Saban broke the silence in the auto as Marcel tried to evade being followed, “What about the escape line? ” “It is not an option just yet,” Marcel said as he alternated watching the road and the rearview mirror. Saban took a deep breath, exhaled heavily, closed his eyes, and shook his head. “Shit! ” “What is wrong? ” asked Saban. “I believe we are being followed. ” “What are you going to do? ” “Be quiet and let me think. ” No one spoke until the auto parked in front of Gestapo Headquarters on Avenue Louise. The two German soldiers guarding the front door readied their machine guns.
Marcel turned to Saban and Elisaveta, “Good, the handcuffs are on. You are going in with me. Now act sleepy as if drugged. Keep your eyes lowered and do not talk or react to anything. Our lives depend on your actions. Understand? ” Saban and Elisaveta nodded in agreement. Elisaveta squeezed Saban’s hand. He lowered his head and glanced at her. She winked at him and he winked back, but it did not ease his anxiety. How could she stay so calm when he felt like opening the door and running? It was a silly thought. Even if they were not handcuffed, he would not leave Elisaveta. He would do everything in his power to protect her.
And if they must die, they will die together. Marcel exited the auto and as he opened the rear door, he watched the auto that followed them slowly passed by, accelerate and round the corner. Before stepping out, Saban glanced up at a six floor, beige apartment building with similar buildings on either side. A black swastika in a white circle was centered in a large red flag that hung down two floors in the middle of the building. This made his knees weak and using the cane he forced himself to stand. Saban and Elisaveta staggered onto the sidewalk and Marcel got behind and gently pushed them forward.
It was a short distance to the door of the building. Marcel stopped them at the door and showed the two soldiers his papers. Elisaveta understood when he asked, in German, to speak with the commandant. One soldier stayed at the door while the other led them inside. Once inside, Marcel guided Saban and Elisaveta against a wall with a host of metal mailboxes. The small, bleak, lobby had a black and white checkerboard tile floor, off-white walls, and an enclosed office at the far end with an opening facing the lobby. Hallways led off left and right. A young man, who saw everyone enter, came from the office.
His light blond hair was cut close around the ears yet longer on top and combed neatly back. With eyebrows that matched his hair and light blue eyes, he could not have looked more Aryan. He wore a dark suit and tie with a white shirt. The soldier told Marcel to wait, he approached the young man and they spoke in a whisper. After a short conversation, they walked over to Marcel, Saban, and Elisaveta. The soldier stood a few paces back with a clear view and his machine gun ready as the young man spoke.
“The commandant is not here. I am Karl the Gestapo agent in charge. What is it you require? ” Sir, may I have an authorization to return these two to the Mechelen Transit Camp,” Marcel said. “What do you mean, return? ” “They escaped from a prison train. ” Loud cracking sounds from the basement and a man screaming startled them. Saban stiffened, gritted his teeth and squeezed Elisaveta’s hand. The screaming did not affect the two men as they continued talking. “Where was this train going? ” Karl asked. “Most of the prison trains leaving Mechelen go to Auschwitz. ”
“Because of their trades, they were being sent to Germany. ” Karl approached Elisaveta and gently raised her chin with his index finger. She kept her eyes lowered. What might their trades be? ” “She is an expert seamstress. ” Karl moved to Saban, grabbed him by the neck, and slammed his head against the mailboxes. Saban’s face reddened, his eyes widened, and his mouth tightened in stress. He saw in Karl’s eyes a void – no sign of a living, caring human. Saban thought, He is evil. This is the devil on earth. “And this one? ” asked Karl. “He is a metal forger and machinist. The fatherland could make good use of them. ”
“I doubt the fatherland will miss these two. Let us take them downstairs and hear whatever interesting information we might acquire. You will enjoy it. ” Normally, I would agree with you. But there is a reward for their return. A reward I will be happy to share with you. ” Karl released Saban, who exhaled with a slight cough. Marcel continued, “Besides, I know SS Adjutant-major Frank, the commandant of Mechelen, I believe he will be pleased to see these two. And with your name on the authorization, you will receive recognition and, of course, half of the reward. ” The screaming and banging continued from the basement as Karl pondered the situation. Marcel picked a cigarette from a pack and offered Karl one. Karl grabbed the whole pack, put a cigarette in his mouth and wanted a light.
He stared at Marcel as he lit the cigarette. Karl strolled to the office, puffing on the cigarette. A short while later he strolled back and said, “Here is your authorization. ” Then he took Saban’s hand and crushed the cigarette out in his callused palm. Saban smelled the burning flesh, but the heat was bearable. He showed no facial expression or body movement – no reaction at all. Karl closed Saban’s fingers around the cigarette butt, moved close to Saban’s face, smiled, and said, “You make a handy ashtray. ” Marcel stared at Saban wide-eyed for a moment, then spoke to Karl, “Thank you, sir; we will be on our way. “Oh, but wait,” Karl said tapping his index finger to his lips. “I will send someone with you to make sure I get the reward. ” “But, sir, you know who I am. I would be stupid not to give you part of the reward. ” Karl moved close to Marcel’s face, “Not part of the reward, all of it. And if I do not get all of it, I will find you and personally throw you downstairs where I will supervise your dismemberment. ” He addressed the soldier with the machine gun, “Go with them. I will get a replacement for the door.
Make sure I get the reward or line them up and shoot them. ” “Yes, sir. ” The soldier clicked his heals. Sir, may I use the telephone to let Mechelen know I am on the way? ” Marcel asked. Karl motioned to the office with his hand while he walked back and forth in front of Saban and Elisaveta. He stopped in front of Elisaveta and smiled at her. As he stepped in closer, he put his hand on her cheek, moved it to her neck, shoulder, and down her arm. Then he fondled her breast. She felt Saban move and said in Romani , “You will get us killed. ” “What did you say? ” He grabbed her under her chin pushing her head back with his fingers squeezing her cheeks. Saban could hardly contain himself, but did nothing while this fiend attacked his wife.
For the first time in his life, he experienced hate – hate and anger. He wanted to kill Karl and send him to hell where he belonged. Marcel hurried close to Karl. “I blink my headlights twice as a signal when approaching the gate. By the way, she spoke in Romani. It is the language of the Roma. ” “The what? ” Karl released Elisaveta and faced Marcel. “The Zigeuner – Gypsies. She said, ‘Please do not hurt me. ’” “You understand that gibberish? ” “Yes, sir, I taught languages before the war. ” “Get going. I want that reward by morning. And take the main streets to avoid the resistance. They are active this time of night. Karl took another cigarette from the pack as he strolled back to the office.
A loud bang caused the screaming to stop. Saban dropped the cigarette butt from his hand, stepped on it, and ground it into the tile floor. As he walked to the auto, Saban’s legs were no longer shaky. If possible, he would return to Brussels and settle with Karl. The fight consuming Cedric, Dorian, and the monks had become his fight. Now he understood why they risk their lives for the country and people they love. It is freedom from the evil of all those like Karl. As Elisaveta and Saban entered the back of the auto, Marcel patted Saban’s shoulder.
When Saban looked at him, he smile and gave a slight nod of approval. After settling in the front seat with the soldier, Marcel grabbed a carton of cigarettes from under the seat, removed a pack, and replaced the carton. He smacked the end of the pack on the dashboard to tighten the tobacco, opened the pack, took out a cigarette, lit it, inhaled, rolled his window down slightly, and blew the smoke out. After offering a cigarette to the soldier, who declined, he started the auto, shoved it in gear, and drove away. Concerned about going back to Mechelen, Saban wanted to question Marcel but remained quiet since the soldier sat next to him.
Whatever happens, he would take the necessary action to protect Elisaveta and their child, even if it meant sacrificing his life. Being deep in thought, he did not see Elisaveta staring at him. This time when he looked at her, he smiled first. Elisaveta returned the smile and sensed a change in him. She recognized a determination and a glimmer in his eyes not present since they were captured. As they gazed into each other’s eyes, she raised her hand and touched his cheek. Being handcuffed, his hand followed hers and he took her hand and kissed her palm. A tenderness and a sense of calm flowed from their intermingled hands.
