Page 33 of Wicked Deceptions
“Good to know.” He chuckles. “And now, I’d like to get what I paid for.”
“My pleasure, Lieutenant,” I reply.
We spend the next several hours making passionate love, and although I know I love him beyond reason, it occurs to me that he is my salvation.
While we are dressing for dinner, I remember that he is my mark. “Chris, how do we handle this?” I ask.
“What?”
“Well, you are my mark. What do I tell the Germans now that we’ve made contact? They will know. They know everything.”
“Good question,” he says as he pulls on the jacket to his uniform. “I will provide you with the information you need to feed to the Germans. It will be enough to keep them off our backs, but nothing that will hurt the Allies. Between you and me, Germany is weakening by the day. It would not surprise me if this war ends before Christmas.”
“Really?”
“Yes, like I said, Germany is weakening. They have lost thousands from their front lines and have to pull in reinforcements. With the Americans’ aid, as well as aid from France and Britain, we have been able to push Germany back, and I believe that will continue until there is nothing left but to invade Germany.”
Slipping on my dress, I say, “Do you think it will come to that?” I turn around for him to fasten the back.
Securing my dress, he replies, “No. The last thing the Allied forces want is to invade Germany. It would require too much in morale, logistics, and resources to be effective. We want the war to end before we are forced to do that.”
“Makes sense,” I say with a chuckle.
“What?”
“It’s just that five years ago, I would not be having a conversation about the strategies of war. My cousins and I would be discussing the latest ballet or fawning over a new frock.”
“War changes everything, my dear,” he replies.
Images of my childhood fill my head. I see, as plain as day, my parents and my brother. My cousins. The parties we attended. Suddenly, I am sad. So much has changed. My entire world as I knew it gone in a minute. “It certainly does,” I say sadly.
He kisses me on the cheek. “It will get better, darling, I can promise you that.” Straightening his jacket, he asks, “Shall we go have dinner?”
I smile. “Yes, I’m famished.”
“Spending all afternoon in bed will do that to you.” He laughs, and I can’t help but laugh with him.
Chapter 16
Paris, France
November 1918
Christian and I spent the next several months working to keep the Germans at bay. Gerhardt was pleased with the information I provided, and like Christian had said, it wasn’t anything that would hurt the Allies. Germany was so desperate at this point, they took anything they could get and hoped it would help turn things around for them. But it didn’t.
In late October, Christian received word that he had to report to the train station at the Forest of Compiègne on November eighth. The Forest of Compiègne is located in the region of Picardy, France, near the city of Compiègne, about sixty kilometers from Paris. He has been gone for four days, and I am anxiously awaiting his return.
I seat myself at one of the tables in the conversation hall at Madame LaRue’s, intently watching the door. Every time the door opens, my heart skips a beat and then deflates when I realize it is not him.What if he does not return? And why did he have to leave?As the day turns into night and there is still no sign of Christian, I am convinced he’s not coming back. I knew everything was too good to be true, so I retire to my room. As I lie in bed and drift off to sleep, so does all my hopes and dreams.
The next morning, I wake but realize I have no reason to get out of bed, so I close my eyes and fall back asleep. The loss consumes me. It doesn’t hurt so much when I am asleep and can escape to a better life in my dreams. This continues for several days.
On the fifth day, Madame LaRue barges into my room. “This ends now, child. You cannot throw your life away and give up. You have too much to live for.” She pulls the covers from my body. “Now get up. You are going to bathe, put on some clean clothes, and eat something.”
“No!” I cry. “I want to stay here.” I grab for the covers.
“If you don’t get your pretty little arse out of bed right now, I will throw you out of this establishment, and you will live on the streets,” she demands. She is serious too. I can see it in her eyes. I have never seen her this angry with anyone. I know she is doing this because she loves me. I mumble back at her to leave me alone, but she ignores my plea.
“I’m waiting.”
