Page 126 of Strangers in Time

An hour later Molly was astonished to see Major Bryant march into the ward together with another uniformed man. Also with them was Oliver, who was whispering something to Bryant; the man was nodding in agreement.

Bryant spoke quietly with Charlie and Lonzo for a bit. Then, with Charlie’s help, Lonzo signed a piece of paper that Bryant presented to him.

“That’s a good lad,” said Bryant.

He rejoined Oliver and Molly. “After you rang, Ignatius, I checked, and this chap Willoughby has had numerous complaints against him, bad egg all around. He even beat up one ofourboys after a public drunkenness charge landed him in a cell. I’ve had Lonzo sign a paper making out a formal charge. He said that aconstable also hit him. That bobby will turn on Willoughby quick enough when we put the screws to him. I won’t stand for this. Lonzo was trying to join the army when they grabbed him, he said, even though the lad was not of age. Lonzo also told me what happened at the shop, and he said he forced Charlie to go along. Willoughby tried to make it out to be a hanging job, which of course it wasn’t. I think I can safely guarantee that neither Charlie nor Lonzo will have difficulties over this, unless you want to press charges for Lonzo trying to break into your shop, Ignatius, seeing as how he’s now confessed to it.”

“I have no wish to press charges,” said Oliver quietly.

“Thought as much.”

He and the other soldier left. When Molly and Oliver looked over at Charlie, tears were trickling down his face.

“Charlie!” exclaimed Molly, rushing over and then stopping abruptly.

Charlie was looking at Lonzo, whose eyes were open and unseeing.

“He’s gone,” said Charlie miserably. “Lonzo’s gone.”

THEBREACHONCEMORE

THE FIRE CRACKLED INthe fireplace of Oliver’s study. They had just returned from Lonzo’s funeral service. He had been laid next to his mother. The police had taken care of the arrangements and paid the undertaker’s bill. DI Willoughby and Constable Higgins had been arrested and charged in Lonzo’s death, and were being held for trial.

Charlie was wearing his telegram boy’s uniform, while Molly wore a faded black dress that she had borrowed from one of the other nurses. Oliver had on his only suit. They had all drawn close to the fire because the weather had grown quite cold.

Charlie had refused any dinner and sat there with a cup of tea cradled in his hands. He hadn’t yet taken a sip while Oliver and Molly watched him closely.

“It was a nice service, wasn’t it?” said Molly, glancing nervously at Oliver.

“Yes, yes it was,” said Oliver. “Wasn’t it, Charlie?”

Charlie simply nodded.

Molly suddenly remembered something. “Oh, Dr. Stephens wrote me back from the Beneficial Institute!”

“Really? What did he say?” asked Oliver.

“It’s… it’s not good, I’m afraid. My mother is not doing well at all. He fears for her life, actually.”

“Oh, Molly, I am so sorry,” said Oliver.

“Yes, well, I would like to see her before… the end. But I’m not sure I can.”

“I wish I had a way for you to get there,” said Oliver. “Ididcheck. The trains are not taking civilians to Cornwall presently. Most passenger lines have been damaged and the railway lines still in service are strictly for military purposes.”

“Yes, of course.”

And then it happened.

The air raid sirens started to blare.

Oliver shook his head and closed his eyes for a moment.

Why the hell do you have to come tonight, you bastards?

They rushed pell-mell from the room to grab their coats and gas masks. Oliver had gotten a new warden’s uniform, and he quickly donned it. “Come, quickly now,” he said. “Before the red alert sounds.”

They hurried through the chill and gloom to the nearest shelter and Oliver got them safely inside. He then met up with Lee Parker at the designated place, and they began rounding up those on their list and getting them to the correct shelters.

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