Read Online Love and Triumph: The Coltrane Saga, Book 8 by Patricia Hagan - Free Book Online

planned to betray Russia from the rear while Germany advanced at the front. Bolshevik strongholds had been stormed, and while Trotsky, to Rudolf’s personal dismay, had surrendered to the police, Lenin had escaped over the border into Finland.
    The Zealots had just heard that Lenin had sent word from Finland that he was not at all concerned over the failure of the uprising. He called it more “demonstration” than “revolution”.
    But Rudolf quickly learned that his friends were concerned with other news from Russia. It was reported that Prime Minister Kerensky, who was also Minister of War, had decided since the July uprising that it was dangerous to leave the Czar and his family where they were being held at Petrograd. Everyone was wondering where they would be taken.
    “If we had gold, we could buy the information,” Lutzstein gruffly proclaimed, banging his fist on the table. “We have manpower, brain power, and by Lenin, we’ve got the will and the courage. We just don’t have the gold to buy information that disillusioned soldiers are willing to sell. All we can do is sit here all day and all night and drink and protest. I think the time has come to stop complaining and do something to help our Bolshevik comrades.”
    A round of cheers went up.
    At the next table, Cord Brandt sat quietly, sipping now and then from a stein of beer.
    Rudolf saw him, started to join him but hesitated because he looked so preoccupied, his thoughts far, far away. Yet Rudolf could sense the man was very much aware of everything going on around him.
    When Cord had first appeared at the coffeehouse last winter, he was regarded with suspicion. He would divulge nothing about who he was or where he came from, and he kept to himself. So they ignored him and minded what was said when he was about.
    Then came the night he saved Hanisch Lutzstein’s life by deliberately taking a bullet intended for him. It happened during the Zealots’ celebration of the news of the Czar’s abdication. A stranger came in, did not share their joy, and subsequently got into a heated debate with Hanisch. When he became abusive, then threatening, Hanisch had him thrown out. It was Cord Brandt, however, who happened to see the stranger sneaking in the back door, gun in hand, and leaped to his feet in defense just in time to keep Hanisch from being shot in the back. Fortunately, Cord had only been grazed, but from then on, his loyalty was never questioned, and Hanisch proclaimed him a friend for life. The would-be killer got away and was dismissed as a wandering drunk, and the attempted assassination was considered merely the result of the previous altercation.
    Cord Brandt became a hero and a respected comrade, and Rudolf was somewhat impressed when Elenore caught his eye. And he really was not concerned over their mother being outraged that they could both be involved with people who were half Russian. She was going to learn sooner or later that he was now the head of the family. Besides, if her drinking got worse, Amalia was going to find herself tucked away in a sanitarium. He was getting tired of her tantrums.
    Rudolf decided to intrude, walked over, sat down, then signaled the barmaid to bring a fresh pitcher of beer before cheerily greeting him. “Well, it’s good to be back. How’ve you’ve been, comrade?”
    Cord nodded absently.
    Rudolf was bursting to tell someone his news, so he paid no attention to Cord’s lack of enthusiasm over his company. He waited till the barmaid brought the beer, then excitedly whispered, “Did you hear what Hanisch was just saying about gold being needed to buy information? Well…” He grinned smugly. “I have it!”
    Cord poured himself a beer, then asked with a slight sneer, “Which? The gold or the information?”
    Rudolf stiffened. He did not like his sarcasm but then saw that Hanisch was disengaging himself from the others. He frantically waved to get his attention, then motioned him over.
    Hanisch pulled up a