Wicked Deceptions - Amy Cecil Page 0,48
my handler and partner in all my missions.”
“Were you intimate with Gerhardt?”
“No. Although I believe that if I entertained the idea with him, he would have been receptive.” I always knew Gerhardt wanted more. But it was more than I wanted to give. I never thought it a good idea anyway, for us to have that kind of relationship. It would have clouded our judgement, and in our line of work, it was not acceptable.
He nods. “I see.” Looking back down at his papers, he hesitates and then looks back up. “Just a few more questions, Katerina, and then you will be free to go.”
“Thank you.”
“Roughly how many missions would you say you carried out for the Germans?”
I hesitate, trying to count them in my head. “I’m not exactly sure, maybe ten?”
“Do some stand out more than others?”
“Yes, there are a few.”
“Please elaborate.”
“Lieutenant Benjamin Stanley, Chris Barnett, and Christian Barnes, but we know the last two gentlemen are one in the same.”
He grins. “And we know how that one turned out, now don’t we?”
“We certainly do.”
“What was it about Lieutenant Stanley’s mission that keeps it fresh in your mind?”
“At the close of the mission, when I received the information I was instructed to get and then shared the information with Gerhardt, Lieutenant Stanley went missing and was presumed dead. To my knowledge, he was never found.”
“One last question. If you are granted immunity for past war crimes and are allowed to live in this country with Lieutenant Barnes, how do you see your future?”
I smile. “Happy, sir. Very happy.”
“Thank you, Katerina, for your cooperation. I will submit my notes on this discussion to my superiors, and as I understand, you will have an answer tomorrow. Good day.” He gets up and walks to the door. Without another word, he opens it and walks out. And now we wait.
The next morning, I am summoned to the director’s office. When I step inside, Christian is there, along with three of the intelligence officers from the past two weeks.
“Ah, Katerina. Good morning,” the director says, smiling. This has got to be good news. He’s smiling.
“Good morning, sir.” I turn toward the other officers. “Gentlemen.” Then I turn toward Christian and smile. He winks at me, and that alone tells me everything is going to be just fine. I’m staying.
“Katerina, it is my pleasure to inform you we have granted you residence within the United States.” He walks around his desk and extends his right arm. I shake his hand. “You will be under close eye for a while, common practice, but our investigation showed no red flags. Welcome to America.”
“Thank you, sir.” I turn toward Christian and run into his arms. “Did you hear that?”
“Yes, I was standing right here. I told you there was nothing to worry about.” He releases me and turns toward his superiors. “Gentlemen, if you no longer need us, I’d like to take my bride-to-be home.”
“You both are free to go. I’ll have Katerina’s things couriered over today.”
“Thank you.” Christian then scoops me into his arms and carries me out of the office and all the way out to the car.
Their laughs fade in the distance.
Chapter 18
Savannah, GA
September 1919
I set the paper down after reading the headline confirming Ben’s death. I know in my heart they killed him. I may not be at fault for all of this, but I definitely played a part. I look around my kitchen. I don’t deserve to be this happy. All the loss over the last five years, what did it all prove? Was it worth it? Germany is devastated. Many say they will rise again, but I doubt it. I hope they all burn in hell.
The house is eerily quiet and then suddenly I feel a presence behind me. Someone is in the kitchen with me. I know for a fact it is not Christian. He is not due home for another hour. So who is stealthily hiding behind me?
My skin prickles, and I can feel his breath on the back of my neck. Before I can turn around to see who it is, while I am praying it is Christian, he speaks, “Hast du wirklich gedacht, du könntest fliehen, Katerina?”
Gerhardt! The hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. And for the first time in my life, I am scared. After everything I have been through, nothing has made me feel genuine fear until now—fear for my life, the life of my husband, and that of my unborn