The German Wife(46)
“You know what Bob told me once?” Juanita said suddenly. Everyone turned to look at her, and she leaned forward and whispered, “He said he heard rumors at Fort Bliss that some of those scientists really were in the Nazi party. He even heard that a few were in the SS.”
“There’s no way they’d have been brought to this country if that was true,” Gail said abruptly.
“I didn’t make that up, Gail,” Juanita said defensively. “One of the translators told an engineer and that engineer told Bob. He said that someone in our government falsified some of the German records so more men could come here.”
“You shouldn’t say things like that,” Gail snapped. “It’s just not fair. If those men had anything to do with what happened back there, they’d be rotting in a jail or executed at Nuremberg, not free on our streets.”
I dropped my gaze to the menu, wishing I could hide under the table. When a long moment passed and no one spoke, I looked up reluctantly, only to find the whole table staring at me.
“You know who’d know for sure?” Juanita said, watching me closely.
“Calvin,” Avril said.
“He wasn’t thrilled when they were first allowed to move freely around El Paso, was he?” Becca said, then helpfully reminded me, “It’s just I do recall you telling me he’d been arguing with Christopher Newsome when they were first let off base.”
I glanced quickly at Avril, reluctant to confirm any of this. Cal would not be pleased if his name were attached to these rumors, especially since there was potentially truth behind them. But I couldn’t figure out how to extract myself from the discussion without lying. Instead, I tried to redirect it.
“It almost doesn’t matter if they were truly Nazis or if they had regular government jobs. Because even if they just had regular jobs, they stayed in those jobs. Gail, you know as well as I do that if Truman suddenly turned into a monster like Hitler, your sweet Trevor would be the first to resign. That these men didn’t do that tells me they were supportive of what the Nazis were doing.”
“I know you’re not pleased they’re here, Lizzie, but you really think the Germans are dangerous?” Becca asked, her voice a hushed whisper.
“My brother says men like that are always dangerous. And you all know he served in Europe, so he would know.”
“I understand that these German men know an awful lot about rockets,” she said with frustration. “What I do not understand is why most of the American scientists on the team have been so quick to assume they are worthy of a comfortable life here. They’re Nazis at worst, or Nazi sympathizers at best.”
“I’m not sure it is sunshine and rainbows for all of them,” Avril said, in a tone that foreshadowed some exceedingly delicious gossip. I hated Avril’s gossip and had been the victim of it myself. She seemed to delight in causing drama. “Sofie Rhodes called me a few days ago and begged me to come around for a coffee because her little girl is having some problems at school. I asked Patty, and she said that even the German kids won’t play with Gisela Rhodes. It made sense that the American kids would be a bit wary of these new students, but the Germans ostracizing one of their own?” She gave us a triumphant look. “And I suppose you all heard about what happened at Sauerkraut Hill yesterday.” When we shook our heads, Avril leaned forward and murmured, “Just before I was due to go meet her for coffee, Sofie called to cancel. Overnight, someone painted the word Nazis right on their street.”
“Is it true, Lizzie?” Gail said. I wasn’t sure what she was referring to.
“About the street? This is the first I’ve heard—”
“About records being falsified. About some of these men being members of the Nazi party, or even the SS.” She paused, her eyes narrowing. “If anyone would know for sure, it’s your husband, and you changed the subject when Becca asked you.”
I cleared my throat. I never was good at lying.
“I shouldn’t say,” I said stiffly, but there was a collective gasp around the table. I flicked a glance at Avril Walters. She seemed equal parts scandalized and delighted. My heart sank.
“Do you know which of the Germans were Nazis? Who was in the SS?” Becca whispered in shock. I shook my head hastily, mind racing as I tried to figure out how to undo the mess I was making. Cal was going to kill me if he found out.
“If this is true, I bet they’d only have done it for the scientists they were really desperate to work with,” Gail said slowly. The rest of us fell silent as we all thought about the superstar scientist on the team. “And—” Gail nodded toward Avril. “You said the German kids were ostracizing that Rhodes kid. It might just be that an SS officer for a father is just too much stigma even for them. The other Germans would know the truth.”
“Ask Cal tonight,” Becca pleaded.
“He won’t tell me anything. He’s still mad about the party and I know he’s sick of talking about this.” I glanced at Avril and suddenly frowned. “Did you say you’re having coffee with Sofie Rhodes? I thought we weren’t doing that.”
“Oh, she’s so lonely,” Avril said sadly. “I just couldn’t help myself. You know what a bleeding heart I am.”
22
Sofie