I had the choice of soothing Gail until a bullet entered her back or letting her know what we faced, so that we might try to do something to save ourselves. Although what that might be, I had absolutely no idea.

I said to Gail, not even trying to whisper, “You see how she works? She holds out hope, tells you the good thing that’s going to happen if you just cooperate. You’ll see your father, she’ll let me go. It’s to make prisoners as manageable as possible until it’s too late. They’re not going to fly you to Germany. She’s going back, I bet, probably by the route you thought you both were going to take.”

“Shut up,” said Gunther.

“Gail, both of us were always going to die. Martha’s only been allowing us to live in case any problem arose on the musical front. My guess is that the phone call she just got told her the charts are now out of the country, or that they’ve checked some of the music and decoded it successfully.” I was so glad I had left the first few harmless bars intact.

“The phone call confirmed both those things,” said Martha. “Also that the seaplane was arriving. I’m willing to let both of you live if you work for us.”

“Really?” I asked. I peered around. “Where’s this seaplane?”

“You heard its motors when you were inside the bungalow. The pilot has cut his lights and engines now. We don’t want to be spotted.”

We were almost by the white truck in the parking lot. It was about eighteen feet long and seven or eight feet wide. I remembered the lettering on the side of the truck had said it was from Landsberg, Ohio. Where was that? I wondered.

“Take off your clothes,” said Martha.

“What?” I demanded.

“After Gunther failed to frisk you properly, I’m playing it safe. Strip quickly and you can keep your underpants. Gunther, is that all right?”

Gunther said it wouldn’t make a difference. Why he suddenly had jurisdiction over this was puzzling. He purposely shaded himself to Gail’s side to better enjoy the view as she undressed.

We stood there, nearly naked, in the chill wind that came off the water.

“Okay, Martha, see? No weapons,” said Gail. “Can we get dressed now?” The cold and indignity seemed to have revived Gail momentarily.

Martha ignored her. “Oh, by the way, the seaplane isn’t here after all. We’re going to drive to it. You’ll ride in the back of the truck.”

Chapter 54

54

The Truck