Lieutenant Rupert gently took hold of Lena’s arm. “You can’t go back,” he said. “Your mother will be fine. You heard her say that she knew where to hide herself, where the Germans would never look for her. She wouldn’t want you to place yourself in danger.”
Lena seemed to waver but then took a step back from Rupert. “She is my mother,” she offered, as if that were the only explanation needed.
To everyone’s surprise, the German spoke up next. “Excuse me, Fräulein,” he began, then continued once he had her attention. “Please listen to your friends here. It would not be wise to go back alone through these woods. From what I saw of your mother, she is quite the resilient woman. No, you had better come along with us. I know that Lieutenant Rupert, in particular, will not be disappointed by your company.”
Finally, the girl relented. “All right,” she said. “This way.” Lena started down the road.
Cole glanced at the German, who once again seemed lost in his own thoughts. He still wore the Webley revolver tucked into his belt. Cole didn’t ask for it back. In fact, he had hardly given a second thought to the notion that Bauer might run for it. During the fight at the château, Bauer had more than held his own, displaying just the sort of courage one might expect from a German officer. Having come this far, he didn’t seem to be about to make his escape. Then again, maybe he was just waiting for the right opportunity.
Cole had mixed emotions about Bauer. Not long ago, he had been ready to shoot him on sight. But somehow Bauer had redeemed himself. His words to the girl had shown that Bauer did have a heart, even if it was branded with an Iron Cross.
They continued down the road, moving faster without logs to step over and low-hanging branches to duck under. Cole kept his eyes roving in every direction, especially in front and behind them. There was no telling who else might be on this road.
In the forest, they had managed to leave the war behind, surrounded only by trees, snow, and the occasional sound of an animal or bird. But here on the road, the signs of war were unmistakable. They came across the frozen body of a German soldier dusted with snow. It looked as if he had been wounded elsewhere and reached this lonely spot, where he’d either given up the ghost or his companions had left him for dead.
Cole shook his head, looking at the youthful face of the soldier. His smooth, beardless cheeks confirmed that the dead German couldn’t have been much more than a teenager. Someone had taken his boots, leaving his white feet exposed to the elements. For some reason it seemed worse than leaving him naked.
Cole knew that scenes like this had been repeated dozens, if not hundreds, of times that very day across the battlefield.
They saw multiple tracks where men and vehicles had passed this way. Some of the boot prints bore the hobnails of German shoes, while others had the rubber soles of American GIs. They passed the wreckage of a panzer, scorch marks showing where it had been struck by a shell. A single dead crewman hung half-in and half-out of the hatch. It was a gruesome tableau of death, considering that the soldier’s face was scorched and his short blond hair was singed. Lena stifled a gasp at the sight. Cole had to admit that none of it was easy to look at.
They continued walking, passing the wreckage of a smashed jeep, although thankfully there weren’t any bodies around it. Then they came to the wreckage of a Kübelwagen that had gone into the ditch, probably because the driver and passenger were riddled with bullets.
“Look at that, Herr Barnstormer,” Vaccaro said, pointing to the body of a German officer. “He might be one of your friends. Maybe you knew him.”
Bauer shook his head. “No, I’m afraid that I do not know him.”
“Maybe there’s something valuable here,” Rupert said. Although Cole had been ready to walk on, Rupert approached the vehicle and, to their astonishment, after a brief search he pulled out a black leather attaché case.
“Well, what have we here, gents?” Rupert said. His fingers were obviously cold because it took him a few moments to jiggle the latch. Once he got it open, he pulled out several papers and maps. None of it meant anything to Cole, but beside him, Bauer also leaned in for a look, and Cole could feel him stiffen.
Apparently Rupert knew a little German, but Lena knew more. The two put their heads together and pored over the documents. Bauer remained circumspect and tight-lipped.
