Winfred

125

Official Report

British Intelligence

Code: 3986                 

Kathleen Winfred       

June 24, 1944: the end

We awakened in the morning, and watched the sun rise, tinging the horizon with pink and orange as the sky began to turn blue.

We remained silent, hand in hand, as we watched the fiery orb rise higher and higher.

Finally, Freidrich sighed, squeezing my hand for a moment. “Today’s…the day…” he said, faintly, his voice sad. I closed my eyes, and nodded.

We walked downstairs, not holding hands in case we should see Schwab, but remaining close enough that our shoulders touched.

I could feel the sadness and regret radiating between us; it felt almost palpable.

Eventually, we had to part at the third floor. He had things to do, and I had to pack my few belongings.

Freidrich had given me a small briefcase. He believed that any sort of suitcase would attract suspicion, but a briefcase might not.

Besides, the case was big enough for the few things I actually cared to bring along. I could not take any clothes other than the ones I was wearing. I was lucky it was summer, so I did not have to worry about wearing or carrying a coat.

I packed all of Virginia’s letters: hers to me and mine to hers, as well as the tag with her name and prisoner number on it. I also packed Jessica’s letter to me. I packed the short note I had received from Freidrich when he sent Virginia’s letter with Andre. I packed the watch from Albert and the earrings from Pirot. I packed the hat and gloves Pirot had made for me at Christmas time.

I was packing the locket I had received from my mother, but changed my mind, setting it aside.

Once I finished packing the few things that mattered to me, I went back downstairs.

According to plan, I was to perform my duties as Freidrich’s secretary as if nothing were different about today.

Schwab came in in the morning as he usually did, but he seemed even more sadistically cheerful than usual.

After he left, I went in to Freidrich’s office.

“Freidrich?” I said, hesitantly. My voice quivered somewhat.

Freidrich stood and crossed the room, closing and locking the door. He pulled me into his arms, and held me, kissing me occasionally. He rested his forehead against mine and I brought a hand to his cheek, brushing away a tear.

“Freidrich…” I said. “Don’t cry…” My own voice was breaking. He took my hand, closing his eyes as he held me.

“Kathleen…” he said. “I love you…I love you. I love you, Liebling.”

“I love you, Freidrich,” I said. “There will not come a day when I will stop.”

Eventually, he pulled back, as necessity forced us to move on with our day and the things that needed doing.

“Pirot is waiting up in your room; you should go and…say your goodbyes. Be…cautious. Speak quietly. No one else can hear.”

I nodded, gave his hand one final squeeze of reassurance, and left the room, making my way back upstairs to see Pirot.

As soon as I entered the room, she threw her arms around me, tears beginning to make tracks down her face.

“Kathleen…” she said, using my real name. “I’m…I’m going to miss you ever so much. I will not forget you. I…I can’t believe you’re leaving. I guess I knew this day would come but now that it’s actually here…I feel almost as though I can’t bear it. I guess I’ve grown so used to your being here. This…this doesn’t feel real.”