Baron von Dortmann got down on his knees, set down his own basin, carefully removed the rabbi’s shoes, then proceeded tenderly to wash his feet, gently drying them one at a time with the towel he had placed over his arm.

When he was through, the rabbi took his turn on his knees, and likewise washed the baron’s feet. Every eye was glued to the visible expression of mutual love, yet none seemed prepared for what came next.

Both men rose, then began to move through the rest of the assembly, the two together proceeding to wash the feet of the others, and not stopping until all pairs of feet were clean.

At last, the joint expressions of love, faith, commitment, remembrance, and preparation were completed. The baron and rabbi took their places in front of the others. Each prayed aloud. Then, after a few final words from them both, all rose and sang, first a single stanza of a Christian hymn, then a selection from the Psalter.

Hugs, tears, well-wishing, and good-byes followed. Thirty minutes later, not a single person had left the room.

93 Evil Approach

93

Evil Approach

Still they sped along the lonely, deserted country road, toward an intersection where the destinies of many lives would converge.

They were close now—very close. Gustav knew every meter. The light of the full moon above them illuminated the familiar surroundings as if it had been noon.

The terrible moment had nearly arrived.

The rifle began to feel like a hot, searing rod, burning his right hand where it lay loosely across the chassis and grip and trigger. He could feel the sweat beginning to drench his back and armpits, though it was certainly not a warm night. His breath was coming in shorter and shorter increments.

He had to keep his calm! If Korsch even suspected what he was thinking, it would be the end of everything for him.

The car began to slow.

“How much farther?” said a voice.

Gustav continued to stare out the window.

“How much farther!” repeated Korsch angrily.

Coming suddenly to himself, Gustav jerked his head around.

“Oh… about a kilometer, mein Herr,” he answered. “You will see a clump of trees on the right. The driveway goes between them.”

Korsch continued to slow, then turned off the headlights of the car. There was sufficient light to creep along, and there was likely to be a guard posted. Even though no one at the place could hope to hide from him and his troops, Korsch didn’t want the cars to be seen sooner than necessary.

He wanted to wrap this thing up neatly. He already had equipment digging a large pit not far from here for disposing of the human refuse.