The Third Interview
Suhl, June 9, 1636
Two days after Maria D’Angelo and Thomas Bloem interviewed the Mitchells and the Isslers in their home, Judge Fross, the presiding judge, declared a half-day for the court. Normally, he held court from Monday through noon Friday. That didn’t mean the court employees had the rest of the day off. But, occasionally, like today, they had finished their usual tasks and paperwork, too, allowing the employees to take advantage of a half-day of freedom.
Der Garten was an outdoor lunch and meeting area nestled along one side of the court’s courtyard. The long-term plan for der Garten was to transform it into a park. Judge Fross found some unbudgeted funds to help with expenses, with the understanding that the park would be open to the public. When Bloem asked for another interview session, Archie thought of der Garten.
“Welcome,” Archie said when the two down-timers approached. Archie and Dieter had secured one of the covered tables for the meeting. Marjorie and Greta were present and unloading two baskets with lunch. Marta played with the children of other court families.
While Marjorie and Greta prepared lunch, Maria began the interview. “What happened to Achen, Feld, and Buch?”
“Feld and Buch were fined and given three years of community service,” Archie said.
“Community service?”
“The SoTF doesn’t have prisons…at least not yet. There is a jail in the basement of Suhl’s Rathaus, but the city isn’t equipped, or funded, to keep prisoners for a long period—neither is the constabulary. Feld and Buch sleep at home, and during the day, work for the city…picking up nightsoil for the nitrate beds.”
Bloem had been listening and laughed. “I think that would be fitting. But, what about Achen?”
“They hung him a week after his trial,” Dieter said. “Judge Fross sent the trial transcript to Judge Riddle for review—”
“Although he didn’t have to,” Archie said.
“—since it was the first capital crime tried in Suhl.”
“Bamberg did not comment, and the sentence went forward.”
* * *
Greta and Marjorie joined the four. Maria had been watching Marta play with the other children. She blinked and wiped her eyes.
“Are you all right?” Greta asked, sitting next to Maria.
“I lost my husband and daughter to Tilly’s murderers. She would have been Marta’s age.” After a pause, she looked at Greta and added, “You’re so blessed.”
“Yes, we are. We lost our first daughter fleeing Tilly. She got a fever when we fled Magdeburg.”
Maria was watching Marta again. Greta laid her hand on Maria’s and squeezed lightly. “Dieter’s family had a glass factorage in Magdeburg,” Greta said, continuing her tale. “When the city refused to surrender, we ran. We knew what would happen.”
“We stayed,” Maria said. “Our mistake.”
“I’ve thought whether we should have stayed,” Greta said. “They robbed us of everything we had when we left Magdeburg. Then B…B—”
“It’s still hard for Greta to say Bella’s name,” Marjorie explained.
Maria looked again at Marta. “I don’t understand, Marta is—”
“Too old? Yes. She joined us last…almost two years ago.”
“That sounds like a story,” Bloem said. He had been listening to the women talk.
“It is,” Archie said. “I sent Dieter on a—you tell it, Dieter. It’s your story.”