Page 45 of Tides of Resistance
‘Mademoiselle Rousseau?’
Lizzie nodded, her heart lurching as she faced him. ‘Yes.’
‘Sturmbannführer Adler requests you meet with him privately,’ he said in broken French.
Lizzie felt her throat close over as panic set in. She had the small knife hidden in the lining of her coat, but it hung in the cloakroom.
‘Did he say what it concerns?’ Her voice emerged as a croak, and she cleared her throat and repeated the question.
The soldier remained expressionless and lapsed into German. ‘Nein,Fräulein.’
Lizzie glanced at her uncle, who was frowning. ‘I will escort Mademoiselle Rousseau as she is in my care.’
The soldier declined the suggestion. ‘The invitation is for Mademoiselle Rousseau only.’
Lizzie’s mind raced with potential scenarios, and she had to think fast. If she refused the Eagle’s invitation, which sounded more like an order, she risked antagonising him and would miss a chance to learn more about his plans. But if she accepted, there was a real possibility she could blow her cover with one slip of the tongue.
Now Hannah’s face loomed in her mind, and she knew that in her shoes she wouldn’t hesitate to accept the offer. She would say that accessing the inner sanctum of the head of the Atlantic Wall construction project was an opportunity too great to miss.
Lizzie squared her shoulders. ‘Of course. Please take me to him.’ As Lizzie turned to follow the soldier, she whispered in her uncle’s ear, ‘Don’t worry. I’ll see you back at the house.’
She could feel him looking at her as she left the room but didn’t dare turn again so he wouldn’t glimpse the terror in hereyes. Lizzie composed herself, ready to face the SS officer. What did he want with her?
The soldier led the way down a wide corridor of the palatial building and raised his hand to knock. The officer’s voice told them to enter, and the soldier opened the door, ushered her in and then she stood alone in front of Herr Adler.
He rose from behind his desk as she entered. ‘Welcome. Thank you for accepting my invitation,’ he said, as though she had any choice, his voice as smooth as molasses. ‘Please take a seat, mademoiselle.’
Lizzie did as he instructed, sitting in the upholstered chair facing him on the opposite side of the huge desk near the window that offered glorious views of the Emerald Coast.
‘You may wonder why I invited you to meet with me privately,’ he said after a pause, narrowing his eyes as he steepled his fingers.
Lizzie fixed him with a stare, trying to hit the right balance between polite and confident. In her experience, these high-ranking German officers were bullies. They were used to issuing commands and getting exactly what they wanted, and showing weakness with bullies was a fatal error.
He said in his silken voice, ‘Rose, may I call you Rose?’
Lizzie nodded, and he continued.
‘It occurred to me that a beautiful young woman such as yourself might like some company and entertainment whilst you are staying in St. Malo.’
She was playing with fire, but it was too late to back out now. Acting as though it were all quite normal would be the best thing she could do.
‘That’s kind of you, Herr Adler.’
One of his big hands sliced through the air. ‘Please … let us not be so formal. Call me, Heinrich.’
Adrenaline rushed through Lizzie as she returned his gaze.
Heinrich pushed back his sleeve to reveal his leather-strapped gold watch. ‘It is the perfect time to break for lunch. I know just the place. Please join me,’ he said, striding around the desk and reaching for Lizzie’s hand.
His uninvited touch made her flinch like a nervous filly, and she withdrew her hand before she could stop herself.
‘There, there, I won’t bite, Rose,’ he said, taking her hand more firmly this time and guiding her to her feet.
His skin was smooth, and the scent of his citrus cologne tickled her nose.
Lizzie stiffened.
‘What is it? You are single, are you not?’
