The Keeper of the Laugh: A Completely Gripping WW2 Historical Fiction Novel by Danny Fromchenko

Author:Danny Fromchenko [Fromchenko, Danny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-01-28T23:00:00+00:00

1936, Berlin

1

Franz left his office and strode to his car. Next to the door of the car, Iron waited for him in a sparkling uniform and with a wide smile. “Good evening, Commander,” he said and opened the door while bowing deeply. Franz smiled back at him. He couldn’t believe the change that had taken place in him in the span of two months. It wasn’t only the uniform that fit his body so perfectly, but that Iron already spoke the language nearly perfectly. He had known that his secretary, Suzanna, the serious, older, single woman, would adopt the giant man with the heart of a babe, and take him to her heart, and so it was. She took him under her wing and taught him, as if he were a toddler, how to eat and how to behave in society, to speak proper German, and even to read and write. Iron was a talented student, there was no doubt about it. Suzanna thought maybe her love would be a tonic for his miserable life, and maybe it was because of her that Iron was so committed to his studies.

Franz knew how to choose people that were right for him and who would meet his needs. He also made sure they would get along well with one another. He was very pleased with Iron’s service. Iron woke up early each morning, went down to Suzanna’s apartment and returned to pick up Franz a quarter of an hour before the set time. He always started the car in time to pick Franz up at the office as scheduled and warm up the passenger seat beforehand. Franz wondered how Iron knew exactly what time to do each thing. Interesting what he knows about me and doesn’t say, he thought.

“Home?” asked Iron.

“Yes, just stop next to Berger’s book shop on the way, please.”

Iron slid into first gear, released the clutch, and the black Mercedes moved silently forward. Franz was again amazed by the gentleness with which his wide feet handled the different pedals. He himself never learned to drive and had no sense of what it required. Iron stopped next to the store, and Franz got out of the car and disappeared inside. Iron waited for him in the running car. He knew his commander would spend the whole night reading a thick book that he bought today and would finish in another day or so. He wondered why his commander wasn’t married or friendly with women. While he was busy with these thoughts, his nose caught the sour smell of fear. From the time he ran barefoot through the streets of Budapest like a wild animal, he had learned to recognize the smell which was similar to the smell of sweat. He recognized the source as three men standing in front of Berger’s picture window, looking at the books on display.

Iron got out of the car and slowly closed the distance between himself and the threesome. Despite the appearance of calm, his senses were primed for what was about to happen.

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