For Such a Time by Kate Breslin Page A

against her shoulder. Stella tensed. Did he offer an unspoken apology for their blatant insult, or was he showing possession over his goods?
    “This is Dita,” he said, gesturing to the smirking blonde in white, “and Marenka. They’re here with Major Lindberg and Lieutenant Neubach.” He indicated the tall major, then a stocky middle-aged officer standing beside the voluptuous zoineh in red.
    “Captain Hoth is Berlin’s attaché to the Prague office.”
    “A pleasure, Fräulein.” The soft-spoken captain with sable hair and blue eyes seated beside her looked much younger than the other two.
    Stella acknowledged each of them with a single nod. To her relief, Helen chose that moment to arrive from the kitchen, and all eyes turned to food. She bore to the table an appetizing platter of Sauerbraten , the marinated roast beef smothered in tangy brown gravy, along with carrots and potatoes. Her second trip yielded silver serving dishes filled with relishes, golden fried Käsespätzle, and freshly baked rolls, followed by dried fruit and a board of cheese.
    Within minutes the feast was laid before them. Burgundy wine glistened in heavy goblets of Austrian crystal, and not an ounce of pork was in sight.
    “You’ve been here mere weeks, Herr Colonel. How is it you’ve already become the center of our Führer’s attention?” The majorstabbed at several slices of roast beef and piled them onto his plate. “I hear he’s chosen Theresienstadt as his showcase for an upcoming International Red Cross inspection?”
    “Correct, Major. Never let it be said our Führer ignores the rules of Geneva.” The colonel failed to hide his sarcasm. “Berlin informs me the Swiss should arrive in less than two weeks.”
    He spooned a small portion of Käsespätzle, followed by carrots, onto Stella’s plate. She flushed at the snickers from the zoinehs across the table as they selected their own food.
    “Will you be ready by then?” the major asked.
    The colonel reached for a slice of the Sauerbraten and cut it in half on his plate. He glanced at Captain Hermann. “How is construction coming on the children’s schoolroom?”
    “So far we’re on schedule, Herr Kommandant. Rebar for the new floor in the barracks has been laid and the concrete poured. But with this weather, it will take more time to cure.”
    “Is our labor holding up?” The colonel placed half of his roast beef portion onto Stella’s plate, and she was relieved to note that he’d only served her as much as she could manage to eat.
    Gratitude battled with her mounting resentment.
    “A dozen have refused to work.” Hermann turned his cold, covetous gaze back on Stella. “They have been taken to the Kleine Festung.”
    Her hand shook in reaching for her fork. Joseph hadn’t told her about any “Little Fortress,” but the captain’s tone implied that it must be a terrible place.
    “I could loan you some Jews, Captain,” the major offered. “They’re healthy enough, and you can keep them as long as you like.”
    “That won’t be necessary, Herr Major.” Hermann finally turned his focus from Stella. “We received a fresh shipment from Dachau a few weeks ago. All renovations will be finished by the second week in March.”
    “Not good enough, Captain,” the colonel interjected. “We only anticipate a surprise inspection by then. All must be ready ahead of schedule.”
    Hermann’s brittle features reddened. “All will be ready, I assure you, Herr Kommandant.”
    “We will accept your offer of Jews, Major.” The colonel held Hermann’s gaze. “I cannot afford to take the chance, Captain. The Swiss are not stupid, nor is this a routine visit.”
    He glanced at the other men around the table. “Denmark put them up to this. They’re upset that Herr Reichsführer moved hundreds of Danish Jews here last fall.”
    “Because it spoiled their plan to steal them out from beneath our noses!” Hermann growled. “Now our Führer must tolerate the Red