“Will you stop speaking in riddles, please?” she asked. “What will he do?”
“It’s more a matter of what he won’t do,” Evelyn said. “He won’t accept a German government, and he certainly won’t allow them to take away his radio.”
“Ah yes. The radio. It all comes down to that, doesn’t it?” he asked. “That’s why you’re here, after all. Tell me if I’ve worked it out correctly. You want me to transmit information to the British that will help them in their war. And, if the Germans invade Norway, you want me to continue to supply your government with information on German movements and installations. Am I correct?”
“Yes.”
“And why does your government suddenly care so much for Norway?” he asked. “They violate our neutral waters regularly, and they’ve made no secret of the fact that they’re not opposed to preventing ships from bringing supplies into our harbors. Why would they suddenly care about what happens to Norway?”
“Because if Norway falls to the Germans, the Kriegsmarine will have unlimited access to the Atlantic Ocean, and Hitler will have complete control over the North and Baltic Seas.”
“And if we fall to the British?”
Evelyn swallowed. “There is no talk of England invading Norway.”
He gave her a skeptical look. “There was no talk of Hitler invading Poland either, until he did it,” he pointed out. Then he sighed. “I’m well aware of the danger of the war coming to our shores and, if it does, rest assured that I will do everything I can to help you and your country. If that means transmitting information, then I will do so happily.”
He held up a finger when she opened her mouth to speak.
“But I will not do so until that war comes to our shores,” he continued. “I will not break my government’s neutrality and risk my countrymen for the sake of playing secret agent for Britain.”
Evelyn stared at him and slowly nodded. “I can understand that.”
Before he could say anything, a sound came from the headset and he grabbed it, putting it on as he swung around to the radio. The room fell silent as he listened intently and began writing down the signals coming through. Evelyn watched him, her heart pounding. The answer had come quickly, which told her that they were already aware of the situation and had been waiting for a message from her. Would she be ordered back to England?
After what seemed like forever, but was in reality only about three minutes, Peder removed the headset and turned to hand her the piece of paper.
JIAN: AUNT MARTHA’S CONDITION HAS BEEN EXAGGERATED. YOUR RETURN NEXT WEEK AS PLANNED IS FINE. ENJOY YOURSELF AND BRING BACK A SOUVENIR. - UNCLE GEORGE
Evelyn exhaled and stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray on the desk.
“Well?” Anna asked.
“Everything is fine,” she said, smiling at her. “Nothing to worry about.”
“Well that’s a relief!”
Evelyn turned her eyes to Peder.
“I appreciate your candor,” she said. “I’m sorry that I won’t be seeing you again, but I really do understand your position.”
He nodded. “Should anything change, so will my answer,” he said, standing. “However, until then, I will remain a passive observer.”
Evelyn nodded and turned towards the door, tucking the paper he’d handed her into her purse.
“God willing, nothing will change,” she said, “but if it does, Anna will know how to reach me.”
Peder hesitated and Anna looked at him questioningly.
“What is it?” she asked.
Evelyn turned to look, raising an eyebrow.
“Before you go,” he said slowly, his forehead creased in a thoughtful frown, “there’s someone you might want to talk to.”
“Oh?”
“He’s right here in Oslo.” He hesitated again, then sighed. “He’s an artist. He’s very...outspoken politically. I think he would be someone you would find useful. His name is Olav Larsen and he lives in Kampen.”
Peder turned and went back to the desk, bending to scrawl something on a piece of paper. Returning, he held it out to Evelyn.
“This is his address. You’ll find him there during the day. At night, he works. When you go, tell him I sent you about his artwork.”
Evelyn took the address and smiled, her eyes meeting his warmly. “Thank you.”
He nodded.
“I wish you luck, Marlene, and God speed.”
Chapter Fourteen
––––––––
London, England
April 7
Bill nodded to the guard at the top of the stairs and held up his identification. The man looked at it and nodded, stepping aside to allow him through.
“Good afternoon, sir,” he said. “Enjoying your Sunday?”
Bill snorted as he tucked his wallet back into his coat pocket. “I’d be enjoying it a lot more if I wasn’t here,” he replied. “Is Montclair in his office?”
“I believe so, sir. I haven’t seen him leave.”
Bill nodded and strode down the corridor towards the office at the end. The last place he wanted to spend his Sunday afternoon was in Broadway. When the message calling him to Jasper’s office was delivered shortly after they returned from church, Marguerite hadn’t said a word, but her silence didn’t fool her husband. She was annoyed, and he couldn’t blame her. They were supposed to be on their way into the country for a few hours away from London and the war. Instead, he was here. Again.
He reached the door and knocked once. Jasper called for him to enter and he went in, stripping off his gloves as he went.
“Hallo, Buckley. Thanks for coming in.” He looked up from his desk. “I know it’s a nuisance on a Sunday.”
“It’s not convenient, no, but it’s to be expected,” Bill replied, walking forward. “What’s going on?”
“A reconnaissance flight spotted a large formation of German ships moving north,” Jasper said, sitting back in his chair and waving Bill into a seat. “They were in the North Sea.”
Bill scowled. “When was this?”
“Earlier today. The RAF scrambled some bombers, but between the two of us, I will be very surprised if they succeed. Have you heard from your agent in Oslo?”
“Yes. She made contact yesterday from an unknown source.” Bill ran a hand over his face. “She said German forces were moving
