The Iron Storm by CW Browning (classic literature books TXT) 📕

had found her in Oslo? Was it because she stayed at the same boardinghouse? She could think of no other way that he could’ve found her so quickly.

Her mind went back to Anna unwillingly. Through her own naivety, Evelyn had endangered both Anna and Peder. If it hadn’t been for her, Peder might still be alive. Evelyn shook her head impatiently. She had to stop thinking this way. Peder’s death was not her responsibility, just as Anna’s choice to accompany her also had not been her responsibility. Evelyn turned to go back to the suitcase on the bed. And if she continued to tell herself often enough, she may even begin to believe it.

A soft knock fell on the hotel door, startling her. Evelyn frowned and looked towards the door. Now who was it? Had Vladimir sent another message already? It seemed very unlikely, but no one else knew she was here. She crossed the room to the door and opened it curiously. One of the porters from the hotel lobby stood before her holding a sealed white envelope in one of his gloved hands.

“Good afternoon, mademoiselle,” he said cheerfully. “This was sent over for you by special messenger.”

He held out the envelope and Evelyn took it with a smile and a murmur of thanks. Closing the door again, she turned the envelope over to find her name scrawled across the face in a very male hand. Frowning, she ripped open the envelope and pulled out a single sheet of paper.

Dear Marie,

I hope this note finds you well. I wonder if I might meet with you this afternoon? It’s quite urgent that I speak to you. I have new information regarding what we were discussing last night. Perhaps the café around the corner from your hotel at three-thirty? 

Sincerely,

Jens

Evelyn raised her eyebrows in surprise. Jens had new information? The only possible thing he could be referring to was the motorized column of German forces that he believed were moving towards the Ardennes. Had he received more information about the troop movements? Even though the French refused to acknowledge that it was possible for the German army to advance through the dense mountain region, Evelyn thought it very significant that there were motorized columns going into the Ardennes. Perhaps Jens could shed some more light on them.

She pressed her lips together and crossed to the small writing desk near the window, dropping the note onto the surface and glancing at the suitcase on the bed. She had been packing to leave Brussels as Vladimir had urged her. Her business here was finished, and she had absolutely no desire to be caught in the midst of another invasion. She was booked on a train to Paris, leaving at three.

Evelyn looked at the mother-of-pearl watch clasped around her wrist and went to look out the window. It was almost two now. If she postponed her departure, she could meet Jens at the café and see what it was that was so urgent. She tapped her finger on the window sill thoughtfully, staring down at the busy city street. If she stayed and met with Jens, she just might be able to take more information back to London with her. What if he had definite proof that the Germans were moving troops towards the Maginot? That was news that both the French and the English generals would want to know. Not only that, but Jens worked in the Intelligence division. He may well have other, more crucial, information that she could take back to Bill. The only way she would find out is if she met him at three-thirty and delayed her departure.

Biting her lip, she turned away from the window and looked at the suitcase uncertainly. The memory of the panicked flight across the mountains of Norway was still very fresh in her memory, as was the lingering cough that remained from her illness. If she stayed, she ran the risk of being caught in another such invasion. Yet, if she left, she may be leaving behind precious intelligence that could help the Allies in the coming battle. And that was, after all, her primary job now. How could she, in good conscience, get on a train to Paris when there was the possibility of gaining additional information from a radio operator for the Belgian intelligence service? What kind of agent would she be if she put herself before the job?

Evelyn crossed to the bed and removed the toiletries that she had just packed. She couldn’t do it. She would stay, meet with Jens, and catch the morning train back to Paris. A few more hours probably wouldn’t make any difference to her, and they might make all the difference to the information she could take back.

9th May, 1940

Dear Evelyn,

I hope you’re feeling much better now. While it was lovely to see you, I do wish you’d told me you’d been so ill. I would never have suggested meeting in London for dinner if I’d known. Hopefully it didn’t set your recovery back at all. And now you’re off training again? I hope it’s not too much too soon. At least Cornwall is mild weather this time of year. Perhaps the sea air will do you good.

Have you been following the news out of London of late? It looks as though Chamberlain’s days are numbered. They’ve been debating the appalling handling of Norway and he is not coming out on the better side of it. Yesterday, Parliament held a vote of no-confidence. He survived it 281 votes to 200, but there was an outstanding number of members within his own party who abstained. I believe he’s lost the confidence of the Conservative Party and, if that’s the case, a change will have to be made. King George will have to appoint someone else. But here’s something interesting that I’ve learned: there’s some question of whether or not it will be Lord Halifax now. My father is of the opinion that the houses won’t