He opened the kitchen door for her, holding it wide until she passed. She didn’t look at him, just entered the kitchen and never turned back, waiting until she heard the door close behind her. She went to the pantry.
Henri was just behind the door. He looked at her closely as he handed her the money. Then he pointed to himself and to her, but she shook her head. “No, Henri.” She tucked the precious cargo away. “I’ll be all right if I go alone. That is, if I go quickly!”
Once again she ran most of the way, slowing only when she heard voices or footsteps ahead or behind. This time she didn’t have to search for the right townhome. Edward’s friend approached her at the end of the street.
“Edward isn’t back,” he said, leading her to the right home. Rosalie was nowhere to be seen.
Inside, he offered her one of the chairs. “I would get you something to eat, only it’s Rosalie’s house and she doesn’t have much in the kitchen these days.”
“No one does.” Isa looked around. “Is Rosalie here?”
“She is with Edward. My name is Jan, by the way.”
He still watched her, and Isa wished she were bold enough to stare back. He was nearly as tall as Edward but somehow slighter, less handsome. Yet he was attractive with a somewhat-triangular face, the wide end at his broad forehead, his jaw tipping the other end.
“You are the one Edward’s mother used to take care of, aren’t you?”
She nodded. “Did you know Edward before the Germans came?”
“Yes. We were at the university together. We started together, though I was eighteen and he just sixteen. But then you would know that he started young, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes, I know his parents are—were—very proud of him.”
There was a long silence after that, and Isa could think of nothing to say that wasn’t a question about Edward and Rosalie, where they’d gone, about the work they did that this man so obviously shared. About how closely Edward worked with Rosalie and if . . .
“It’s generous of you to use your money to help Jonah.”
And yet his tone hadn’t sounded grateful at all; rather, he’d sounded curious.
“I would do anything for Edward and his family.”
“You mentioned something interesting earlier,” Jan said. “That you’d hidden your money in a room. What was all that about?”
“I brought with me what I could, in the hope of getting Edward and his family out of Belgium. But Edward won’t go.”
“Yes, I’m not surprised. Do not give up on him, though. There may come a time when he must leave at a moment’s notice. And the room?”
“It’s a room in my house where I’ve kept money and jewelry safe.”
“How can any room be safe in your house with a German officer living there?”
“It’s safe. It’s very safe.” If she wasn’t so filled with worry over Jonah, she might have realized this opportunity sooner. “And it’s available for use . . . should such a secret place be needed.”
Just then they heard the door open and Rosalie came in. She took a packet from under her cloak, the size of a large textbook but soft, as if it were cloth wrapped in paper.
“Is Edward with you?” Jan asked.
“No. I’m to take the money and meet him.” She turned her dark eyes on Isa. “Do you have it?”
She handed the notes to Rosalie without hesitation.
“You should go home now, Isabelle Lassone.” Rosalie said the name as if it were a title. “Let Jan take you.”
“Where is Edward?” Isa asked.
“He is arranging for a new Passierschein. I’m to bring him this.” She held up the packet and the money. “He will come to your house as soon as he can. Expect Father Antoine tonight.”
“Father Antoine?”
“He will say he is the nephew of Genevieve Kirkland, in case anyone sees the resemblance. False papers for a priest are expensive because their passes allow them outside after curfew, like doctors and Germans. Go now. His mother will want to know he’s on his way. And I must go too.”
She turned away but Isa caught her hand in a gentle touch. “Thank you,” she whispered. For keeping him safe, for helping him. I would trade places with you . . .
Isa moved to the door and Jan followed, but she stopped him. “I can make it alone.” She looked back at Rosalie. “Warn Edward there are German soldiers at the house. Four, without the Major who