“Only for his son,” Brad said. “He can’t leave. He has too many people depending on him, he says. He’s a soldier, and he loves his homeland. He will stay and fight until the bitter end.”

“Let us hope he lives to see Germany’s defeat. Where does the general wish to stow his son?”

“In Switzerland with an aunt, a Helga Wolfe. General March has asked that we use our extraction apparatus to get him out,” Brad answered.

“Why doesn’t he arrange to spirit his son out himself? He can’t be without resources.”

Brad shook his head. “He thinks it’s too dangerous now that he’s under the eyes of the SS and can be arrested at any time. Lapwing and I both believe the general is involved in more than he’s letting on. We think he’s connected with a network far greater than simply feeding us information. If that’s the case and he’s arrested and made to talk, his organization’s safe routes will be compromised. He wants to see his son to safety while there’s still time. We’d like to see that happen, too.” He looked at Chris, who nodded in confirmation.

“What about you, my young friends? If your general falls, you will, too.”

“The general will have enough to fill their ears without involving his fishing guide and his son’s tutor. We can trust him on that. We will have time and ways and means to get out.”

The Frenchman sighed. “I will report to the major.”

*  *  *

Three days later, the general sat at eye level with his son and explained that he was sending him to be with his aunt Helga in Switzerland for a while, and that he would join him when he could. Hans was in the front hallway, handing off Wilhelm’s luggage.

“Why?” the boy asked, eyes welling, lower lip trembling. “I don’t want to go. I don’t like Aunt Helga or my cousins.”

He didn’t, either, Konrad thought in despair. His sister-in-law was a bitch and her children were spawned in hell, but she was the one relative living outside Germany where his son would be safe. “It’s not safe in France anymore, and your aunt is expecting you. You wouldn’t want to disappoint her, now would you?”

“I wouldn’t mind,” Wilhelm said, his voice wobbly.

Konrad reached out and drew his child hard against his chest. He would have sobbed, but he couldn’t let on that this might be the last time he would hold his son. “I love you, my son. Always remember that should it be a while before we see each other again.”

“But you’ll come for me, right, Papa?”

Hans saved him from answering. Coming into the room, he announced quietly, “The driver is here, Herr General.”

“Can I say good-bye to Herr Wagner?” Wilhelm asked.