Cold Lonely Courage (Madeleine toche Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

that was the last time I saw the war up close.”
    “How was that also one of your best days?”
    “My war was over. My killing had stopped. I lived,” Jean-Pierre said. He shook his head. “Now we’re at war again, and I’ve lost my son. And soon your killing will begin. Remember the hardest part will be the first time you pull the trigger.”
    “Not after what he did to me.”
    “We’ll see, Madeleine. Now let’s get that old truck down the hill. I’m sure your mother’s wondering where we are.”

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    CHAPTER EIGHT
    “He’s out front,” Madeleine whispered to Jean-Pierre as the two of them stood just outside the swinging doors to the kitchen.
    “He’s with a group of soldiers. They’re all SS, they must be under his command,” Jean-Pierre answered. “Are you ready? We can wait, but we might not get another chance for a while.”
    “He waited almost a month. I was starting to wonder if he was going to come in at all,” Madeleine said.
    “Remember the plan. Be nice, get his guard down,” Jean-Pierre said.
    “I will. If I have to go with him again and he’s not drunk, I will.”
    “That’s the part of the plan I don’t like,” Jean-Pierre said.
    “I better go greet him.”
    “Alright,” Jean-Pierre said. “I’ll bring enough bottles over to get them good and started.”
    Madeleine walked over towards the front door. The SS Captain immediately caught her eye and the smile on her face.
    “Hello Captain, you’ve been a stranger,” Madeleine said taking his hand. “We’ve got a large table by the front window for you and your men.”
    “Mademoiselle, how nice to see you again,” he said. “Gentlemen, go ahead and take a seat. I’d like a word with this beautiful young lady.” The other soldiers walked by and made their way past occupied tables as Jean-Pierre arrived with the wine bottles and busied himself helping the men to situate themselves.
    “I thought you would be less friendly after the other day,” Hirschman said quietly, his lips a few inches from Madeleine’s ear.
    “I wish it could have been better for the both of us. You know, a nicer place, and some time to enjoy one another. I’d rather be your friend.”
    “I’m a good friend to have. We’ll put the other day behind us. We’re here to celebrate another German victory in North Africa. The men with me are transferring to the front. It’s sort of a farewell party,” he said, as he started to remove his jacket.
    “Let me help you with that,” Madeleine said as she drew the jacket over his shoulders. “If we could be discreet and meet later…” Madeleine said as he handed her his hat.
    “Yes of course. I certainly don’t want any competition from my fellow officers for your attention,” he said, smiling without the cruelty she remembered. Madeleine hung his coat and hat on a rack by the door, gesturing towards the men already pouring the wine and tearing apart the bread Jean-Pierre had set out.
    “Here we are Captain,” Madeleine said as she pulled out the chair at the head of the table. She made sure to brush her hand against his shoulder as she turned to leave so that the other men could see. You arrogant bastard, you’re mine, she thought as she allowed her hand to linger, giving him a meaningful smile. “I’ll give you some time to enjoy the wine. Let us know when you want something to eat. The kitchen will be open as long as you like.”
    “You are too kind, Mademoiselle ,” the Captain said, pouring himself a glass of wine.
    Once Madeleine had left them, a burly sergeant said, “Another one of your conquests, Captain?”
    “Can I help it if I’m irresistible,” he answered as the men laughed.
    Madeleine smiled again to hide her disgust at the charade. As she walked back towards the kitchen, she caught Jean-Pierre’s eye as he stood near the door holding a tray. She nodded imperceptibly. Jean-Pierre nodded back. “Good,” he said as they passed in front of the kitchen door.
    “Tonight,”