The Oslo Affair

by CW Browning

  Her journey through Denmark, while uneventful, had been fraught with an anxious desire to reach home. As she went from train to connecting train, arriving ultimately on the west coast of Denmark, she had stared at the strange countryside and suddenly become very homesick. Her guide, a man by the name of Frederick, had been very friendly and had taken great pleasure in pointing out landmarks and imparting history as they went through his country, but it had done very little to alleviate her longing for home.

  When Pierson, the MI6 contact who had met her off the ship in Copenhagen, told her that he’d arranged for a guide to take her across Denmark, she had protested that it was unnecessary. However, as the journey extended into days, she was very grateful for the company. Frederick was a wealth of interesting information about Denmark and her people. He was also well-versed in European politics, and they spent many hours discussing the events unfolding around them. When they reached Esbjerg, she’d said goodbye with a sense of parting from an old friend.

  Evelyn turned away from the window and went to the door, returning to the hallway and going towards the back of the house. After spending two days in the coastal town of Esbjerg, she had boarded a ship at last, bound for London.

  Even though it was an English ship, she still hadn’t relaxed until they docked in London. The very fact that it was an English ship made crossing the North Sea particularly dangerous. The Germans had mines in the waters, and she had been told by the captain that their U-boats were sinking a growing number of merchant ships both in the North Sea and in the Atlantic. As if realizing that perhaps he shouldn’t have told her that, the captain then hastened to assure her that he had never had any problems yet. It didn’t go very far to alleviating her discomfort, and she spent the voyage in a state of nervous anxiety.

  When the ship sailed up the Thames estuary, Evelyn had never been so pleased to see the London landscape. But even as she stood on the deck to take in her first sight of England after a particularly trying journey, her joy was tempered by the knowledge that this feeling of relief at being home was just the beginning. She had the disquieting feeling that as this war continued, the likelihood of her coming home safely would become less and less.

  Putting the dark thought out of her head, she made her way to the kitchen. While she had no expectation of finding an ounce of food in the house, Evelyn sincerely hoped that Rob had at least stocked the kitchen with tea the last time he was here. Stepping into the large square room, she was pleasantly surprised to find sun streaming through the windows and not a dust cover in sight. At least now she knew where Rob spent most of his time when he did come to stay.

  Crossing the old tiled floor, Evelyn started opening cabinets, looking for tea. On the third try, she found it. And Rob, it seemed, had outdone himself. Not only where there two different types of tea, but there was also a can of coffee. She lifted it out and looked at it curiously. While she drank coffee extensively on the continent, it was rare for it to make an appearance at home. She set it back in the cabinet and reached for the tea. Whatever the reason, she was grateful for the foresight that had led Rob to buy the coffee. It would be a welcome treat in the next few days.

  She was just filling the kettle from the faucet in the sink when the bells above the kitchen door chimed. She started, then finished filling the kettle and set it on the stove top. After lighting the burner, she turned to leave the kitchen. Someone was at the front door, and only one person knew that she was in London.

  A moment later she opened the door to find Bill standing on the top step, a large paper bag in his arms.

  “Welcome back,” he said.

  “How on earth did you know I’d arrived?” Evelyn demanded, opening the door wider and motioning him in. “I just got here!”

  “I had someone at the dock watching for the ship. I would’ve gone myself to meet you but we weren’t sure when you were coming in. Here. These are for you. I can’t imagine there’s a thing in the house to eat.”

  Evelyn took the bag from him and looked inside. It was filled with groceries.

  “Oh! This is wonderful! You’re right. There’s absolutely nothing in the way of food. In fact, I was just relieved to find that Robbie left some tea here the last time he stayed.” She turned to lead the way down the hallway to the back of the house. “I’ve put the kettle on, so I can offer you some tea. I’m afraid we’ll have to drink it in the kitchen, though. I haven’t had time to remove the dust covers from any of the other rooms.”

  “How was your trip through Denmark?” Bill asked, following her into the kitchen. “Did Pierson take care of you?”

  “Yes, he did. Thank you for arranging for him to meet me. I’ll admit I was feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the time we reached Copenhagen.” She set the bag of groceries down on the counter and began to empty it as Bill seated himself at the kitchen table. “All I could think was that I didn’t speak a word of Danish and how on earth was I going to navigate my way to the North Sea,” she added with a laugh.

  “Which is precisely why I arranged for Pierson to meet you,” he said with a smile. “He can be a bit much at times, but I’ve always had the impression that he was a very kind man.”

  Evelyn thought of the eccentric agent with the shocking red hair that had met her off the ship and grinned.

  “He certainly isn’t what I would have expected,” she admitted. “But he was very helpful, and yes, he was very kind. He showed me to a good, clean hotel and then met me the next morning with a guide to escort me through Denmark.”

  “And the journey was uneventful?”

  “Very much so.”

  Evelyn finished emptying the bag and surveyed the goodies that Bill had picked up. There was a loaf bread, cheese, a bottle of milk, some eggs, and a pack of sausages. He’d also included some tea and a package of biscuits.

  “This is lovely, Bill. Thank you!”

  “It will do for a day or two,” he said with a nod. “Tomorrow you’ll come to Broadway for a full debriefing. Montclair wants to have dinner with you tomorrow night. You should be able to return to your station in Scotland the following day, barring any unforeseen delays. I thought this would be enough to get you through, but of course if you need anything else, you can go out to the shops. I thought you’d be tired today.”

  Evelyn turned to look at him. “You’re a good man, Mr. Buckley. I am tired, and this just what I needed.”

  He smiled faintly. “I can hardly let one of my best agents go hungry on her first night back in London, can I?” he asked, sitting back and crossing his legs. “Marguerite would have my head!”

  “How is she?” She turned to get a teapot and two cups and saucers as the kettle began to whistle. “Is she still in France?”

  “Yes. She’s getting the house ready to close. She’s decided to come back to England next month for Christmas and, given the increased tensions, she’ll be remaining in England. If it is still safe to travel, she may go back to Paris for a short trip in the spring, but I don’t think it will remain safe for long. The Germans will make a move towards France soon.”

  “Will she stay in London or go to your estate? It’s in Hertfordshire, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. She’ll go to the estate, although how long I can keep her there, I don’t know,” he said with a short laugh. “You know how restless she gets.”

  “My mother would enjoy seeing her,” Evelyn said over her shoulder as she fixed the tea. “She’s welcome to visit Ainsworth Manor at any time, I’m sure.”

  “And she will. We’re coming for Christmas, as a matter of fact.”

  “Oh good! I was hoping that would be the case.” Evelyn lifted the kettle with a towel and poured boiling water into the teapot. “This first Christmas without Dad will be hard. I think it will help to retain as many of the traditions as we can.”

  “That’s what your mother said,” Bill said, amused. “I’ve arranged for you take two-days leave. You’ll have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I couldn’t do more, I’m afraid.”
>
  Evelyn turned to carry the teapot over to the table.

  “I understand. Thank you! I hope Rob can get away, and...” She stopped abruptly and turned to get the cups.

  “And?” Bill prompted when she didn’t continue.

  “It’s nothing.” She set the cups down and turned to grab the packet of biscuits off the counter. “Just someone Rob flies with. There was talk that he might join us for Christmas.”

  Bill raised an eyebrow and watched as she set a bowl of sugar on table.

  “Oh? Does this someone have a name?”

  Evelyn grabbed the bottle of milk and turned to seat herself across from him.

  “Lacey,” she said, reaching for his cup. “Miles Lacey. Do you take milk?”

  “Yes, thank you.” Bill studied her face interestedly. “You look rather flushed. Are you quite all right?”

  She poured milk into his cup and handed it to him. “Do I? How strange. It must be the heat from the water. I’m fine.”

  Bill spooned some sugar into his cup, his lips twitching.

  “You know, for someone who just recently learned to lie, you’re developing a real talent for it,” he murmured. Then, after a second, “Tell me about Vladimir Lyakhov,” he said, changing the subject. “Did you meet with him?”

  “Yes.” Evelyn poured tea into his cup then her own. “He’s not what I expected. He’s really quite interesting, if a little brusque. I’m still not sure why he refuses to deal with anyone but myself, but he gave me the microfilm. I haven’t looked to see what’s on it.”

  She got up and left the kitchen, coming back a moment later with a small traveling case. Bill watched as she opened it and lifted out the insert.

  “That’s how you carried it back?” he asked, leaning forward to examine the case more closely. “That’s very good. Did you make this yourself, or did they give it to you in Scotland?”

  “A bit of both, actually. The case is mine. One of the instructors there was able to show me how to modify it.” Evelyn lifted out the microfilm and the tightly wound roll of paper that Risto Niva had handed over. “This is the microfilm from Shustov,” she said, handing it to him. “And this is from the other Soviet agent, Risto Niva. He said that they are copies of transmissions.”

  “Transmissions?” Bill glanced up from the microfilm he was examining against the light. “Transmissions from what?”

  “I’ve no idea. Coded transmissions, I believe, but he never actually said.” She replaced the insert in the case and closed it, setting it aside before retaking her seat. “He says that Stalin is planning to invade Finland. He thinks it will be soon.”

  Bill set down the microfilm and reached for his tea. “Did he say why?”

  “He said it was in those transmissions. I read through them on the crossing from Denmark. It certainly appears that they’re planning something, but it gives no indication of where. In fact, it doesn’t even mention a country, just a code phrase. It could be anywhere.”

  “Why did Niva think it was Finland?”

  “Because Stalin is very unhappy that they’ve refused to concede the territory that he wants.”

  Bill was quiet for a moment, drinking his tea thoughtfully.

  “What were your impressions of him?” he asked suddenly. “What did you think of him?”

  Evelyn thought for a moment.

  “I think he’s getting tired of the Soviet regime,” she said slowly. “I think he’s looking for a way out. Perhaps Vladimir suggested to him that England could be a route out of the Soviet Union. I do think he has information he’s willing to give, but I’m not sure how useful or relevant that information may be.”

  “Did he mention the possibility of being extracted?”

  “Yes. He wants asylum in England.”

  Bill nodded, seeming to be unsurprised. Obviously this wasn’t the first time he’d heard that particular request.

  “He did say something that has me worried,” she said after a moment, looking down at her tea.

  “Oh?”

  “Yes. I’m telling you, but I’d rather not mention it tomorrow at the debriefing.” Evelyn looked up, her eyes meeting his. “He mentioned it in a personal conversation, and it wasn’t meant to be forwarded with the rest of the information.”

  Bill frowned. “What did he say?”

  “That we have a leak in our ship,” she said bluntly. “He said the Soviets have agents embedded in London, and that I was to trust no one here.”

  Bill sat back and studied her face. “Do you believe him?”

  “Someone knew I was in Oslo as soon as I landed, and it wasn’t because of something I did,” she said with a shrug. “Not only that, but the German SD knew I was there as well. Someone is talking, and that person could very well be here in London. Niva gave me the impression that he knows specifically of men who are well entrenched here, and possibly above suspicion.”

  “And you don’t know who you can trust,” Bill finished.

  She nodded.

  “I’ve not been doing this long enough to know anyone or to have formed opinions, so it’s very difficult for me. As it stands right now, you’re the only one I can honestly say I trust without hesitation. That’s why I’m telling you. I don’t know what I should do with the information.”

  “Don’t mention it to anyone else, for starters,” Bill said, leaning forward. “You’ve been frank with me, so I’ll return the favor. I’d already realized there’s a leak here somewhere. When you sent word that you were followed by a Soviet agent in Oslo, I took it to Montclair. He wasn’t entirely convinced. However, when the SD showed up, I think that clinched things. He and I are making inquiries, but it’s a very delicate business. It will take time. We can’t risk alerting the spy to our investigation and losing him altogether. We need to exercise utter discretion.”

  “What do you need me to do?” she asked simply.

  “Continue as you are. We’re moving you from Scotland to somewhere closer to London after Christmas. The alias of Maggie Richardson is, I think you’ll agree, completely blown. We’re working up a new one, but I am handling it myself. My assistant, whom I trust implicitly, is helping with the details. We’re not going through the usual channels, so when we’re finished, the only people who will have any knowledge of your new cover identity will be ourselves.”

  “Not even Montclair?”

  “Not even Montclair. That was his idea, by the way. We’ll have a specific code name for you and that is the only name that will be used within the section. He wants to ensure that no more damage is done.”

  “What about the others?” Evelyn asked after a moment.

  “Just worry about yourself,” Bill advised. “As this war goes on, and it will go on, that will be quite enough. It will be hard enough for you take care of yourself without worrying about other agents as well.”

  She looked at him, tilting her head.

  “Is there something wrong?” she asked. “Something I should know about?”

  Bill hesitated, then sighed.

  “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I think it will only create a false sense of security for you by hiding it. We received news yesterday that two of our agents were captured in Holland and taken into Germany.”

  “What?” Evelyn gasped, her eyes wide.

  “It occurred weeks ago, on the 9th, but Himmler just released the information yesterday. They were taken at a small border town, Venlo, just five meters from the border with Germany. A Dutch intelligence officer with them was shot and killed.”

  “But...how?”

  “They had arranged a meeting with a supposed major in the Wehrmacht who was part of a group of conspirators against Hitler. Of course, now we know that he wasn’t, and that the whole thing was a ruse to lure two of our agents to the border. The German press are claiming they were behind the attempt on Hitler’s life earlier this month. Total bollocks, of course.” Bill made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat. “Montclair believes the network in the Netherlands
has been infiltrated, but Chamberlain is having none of it, even after this. There’s quite a bit of blame going round, but in the meantime, two of our agents have no doubt been being interrogated for the past few weeks. Lord only knows what they’ve revealed under torture. It’s a complete shambles.”

  Evelyn sat back, stunned. “And no one knew? How is that possible?”

  “The SD continued to send messages as the conspirators. The other members of the network didn’t communicate that the agents were even missing. It’s doubtful that they even knew. The entire meeting was so closely guarded that only a handful here in London knew about it, and the only ones in Holland who knew about it were the agents themselves.”

  “And just like that, they’re in Nazi Germany.” She rubbed her forehead, her skin cold. “And that could have happened to me in Stockholm.”

  He nodded soberly.

  “And so, you see, you’ll need to be very focused. If anything feels off, go with your gut feelings. Himmler has his spies everywhere, and they are not playing by the rules. Neither should you.”

  She nodded and sipped her tea. Reaching for the biscuits, she opened the package and offered him one. He took one with a nod of thanks and she selected one for herself with a hand that was only slightly trembling.

  “Did Anna make it back to Oslo?” she asked after a moment.

  “She didn’t go back to Oslo.” Bill dunked his biscuit in his tea and took a bite. “She got off the train at the first stop in Norway. Carew had someone meet her and they drove her into the north. She’ll stay there until it’s safe to return to the city.”

  Evelyn exhaled. “That’s a relief. I was worried that Renner would pursue her when he couldn’t find me.”

  “As far as we can tell, he did. When Anna’s train arrived in Oslo, there were three SD men waiting. Herr Renner arrived by train a few hours later. When he could find no sign of Anna, he left Norway. Carew believes he returned to Germany.”

  “I suppose he won’t want me back in Norway any time soon,” she said sheepishly. “I seem to have a caused a good deal of commotion.”