Page 118 of Strangers in Time

“And had he?”

“I can’t get into that.”

“Did… did you see my mother?”

He glanced up at her now, his features less stern and more sympathetic. “Yes, Miss Wakefield, very briefly. She was, sadly, not capable of answering our questions.”

“I… I see.” Molly looked down, her spirits sinking through the floorboards.

“I understand that you are a nurse auxiliary. Bit young for that, aren’t you?”

“War makes us all grow older, faster,” was Molly’s taut reply.

Bryant smiled. “In his letter Ignatius said that you were mature beyond your years.”

“So I can understand complicated matters, such as my father’s situation.”

Bryant’s smile faded as he put his elbows on the desk and leaned forward. “I’m afraid there is not a lot I can tell you.”

“But that implies there issomethingyou can tell me.”

“Has your father contacted you in any way since you’ve been back?”

“No, I’ve heard nothing from him.”

Bryant sat back. “Your father worked for us, for many years. Even before the war. And did an excellent job, as a matter of fact. Quite brave and resourceful.”

“Heworkedfor you?

“For England, rather.”

“I know that he traveled a good deal outside of the country when I was young.”

“Yes, he was on assignment. His cover, at first, was business, you know, international transactions, money, that sort of thing. Then he wasplacedin a position at the Ministry of Food to continue his work for us. That was a cover, of course. He never really worked there. But then, he stopped working for his country.”

“I don’t understand.”

Bryant drew a long breath. “I do not mean to unduly distress you, Miss Wakefield, but, to put it bluntly, your father murdered three British soldiers in cold blood.”

Molly simply stared at him for an uncomfortably long moment before she burst into tears, raced from the room, brushed past a startled Oliver, and fled behind the curtain.

SECRETS

AFEW MOMENTS LATEROliver poked his head into the study. Bryant was still seated behind the desk, looking disturbed.

“I could see that did not go well,” observed Oliver worriedly.

“You could say that, yes, and a sight more.”

Oliver closed the door and sat down across from the major. “What crime did he commit?”

Bryant told him.

Oliver said, “Cripes, and here I thought it was something to do with money.” He glanced at Bryant. “But British soldiers? That explains why you’re interested. What proof do you have? And why would he do that?”

“As to the proof, we have a letter from the man admitting his guilt.”

“What!”

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