The Cuckoo's Song

Chapter Seventeen

Hans' heart pounded.

There were so many Americans around him; he knew he must be in the right place. He had followed Eve's advice and moved on from the first town as quickly as he could. But after all his travelling and the shocking revelations, his body had betrayed him. He managed to make it to another nearby town, then collapsed from exhaustion. The lady who had run the hotel where he was staying had called a doctor who had put him on bed rest for a couple of weeks. He had tried his best to sneak away, but the lady was entirely vigilant, and took him straight back to his room.

As much as he had hated to admit it, he had needed it. His legs were in a bad way, and he was malnourished and dehydrated. He would have been able to carry on in his younger years; it was nothing that he wasn't used to. But he had to accept that he simply wasn't up to it anymore. He had telephoned Klara, who was beside herself with worry. There was still no news of his nephew, which weighed heavily on his heart. But he had to push forward. Once he had Anna and Elli with him, then he could look for Kai. It was only once he was up and about again that he had heard a group of people discussing the capture of Berchtesgaden, and the American paratroopers' role in it.

"They were the ones who found the camp," he had heard one of them say. "Then they went storming all the way through to Berchtesgaden. Doubt we'll get that back any time soon."

So, Hans had pressed on, finally finding himself a car before he left; he wasn't going to expect Anna and Elli to walk as he had. He soon arrived in Berchtesgaden and tried to focus on his plan. He really had no idea where to start looking for her, or if she'd even be there. Perhaps the Americans had deposited her in a town along the way. But someone here must know her, and where she was. He would find bed and board, then begin his search.

Hans began to wander through the town, trying to take in his surroundings. It was swarming with allied troops, all quite at ease now that peace had been declared throughout Europe. He tried not to stare at them too thoroughly; he didn't want to arouse suspicion. If anyone here realised that he had been involved in the camps, he'd surely be lynched.

He had just spotted a small hotel when a man stepped into his path. He was an American paratrooper.

"Good afternoon," said Hans politely, then corrected himself, "I mean, Good afternoon."

"Are you Hans Lange?" asked the soldier.

Hans now noticed that there were two other men flanking him. Hans remained calm, his gaze becoming severe. There was no point in lying. "Yes, and who might you be?"

"I am Captain Baker."

"And how do you know my name, Captain Baker?"

"We identified you from a photograph."

Hans' heart stopped. "Anna's photograph," he said in a low voice.

Captain Baker nodded gravely.

"Is she here? Can I see her?" Hans asked urgently.

"I'll need you to come with us first," replied the Captain softly. "We have some questions we need to ask you."

"Please," begged Hans, his voice strained, "you do not understand how far I have come to be here. I need to see her now. I need to know that she is all right."

"Anna is just fine. But she doesn't know you're here at the moment. We'd prefer to keep it that way until we've got some answers from you."

Hans closed his eyes and took a deep, calming breath. He was so close... she must be within touching distance. "And if I were to decline your invitation?"

"I hear you're a smart man. What do you think would happen?"

"Fine," replied Hans curtly, allowing the three men to lead him away.