Scribbler Tales Presents Escape from Berlin

By Mary Ann Bernal

Escape from Berlin
Mark Dresdner’s cover is blown, forcing him to flee East Germany, yet he refuses to leave the woman he loves. Finding the border crossing blocked, and the enemy closing in, will he evade capture or be forced to make the ultimate sacrifice?

Featuring
Betrayal
Aelia gives herself completely to the man she loves, revealing a life-threatening secret, trusting her husband unconditionally, but is he deserving of her trust?

Deadly Secrets
Lysandra seeks a new life in America, hoping to forget her past, but an accidental meeting with a man who knows her true identity endangers her happiness.

Murder in the First
As judge, jury, and executioner, Bethel decides the fate of the man responsible for her plight, but things go terribly wrong and the predator becomes the prey.

The Ritual
Devona’s initiation into a modern-day pagan sect on All Hallows’ Eve sends the terrified young woman fleeing for her life amidst a raging storm. Escaping the sacrificial altar, will she survive the tempest?

Exclusive Bonus Material
Excerpts
The Briton and the Dane Novels

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary Ann Bernal
• Release date: Feb 25, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311692597

Mary Ann Bernal

Mary Ann Bernal attended Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY, where she received a degree in Business Administration; her literary aspirations were ultimately realized when the first book of The Briton and the Dane novels was published in 2009. In addition to writing historical fiction, Mary Ann has also authored a collection of contemporary short stories, a science fiction/fantasy novel, and action and adventure novellas.Her recent work includes Crusader’s Path, a redemption story set against the backdrop of the First Crusade; Forgiving Nero, a novel of Ancient Rome that explores the complex relationship between the emperor and his mother; and the AnaRose novellas, which follows the adventures of a museum curator and relic hunter thwarting black marketeers.Since Operation Desert Storm, Mary Ann has been a passionate supporter of the United States military, having been involved with letter-writing campaigns and other support programs. She appeared on The Morning Blend television show hosted by KMTV, the CBS television affiliate in Omaha, and was interviewed by the Omaha World-Herald for her volunteer work. She has been a featured author on various reader blogs and promotional sites. Mary Ann currently resides in Elkhorn, Nebraska.

Book preview

Scribbler Tales

Presents

Escape from Berlin

A collection of short stories

Featuring

Betrayal

Deadly Secrets

Murder in the First

The Ritual

Mary Ann Bernal

Published by arrangement with Whispering Legends Press

Copyright © 2016 by Mary Ann Bernal

Betrayal, Deadly Secrets, Murder in the First, The Ritual

First published in the United States of America by Independent Author Index.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Edited by WeiEn Chen

Cover design by Steven Novak

Discover other titles by Mary Ann Bernal

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

For

Alex and Kerry

Alex, Ana and Addy

Dedicated to the memory of

Staff Sergeant Robert ‘Brian’ Cowdrey

and all the fallen

military and civilian heroes

in the ongoing fight against terror

Table of Contents

Escape from Berlin

Betrayal

Deadly Secrets

Murder in the First

The Ritual

Bonus Material

Excerpts

The Briton and the Dane

The Briton and the Dane: Birthright

The Briton and the Dane: Legacy

The Briton and the Dane: Concordia

The Briton and the Dane: Timeline

About the Author

Escape from Berlin

Mark stood by the window, peering upon the busy street through lace curtains. From his vantage point on the third floor, he could see the police barricades and barbed wire traversing the road while armed sentries patrolled the perimeter with guard dogs. This remote border crossing had never been secured before, until now, which meant he had been betrayed. Releasing the curtain, he grabbed a cigarette and filled a glass with Scotch. Mark sat on the bed with his pistol on top of the blankets as he savored the vintage blend.

The fine hairs on Mark’s arms tingled, alerting him to the danger when he heard footsteps climbing the stairs. Finishing his drink, he set the empty glass on the night table, taking slow, purposeful drags, and making smoke rings while watching the only entrance, his hand on the gun, as he waited to learn the identity of his betrayer. He couldn’t believe his eyes when the door opened, and he recognized the double agent who entered the room alone, a final confrontation before meeting his fate.

Earlier

It was a cold winter’s day, the sun obscured by heavy storm clouds as an arctic wind battered the countryside, whipping fallen leaves and bending tree branches on the deserted streets. Mark wrapped his scarf about his neck, donning the familiar winter cap, his fingers warmed by the fur-lined leather gloves Tatiana had given him for his birthday. He was in the doorway of the hotel, smoking a cigarette, his eyes glancing at the broken stone wall that separated the two countries, a forgotten route to freedom barely used, and of little interest to the government, until today.

Mark lingered in the shadows as a military convoy passed before him. The vehicles followed the solitary road as soldiers unrolled the barbed wire and placed the deterrent in front of the crumbling ruins, two miles in each direction while guard dogs ran across the open meadow and into the nearby forest; hunters seeking human prey, but not just anyone; Mark knew they were searching for him.

The townsfolk stayed in their homes behind locked doors, fearing the soldiers while wondering why their isolated village was so important and why it was necessary to close the border. Once the war was over, they were left with rebuilding their lives, farmers mostly, but merchants and tradesmen also chose the simplicity of living a rustic life, far away from the politics, which threatened to destroy the freedom they enjoyed by residing in such an obscure region.

Mark threw his cigarette into the street, braving the forceful wind as he approached the tavern that opened daily at six in the morning. He nodded to the barkeep upon entering, and sat near the window as he ordered a sandwich and drink. Mark retrieved a pack of cigarettes from his inside coat jacket and tossed it on the table while waiting for the man to return.

Leave the bottle, Mark informed the proprietor, and today’s paper, if you have it.

Even though it was early, Mark downed the whisky, his demeanor changing as the warming liquid seeped through his veins, relaxing his taut muscles, making sense of his chaotic thoughts as he watched a tank rolling along the dirt road, taking its position near the border crossing, its guns pointed at the town. It would not be long before the soldiers began their door-to-door search, threatening the frightened villagers with torture, death, or both, if they weren’t forthcoming. However, they could not be made to speak of something they had no knowledge of since spies had no place in this rural community where time seemed to stand still.

Your newspaper, the barkeep said, handing Mark the paper while putting the sandwich on the table. Is there anything else, Mr. Dresdner?

I’m fine for now, thank you, Hermann.

Mark took a bite of his sandwich, opened the paper and scanned the articles, searching the obituaries for recognizable names ... of fellow agents, his handler, and his lover. They would be arrested and interrogated because of what they knew, and it was his fault. Mark should have crossed over last night, but he could not leave without Tatiana. He loved her, and that was that. She was to have arrived before him, checking into the hotel as his wife, to await her husband, to see for herself the place where he preferred to write, the famed author revered by the friendly townsfolk, his privacy respected, his comings and goings never questioned.

The door burst open and three armed soldiers entered the room.

Papers, one of them shouted.

Mark opened his wallet, retrieved the requested documents and set them on the table, but he continued to read the newspaper while keeping an eye on the young men who enjoyed the fear they instilled as the barkeep produced his credentials.

Who else works here, old man? the sergeant asked.

My wife prepares the meals and my daughter serves the customers, Hermann replied, but they won’t be here until midday.

Go about your business, the sergeant said as he returned Hermann’s documents.

The barkeep mumbled incoherently as he hurried towards the back room, keeping his eyes lowered, lest he was arrested for witnessing something he shouldn’t have seen.

The sergeant approached Mark, picked up his papers, looked them over and tossed the documents back.

What is your business here?

I am awaiting my wife, Mark replied. We are on holiday.

This is an unusual place for a holiday, isn’t it?

We find this town charming, Mark said. A perfect place to rekindle a lost passion, don’t you think?

Hmm ... do not leave without checking with me, am I understood?

We plan on staying the week. Will your business be finished by then?

My business does not concern you, the sergeant said tersely before he and his men left the tavern.

Mark wondered whether or not he was being paranoid. Perhaps, there was another reason for closing the border, and if that