She looked left and right, but Hewitt Purnsley was nowhere to be seen. She headed off to the Arc de Triomphe. Before the exercise began, Purnsley had designated that famous spot as her rendezvous. Her goal was to make it there without her SIS coach trailing her. She couldn’t help but smile. Here she was, two blocks from the Arc, and Hewitt was nowhere in sight. She picked up the pace, glancing only occasionally in windows to try and spot him. She could see the bulk of the Arc in the distance, hear the roar of traffic that ran around it. If she was good, maybe he’d give her a bit of time to herself and she could do some real shopping.
Then she spotted him. Her heart sank. She’d just rounded a corner; the Arc was in full view, two hundred yards away. But there was no mistaking it: he was behind her. He caught up with her just as she reached the monument to the unknown soldier.
“You’re one cool customer,” she told him grudgingly. “How did you do it?”
“Practice. Going into the store was a bad move. I watched you look at dresses and then move to the rear; knew what you were up to. Running out the back was a dead giveaway to me that my surveillance was blown. Try that trick in Berlin and you’ll wind up in 1195 Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse. The basement of Gestapo headquarters.”
Aubrey looked dejected.
“There is an art to this. Listen, try and put a crowd between yourself and the tail. Bog them down. Then, at the last moment, hop into a taxi or, better yet, a crowded streetcar that is just pulling away. If you cannot lose a tail, then the meet or drop should be aborted. No question. That’s why you always have multiple rendezvous times and places. If you rush this sort of thing, you’ll only louse it up, and it’ll be your neck.
“You’re good, Aubrey. You have some natural instinct. I only wish we had more time for training. But now, I’m afraid we have to start talking about the actual mission.”
“I’ve been briefed.”
“Things have changed. There’s an added task we’ll need you to perform. Come along. I’ll tell you all about it.”
9
They found a quiet spot in a parkette in the Latin quarter. They took a bench; the only other person was an old man across the way feeding pigeons.
“There is an agent in place, within the Nazi apparatus. It is urgent that you make contact with him. He has information that is vital to peace in Europe.”
“How will I—”
“Please, just listen. He will approach you at the exhibition. Here are the challenge-and-response phrases. I need you to memorize them now.”
She read the note, committed the words to memory. Two sets of phrases, impossible for anyone to guess.
“Remember, he will approach you and give the challenge. You take it from there.”
“Who is he?”
“I can’t say. I don’t want you going into Germany with that knowledge in your head.”
“I see.” She handed the note back. He set fire to it with a lighter and it vaporized instantly.
“Nitrocellulose. Flash paper, the kind magicians use,” Hewitt said, noting her look of surprise. “My grandfather was a magician.”
Aubrey said nothing, just filed this little tidbit about Mr. Purnsley away. It was the first inkling of his true personality that he’d offered. Or had it been a slip?
“Just remember: do not use a phrase before spoken to. Is that understood? There’s no guessing in this.”
“Yes, you already said that.”
“If they’re on to Starlight and then extract that info and send someone in as a false flag, they’ll have you as a spy too.”
“Starlight?”
“Code name for our man on the inside.”
“And if no one comes up to me and whispers in my ear?”
“Then you attend the exhibition, learn what you can and leave as planned. Here.” He handed her a silver compact. “Let me have the one you have.”
She retrieved her own compact from her purse and handed it over.
“This way, I know you won’t have the wrong one on you. That one I just gave you has a false bottom. Starlight will give you something to bring back. Slip the note in there. It should fit. He hands you the note; you retire to the ladies’ and put it into the compact. I’m telling you this so you’ll take it seriously. Never forget how dangerous the package you’re carrying is. Once you have it, then comes the tough part.”
“Escaping?”
“Negative. You carry on. Put on a brave face, smile, make small talk with the dignitaries and other exhibition attendees. You’ll go to dinner with them, out for drinks if they want. Anything but run out of there. That’s where character comes into play. I know you have it. You’ve done things I wouldn’t dare try in a million years.”
“You flatter me, Mr. Purnsley.”
That seemed to set him straight, and he stiffened up. “Just make sure you get the package across the border after the exhibition. No hanging about. You’re going to be tailed—just assume it.”
“Why’s that? I’m just going in as a journalist.”
“A journalist is perfect cover for a spy. We use them, but so do the opposition. The Gestapo and Abwehr have plenty of people to keep you under close watch. They’ve torn the rule book up when it comes to civilized behaviour. Never forget that for a second, no matter how charming they might appear.”
“I won’t. I’ve already been on the receiving end of their anger. Saw a man get shot for it.” She shuddered inwardly.
“I know. Now, one last meal and then you’ll be on your way. My shout.”
They did enjoy one
