The 9 by Madalyn Morgan (tools of titans ebook .txt) 📕

for him, Ena. He would have killed you without a second thought if you hadn’t…’

‘Killed him,’ Ena whispered. She felt tears well up. ‘I can’t get it out of my mind that I have killed a man. I keep seeing him on the floor, his eyes staring up at me but not able to see… I know he was a spy, and I know he would have killed Freda if I hadn’t stopped him, but he’s still someone’s son.’ Ena burst into tears.

Commander Dalton picked up the telephone again. He pressed down several times on the receiver’s cradle. ‘Get someone to bring in a cup of strong sweet tea, will you? Then find some bloody sugar!’ he barked. He banged down the receiver. ‘Ena?’ No sooner had she looked up at him than the phone rang. ‘Dalton! What is it? Yes of course, put him through.’

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

There was a tap at the door. Ena rose instinctively. The commander nodded and, wiping her eyes, she crossed the room. She opened the door to see a waitress from the canteen holding a cup of tea. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered, taking the cup shakily. When waitress left, Ena closed the door and returned to her seat. She sipped the tea. It was just as the commander had ordered; strong and sweet. When he put down the phone, she said, ‘What is it? You look worried. Is it the man on the train?’

‘There wasn’t a man on the train, dead or alive, that fitted the description you gave, Ena.’

‘There must have been. I saw his lifeless body on the floor of the compartment. He was dead. I wish he hadn’t been, but he was. It was exactly as I told you. His eyes were open, but they were dull and staring. He was dead, I tell you.’

The commander got up slowly and walked over to the window. He looked out for some minutes before speaking. ‘And you’re certain that the man on the train today was the same man who stole your work last year?’

‘Yes. Absolutely certain.’ Ena put down her tea, pushed herself out of her chair, and joined the commander at the window. ‘I’d have known him anywhere. I don’t think I’ll ever forget him. His face, grinning when he gave me back the pear drops. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face. I had nightmares for months.’ Ena stared out of the window. A flock of wild geese flew overhead and landed on the lake. She watched the water wave and settle to a ripple. ‘I recently began to sleep better.’ She shuddered. ‘I expect the nightmares will start again now.’ She lowered her gaze as tears fell onto her cheeks.

The commander laid his hand on her arm. ‘Ena?’ She lifted her head and looked at him through her tears. ‘You mustn’t tell anyone that MI5 met the train and didn’t find a body. Do you understand?’

Ena nodded. ‘I wonder what happened to it... to him?’

Commander Dalton shrugged. ‘He might have had an accomplice on the train who got the body off before it arrived in London. There are plenty of stations between here and Euston. Or he could have planned to meet someone at one of the smaller, less busy stations. If that was the case, when he didn’t get off the train, the person expecting him would probably have boarded – and when he found the body, got rid of it.’

‘What, threw it off the train?’

‘He’d have had no choice,’ the commander said. ‘And if his accomplice threw him out where there was dense foliage or woodland, we may never find it.’

Ena jumped at the sound of someone knocking on the door. ‘Remember,’ Dalton hissed, ‘Not a word about MI5 to Miss King! Come in!’ he called, as soon as they were seated.

A Wren opened the door and ushered Freda into the room. Ena got up to leave. ‘I don’t think I need to speak to Freda on her own,’ Commander Dalton said, smiling. He looked down at the notes he’d made earlier. ‘There’s just one thing. Did you find any ID on the man?’

‘No Commander. Not even a train ticket. But I only had a quick look in his jacket pocket.’

‘Thank you, Miss King. You were lucky Ena was with you.’

‘I was, sir. I dread to think what might have happened if she hadn’t come to my rescue.’

The commander nodded and looked at Ena. ‘A clear case of self-defence.’

‘That’s what I told her, sir.’ Holding her hand out to Ena, Freda said, ‘You saved my life, my friend.’

Ena opened her handbag and plunged her hand inside. ‘Where’s my damn hankie?’

‘You should have a medal,’ Freda said, taking her own handkerchief from her handbag and giving it to Ena.

‘Here, here. Now dry your eyes, Ena. The man is not worthy of your tears,’ the commander said, lifting the telephone again. ‘Would you get someone to bring in tea for three and something sweet if they can find it,’ he said, politely this time.

While they waited, Freda brought Commander Dalton up to date with what was going on at the factory. She wasn’t aware that Ena gave him regular updates. Nor did she know that Ena was watching everything the staff at Silcott’s did, even what she did. Ena felt disloyal. Freda had just helped her cover up… She couldn’t bring herself to even think the word.

The door opened and the Wren brought in a tray with three cups of tea and a plate of digestives. Ena took a cup of tea but refused a biscuit.

When they had finished their refreshments and were leaving, the commander shook Freda’s hand. ‘Look after her, won’t you?’

‘Of course.’

While Freda collected their coats, Commander Dalton shook Ena’s hand. He held it for a little longer than usual. ‘The friendly chat