“I went to see Werner,” he said.
Her eyes widened. “You should never have put yourself at risk—”
“Nicole never talked.” He shook his head. “It was the new girl who told, the one who took her place. It was she who shared the location of the press.”
Agony and rage blossomed anew in Elaine’s breast. Nicole, so brave and lovely, loyal to the bitter, terrible end.
“For Nicole.” Etienne extended his fist over the desk. “And for Joseph.” The item he released clattered with a metallic clunk that rattled into place. When he drew his hand away, a silver iron cross lay on the table, smeared with fresh blood.
She sucked in a breath and looked up at him to find his eyes burning into hers.
“The bastard was rushing to clean out his office, preparing to flee.” Etienne spoke through gritted teeth, his expression fierce. “I could not allow him to leave—not when he hadn’t paid for what he had done.”
She went to him and opened her arms. They held one another as their tears fell for the loved ones they could never bring back. For the pain of so much loss.
They had finally won, but the cost had been dear indeed.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Ava
Sunlight sparkled over the Tagus with a brilliance that left Ava shielding her face with the flat of her hand. The noxious odor of smoke from the massive ship obliterated any freshness the water might have cast off. All around her, people rushed this way and that, their bulging suitcases clutched at their sides, children herded close to their parents.
Ava scanned the sea of people, seeking out Sarah and Noah.
They had been lucky to obtain tickets on the SS Drottningholm. Ava had been correct about the lines at the office being even longer after the Allied attack.
Fortunately, the invasion appeared to have been successful with securing Allied soldiers into the occupied territory and putting Nazis on the run. But the victory had come at a steep cost with thousands dead. Thousands she could not allow herself to think of.
“Miss Ava.” A squeal of excitement pulled her attention to the right as Noah barreled toward her with Sarah following closely behind.
Ava caught him and swung him up into a big hug, cherishing the moment, for it would be the last—at least in Lisbon. He grinned at her and pointed to the towering SS Drottningholm. “Is that ours?”
“It is,” Ava confirmed. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” he shouted, practicing the American word. He had quickly learned several phrases and was eager to learn more.
Ava laughed and set him down. He immediately dug out his toy ship and held it up, comparing it to the original. “Ship,” he said slowly in English, and she nodded in approval.
“I cannot thank you enough for all you have done.” Sarah swept forward to embrace her.
Ava waved off her gratitude, especially when the effort had been that of so many people, namely Elaine Rousseau. And James.
An ache filled Ava’s chest, and she shoved the thought of him aside.
“It was a combined effort,” Ava replied. “It is so good to know you will be reunited with Lewis soon.”
“You will visit when you return to America?” Sarah gazed imploringly at her.
“I absolutely will.”
The horn on the ship blared, and the crowd collectively pushed toward the open gangplanks.
“It appears the time of our departure has come.” Sarah took a large breath and let it whoosh out.
“He is still going to love you,” Ava said reassuringly and hugged her friend.