And Anna was the only one she trusted to do that.
“Very well,” he finally said. “If she insists on remaining here, I’ll ensure that she is properly trained and that she can continue what she’s already started. But if she agrees to go with you, I will take her place here. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
London, England
April 12
Bill looked up when a short knock fell on his door, and it opened almost immediately. Wesley entered, carrying a stack of papers in his hand.
“Good morning, sir,” he said cheerfully. “I have the morning’s transmissions here, and Roger stopped me in the corridor. He was bringing a message from the radio room, so I told him I’d bring it to you. I know you’ve been waiting to hear from Jian.”
Bill nodded, holding out his hand for the sheaf of papers. “Yes, I have. Thank you.”
He dropped the rest of the papers and tore open the message from the radio room.
WE’RE MAKING GOOD TIME AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STAY AHEAD OF THE INVASION FORCES. SHOULD REACH STEINKJER BY NIGHTFALL. ON TARGET TO REACH DESTINATION ON TIME. WILL TRY TO MAKE CONTACT AT 10PM IN CASE OF FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS. - JIAN
“Good news, sir?”
“Well, it’s not bad news,” Bill replied, setting down the paper and rising from his chair. “Is the map of Norway still up there?”
“Yes.” Wesley turned to the map taking up part of one wall of the office. “What are you looking for?”
“Somewhere called Steinkjer,” Bill said, joining him. “It will be between Trondheim and Namsos.”
Wesley nodded and studied the map for a moment. “Here it is, sir,” he said finally, pointing to a spot on the map. “Looks like it’s the only place to cross the water.”
Bill stared at the map with a frown. “Yes.”
“Is something the matter, sir?”
“What strikes you about that point on the map, Wesley?”
Wesley looked at the map for a moment. “Just that it’s the only land-crossing for miles.”
“Exactly.” Bill turned away from the map. “And if the Germans have an ounce of sense, they’ll make a beeline for it and secure it.”
Wesley turned and watched as Bill went back to his desk.
“That’s where Jian is going, isn’t it?” he asked.
“Yes. She says they’ve been able to stay ahead of the Germans, but if the Huns manage to get to Steinkjer first, she’ll be walking right into them.” Bill dropped into his chair. “Get Bigsby on the line, will you? See what he can tell us about enemy movement, specifically in the region around Steinkjer.”
“Yes, sir.” Wesley turned towards the door. “I’ll go try him now.”
Bill watched him leave, then reached for the stack of morning transmissions on his desk. There was nothing he could do to help Evelyn physically in her flight across Norway, but he could warn her of any additional unforeseen complications. If the Germans were moving in that area, old Bigsby would know of it. His lips curved despite himself. Thank the good Lord that the old battle-axe had come over to work with them at the start of the war. He and Bill had known each other since before Bill had married Marguerite. If there was any possibility of Evelyn running head first into the Huns, Bigsby would tell him.
As he turned his attention to other matters, he was conscious of a feeling of relief. At least she was still able to get word out and, at least as of now, she was avoiding the advancing troops. For a novice agent who had found herself suddenly in enemy territory, Evelyn was doing exceptionally well.
Jian was going to make a damn good spy. They just had to get her out of Norway.
Trondheim, Norway
Eisenjager watched as another column of trucks carrying troops rumbled by. He had entered the city easily enough after showing his credentials at one of the many checkpoints set up around the perimeter. After filling the tank of his car, he had gone into a café filled with fellow Germans. He had ordered a coffee and open sandwich from a stone-faced man behind the counter, taking it with him back to his car. He would eat and then continue on his way.
There was no possibility that Jian had come through Trondheim. She would have seen that it was secured and impassable. She would have been forced to go around it. The question was whether or not she was still heading north, and how. He had seen the Volvo at the side of the road near Grindal. Either they had obtained another vehicle, or they were proceeding on foot. He sincerely hoped it was the former. A car he could track. If they were moving on foot, there was no way he would find them.
He finished his sandwich, still watching the rows of troops moving from the harbors out of the city. After a moment, he turned and reached for the case on the floor of the passenger’s seat. He would contact Berlin and see if they had any information for him, then he would continue on his way. If the Englishwoman was in a car, they would have stopped for petrol somewhere around Trondheim. Perhaps he would get lucky.
He set up the radio and sent a signal, prepared to wait for an answer. When it came almost immediately, his eyebrows shot into his forehead and he reached for his codebook. They had been waiting for him. That meant they had news, and urgent news at that. He decoded the incoming message quickly, his brows drawn together in concentration, the trucks bearing troops out of the
