The Last Time I Saw Paris - Lynn Sheene [125]
“She means these are transit papers. Legitimate, I think,” he said. “They would allow the bearer to pass into unoccupied territory, even out of the country.”
The street below was clear. No soldiers. No black sedans gathering out front. Yet. Claire spoke without looking away. “Spain to Portugal, most likely. From there, one could go anywhere.” She turned to face them. “For the girls. For you.”
A clock ticked loudly in the silence. Adele looked to Martin, then to Claire. “You are asking us to take them.”
“There is no one else, no other way,” Claire said.
Martin pulled off his glasses. “There’s more, isn’t there?”
“I’ve been compromised. People around me, good people, are dead. Executed. I don’t know if you have been identified yet. But you will be found.”
Adele paled, her wide eyes dark against her face. Martin patted her softly. The papers held his gaze.
Adele looked at Claire. “We knew this could happen, when we took the girls in.” Her eyes locked on her husband. Her voice lowered to near whisper. “We gladly accepted that risk, Martin.”
“How much time?” he said.
“Not long. This afternoon. When they realize these papers are gone, they will be watching the stations.”
“You said you were compromised.” Martin slipped the papers into the envelope, thumping it with a finger. “Why offer these to us?”
The image of Anna on Grey’s shoulders, Marta at Claire’s side dissolved into an ache deep inside. She shook her head. “Marta and Anna need a chance at a real life. They need parents. I need to settle some debts.”
“I’ll tell Marta to pack her suitcase. We’ll need a few things, not much. Martin, you get the money we set aside. It will have to do.” Adele hurried to the closed door and ducked inside.
Martin tucked the envelope into his shirt pocket. He stared around the room as if he were fixing it in his mind.
“I’m sorry, Martin.” Claire didn’t know how many more people she could lose.
He took her hands and cupped them between his. He looked over at the photograph on the mantel. “You can’t imagine what it’s like to lose your only child. We didn’t know how we could go on. You gave us two reasons to live. More than that, to make a new life.” He released her hands and turned toward their bedroom. He paused in the doorway and looked back. “No matter what happens, we are forever grateful to you.”
Adele hurried from the girl’s room clutching Anna in her arms. The girl had grown; her lithe legs hung past Adele’s waist, long little fingers interlaced in Adele’s collar. Her face pale, eyes wide, she was trying to be brave. She kissed Claire’s cheek with trembling lips, then sniffled as Claire hugged her tight. Adele murmured a piece of song into Anna’s ear, holding the girl close, and followed Martin into their bedroom. Claire knocked softly on Marta’s door and entered.
The room was small, neat, a narrow bed pressed against the wall. A lace curtain fluttered in a window in the warm summer air. The scent of fresh flowers came from a small posy on the sill. The old suitcase was thrown open on the bed as Marta tossed in clothing from an open drawer. A small yellow dress fluttered to the floor. She didn’t turn around.
Claire damn well couldn’t blame the girl for being upset. She sat at the foot of the bed and patted the spot next to her. Marta stuffed another wad of clothes in the case.
“You and Anna are leaving France. You are going to be safe,” Claire said.
Marta stared at the floor. “Okay.”
Claire almost smiled at Captain Walker’s slang américain. “The Oberons are good people. They’ll take care of you.”
“Adele said you won’t come with us.” Marta abruptly sat at Claire’s side.
“I have to do something for Grey.”
“Monsieur Grey?” Marta looked up. “You found him?”
“Yes.” The word hurt, but Claire forced a smile. “But there is still more to do.”
Marta nodded that she understood; her dark eyes focused on Claire’s face. “You can find us too. Afterward.”
“I will try.” Claire wrapped an arm around Marta’s shoulders. “I want to show you something.” She pulled out the jewelry roll from her purse and