by Rosie Clarke
Betty nodded, her relief at being rescued had faded and she was aware that she might have died – and so might Frank. She saw the cuts and dried blood on his hands.
‘How were you cut?’
‘There was a knife…’ Frank hesitated, then, ‘I think I may have killed him, Betty. We struggled for the knife, but I was stronger… I was into all kinds of sports, including rugby and wrestling… and rowing, of course.’
Betty looked thoughtful. ‘Is that why you and Matt were such good friends, because of the rowing?’
‘It’s how we became friends at college, but we liked each other – and then he took me home and I met you…’ His gaze was warm now as he glanced her way. ‘I shamelessly cultivated his friendship after that, I’m afraid…’
‘Don’t be sorry,’ Betty said. ‘I owe my freedom and my life to you…’
‘You owe me nothing,’ he said. ‘I would have helped any girl in trouble – but when you care about someone you go that little bit further.’
Betty nodded, thoughtful again, but knowing he didn’t want excessive thanks or praise for what he’d done. ‘Are you taking me home?’
‘No, we’re going to my grandparents’ farm in Herefordshire on the borders between England and Wales,’ he said. ‘We’re already halfway there, because Saint-Jacquez wanted you well away from London. Those thugs will expect us to return to London as fast as we can, so we’ll go somewhere they would never think of searching.’
She considered his words and nodded assent. ‘I think Pierre hated me and wanted his revenge – but his friend might try again…’
‘I think Pierre is the main threat, because the others will lie low for a while – especially the fat spiders in their webs of filth, but I’m not sure Saint-Jacquez is dead. While he lives you can’t be safe.’
‘We’ll have to ring my parents and tell them I’m with you…’ Betty looked thoughtful. ‘I don’t want them worried again – and Dad knows people… he did secret things in the war and I think he still does. As soon as we get the chance we should telephone him.’ She looked at Frank in sudden fear. ‘Will you be in trouble for what you did, Frank? If Pierre is still alive and tells the police you attacked him…’
‘As he might,’ Frank admitted, because it was partly true. ‘I’ll face that if it comes, Betty. But I don’t regret it – I’d rather go to prison than know I let him take you…’
‘Oh Frank…’ Betty said and the tears ran down her cheeks. She was helpless to stop them, because his declaration of love could never have been more powerful. ‘I really don’t deserve such devotion. I went to Paris with him the first time of my own free will. I slept with him, Frank. I thought I loved him… because I was a stupid fool…’
Frank pulled into a layby. She saw there was a red phone box, even though it seemed they were miles from anywhere. For a moment he just sat and looked at her, and then he reached out and wiped the tears from her face with his fingertips.
‘Don’t you know that I care too much to judge you for that?’ he asked softly. ‘I loved you the first moment I saw you and I thought you perfect – and I still do. I always shall…’
Reaching for her, he held her close as she wept against his chest, but then, as the sobs stopped at last, he put her from him and smiled oddly. ‘Don’t you think we’d better make use of that phone box? There are a few other people that love you too…’
‘Yes,’ Betty gulped and scrubbed the back of her hand across her eyes. ‘You tell them what happened, Frank – and then I’ll speak to my mother for a moment…’
‘Come on then,’ he said. ‘I want you in there with me. I don’t think those men will come this way, but just in case…’
Chapter 24
‘Who is this speaking?’ Sebastian barked as he snatched up the receiver and heard money being put in to operate the public phone box.
‘My name is Frank Hadley and I’m ringing to let you know that Betty is safe now…’
‘What the hell do you mean by running off with my daughter?’ Sebastian exploded furiously. ‘I’ll have the police on you – she’s only eighteen and you don’t have my consent to take her or marry her…’
‘Please listen, Mr Winters,’ Frank said patiently. ‘Betty was kidnapped by Pierre Saint-Jacquez. I saw it happen and followed. I regret I couldn’t let you know sooner but I was afraid of losing them…’
‘What…?’ Sebastian was stunned. ‘You’re the young man who was taking her to a dance… how do I know I can trust you?’
‘I’ve just come from the village of Upper Piddlington. It’s in Oxfordshire, a tiny hamlet about fifty miles or so from Oxford, and probably not on most maps. There is a large house about three miles outside the village and down a long country lane. You’ll know the house when you find it, because there are three stories and it looks a bit run-down… and there are black shutters on the upper windows…’
‘Well, what of it?’ Sebastian had calmed down a little, his tone wary now.
‘Pierre Saint-Jacquez is lying on the kitchen floor with a carving knife in his side… I’m not sure if he’s dead. I was in too much of a hurry to get Betty away to check…’
‘You killed him?’
‘Yes, I’m afraid it was the only way…otherwise I’d be in his place and Betty wouldn’t be free…’ Frank hesitated. ‘Do you think I should make an anonymous call to the police?’
‘No! That would be the worst thing you could do – it would put you both at risk of being arrested for murder. You can leave this to me, Frank. I’ll take care of it…’
‘But, you could be in trouble…’
‘Believe me, I know what to do – just get my daughter home and I’ll do the rest…’
‘I’m taking her to a safe place – somewhere they won’t think of looking… until we’re sure it’s safe to bring her home. There are others involved in this business; Betty told me what that rotten devil threatened to do with her… and believe me, she can’t come home yet.’
‘May I speak with her for a moment please?’
‘Yes, of course…’
Sebastian waited and then Betty’s voice came over the line, she sounded contrite and shaken, ‘Dad…I’m sorry to have caused so much upset… can I talk to Mum?’
‘She isn’t here, Betty, but come home now, please. I promise you’ll be safe…’
‘I can’t, not yet. I’ve made such a mess of everything… hurt everyone…’ she was crying and it tore at his heart.
‘It’s my fault, Betty. I hurt you and I was wrong – please ask Frank to bring you home to us…’
‘Not yet, Dad, because there are others who might try to take me,’ Betty said. ‘Frank says it might not be safe for me in London yet, because they will be afraid I know too much about them and what they do. He’s going to take me somewhere I’ll be safe for a while… but I’ll ring you and Mum as soon as I can. We have to go now just in case we’re being followed…’
‘Betty, wait a—’ Sebastian frowned as the receiver went down. It was no use trying to get them back, because it was just a phone box and they wouldn’t hang around. He’d wanted to tell them she would be safe with him and that he had friends who would make sure of it, but Betty preferred to trust the man who had somehow managed to save her.
He could only thank God for Frank Hadley and pray that he was as reliable as he’d sounded. Of course there was one way to check and that was to discover if there was any sign of Saint-Jacquez lying on the floor of that country house. If Frank had killed for Betty’s sake he would need help to avoid the consequences and the only person who could arrange that was Jack.
Sebastian reached for the telephone and rang the number he’d used often in the past. Jack answered and he gave him the details as he’d been given them.
‘Not much to go on…’
‘We’ll find it,’ Jack said and then, before Sebastian could say it, ‘Not you, my friend. You’d best stay out of this… she didn’t tell you where this Frank was taking her?’
‘He sounds like a sound man,’ Jack observed wryly. ‘Leave it with me, Seb. And be careful with what you tell anyone else… the quieter this is kept the better for all of us…’
‘Yes, I agree,’ Sebastian said grimly. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll think of something to tell her mother…’
*
‘So Betty was in danger but she isn’t now?’ Lizzie stared at him and her heart caught with fright. ‘Oh, Sebastian, are you sure? Where is she?’
‘She’s with a man called Frank Hadley. Do you know much about him?’
‘He’s a good friend of Matt’s,’ Lizzie said, looking thoughtful. ‘Beth said they met at her house in the early days and sometimes they went out as a group, but he took Betty out a few times as a couple… Miriam said he was at hers the other night and she thinks he’s serious about Betty…’
‘That’s nonsense,’ Sebastian said. ‘She hardly knows him – and she’s been through too much to want to settle down, even if he did save her life…’
‘Miriam was positive about his feelings, but she didn’t mention Betty’s. I personally don’t think she’s in love with him, and I certainly shan’t let her be pushed into marriage out of gratitude – but if he cares about her it means she’ll be safe with him, don’t you think? She needs a friend and marriage must be a long way from her thoughts just now. I’m sure Frank is sensible enough to know that…’
‘He’ll look after her then. He managed to snatch her while the man who took her wasn’t looking and she’s going somewhere she’ll be safe with him.’
‘Who is this man, Sebastian? I need to know the truth.’
‘The truth is that Frank has her safe and the rest of it is being taken care of. Believe me, Lizzie; it’s best for everyone’s sake that you don’t know all of it…’
‘I know there’s a lot you haven’t told me,’ Lizzie said reproachfully. ‘In the war I understood because your work was secret and…’ She broke off, looking at him in suspicion. ‘Is this what all this is about? Did Betty see something she wasn’t supposed to – is that why she was kidnapped?’
‘I have no idea what you mean,’ Sebastian looked angry. ‘I assure you that I had nothing to do with Betty’s abduction…’
Lizzie gazed at him and then nodded. ‘I’m sorry, but you come and go so mysteriously at times and I’ve wondered…’
Sebastian sighed and took her arm, guiding her to an easy chair and sitting her down. He sat on a stool next to her, looking at her intently.
‘I wanted to tell you a long time ago, Lizzie, but it was difficult…’
‘If there’s someone else I’d rather you just tell me…’
Sebastian frowned, seeming bewildered. ‘What’s all that about? You wanted to know about my secret work and I haven’t been able to tell you, but it’s over now and providing you’re discreet I can tell you…’
‘There isn’t anyone else in your life… a younger woman?’
‘Lizzie?’ He stared at her, an odd smile on his lips. ‘Where did you get that from… did someone see me with Gretchen?’
‘Gretchen…’ Lizzie’s heart caught and yet Sebastian’s eyes were alight with mischief. He wouldn’t look at her like that if he was having an affair. ‘It doesn’t matter who saw you, I think you’d better tell me the whole story…’
‘It started again soon after the war ended. I thought it would be just once,’ he said and shook his head, ‘but I should’ve known better. Once they get you they don’t let go. I was travelling abroad and often for my business – and so they thought I could be of use to them… our masters, as Jack calls them. Of course he’s one of them really and always has been… I’ve been working for a branch of the Secret Service, Lizzie, and I just broke my oath by telling you that… but I think you’ve always known anyway.’
‘I knew it was what you did in the war – but I thought you’d finished with all that…’
‘Jack got me involved again – and he was a good friend of mine long before the war started… I suppose I should’ve said no, but the things they told me made me feel I wanted to help get people out… there isn’t a wall in Berlin yet, Lizzie, but the way things are going there will be in the next year or so. The poor devils that are trapped in the Russian sector are desperate to get out; a lot of them make it, but others die in the attempt – either with a shot in the back and an unmarked grave or in a cell forgotten by the world… men and women who offend by speaking out simply disappear or are imprisoned…’
Lizzie nodded, because she could understand that her husband might feel passionately about such things. He was an honourable man, an honest man, and if he gave his word he kept it…
‘There really is a Jack then? I went to the address you gave me once during the war. A woman said she was Jack… she said there were a lot of them…’
‘In the war, yes,’ Sebastian agreed, ‘but you were meant to see the real Jack, my friend. He got me involved in all this, and I agreed to help them get people they needed out of the Eastern Sector of Germany… sometimes important men, sometimes young children, families of people who had defected to us or been lost during the war…’
‘That must have been dangerous…’
‘I shan’t lie to you, darling. Sometimes it was straightforward; we’d be given passes for them as part of an exchange agreement. But sometimes it wasn’t quite like that – and getting Gretchen out was harder than I’d imagined.’
‘So she came from East Germany?’
‘Yes.’ Sebastian hesitated, then, ‘I brought someone else out – or at least to the Swiss border. I can’t tell you about him, because I don’t know – except that we need him here and someone else wants him dead…’
‘What happened to him?’
‘He crossed the border himself. I brought Gretchen through and she’s in London with her mother. Marianne was married to Karl, a good friend of mine when I was studying in Germany some years before the war…’
Lizzie nodded, because he’d told her a little about that part of his life long ago, but she’d always known there was more he wasn’t telling her.
‘Karl was tried for war crimes and shot by the Russians soon after the war ended.’ Sebastian looked grim. ‘He was forced to work by the Nazis to keep his wife and child safe, but Marianne escaped soon after the peace and Karl was to follow with Gretchen, but they came and took her away – and they arrested him… her life was in danger, Lizzie. You have to understand why I just went off, leaving Betty stranded the way I did. I put money in an envelope and told her to come home… but I know she was hurt…and I went back to tie up a few loose ends in Paris because there were things I needed to sort out. I thought Betty might have ignored my letter and still be there…’
So that was why he’d rushed back to Paris!
‘Yes, she was hurt and I’m finding it difficult to accept that you put Gretchen before our daughter…’
‘I was told I had to leave immediately or she might disappear for good this time. I didn’t want to desert Betty, but I wasn’t sure she would even come to the hotel – and I feared that if I delayed Gretchen would be killed… can’t you accept that it was something I had no choice about?’
‘There’s always a choice, Sebastian, and if anything had happened to Betty you would never have forgiven yourself – and I don’t think I could either…’
‘Lizzie please, don’t do this… it’s hard enough knowing that I let you all down…’ His face looked grey and she was suddenly overcome with fear, because he looked so ill.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Lizzie touched his hand. ‘I do understand, Sebastian, and I know you thought you were doing the right thing. Did your friend’s wife ask you to look for Gretchen?’
‘Yes, when we met by chance. I’ve been searching for her for three years – but then Jack rang me and told me he might be able to help, but of course he wanted something in return… and when he rang me in Paris I’d arranged to meet
Betty, but it was urgent that I leave at once and so all I could do was leave money and ask her to come home.’
‘I understand,’ Lizzie said, because it was all suddenly so clear to her. ‘So you fetched Gretchen to join her mother – and you bought her some clothes from the shop of a friend and she kissed you to say thank you…’ A tear trickled down her cheek as she realised that she’d worried for nothing; it was just Sebastian looking out for others as he always did. ‘Thank you for telling me, Sebastian.’
‘I always meant to,’ he said, ‘but it was difficult and then I had that little upset…’
Lizzie smiled through the mist of tears. ‘Forgive me for doubting you.’
He reached out and took her hand. ‘I should’ve told you before, but the work I’ve been doing is secret and I wasn’t supposed to talk about it…’
‘You know I shan’t tell anyone,’ Lizzie said. ‘But surely you won’t continue now?’
‘No, I’ve given enough; it was almost the finish of me,’ Sebastian told her ruefully. ‘Jack understands. He won’t ask again, but…’ He shook his head. ‘It’s possible that I may still be involved even if I don’t like it…’
‘You mustn’t let them draw you back in, Sebastian. You’re not well enough. And I need you – your family needs you with us…’
‘Unfortunately, that isn’t all the bad news, Lizzie…’
‘Betty is all right? You promise me?’
‘Yes, this isn’t anything to do with her – it’s business. The factory has been losing money for a while. I should’ve sold long ago, but I hung on and hoped I could bring it round, because I didn’t want to put good men and women out of work. I shall have to sell to cover my debts; there will be some left after the bills are paid, and the shop is holding its own, but… I promised Marianne and Gretchen a café of their own. They will need at least a thousand pounds to get them going and see them through the first few months. I asked for a contribution from our masters and Jack finally came up with half of it; I don’t know whether he forced them to pay me something for the risks I took for them or if he gave me the money himself, but I took it for Marianne and her daughter’s sake – but that means I have to give them five hundred, which is still a lot of money… Marianne will pay it all back when she can but that money should be yours and the girls…’