pull some strings and get her an assignment in the Legation. Hafner had said he'd tried but failed; Lyra and Helmut weren't sure he'd even tried. Then, at Helmut's insistence, Lyra had requested assistance from Joseph Goebbels. Within a week she had been assigned to be the Propaganda Ministry's representative at the Legation. Goebbels tried to be romantic, even hinting that he might be the father, yet transparently unable to hide his relief at what he termed "an admirable solution" to her problem.

The secret marriage had been surprisingly simple. The Luftwaffe attache in Stockholm, Captain Kurt von Wahlert, was an old friend of Helmut's from Jg 26 who had been terribly wounded in a night battle with a Lancaster. Kurt had made all the arrangements, bribing a very thirsty Swedish clerk to forge the marriage documents for them, and arranging for a distant cousin, Folke Holmstrom, pastor of the Linkoeping Cathedral, to perform the ceremony. Von Wahlert assured her that it was all absolutely legal in the eyes of the Church and the law; he'd been given a secret pastoral dispensation for all the usual requirements.

The marriage had been quick and quiet; the pastor was obviously distressed at stretching his authority, but determined. Afterward, there was a small feast—some strange-looking but delicious fish, dolmas, a pork roast with rice and brown beans. Helmut had brought champagne and Asbach Uralt brandy; the pastor's mood improved markedly after a few drinks. When it was time to go, he struggled to his feet for a final speech.

"My children, I hope that I've made you as happy as you have made me. We must remember that the child to come is innocent of all the politics that poison the world today. Before I give a final toast to you and to your child, I want to add one thing, a sad and I hope unnecessary promise."

They were silent; he hesitated and Helmut saw that the pastor's glass was empty; he hastened to fill it, and the priest went on.

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