The Cuckoo's Song

Chapter Thirty-Five

Kai had still not surfaced by the time Hans arrived for him and Daniel; they were supposed to be going hunting. Supposedly, he had stayed out rather late with the young woman he was seeing. Klara expected that they would soon see her trying to sneak away from Kai's room undetected.

Hans sat at the breakfast table, happy to sit and wait with Daniel and his sister. He smiled as he watched the pair of them together, their hands clasped atop the breakfast table. He hadn't seen either of them so happy for many years. They had married in the autumn just passed, both she and Kai moving into Daniel's house soon after.

They had all made it no secret that they were worried about Hans, but he was perfectly content nowadays. The days of him pining after Anna had long since passed. It's not that he didn't miss her, but he had accepted that she was happy with her new life. He did have company of his own as well. When he'd been out walking one day, he had found a stray, pregnant cat. He brought her home with him and helped her deliver her babies. Even after all the kittens had found appropriate homes, the cat had stayed with him. He had named her Persephone, as he had found her in early spring. He'd become so fond of the goddess after he and Anna had discussed mythology. Perhaps he still missed her more than he realised.

The telephone rang, interrupting their conversation. The housekeeper answered it, Daniel soon pulled away to answer it. Klara smiled at him, watching her husband right up until the last moment. Then she caught Hans watching her.

"What?" she questioned, blushing.

"Married life suits you."

"How is Persephone?" she asked, continuing to sip her tea.

"The queen of the house as always."

"You spoil her."

Hans chuckled. "Of course I do. She had a hard life before me, I'm sure of it."

"You've had her over a year now!" exclaimed Klara. "Surely, she doesn't still need to be coddled."

"I enjoy it, leave me be," he hushed just as Daniel returned.

He seemed entirely serious as she sat back in his chair.

"My love," said Klara, touching his arm, "what is the matter?"

"Nothing is the matter," he said calmy, his eyes fixing on Hans. "They've found the Commandant."

A strange hush fell over the three of them.

Hans took in a deep breath. "Good. Dead or alive?"

"Alive," replied Daniel. "He is due to stand trial at the beginning of May."

"That's something I suppose."

"They were phoning me to reach out to you," Daniel continued. "They want you to come and testify against him."

"That makes sense." Hans rubbed his temples. "Of course, I will go."

"Very good."

"Is Hans not going to be questioned though?" asked Klara, her voice filled with concern.

Daniel patted her hand. "No, my love. He was pardoned a long time ago."

There was another silence.

"Who else has been asked?" said Hans in a low voice.

"Me," began Daniel, "as I had you feeding me information, and his name was mentioned. Maria Schulz, the housekeeper... and Anna."

They all fell quiet again.

"Has she accepted?" Hans asked throatily.

"I'm not sure."

"She might not want to," ventured Klara.