Erik arrived at the town house early one morning while Ans was still eating her breakfast. She hurried outside to talk with him on the front step, afraid to invite him inside. After working late into the night, she and Eloise had been too tired to clear everything away before going to bed. Eloise’s typewriter sat in plain view on the dining room table, strewn with drafts of reports and editorials. The latest issues of the newspaper, detailing the unrest in Amsterdam and the Nazis’ brutal backlash, were stacked on a chair for Ans to deliver.

“I came to tell you that I’ve been ordered to assist the police in Amsterdam,” he told her after they’d kissed. “I’m leaving now to help put an end to the rioting.”

“Will you be in danger?”

“We’re armed. The rioters aren’t.”

The thought occurred to her that Erik could provide an eyewitness report. People all over the Netherlands would learn the truth about what the Nazis were ordering the Dutch police to do. “When will you be back?”

“I have no idea.”

“I love you, Erik.”

“I love you too.” He kissed her and was preparing to leave when she stopped him again. There was something else she needed to know.

“But you agree that what they’re doing to the Jews is wrong?”

He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. It was the color of damp sand and reminded Ans of their walks on the beach in Katwijk in happier times. “Everything that’s happening in the Netherlands is wrong,” he said. “But if I show any sympathy at all, I’m finished. I’m hoping I can urge the other officers to exercise restraint. Right now, the situation in Amsterdam is out of hand.” He kissed her again and said, “I’m concerned for you, Ans. I know you have Jewish friends, but please be careful. Riots don’t help anyone.”

“I’ll be praying for you. And for us.”

He looked surprised. “You believe in prayer?”

“Yes, don’t you?”

“I don’t know anything about it. I wasn’t brought up with religion. Life is very different in Java than it is here.”

“Maybe we can talk about it when you get back. You can come to church with me sometime.”

He nodded, but Ans thought she detected more skepticism than enthusiasm. Had she really never talked about her faith before? It had taken on renewed importance since the invasion. Erik waved, then turned and walked away without looking back.

CHAPTER 23

MARCH 1941