his face. “Are you unwell, Katerina?”
I shake my head. “No, on the contrary.” I sit on the bed and motion for him to sit on the chaise. “I did not get the information from the French government.”
“You didn’t? And how do you know it is credible?”
“Because the gentleman I got the information from is American. He is a lieutenant in the American army.”
“I see, and who is this informant?”
I chuckle. “I would not call him an informant. He had no idea I wanted the information. I didn’t even ask for it.”
“Who is he, Katerina?” Gerhardt sounds angry, and it gives me pause. Perhaps it’s just jealousy. He’s always wanted more from me, but I have tried very hard over the last year for us to remain strictly handler and spy, as well as friends.
“His name is Lieutenant Chris Barnett.”
He nods. “And when will the Americans arrive?”
“In less than two weeks, the first week in April. They are coming to Paris.”
“Well done, Katerina.” He stands. “I must pass on this information to my superiors.” He begins to walk toward the door.
“Gerhardt, wait!”
He stops and turns back toward me. “What?”
“There’s more.”
“Go on.” He returns to the chaise and sits. “But make it quick. I must get back as soon as possible with the information.”
“Gerhardt, I’m in love with him.”
His eyes grow dark and menacing. “What did you just say?” His whole demeanor changes. The vein on his forehead pulses visibly. The only time I have ever taken notice of that vein was when he was really angry.
“Gerhardt, before you get angry, please listen. Chris and I are in love, and we plan to marry. But not until the war is over. I promise I will continue to do my job for Germany, but when the war is over, I want out.”
“Do you not realize how ridiculous you sound? First of all, how can you be impartial and support Germany when you are in love with an American, who will soon be fighting against us?”
I didn’t think of that. What have I done? I should not have said anything because I know now that nothing good is going to come of this conversation. Chris is as good as dead because I thought I could trust Gerhardt. I see now I can’t. “Second, you can never ‘get out,’ Katerina. Your choice to support Germany is a lifelong choice. Nobody gets out alive.”
“Gerhardt, no.”
He stands and towers over me.
I look up at him and the look on his face is pure disgust. “Does this mean you are going to kill me?”
He kneels in front of me, and his expression softens. “Katerina, listen to me. If you drop this nonsense now, let your American go off to war and promise never to contact him again, I will let you both live. And more importantly, I will not tell your secret to our superiors. This could be the end of you, but if you listen to me now, I can save you.”
“But I love him, Gerhardt!” I plead.
“In our world, there is no place for love, Katerina. Surely you know that. If anything, you have been taught as much.”
I can’t fight back the tears and begin to sob. He is right. There is no place for love in this life. If I continue contact with Chris, they will not only kill me, they will kill him as well. I must forget him and be grateful Gerhardt is willing to protect me and keep my secret. I wipe the tears from my face. “You are right. I promise I will not contact him again.”
He caresses my cheek. “Good girl. It’s a hard thing to learn not to love, but I promise, it will get easier.” He gets up and walks toward the door. “I will be in touch with your next assignment. For the time being, stay put and do what you have been doing.” He looks around the room and smirks. Since I met Gerhardt, he has never made me feel cheap or unworthy, until today.
Two months after my talk with Gerhardt, I finally receive my next assignment. I have to admit, I was beginning to worry. Usually, it never took this long, so I was afraid Gerhardt had reneged on his promise. But thankfully, the assignment is to go back to London.
The mark is a pilot in the Royal Flying Corp. He is also British nobility; his dad is an Earl. According to is dossier, he is key to information between the Admiralty and the Royal