by Dan Walsh
“Now? Maybe fifteen or twenty. But more join us every week.”
“Even if fifty or a hundred more join you, what is that against the German army? The kinds of things these officers talk about, they are not the kinds of things a group like yours can do anything about. So, what is the point of taking such a risk to learn information that cannot possibly help your cause? They have taken over everything, Philippe. The plans they talk about are about making grand, sweeping changes. Moving entire battalions here or there, all kinds of building projects along the coast.”
“I don’t know, Renée. Maybe they don’t want to know these things for our benefit. Maybe it’s for the British, to help them with their plans. I don’t know.”
“The British? How could it help the British?”
“We have a radio, Renée. Don’t you remember? Our leader said it came across the Channel the night you arrived. He was there to pick it up himself.”
Renée had no idea what he was talking about.
“Maybe you didn’t see him. But he brought it to us in a crate.”
She did remember seeing several crates on the boat.
“Anyway, we have been talking to the British almost every week. They’re always asking us about those big things you just mentioned. That’s what got us thinking about this idea in the first place, about me coming to you on a regular basis. You and I don’t have to judge how valuable the information is. They said just get her to tell you any of the things she hears at the house, and you pass them on to us. I instantly said yes, because it would also give me a chance to see you more often.”
Renée felt an internal warning bell go off. “Philippe, I have to go back now. I’ve already been out here too long.”
“Then what do you say? Will you do it? They will be expecting me to come back with an answer.”
It frightened her to think of saying yes. But she did wish to see Philippe more often, and if some of the things she heard could benefit the British, wasn’t it her duty to try and help? “Okay Philippe, we will try this for little while. Tell them that, that I’m willing to try. But if I ever feel like it’s not safe to come out here and meet with you, you must accept that, and be willing to return to your group empty-handed. I will not risk your life or our welfare here at the house. You know what the Germans do to anyone caught doing anything subversive. They shoot people sometimes for almost no reason at all.”
“That’s fine, Renée. They assured me they didn’t want to put your life in danger, so I’m sure they will be fine with that. But you go on and get back to the house. I will see you soon.”
They quickly hugged and parted ways.
As Renée walked back through the woods toward the outdoor light, she suddenly froze and ducked down. A German guard just walked by along the length of the house. She waited till she was sure he’d rounded the corner and quickly made her way to the back door.
Suddenly, her life had become much more complicated and it filled her heart with dread.
50
3 Weeks Later
Black Swan Pub, near Middle Wallop
Jack sat at a table in the pub at Monxton, the same table he and Elliot had sat in many times before. Elliot was due to arrive any minute. The situation for both men had changed quite a bit over the past month or so.
Jack’s leg had almost completely healed and he’d been returned to his duties at the airfield. He’d been promoted to Flight Lieutenant, the equivalent rank of captain in the US. Joe had been promoted to the same rank. Both were still at Middle Wallop but now flew side by side, commanding a similar number of planes and fighter pilots.
As Elliot had predicted, Hitler’s planned invasion of England had been called off. In fact, a few weeks ago the Battle of Britain had unofficially been declared over. The RAF had won, fulfilling Winston Churchill’s already-famous words spoken about these brave men back in August: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”
The Nazis were still bombing England, mostly in London. But with only a fraction of the bombers and fighter escorts they had sent between August and October. On some days, Jack’s squadron flew only one patrol mission a day. Regular passes had, at least for now, been restored.
Elliot’s role had also dramatically changed. He was no longer having to prepare elite Home Guard forces to sabotage the Germans once they’d invaded England. The Germans weren’t coming anymore. Exactly what Elliot was doing now instead, Jack didn’t know. As before, Elliot wasn’t at liberty to say.
The front door of the pub opened. Jack looked up to see his brother walk in. Their eyes met and both men waved. Elliot gave a signal to the bartender on his way to the table, he’d have the usual.
Elliot slid in to the seat. They shook hands. “Good to see you, Flight Lieutenant.”
Jack smiled. “You too, Elliot. “Haven’t they made you a colonel yet?”
“That would be skipping a few steps, brother. Besides, I don’t want to be chained to a desk, so I’m fine if they leave me where I am.”
“You said on the phone that you had some news about Renée? How is that possible, or can you not tell me?” Jack hadn’t heard a single bit of news about her since she returned home to France. The not-knowing was killing him.
“I can’t say too much about the how,” Elliot said, “but you already know part of it. Remember the radios I mentioned that we’d smuggled over with the fisherman who brought Renée back to France? One of those radios ended up in the hands of a resistance group forming in the Arras area. I am not over that particular effort, but a close colleague of mine is. I explained Renée’s situation and asked him, as a favor, if he ever received any word about her or her family’s welfare, could he pass it on to me.”
Jack was curious how Elliot might have explained to his friend his interest in Renée. “I’m guessing that has happened?”
“It has. Actually, this news is three days old now, but this was the first chance I had to get away, and I wanted to share it with you in person.”
“So, how is she? How are they? Is it bad news or good news?”
“I’m not sure any of it is good news,” Elliot said. “Other than the fact that she seems physically safe and well. The SS Colonel did take over the family home, moved in his staff, and is using it for a whole number of things. Basically, he seems to be something of a military governor for the area. And, as a condition for her and her mother being allowed to stay in the home, she had to agree to become his hostess. Essentially, she runs the domestic staff and sets up his dinner parties with the German brass. But that has actually served a good purpose.”
Jack couldn’t see how that was possible.
“Apparently, she has gained this Colonel’s trust. He doesn’t confide in her but he and his friends talk freely about some very important things, important to us at least, when she’s around. Her brother Philippe serves as something of a liaison between her and this resistance group. Whatever they hear, they pass on to us by radio.”
“Elliot, you mean you’re using her as a spy? She could be shot if she got caught. One little slip, that’s all it would take.”
“You’re getting angry at the wrong person, Jack. I have no control over any of this. I’m only the messenger. Even if I wanted to stop it, no one would listen to me. This is war, they’d say. She’s providing a vital service.”
Jack had to get his emotions under control. “Elliot, this is Renée we’re talking about. You might not have any control over the situation, but you shared this part of the news as though it was a good thing. Well, it’s not. She’s in enough danger, from my perspective, just having to share the house with all these Nazi goons. But the danger factor goes way up if she’s actively engaged in spying for the resistance.”
“I’m sorry,” Elliot said. “You’re right. She’s not just anyone and I shouldn’t have talked the way I did. There’s another bit of news to share that is rather sad. It’s about her mother. She was very weak and unwell, even months ago when I brought
Renée back with me to England. Well apparently, the strain of the situation proved too much for her. She passed away, the night before we got this last transmission.”
“Poor Renée,” Jack said. “That’s the main reason she went back to France, to care for her. She must be heartbroken.”
“I’m sure she is. If there’s any consolation, the report said she passed away peacefully in her sleep. I guess her heart just gave out.”
“Is there any more news?” Jack said.
“That’s it for now.”
“Well, I’m sorry for getting upset with you. And I really do appreciate you coming all this way to fill me in.”
“Apology accepted. Next time I’ll try not to be such a clod.”
Jack laughed.
After taking a sip of ale, Elliot said, “But this does bring up something I’ve been meaning to talk with you about for a while now. It just never seems to be the right time. Now seems a good a time as any.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s about you and Renée. I think it’s time we got something out in the open, sort of clear the air.”
Jack knew where Elliot was going.
“It’s quite obvious to me and has been for some time that you are in love with her, Jack. And I’m pretty sure Renée feels the same way about you.”
Jack looked into his eyes. He didn’t see anger or annoyance or anything negative at all. He inhaled deeply. “I suppose you’re right. I am in love with her, but you should know it hasn’t gone anywhere. Other than a polite peck on the forehead, we’ve never even kissed.”
“I’m not surprised to hear it, and I appreciate the respect you’ve shown me in trying to keep your distance. Obviously now, this war has put a far greater distance between you. And none of us knows what the future holds. But I want you to know, I’m releasing any claim to Renée’s affections. In fact, I should have done so quite a while ago. She’s a great girl, and I had some fairly strong feelings for her at first. But what can I say, the war got in the way. It couldn’t be helped, but I neglected her terribly after bringing her here. It was just the wrong time for me to even think I could be in a relationship with her, or anyone. The truth is, I’m glad you found each other. She deserves some happiness, and if I had to lose her to someone else, I’m glad that someone was you.”
Jack didn’t know what to say. Choking back his emotions, he said, “Finding you has meant the world to me, and I’d never want anything to ever come between us. I was pretty worried about having this conversation with you, about Renée I mean. I’ve replayed what I’d say at least a hundred times in my head. But you’ve made this so easy. Thanks, Elliot.”
51
It was a chilly afternoon, but at least the sun was shining. Mother would have loved that. She hadn’t been able to go outside very often the last month or so. The minister was finishing up his remarks at the graveside service but Renée wasn’t absorbing what he said. She looked around at the dozen or so people in attendance, all dressed in black, recalling various memories and conversations each one had with her or Mother over the years.
So many people were missing. Either they had died before her, or had fled the area when the Germans came. But someone very important was there, at least as present as he could be. She noticed her brother Philippe standing behind a tree up on the hill. He dared not come any further, but she was at least glad he’d been able to be here, even if from a distance.
As the graveside service ended, Renée turned and looked up at the hill once more. Philippe was gone. She wanted to wave goodbye. But at least she’d get a chance to see him later that night. To cut down on the chances either one of them would get caught setting up their meetings, a decision had been made to rendezvous in the woods behind the house the same time each week. It would give her a chance to see how he was doing with the news and to reassure him that God had granted Mother a quick and painless passing in her sleep. Mother had talked several times, even recently, about how ready she was to depart this life and be with their father. Hopefully, this information would comfort Philippe and ease any suffering he was experiencing about not being there when she died.
It was about 7:45PM. Marie had given Renée the all clear. The patrolling German guards had just left the rear of the house. Renée quickly exited out the back door, down the walkway and slipped into the dark woods, taking the now-familiar path to the spot where she and Philippe always met.
When she got there, she whispered his name but received no reply. She took a few steps in every direction whispering his name again. But still no reply. It was probably nothing, she told herself. Philippe would come. But every other time, he had always been there before her. Something must’ve happened to temporarily slow him down.
She decided to wait at least a few minutes. Though she couldn’t wait long or else she’d be missed back at the house.
Ten minutes went by. Renée was getting tense. She hoped Philippe was okay. Now she’d have to wait a week to find out what happened. But she couldn’t wait for him any longer. Carefully, she walked back toward the house. Standing by the edge of the woods, she waited to make sure no German guards were nearby.
Confirming the coast was clear, she hurried down the sidewalk, opened the back door and stepped into the kitchen.
“Going out for a nighttime walk, Renée?”
Renée gasped. It was Colonel Fromm standing in the center of the kitchen, two armed SS guards standing on either side. “Uh, yes. But not really a walk. I just wanted a bit of fresh air.”
“Come now, Renée. Let’s don’t keep up this charade. We both know why you went outside just now. To see your brother, Philippe. And we both know you didn’t see him, did you?”
Renée’s heart began to beat a hundred times a minute. Her palms began to sweat.
“He wasn’t there, because at this moment he is locked in the West Wing basement, along with two of his resistance friends. My intelligence officer and his associates have been interrogating them almost nonstop since your mother’s funeral this afternoon.”
Renée’s heart sank. That’s why Philippe had disappeared.
“I can see you have put it together,” the Colonel said. “I was certain he could not stay away from his own mother’s funeral. So, my men were there ready to meet him before he could slip away again. Turned out to be quite a catch. We didn’t just capture him but what appears to be one of their key leaders.”
“Colonel, please, he’s just a boy.”
“I beg to differ, Renée. He is a spy and a saboteur and, very soon, he and his friends will tell us everything we need to know about their operation. They have already told us several useful bits of information. How do you suppose I knew to be standing here when you came back in from outside?”
Although her heart was racing, she managed a silent prayer, for Philippe and that God would give her courage for whatever she was about to face.”
“I’m so very disappointed in you, Renée. I’ve given you every opportunity to be an integral part of our team here. And I had hoped things between us could have been so much more.” He looked at the two guards. “Take her away. Lock her up in the basement with the others.”
They grabbed her as he turned and walked away.
52
The following morning just before 11AM, Jack and Joe were meeting with their respective ground crew, reviewing some new engine upgrades scheduled to be installed that afternoon. Technically, both men were on leave. That morning it had been announced that most of the squadron was being transferred to northern Africa to support troops fighting there and in southern Italy. This would take place a week from now, so the pilots were given an extended pass for the time between now and then.
“Jack,” someone yelled from the hangar entrance. “Could I speak with you a few minutes?”
Joe’s plane was closer to the opening. “Jack, it’s your brother.”
Elliot? What was he doing here? They had just been together yesterday at the pub. “Excuse me guys,” he said to th
e mechanics and hurried over toward Elliot. As he got closer, he instantly knew the news wasn’t good.
“Walk with me,” Elliot said. They quickly shook hands and headed for an area of the tarmac free of people.
“What’s up? Something wrong?”
“I’m afraid something’s very wrong. Renée and her brother Philippe have been arrested.”
“What…how? When?”
“Happened yesterday. I don’t have all the details, but the ones I have paint a very dark picture.”
“Tell me. What do you know?”
“We received an urgent message last evening from that resistance cell working near the Arras area. They were frantic, to put it mildly. I told you her mother had died a few days ago. Apparently, her funeral took place yesterday afternoon. The SS Colonel guessed correctly that Philippe would want to attend the funeral. He was standing off at some distance away, but they were looking for him and picked him up when he tried to leave.”
Jack sighed. This was the worst possible news. He could already imagine the horrible things the Germans had done to Philippe. “So, he told them about his visits with Renée?”
“Possibly. Or one of the other two resistance members they arrested could have given her away. The point is, the Colonel arrested her after she went out into the woods behind their home to meet with Philippe. Of course, he wasn’t there.”
“Do you know where they have taken her?”
“Our sources have confirmed she, Philippe and the other two men are locked in the basement in the West Wing of her home. We have to move fast if we have any hope of saving her.”
“Saving her? Is that even possible? Do you have a plan?”
“I do. It’s top secret, and it involves you and, possibly, your friend Joe over there.”
“What is it? I’ll do it, whatever it is.”
Elliot looked around, to make sure they were still far away from any other ears. “I know you know from your pilot training about German interrogation methods. But I’m not sure if they told you, how thorough and how ruthless the Nazis are in situations like this. Everyone who gets captured starts off saying they’ll never talk, no matter what. But they always talk. Inflict enough pain over a long enough period of time, and they will talk. Eventually, they’ll break. Clearly, someone already has. Either Philippe or one of the other two. How else would the Germans know about Renée meeting her brother in the woods and be standing right there to catch her when she came back in the house?”