As I stepped out into the warm summer air, I realized I had been brought here by Christoph. The area was not too familiar. I glanced around to try and gain a perspective, when I saw someone approach from the opposite corner. My face tightened, and then relaxed when I saw it was Christoph. He had waited for me out near the street. He was such a gentleman. I beamed as he appeared before me.
“You waited?” I smiled gratefully.
“Of course!” He said, surprised that I would question this, “I knew you had not been here before.”
As he walked me to my apartment, he told me how he and Lena met. How they planned to wed and even how many children they wanted to have. I was happy for her. Slightly jealous that she was so blessed in her circumstances, but …show more content…
Christoph looked around, “He was found guilty. It was just never disclosed who the actual person was that ordered Anlauf’s death. They could be the very ones running this country right now.”
“Why is Mielke not in prison?” We had reached my apartment, but remained outside.
“He ran off. Then the case was thrown out and then somehow over time he became celebrated and now runs Stasi. He answers to no one.”
I shook my head astonished as Christoph continued, “…and his right hand man is Markus Wolf.”
“Who is that?” I recognized the name somehow, “Wait… the man who was with him at the house was referred to as Markus.”
“Yes that would make sense that they were together. Wolf is Frau Franke’s cousin.”
I gasped. It all became very clear. I suspected that Frau Franke had a Soviet ancestry. Her accent was light, but her features always seemed more Russian than German to me.
“So Frau Franke is the actual reason why their family is close with the …show more content…
It would explain why they don’t seem to be in love.” I summoned my earlier thoughts of never seeing any affection in the home.
“Oh arrangements definitely exist, especially when it’s politically advantageous.”
“All this time I thought it was Herr Franke’s doing…”
“Some. They both have dirty hands, stories that would chill you to the bone.”
Just the imagery of Christoph’s words made me shudder.
“Why does Lena continue to work there?” I knew my debt was the only reason I remained, but she had a choice.
“Nobody knew the family connection to Wolf until later. I had also never heard of Mielke at the house before.” Christoph sighed, “Lena’s father was the Franke’s lead gardener at the time of his death. She was only fourteen when he passed away. They were the only ones who offered her a job. I guess she feels she owes them. Her income helps support her mom and sisters.”
I hadn’t realized we had that in common. I was torn. I felt bad that I had pushed her so hard for answers. She never even let on that she had such sad secrets.
“When will you meet my friends again?” Christoph changed the subject as he realized how late it had gotten.
“Tomorrow evening.”
“Will you be able to find it on your own?” He asked.
“Yes,” I said confidently, “I know how to get there
“You waited?” I smiled gratefully.
“Of course!” He said, surprised that I would question this, “I knew you had not been here before.”
As he walked me to my apartment, he told me how he and Lena met. How they planned to wed and even how many children they wanted to have. I was happy for her. Slightly jealous that she was so blessed in her circumstances, but …show more content…
Christoph looked around, “He was found guilty. It was just never disclosed who the actual person was that ordered Anlauf’s death. They could be the very ones running this country right now.”
“Why is Mielke not in prison?” We had reached my apartment, but remained outside.
“He ran off. Then the case was thrown out and then somehow over time he became celebrated and now runs Stasi. He answers to no one.”
I shook my head astonished as Christoph continued, “…and his right hand man is Markus Wolf.”
“Who is that?” I recognized the name somehow, “Wait… the man who was with him at the house was referred to as Markus.”
“Yes that would make sense that they were together. Wolf is Frau Franke’s cousin.”
I gasped. It all became very clear. I suspected that Frau Franke had a Soviet ancestry. Her accent was light, but her features always seemed more Russian than German to me.
“So Frau Franke is the actual reason why their family is close with the …show more content…
It would explain why they don’t seem to be in love.” I summoned my earlier thoughts of never seeing any affection in the home.
“Oh arrangements definitely exist, especially when it’s politically advantageous.”
“All this time I thought it was Herr Franke’s doing…”
“Some. They both have dirty hands, stories that would chill you to the bone.”
Just the imagery of Christoph’s words made me shudder.
“Why does Lena continue to work there?” I knew my debt was the only reason I remained, but she had a choice.
“Nobody knew the family connection to Wolf until later. I had also never heard of Mielke at the house before.” Christoph sighed, “Lena’s father was the Franke’s lead gardener at the time of his death. She was only fourteen when he passed away. They were the only ones who offered her a job. I guess she feels she owes them. Her income helps support her mom and sisters.”
I hadn’t realized we had that in common. I was torn. I felt bad that I had pushed her so hard for answers. She never even let on that she had such sad secrets.
“When will you meet my friends again?” Christoph changed the subject as he realized how late it had gotten.
“Tomorrow evening.”
“Will you be able to find it on your own?” He asked.
“Yes,” I said confidently, “I know how to get there