Werner’s eyes raked over the raven-haired beauty who in his judgement was all too aware of her stunning good looks and the effect they had on men. Yet it was obvious to him by the company she kept that she was urbane and well-connected. The guarded manner by which her worldly-wise eyes scrutinized him said a lot.

“Herr Schilling! What a surprise!” Gisella said, tilting forward to light her cigarette on his lighter. She peered at his companion and smiled. “Hello, Eva.”...