“Yes, he was.”
“You two were in love?”
“I thought so.”
Dai shifted his feet, locked his hands together, and tilted his head to the side. Her answer seemed to intrigue him. “You thought so? Weren’t you sure?”
Gabby mulled the question over. “Whoever knows for sure? I thought I was in love with him, and he said he loved me too.”
“What about now?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think much about that, Dai.”
He studied her eyes and thought they were the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen, large and beautifully shaped, with thick lashes shadowing them. She had a ripe and self-possessed curve in her lips, and her summer tan added to her attractiveness.
He inhaled her perfume, which always reminded him of her strong personality. Dai knew Gabby was a passionate woman, and he admired that trait, yet at the same time, he felt the awkward emotions a man feels when he looks on a woman who is interested in someone else. “He still loves you, Gabby. I can see it when he’s around you.”
She shook her head in denial, and the breeze caught her hair for a brief moment. “You see too much.”
“How do you feel about him?” he shot back.
“I can’t say.”
Dai wasn’t having much success at getting beneath the barricade she had built between herself and men. “Love is a funny thing.”
“Funny? You mean amusing?”
“No, I mean odd—peculiar. We often fall in love with people we don’t know much about.”
“What do you mean?”
“I guess just that when we’re in love, we see a person as being perfect, but we find out later they have flaws.”
“Of course no one’s perfect. Everybody knows that.”
“No, I don’t think so. I didn’t when I was eighteen. I fell in love with a girl in our village. I didn’t think she had any flaws.”
His caustic tone caught Gabby’s attention. “But you found out she did?”
“Yes, I did.” They both watched as a noisy pair of squirrels chased each other across the grass. “I learned that people aren’t always what they seem. And it can hurt a lot when we learn the truth.”
Gabby was silent for a time, wondering what heartaches Dai had gone through in his life. Then she said quietly, “You’ve asked me a personal question. Now I’ll ask you one.”
“Shoot.”
“What about Betje?”
He looked up, a startled expression in his eyes. “She likes men,” he said slowly.
“Don’t hurt her, Dai. She’s been hurt enough.”
“I can promise you that.”
Gabby trusted that his promise was solid and that Betje was safe from his trying to lead her on, even though she had flirted with him already. “She’s so unhappy. She thinks happiness lies in getting as much love from anyone as she can, and she’s so wrong.”
“I won’t hurt her, Gabby. You can believe that.”
“I do believe it.” The squirrels raced noisily up a nearby tree. “I’d like you to meet my grandmother, Dai,” Gabby said. “Well, she’s actually my great-aunt, but I’ve always called her my grandmother.”
“Dalton’s mother?”
“Yes. I think you’d like her. After we take the children home, we can go back to the hospital and get my car. Maybe Grandmother’s housekeeper will have something good on the stove. She usually does.”
“All right. It sounds good.”
****
Dorcas was having one of her good days, and Matilda had made her specialty for supper. “These are delicious!” Dai said as he sampled the spicy sausage fried in bread crumbs. He had pulled his cap off and was sitting at the table along with Gabby and Dorcas. “What are they?”
“Croquetten,” Dorcas said. “And the soup is erwtensoep. It’s the best you’ll ever find. It’s a thick pea soup with slices of smoked sausages.”
“Very good!”
Gabby felt pleased at the visit. For some reason she had felt compelled to bring Dai Bando by to meet her great-aunt. Dai had thrown off his act as a half-wit, and despite his unkempt appearance and bristly whiskers, he had proved to be a charming guest, paying careful attention to Dorcas. Gabby listened as the two spoke rapidly in Dutch.
“What kind of name is that?” Dorcas asked. “Dai Bando?”
“It’s Welsh, Mrs. Burke.”
“How does it happen you speak Dutch so well?”
“Well, I’ve traveled a great deal, and it’s very much like German. I suppose I just like foreign languages.”
Dorcas was looking healthier than Gabby had seen her in some time. Her cheeks had some color, and her eyes were clear. Although she was clearly enjoying having company, from time to time she would look at Gabby, who understood that she wondered why Gabby had brought this man to meet her.
Finally, they finished the meal and went into the sitting room, where Matilda served them delicious cake and hot tea. As they enjoyed their dessert, Gabby was amused at how her great-aunt interrogated her guest. She wondered how Dai would avoid telling her his real mission in the Netherlands.
“And what are you doing in this country, Mr. Bando?”
Dai gave the old woman a direct look and answered, “I’m a British agent. I’ve been sent on a mission to get your son and daughter-in-law out of Germany.”
Gabby gasped and dropped her fork. “Dai, I can’t believe you said that!”
“I feel that this matter concerns Frau Burke.” He turned his attention to the older woman. “That’s why I’ve come, and I need any suggestions you can give me to make my mission successful.”
Dorcas stared at the interesting-looking man who sat across from her. After a moment of silence, she said softly, “You don’t tell everybody this, I hope.”
“You and Gabrielle are the only ones I’ve told.”
Dorcas nodded. “I think you should keep it that way. I’ve been praying for someone to come and help my son. I’ve even asked God to send an angel if necessary.”
“I’m no angel,” Dai said with a grin. “Ask Gabrielle.”
“My son needs to get out of Germany. He is a simple man—too simple, I think, in many ways. I want to pray for your mission. Come here.”
Gabby watched with amazement as Dai knelt beside Dorcas without hesitation. Her grandmother put her hands on his head and prayed softly but fiercely. When she was finished, she removed her hands, and Dai got to his feet.
“Thank you, Frau Burke.”
“You may call me Dorcas, my son.”
Gabby was too startled to say much, and as the two left, Dai promised to come back and visit again.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Gabby said as they walked to the car.
“Your grandmother is an unusual woman. You’re like her in many ways.”
“Oh no, not me.”
“I think you are.” He hesitated and then said, “I told her about my mission because I needed to get a clear vision of what I’m doing.”
“I don’t understand, Dai. What do you mean?”
He shifted his feet and shook his head as if in wonder at his own actions. “I get so caught up in the details of what I’m doing that I sometimes forget this assignment is about people. Have you ever read Robinson Crusoe?”
“Why, yes, of course. All British schoolchildren read that book.”
“Do you remember the part where he decided to build a boat?”
“Vaguely. He wanted to escape from the island.”
“He threw everything he had into building that boat, Gabby. He collected the wood, he looked for other materials, he shaped and formed it—he got completely caught up in building that boat. And do you remember what happened when it was finished?”
“No, I’m afraid I don’t.”
“It was a very large boat, and he had built it close to his home. When he was done, he discovered it was too big to move. He couldn’t get it to the sea, so it just rotted there.”
“I
remember that. It was funny in a way.”
“Yes, it was, but that’s the way I feel sometimes. I get caught up in what I’m doing, and I forget that the end is more than the elements. I want to see your uncle and aunt free from Hitler’s grasp. Not only because they can help the war effort but because they’re human beings. And from all I’ve heard, they’re good human beings.”
“How sweet of you, Dai.” Her eyes were dim with tears. His kind words had touched something deep inside of her.
He reached for her hand and lifted it to his lips. “I know you’re worried about your uncle and aunt and your grandmother. We’ll just have to trust God that all will be well.”
Gabby blinked the tears away. “I’m glad you came, Dai,” she whispered. “And all will be well. I believe that.”
The two got into the car and drove away. Inside the house the old woman prayed, and in Germany, Dalton Burke had no idea that people this far away were willing to risk their lives to save him and his wife from the evil that was slowly closing in around them.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
A Turn of the Screw
A tapping on the door brought Dai Bando instantly out of a deep sleep. He came out of the bed plucking the Walther automatic from under his pillow and released the safety as he moved across the room barefooted. The moon sent a pale silver light through the small basement window. He stopped at the door and stepped to one side. “Who is it?”
“It’s me—Jan ten Boom.”
“What do you want, Jan?” he asked almost harshly.
“Open the door, Dai. I’ve got to see you. We’re in trouble.”
Quickly, Dai slipped the bolt and opened the door, keeping the Walther ready. “What are you doing here, Jan?” he whispered. “What kind of trouble?”
“It’s Betje,” Jan whispered hoarsely. “She’s drunk, and she’s talking like she shouldn’t. I’m afraid she’ll start talking about the underground if somebody doesn’t get her out of that bar.”
Dai put the Walther on safety and crossed the room. He concealed the weapon behind a small chest and pulled his trousers on. As he slipped into his shirt, he said, “Where is this place?”
“It’s on the edge of Amsterdam. I’ll show you.”
“What’s she doing there?”
“Oh, you know. She’s on a kroegentocht.”
“What’s that?”
“I think you British call it ‘pub crawling.’ She egged me to go along with her, and I did. But it’s dangerous, Dai. There are German spies all over the place, and when she’s had too much to drink, there’s no telling what she might say.”
“All right. How do we get there?”
“I’ve got my brother’s car. Come on, but we’ve got to be careful. If they catch us out after curfew, they’ll throw us in jail and interrogate us.”
“Why don’t you just tell me how to get there, and I’ll drop you off at your place. You don’t need to be mixed up in this.” By this time Dai was fully dressed, and he listened carefully as Jan gave him directions to the Brown Café, a name that referred to the color of the walls after years of exposure to cigarette smoke. The two climbed into the ancient car and soon pulled up in front of Jan’s home.
“You’d better be careful,” Jan said. “The Germans are thick tonight. They’ve doubled up on the night guard, but you’ve got to get Betje out of there before she gives everything away.”
“I’ll take care of it. Now, you go inside and stay in.”
As soon as Jan was out of the car, Dai gunned the engine. He had spent a fair amount of time getting to know the lay of the land, and he found the bar without any trouble. He parked the car, noting that there were quite a few other cars still there. He glanced at his watch—ten minutes after eleven. All the bars were supposed to shut down at twelve, according to the Nazi rule.
As he went into the narrow two-story building, he was accosted by loud music and the strong smell of alcohol. He moved out of the foyer and into the main room, noting that the decor was predominantly brown, the burnished colors of an old Dutch master. The floors and tables were made of wood, and sturdy beams held up the ceiling. There was nothing somber about the place, however. The walls were brightened with tiles and paint, and the mirror behind the bar reflected the opposite wall, filled with brightly colored paintings.
He spotted Betje sitting at a table with a large man. She was laughing and drinking, obviously intoxicated.
As Dai approached their table, he heard her say, “These swinish Nazis won’t be here long. We’ll take care of that.”
I’ve got to get her out of here, Dai thought grimly. He put on a carefree exterior as he greeted her.
Betje looked up, her eyes unfocused. When she finally recognized him, she laughed loosely. “Well, if it’s not the retard. What are you doing out tonight? They let you off your chain?”
“Time to go home, Betje,” Dai said and moved to touch her shoulder. He noticed several empty bottles on the table in front of him.
“I’m not going home. Meet my friend. This is Wit. What’s your last name?”
“Dehann,” the big man said as a lock of messy blond hair fell over his forehead. He must have weighed well over two hundred and fifty pounds, and he had a belligerent look in his small eyes. “We don’t need your help, retard. On your way.”
“I bet the preacher sent you to get me. Or was it Gabby? I’m not going, so you can go tell them . . .” She finished with a curse and took another drink from the bottle in front of her.
Dai was desperate, but he knew he had to get Betje out of there quickly. He took her by the upper arm and said, “You’re coming with me, Betje. You’re drunk.”
Betje struck at his hand and cursed again. “Get your hands off of me! You’re some kind of a freak. Tell him to be on his way, Wit.”
Wit stood up and doubled up his huge right fist. “Get out of here before I bust you up!” he growled.
“She’s going with me, and that’s all there is to it. Let’s not have any trouble.” He noticed that everyone in the room was watching now.
“I’ll knock your head off!” Dehann yelled as he struck out at Dai.
Dai jerked his head back, and the fist swept by him. Dai pivoted and put everything he had into a forceful blow to the man’s face, forcing him to stumble backward. When the man didn’t fall, Dai realized he was in trouble. Blood trickled down from Dehann’s nose, and the man blinked with surprise as he touched the blood and then stared at it. His eyes seemed to turn yellowish as they narrowed, and he came forward with his fists doubled up.
Dai moved into the clearing as patrons scrambled out of the way, and one woman screamed. He heard the bartender say, “No trouble, you fellows! Take it outside!”
But Dehann had no intention of taking anything outside. With a roar, he rushed at Dai, aiming another blow at his face. Dai easily avoided it, but the body of the huge man hit him like a tank and drove him backward. He landed on a table, sending bottles and glasses crashing to the floor, but he had no time to do more than try to get away. Dehann was like a determined bear, and Dai knew he would be demolished if one of the man’s fists landed squarely on his jaw.
“Wit, leave him alone!” Betje pleaded from a safe distance.
Her cry was ignored as Dehann moved forward, his hands poised to land a deadly blow. Dai quickly pivoted on his left foot and threw his right foot forward with a savage kick, catching Dehann in the chest with a dull thump and stopping him dead in his tracks. He grunted and made an ineffectual grab at Dai’s leg, but it was gone. Any other man would have been rendered unconscious with that kick, but this man was tough.
“I’ll get you, little man,” he threatened in a hoarse whisper. The two circled around the floor, Dai backing up and Dehann moving forward, swinging his fists but never quite connecting. One of the blows finally caught Dai in the chest, driving him back against the wall with unbelievable power, sending an icy chill through him. For a moment the bar seemed to be full of flashing lights. He heard Dehann’
s roar over the cheers and jeers of the customers, and suddenly he felt a massive hand on his shoulder. He pulled away, and his light coat tore away under the grasp of the big man.
“Stand still, little man, and fight!”
The two men resumed their dance across the floor, knocking tables down, Dai dodging and Dehann throwing powerful blows. Dai tried to catch the man off guard, sometimes striking Dehann’s face with the edge of his palm in a slicing slash and other times landing his foot in the man’s stomach.
Dai saw that the big man was becoming winded. Dai was in excellent shape, but Dehann was carrying an extra thirty pounds of fat. Dai finally landed a forceful kick directly in the man’s stomach that drove his breath out. Dehann stopped still, and Dai quickly said, “Let’s drop it. No sense cutting each other to pieces.”
But Wit Dehann evidently did not plan to stop before his opponent lay stretched unconscious at his feet. He roared and cursed and continued the assault.
Desperately, Dai measured his opponent and threw everything he had into a tremendous kick. The toe of his shoe caught Dehann under the chin and snapped his head back with a frightening force. This time the big man simply dissolved, falling in a heap to the floor.
At once Betje moved forward unsteadily. She grabbed at Dai, and the two of them left the room as quickly as they could.
As soon as they were outside, Dai felt the pounding he had taken. He had bruises all over, cuts on the inside of his mouth, and blood was dripping steadily from his cut eyebrow. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Do you have a car?” she asked.
“That’s Jan’s car over there.”
“Come on. You’re bleeding like a stuck pig.”
He was in no mood to argue.
“Get in. I’ll drive.”
“You’re too drunk.”
“No, I’m not. You can’t see with that blood in your face. Come along.”
The Gypsy Moon Page 19