town for a few days and is in desperate need of a proper guide for all the must-sees Paris has to offer.”
Revulsion slithered up her throat. She’d seen the roving looks she and Ellie got while at the parties and knew of the desperate women who sold themselves to keep their families from starving. She’d die before draping herself over the arm of a Nazi, no matter the information she might glean from such an encounter. “While I appreciate the consideration, I’m afraid I’m too much of a bore to properly entertain company. That is Ellie’s department.”
“Eleanor is already spoken for.”
The challenge hung in the air like a shard of ice. Its coldness slithered out to chill the blood pumping around Kat’s heart. “So am I.”
The ice surged into Eric’s eyes. “Ah, I nearly forgot. Mr. Anderson. I know it’s been a long week without seeing him, but hopefully the quiet days have been enough to inspire an understanding of what’s truly important and what should be left behind.”
Kat curled her fingers into the folds of her navy crepe skirt. The beaded floral motif dug under her nails. “You think I needed that lesson along with Ellie?”
“Not precisely, but Eleanor couldn’t stay there by herself. She’s not a solitary creature.”
“No, she isn’t, and at times like these she needs all the support she can muster.”
The overhead lighting slid off Eric’s thickly pomaded hair as he tilted his head. “Very admirable. A trait I hope to uphold upon your departure. Incidentally, you’ve yet to tell us when that is.”
“As long as my sister needs me, I remain here. Excuse me, please.”
“Of course. And don’t forget to smile, Kathleen. This is a party.”
Kat walked away, determined to keep her pace even and unhurried despite her hammering heart. The minute he noticed her losing control was the second she’d lose this cat-and-mouse game he was resolved to play out. Every nerve in her body shivered with warning as the creature closed in to strike.
Where was Ellie?
Leaving the red walls of the Galerie Davioud behind, she picked up her pace in search of the nearest ladies’ room. “Ellie, are you in here?” Her voice bounced off the empty stalls.
Perhaps she’d sought out a quieter hall without the strains of Wagner blaring in her ear. Oh, how the Germans loved their Wagner. But two more galleries and still no sign of her sister. Kat’s pumps clicked against the marble floor like anxious ticks on a clock. Where had that girl gone?
A dim light glowed on the cold white floor where a large wooden door stood ajar. A nameplate on the door read ADMINISTRATION.
Kat pushed open the door. “Excusez moi, je cherche—There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you, and so is that nightmare you call a boyfriend. Why are you hiding in here?”
The single lit lamp on the clunky desk outlined Ellie’s form in the center of the room, turning her bleached hair to silver. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves stuffed with ancient volumes lined the entire room except for the west wall with two long windows facing the outside garden. A low couch stretched in front of the windows with a dark figure lounging in the corner.
“Oh, dear. I know he has his trouble spots, but a nightmare?” The figure leaned slightly, catching the edge of her golden straps in the lamplight. “Maybe a little too far, ja?”
Ice sliced down Kat’s back. Eric’s wife. Moving into the room, Kat stood next to a shaking Ellie. Kat resisted the impulse to grab her hand for comfort and instead slipped the ice from her back to her tone. “No, I don’t believe it is too far a conclusion.”
The darkness of the room couldn’t hide the smirk of the woman’s blood-red lips. “My cousin Eva Braun told me of your directness when she met you at Berghof.”
Kat startled at the revelation of kin, but quickly recovered. Now was not the time to pull out the family tree. “Odd, I’ve only recently discovered your existence.”
The woman’s crossed leg jiggled as her hooded eyes raked Kat up and down. Flicking ashes from the tip of her cigarette onto the floor, she held it to her stained lips and puffed. “Then I believe a round of introductions is in order.” Puffing again, she raised her pencil-thin eyebrows at Ellie. “Would you care to do the honors?”
The tremor from Ellie’s body leaped to her throat. “No, I wouldn’t care to at all.”
The thin eyebrows lifted higher into the dark hairline. “I see directness