A Time of Peace (30 page)

‘That will be her.' Gerhard was on his feet and making for the front door.

Jon listened to them coming up the stairs, talking and laughing. So Gerhard was going to work straight away in his effort to charm her. When they came into the room, he couldn't help noticing how tired she looked. The distressing day had taken its toll. His protective instinct came to the surface once again. He pushed it away. She was a grown woman and responsible for her own life. His only obligation was to keep her safe while she was here.

She acknowledged him with a slight nod of her head, then she handed Gerhard the package. ‘There's a photograph of you in there. I hope you don't mind?'

‘Not at all. Is it good?'

‘It's front-page stuff.' She still appeared uncertain. ‘I've
also put in a short piece about your parents, but I'll take it out if you object.'

‘You can leave it in,' he told her as he smiled sadly. ‘The world needs to be shown what anguish this division is causing.'

‘Thank you. I've also put in a couple of personal letters. My parents and business partner will worry if they don't hear from me.'

‘I'll get this on its way tonight. I will walk you back to your hotel and you must rest.'

‘Oh, you don't have to do that, I'll be quite all right.'

‘I will be happier if I see you safely back.' He smiled again. ‘Berlin is explosive, and you should not be out on your own in the evening.'

‘All right, thank you.'

She accepted without further protest, and Jon wondered if she would have been that docile if he had suggested the same thing. His mouth twitched in amusement. Given the mood she'd been in today, she would probably have thrown another punch at him.

‘I'm just taking Kate back to the hotel, then I'll deliver this package to my courier friend,' Gerhard told him. ‘I shouldn't be more than a couple of hours.'

He watched Gerhard take Kate's arm as they left the room together, and wondered why his stomach felt sour. It must be something he'd eaten.

When Kate arrived back at her hotel, Bernhard was waiting for her. ‘Franz has returned and said the trip went well. He asked me to give you this.' He handed her the morning's edition of the
World Explorer.

She took it, eager to see what coverage Andrew Stevenson had given to the crisis in Berlin. She wasn't disappointed. There were two of her pictures on the front page showing the distress of the people as they realized that they were separated from their loved ones. The scenes she had caught were poignant, and underneath was a report by Jon. The inside pages were full of her photos. The whole of the centre contained a long detailed account of events from the time the barrier started to be put in place to the moment the people awoke to find the city divided.

As she was reading, the tears were brimming over. Jon Devlin's skill as a writer could not be denied. What a pity she had seen another side of him today. Who the hell did he think he was, ordering her around like that? Andrew Stevenson had given over almost the entire paper to this one story, and she had to admit that the combination of Jon's words and her pictures was a potent force. She hoped the paper would help to wake up the world to the plight of Berlin and its suffering inhabitants.

She wiped away the moisture from her eyes and folded the paper carefully. This was what she had always dreamt
of doing, and she felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude that, in this instance, she might have been able to make a difference.

She was collecting her key when the phone rang. The receptionist handed it to her. ‘It is for you, Miss Freeman.'

‘Kate, we've been trying all day to catch you.'

‘I've only just returned to the hotel, Dad.' She was so pleased to hear her father's voice. ‘How are you?'

‘I'm fine but worried about you being there at this time.'

‘You needn't be,' she laughed. ‘I have two protectors in Jon and his German friend, Gerhard. They're making sure I keep out of trouble.'

‘That's all right, then.' By the tone of his voice he obviously approved. ‘When are you coming home?'

‘Not for a week at least,' she told him. ‘I want to see what happens. It's terrible. The people of East Berlin are now prisoners, without any way of contacting their families.'

‘That's barbaric,' her father said. ‘We've read all about it. Your pictures are stunning, Kate.'

‘Thanks. I've managed to get even better ones today. Dad, will you see Pete and explain why I'm staying longer than planned?'

‘I'll do that first thing in the morning. You take care of yourself, my darling. Your mother wants a word now.'

She waited until she heard her mother speak. ‘Hello, Mum. Dad's going to see Pete for me, but would you go to the home and explain to the boys that I'll come and see them as soon as I get back?'

‘I was going there tomorrow anyway, so I'll bring Eddie home for a couple of hours.'

‘Oh, thanks. He'll love that.'

‘Is it very bad out there?' her mother asked.

‘It's heartbreaking,' she told her, and explained about the anguish and desperation of the people.

Her mother uttered a well-chosen expletive, then said, ‘You're doing a good job. Goodnight, Kate, we'll try to phone you again. I'm proud of you.'

As she put the phone down, those words, ‘I'm proud of you', echoed through her mind. That meant more to her than bags of gold.

‘Miss Freeman.' Bernhard appeared beside her. ‘It is not too late for a meal if you are hungry.'

‘I am, thank you.' She followed him to a table and sat down. The dining room was nearly empty now. There were only two local couples and they were silent, lost in thought about what was happening to their city. She smiled at Bernhard. ‘Please thank your brother for going to London for me.'

‘He was pleased to be able to help bring the news of our trouble to the world.' He handed her the menu. ‘He said we are fortunate to have such a fine photographer here at this time.'

She acknowledged the compliment with a slight nod of her head and a smile, then studied the menu. After choosing a simple meal of soup and fish, she watched Bernhard walk to the kitchen. There was a vase of flowers on her table and she leant forward to smell a beautiful rose in full bloom. The delicate yellow and subtle perfume was a sign of beauty and peace in the bewildered city. She would be the best damned photographer she could be while she was here.

On the Wednesday an enormous mass protest took place at City Hall. The mood was one of anger. The people were looking for countermeasures, but nothing was happening and their frustration was showing.

‘What do the placards say?' Kate asked Gerhard.

‘They are asking where the Americans are and why the West is doing nothing.'

Protected by Jon and Gerhard, Kate was able to take photos without being jostled too much. The atmosphere was threatening, and it was with reluctance she realized that Jon was a help and not a hindrance.

On Friday, Gerhard disappeared on some mission of his own. Jon stuck by her. It was a good working relationship; both were dedicated professionals with respect for each other and the story they were reporting. She felt sure this was the only reason he tolerated her. His attitude made it clear that having a woman around was a damned nuisance.

Things got worse as people tried anything to get to West Berlin. There were houses in the Eastern sector right on the border, forming part of the solid wall now rapidly being built. People were leaping down into the waiting hands of eager rescuers.

‘Oh, look at that!' Kate cried in horror. A woman was hanging from an upper window, being pulled from the top by East German guards who were trying to drag her back. A vivid picture of her own captivity flashed into her mind and she gasped in pain at the memory. She could feel the desperation of these poor people, feel their panic and fear.

Kate started to run forward, but Jon caught hold of her. ‘It's all right. She's down.'

‘Oh, dear God!' Kate was so upset she was shaking. She gripped Jon's arm, looking up at him wide-eyed with anguish, and moaned, ‘This is too awful.'

Jon guided her away from the distressing scene. ‘People won't be able to do that much longer. The soldiers are already boarding up those windows.'

She was speechless at the sheer inhumanity of this act.

On Saturday she saw her first death, as a man jumped from a house while trying to escape.

‘Why did he take that chance?' Kate was horrified.

‘People are desperate,' Jon told her, ‘and there will be more deaths. If you don't think you can take it …'

She glared at him. ‘I'm staying. If you don't like it, then you can slope off and do your own thing. I can look after myself.'

But he didn't go, and, although she hated to admit it, she was relieved. He knew what he was doing and always seemed to steer her towards the action. He appeared to have a built-in instinct for trouble; it was almost as if he could smell it. She wondered if his harsh upbringing had given him that talent.

They were walking along the Teltow Canal on the following Thursday when they heard gunfire. Jon grabbed her arm and started running towards the sound. Suddenly he halted.

‘What's happened?' she gasped, out of breath after trying to keep up with his long strides.

‘They've just shot someone trying to escape by swimming the canal.'

‘Are they all right?' She couldn't see a thing, as he was blocking her view.

‘I think he's dead.' Jon spun her away as she began to
shake with a combination of sadness for the unnecessary loss of a life, and fury at the outrage.

‘Go home,' he told her firmly. ‘You've done a damned good job but there's nothing else you can do.'

He was right. She was sickened by everything that had happened since she'd arrived in Berlin. She longed to see her family and friends again. That was more than the people here could do. She didn't think she could stand another moment of this. ‘I'll make travel arrangements right away.'

‘Good.' He glanced at the scene over her shoulder, stay here,' she told him, ‘and find out what you can.'

‘Oh, I will! You let me know when you're going.'

As she went to turn away, he caught hold of her arm and pulled her towards him, holding her in a silent embrace. She looked up at him in surprise. ‘What did you do that for?'

‘I just felt like it.'

With another puzzled glance, she turned and walked away. He was a very complex man. Tough, outspoken and uncompromising, yet, as that embrace had shown, he was capable of tenderness as well. He'd known just how shattered she was now. It was just as well she was going home because if she spent much more time in his company, her growing respect
might
turn to liking.

Jon watched her move through the crowds. She was a good photographer; she cared and it showed in every picture. It was as if there were a little of her in each shot. Her emotions made her the artist she was with a camera, but it also made her vulnerable, and he was relieved she had agreed to leave Berlin.

When he had gathered all the information he could, he returned to the flat and set to work on the story.

He'd been back about an hour when the door opened and Gerhard came in, looking weary and dejected. Jon set about making him a strong cup of coffee. His friend sat down and bowed his head in defeat. ‘No luck, then?'

‘No, it's bloody useless. The border's too well guarded, and when someone does find a way through, they plug that route as well. Once they finish building the permanent wall that will be the end of any escapes, though I fear that many will die trying.'

‘I'm so sorry.' Jon liked this man who was fast becoming a firm friend, and he knew that he'd been trying to find a way to pluck his parents out of the East.

‘There are some crazy schemes being plotted by relatives over here, but I can't risk my parents' lives.'

‘I don't blame you. It's too risky,' Jon told him.

Gerhard slammed down his mug. ‘The bastards are shooting at anyone who tries to escape. Dear God, Jon, we've spent our time in war-torn countries, but I never dreamt I would be doing the job in my own city!'

Jon refilled Gerhard's mug and placed it in his hands. ‘Would you like me to see if I can do anything about your family?'

Gerhard smiled for the first time. ‘I know you are expert at slipping behind enemy lines, but I wouldn't want you to risk your life. Even if I can't talk to my parents, I do know they are alive and I must be content with that. I'll keep my eye on things, and if there's any chance of getting them out in the future I'll do it.'

Jon could only guess at the torment his friend was going through. He'd never had a mother or father to
worry about, but if he had, then he knew he would be as frantic as Gerhard.

His friend stood up. ‘Now I must have a bath and a change of clothes.'

It took him only half an hour. He returned looking refreshed and more relaxed. He tucked into the sandwiches Jon had prepared for them.

‘I heard about the killing at the canal. Did you see it?'

‘We got there just after the shooting. Kate was badly shaken, and I've told her to go home. She's done enough.'

‘And she told you to get lost,' Gerhard said, with a hint of a laugh.

‘No, she agreed.'

‘She must have been very upset, then, because I can't imagine her allowing you to order her about without a fight.'

‘I chose my moment well.' Jon put the empty plates in the sink. ‘I only hope she hasn't changed her mind, now that she's had time to think about it.'

‘Do you think she will?'

‘I don't know. She's unpredictable.' He drew in a deep breath. ‘She's had a tough year and I'd like her to go home to her family.'

Gerhard gave him a studied look. ‘You do care about her, don't you?'

‘Of course I do. Her mother's a wonderful woman, and one of the boys at the home adores her. Eddie'll be devastated if anything happens to her.'

‘And?' Gerhard waited.

‘And what?'

‘For a man who is expert with words, you are skirting around the issue with great inefficiency.'

‘What the hell are you talking about?' Jon frowned.

‘Why don't you just admit that you are more than a little in love with her?'

‘Don't be daft!' Where on earth had Gerhard got that idea? Just because he wanted her away from any danger didn't mean he'd fallen for her.

Gerhard's expression was amused. ‘I think you protest too much, but just to be on the safe side I will drop my plans to pursue her.'

‘Please don't hold off on my account. I've no intention of falling for anyone again.' Jon began to laugh. ‘How did we get on to this ridiculous subject?'

Gerhard joined in. ‘I'm in an emotional state and perhaps I'm looking for something happy in this awful mess. But of course, you wouldn't be interested in an affair of the heart. How many times did you miss your wedding date?'