Fallen Sparrow Read Online Free PDF Page B

Germany.”
    He didn’t look as if he’d ever been on the receiving end of horror.
    “Where did you meet them?”
    “Mother’s on the board for settling refugees. Father helped place Dr. Skaas at Chicago. He’s trying to find something for Otto now. Your father has been helping.”
    “What kind of training has Otto?”
    Her face lighted. “He’s brilliant. Speaks dozens of languages as all Europeans do. Father, and Geoffrey, are trying to place him in the Department of Justice as an interpreter.”
    Coldness enveloped Kit again. But he spoke casually. “Is that wise at this time—a foreigner—”
    She broke in, “Kit, how stupid. You sound like Ab. We couldn’t have more loyal workers than those who have been through the hell over there.”
    Otto Skaas’ yellow head was above the crowd, coming alone towards the table.
    Kit rose. “Will you lunch with me tomorrow, Barby?”
    “I’m sorry. I’m busy.”
    “Break it. I want to talk to you.”
    She smiled casually. “Make it the first of next week.”
    He was suddenly angry. Actually he hadn’t seen her in four years; her visits to his sick room last year didn’t count. Now he’d returned himself and she wasn’t interested. He said, “Tomorrow or nothing. I’m going to be tied up the next week or so.”
    She didn’t care; she was as beautiful and as aloof as the Snow Queen. “I’m busy tomorrow.”
    Otto Skaas was standing behind his chair but Kit didn’t move. Let the damn Bavarian wait.
    “No time at all?” He didn’t hide his disbelief.
    Skaas laughed. “We’re going to Franconia Notch for some skiing. Want to join us?”
    He didn’t believe the possessive implication in the man’s words. He resented it. Barby should have said something but she didn’t. He ignored the invitation, hoped that Barby did not miss the cold anger in his jaw as he silently circled to his own side of the table.
    Someone piped, “Don’t sit on me.”
    Content was in his chair, turning her impudent nose up at him.
    He barked, “Why not?” edged her over to share with him and Ab.
    “You’re too big. You’d spoil my dress.”
    “I was about to suggest you go home and put one on. I can see everything but your legs.”
    “Pleasant fellow,” she said to Ab. “But foul-mouthed. Definitely.”
    He leaned across her to Ab. “Let’s leave. Let’s go get drunk. I mean drunk.”
    “I can’t.”
    Content chomped celery. “I’ll go get drunk with you, Kit.”
    “They don’t serve minors where I’m going.”
    “I vote next year.” She was complacent. “You might as well take me, Kit. Ab doesn’t drink.”
    “Since when?”
    “I mean he won’t go.”
    Ab said, “I can’t, Kit. I’m on this party. I can’t leave.” He was looking at Barby.
    “His fräulein brought him up to have manners,” Content said. Her voice was incredibly gay. No one else was. She put down the celery leaves on Ab’s plate. “Come on, Kit. Let’s us be rude. I’m rude anyway or I wouldn’t have crashed in on you.”
    Kit glanced across at Barby. She was looking at Otto.
    Content said, “You might as well give up, Kit. She’s nuts about refugees.”
    His anger turned on her now.
    Her oval blue eyes were unwavering. “Hold it. I don’t want to hear it. I left my table because José was glomming over Barby being nuts about Otto. I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit here and listen to you sing the chorus.” She stood up. “One side please. See you at the wedding.”
    Maybe Content was telling the truth. Maybe Barby had found the waiting too long. But he’d have to hear it from her to believe it, and it was evident that there would be no opportunity for that tonight. Meanwhile he wasn’t going to sit here and look sick the way Ab was doing. He said abruptly, “I’ll go with you. Ab?”
    Ab repeated. “I can’t.”
    “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
    “I’m going to Washington in the morning. I’ll call you when I get back, Kit.”
    The floor was swaying with