Page 49 of The Secret Librarian
He leaned forward. ‘Because I’ve been given a promotion, and it’s now my job to make sure no one uses false visas as a way of fleeing their fate. There will be no more Jews allowed entry to Lisbon, and if anyone is caught creating false documents, they will be shot.’
Camille held her composure, but only just. She didn’t doubt the severity of Kiefer’s words. ‘You’re working with the PVDE?’
‘There’s a reason they haven’t arrested you yet, Camille. But there are no more favours, not when it comes to the documentation. It’s my neck on the line now, and I need to ensure a positive reception when I arrive back in Berlin next week. I’ll be telling them I found the rat I was searching for.’
She fought to breathe, her chest feeling constricted. ‘Someone else will take the fall for this? If you protect me, you’ll blame another?’
He stroked his chin. ‘I haven’t decided yet. Perhaps your little American friend could be the one?’
‘No,’ she said, too quickly, showing him how much Avery meant to her. ‘No, not her. If someone needs to go down for this, it will be me.’
‘Perhaps I can find another way. If you promise me that your little game is over, of course.’
Camille thought of the words she’d whispered the night she’d taken Avery to the square with her, the families that still needed her help. She’d only helped French families until now, but the two of them had vowed to help as many refugees as they could, wherever they came from in Europe.
‘I give you my word,’ she said, clearing her throat to disguise the catch in her voice. ‘I won’t do anything other than sell books. I promise.’ Camille knew how careful she had to be now, especially when Kiefer could turn her over to the PVDE whenever he wantedif he changed his mind about her. She needed to stay on the right side of him.
‘Good. I’m pleased we came to an understanding so quickly.’
‘Does this mean you forgive me for going through your things?’
‘It’s not quite so easy for me to forgive, Camille, but I do have a proposition for you,’ he said. ‘A way you can make it up to me.’
She lifted her chin and looked him directly in the eye.
‘My friends here have been impressed by my beautiful French girlfriend, so I would very much like you to join us for drinks and continue to see me until I go. I want to keep up pretences.’
‘You want me to remain your faithful lover?’ Her brows lifted. ‘In exchange for ...’
‘Not turning you in to the PVDE,’ he said, with a wolfish smile that told her exactly what he was capable of if she didn’t agree. ‘You keep me satisfied until I go, and you keep yourself safe. It is a very simple agreement, no?’
‘Yes,’ she replied, as if it didn’t mean anything to her, that it wouldn’t be hard for her to remain intimate with him when in truth it made her want to retch. ‘But I still have one question to ask you.’
His smile was off-putting, but she didn’t let it stop her.
‘How much do you know about me, Kiefer?’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘I know that you weren’t married to a Portuguese man, and that your husband was killed in France.’
She baulked, taken by surprise, but she didn’t bother denying it.
‘Do you also know of the British double agent who was responsible for my husband’s death?’ Her breath was ragged, her heart pounding in her chest, hoping she wouldn’t regret asking her question so boldly. But she knew this might be her only chance to ask him outright.
‘I don’t,’ he replied, and before she could protest at his lack of answer, Kiefer leaned forward and spoke again. ‘But I could find out.’
‘Kiefer, if you’ve ever cared for me, if any part of what we’ve had here meant something to you—’
‘We’re clear about our arrangement?’ he asked, interrupting her.
Camille didn’t let him hear her hesitation. She knew what was expected of her. ‘We are.’
‘Then I will find out what I can for you.’
She hesitantly stood and then stepped forward when Kiefer held out his hand. She placed her palm against his, hoping that she could, indeed, trust his word, and that he wouldn’t have her arrested the moment he was gone.
‘Camille,’ he said, keeping hold of her hand and staring into her eyes. ‘Once I’m gone, the PVDE would only need a little provocation to arrest you or put a bullet in your head. Do you understand?’
She slowly took her hand from his. ‘I know how to deal with men like Santos. He doesn’t scare me.’But you do.Camille swallowed, watching the way Kiefer’s eyes drifted to her throat before meeting hers again, unsettling her.
