Page 129 of Strangers in Time

“As you know, D-Day caught us by surprise. And now with the Allies having retaken France, Belgium, and most of the Netherlands, we have lost nearly the whole of western Europe. And your latest offerings have not been particularly illuminating. You must, how do you say, enhance your performance.”

“Firstly, the German debacle at D-Day was not my fault. My previous reports strongly hinted at thecorrectlocation of the attack all along.”

“Only we did not see thehintsuntil it was too late. Next time be moredirect.”

“Secondly, if I amtoodirect it’ll be my head in a noose on the gallows, and I’ll be of no use to you a’tall.”

“But an Allied offensive began in September in the Baltics and is ongoing, and the odds are not looking good for Germany. If that campaign succeeds, the only thing standing between the Red Army and Germany is Poland.”

Oliver stared grimly at the man. “Ironic, as Poland was the first victim of Der Führer’s Blitzkrieg. But I see your dilemma. The Americans take POWs. The Russians shoot them.”

“If Stalin defeats Germany we’ll all be communists,” retorted Cedric brusquely.

“Well, we can’t have that, can we?”

Cedric said, “So, the intelligence I seek, do you have it?”

“I think your superiors will be very pleased. Indeed, I believe this will turn a blundering negative into a brilliant strategic triumph and forevermore enshrine you in the hallowed halls of German spycraft. I congratulate you, Herr Cedric Axmann.”

“You English are such fine orators. Put a British accent on an idiot and he sounds like he quotes Shakespeare, or better yet, Goethe.”

Oliver smiled. “Yes, but then he’s still an idiot.”

“Now, the information? I am in a hurry.”

Oliver strolled over to the bookcase, pulled down theJacquesnovel, and handed it to Cedric, who glanced at the spine.

“Another book by George Sand, the French female?” Cedric said derisively.

“Imogen was quite partial to her.”

“I do not much care for her affinity for the French, but your wife is missed.”

“Yes, Imogen is. Very much,” replied Oliver, his casual manner vanishing.

Cedric tensed, then rushed over to the door and wrenched it open.

And there stood a terrified Charlie and Molly.

REVERSAL OFALL

THE GRAY FOUR-DOORHUMBERSnipe drove slowly through the darkened, empty roads with Cedric at the wheel. Next to him was Oliver. In the rear seat, a tall, thick-shouldered man in dark clothing held a Luger on Molly and Charlie.

Cedric looked in the mirror at them. “This does not make me happy in the slightest, Ignatius. I have children of my own.”

“You think it makesmehappy?” retorted Oliver. “I’d grown rather fond of them.”

“But this wasyourfault. You brought them to your home. And now they have eavesdropped. That leaves us no choice, you understand this?”

“I understand all too well,” Oliver replied quietly.

“Mr. Oliver,” began Molly in a pleading tone.

He held up a hand for her to stop speaking. Oliver looked at Cedric. “Next left. It’s wooded, quiet, and the river bends at the right angle for our purposes. The current is very swift there and they’ll be past Southend-on-Sea in very short order.”

Molly started to quietly weep while Charlie looked at Oliver in disbelief.

Oliver gave Cedric further directions, and he pulled the Snipe toa stop in a small clearing well outside of London where the rush of water could be clearly heard.

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