by Anne Barwell
“Michel!” she exclaimed, and then spoke animatedly to him in French.
“German, please,” Michel said. “My friends do not speak our language well.” He smiled at her. “It is very good to see you again too, mon amie.”
They embraced, and Michel kissed her lightly on both cheeks. Although Kristopher knew it was a typical greeting, he still felt a pang of jealousy that he couldn’t show his feelings for Michel in public. He started to take a step toward them but stopped. What could he say? He and Michel could only claim friendship, and besides, that was all this woman was to Michel. An old friend.
“Arlette, this is Benoit.” Michel gestured for Kristopher to come forward but referred to him by the name on his identity papers. Although he’d told Kristopher he trusted Arlette with his life, they’d decided it was safer not only for them but her too, if she remained unaware of their true identities.
“Pleased to meet you,” Kristopher said politely and shook her hand. “Michel speaks highly of you.”
“Does he now?” Arlette murmured, barely loud enough to be heard. She cleared her throat. “Welcome to France, Benoit. We’ll do our best to keep you safe before you take your leave of us.”
Matt cleared his throat. “I’m Julien,” he said, shaking her hand. He gave Ken a pointed look. “This is Marcel, who is still learning about French customs.”
Ken shook Arlette’s hand. “Pleased to meet you,” he said.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, and we appreciate the risk you are taking in helping us,” Liang said. He held out his hand. “Bonjour, Mademoiselle, je m’appelle Alexandre.”
Arlette gave him a huge smile as she shook it. “I thought you said your colleagues didn’t speak French, Michel.”
“I speak French, German, English, and Mandarin,” Liang said in German, “although it has been a while since I’ve spoken your language, so please excuse any mistakes when I use it.”
“Are you going to introduce your colleague, Arlette?” Michel nodded toward the thicket of trees behind Arlette.
“Still as observant as ever, I see.” Arlette tucked the errant lock of hair back inside her scarf.
“It’s kept me alive,” Michel said. “I suspected it was you who would be meeting us here, but I’m surprised to see you so far from home. The last I heard you were still in Paris.”
“Arlette and I have been tasked with ensuring your safe passage to Normandy.” The man who joined them was dark-haired and a couple of centimeters shorter than Michel, although he was more heavily built. “It is good to finally meet you, Michel. My name is Sébastien.” He and Michel shook hands. “Arlette speaks very highly of you.” Sébastien grinned. “She speaks of you often too.”
“Michel and I grew up together.” Arlette elbowed Sébastien in the ribs. “We’re old friends, and I haven’t seen him since he left for Germany.” Her tone grew wistful. “It’s important to hold on to our friends, don’t you think? Especially as we’ve lost so many of them to this war.”
“I hate to interrupt your reunion,” Matt said, “but can we go somewhere a little less in the open before we discuss things further?”
“We have a safe house a couple of kilometers from here,” Sébastien said. “Once we’re there, we will go over the routes we will take to get to our destination. I’m sure you’ll want to eat and get some sleep too. We head out tomorrow.”
“Routes, plural?” Kristopher asked. He’d suspected they’d have to split up, as avoiding detection would be difficult in a large group, especially if they were adding two to their number. Whatever happened, he and Michel would travel together. He would insist on it, and he knew Michel would too. They’d have to find a way to justify it without admitting to the real reason.
“Our group needs to split up.” Ken glanced at Matt. Kristopher had heard them arguing about it, but he’d thought Matt had finally reluctantly agreed Ken was right. He suspected though that they’d want to travel together too. “We’re too much of a target if we stay together.”
Matt sighed. “Sébastien, please lead the way to your safe house. The sooner we work out the details of what happens next, the happier I’ll be.”
SÉBASTIEN TRACED the route on the map with one finger. “All going well, both groups will meet in Bayeux, and from there we’ll travel to Cyrville-sur-Mer.” He pointed to another place on the map, this time a small village northwest of Bayeux. “London has organized extraction for you there.”
“By boat?” Liang suspected it would be, but he couldn’t help but ask anyway. After all, a chap could hope, right?
Arlette looked at him as though he was crazy. “Yes, by boat. Otherwise why would we go to all this trouble to get you to the coast?”
“Alexandre gets seasick,” Kristopher said quickly. “He had a rotten time of it crossing the Rhine.”
“Better seasick than dead,” Arlette said. She didn’t seem the sympathetic type, and although she’d been pleasant enough, Liang couldn’t help noticing the way she kept glancing at Michel when he wasn’t looking. Something was going on there, but he doubted Michel had a clue.
Since their initial greeting, Michel had treated her the same way he did everyone else, despite her attempts to start conversations with him. The only person Michel took the time to speak to for any length of time was Kristopher, and then it was only when they thought they were alone. Liang had almost walked in on them a couple of times and had retreated quickly and quietly. If they wanted privacy, that was their business, not his.
“I have no intention of dying,” Liang said dryly. He nodded his thanks to Kristopher, who nodded back but didn’t say anything further on the subject.
“Neither does anyone fighting this war.” Arlette moved around the table to stand next to Michel, brushing against him as she did so.
Kristopher glanced at her and tensed. “There have been many losses on both sides,” he said. “The sooner this war is over, the better.”
“Who have you brought us exactly, Michel?” Arlette asked.
“Good men who are doing what they can to make this world a better place,” Michel said calmly. “This is neither the time nor place to air personal issues. As Benoit said, there have been losses on both sides. Many of those were good people.”
Arlette snorted. “If you say so. You’ve been away from France for too long. Have you forgotten your brother already?”
“I am German,” Kristopher said, “but I do not agree with what Herr Hitler is doing. That is the reason I left my home and family. If you have a problem with that, I’m sorry, but Michel is right. I’ve seen good people die, people who should have had a long life ahead of them. War doesn’t discriminate, and bombs drop on the innocent as well as the guilty. Just because some of my countrymen have done terrible things, please do not judge our whole country. The only reason we were able to escape Germany was because of the brave Germans who aided us.” He took a deep breath. “Corin was a brave man, and you do better to honor his memory by not insulting his brother.”
Liang raised an eyebrow. He’d had no idea that Michel had lost a brother to this war, and given Matt’s reaction, neither did he. Even Ken, who was usually not easy to read, looked startled.
“I’m sorry,” Matt said. He laid a hand on Michel’s shoulder very briefly. “I had no idea.”
“Thank you, but it is not something I wish to talk about,” Michel said. “Sébastien’s plan is sound, but we need to discuss how we are going to split our group and which route we will take.”
“I think it would be better if Marcel and I play the part of German soldiers,” Matt said. “I speak good German and Marcel’s is passable, especially if I take the higher rank and do most of the talking.”
“I will travel by train to Paris,” Arlette said. “Michel has experience in passing himself off as a German soldier, and he speaks both French and German fluently, so I think he should take the part of the German traveling alone on the train to rejoin his unit. That just leaves the decision of who will p
retend to be my brother.”
“I’m not going to pass as French although I speak the language,” Liang said. He’d already suspected what role he’d end up with. “I will be one of the prisoners Julien and Marcel are transporting to Caen.”
“And I will be the other,” Sébastien said. “Arlette and I need to split between the two groups as we know the area and who to contact.”
“That leaves me with the role of Arlette’s brother,” Kristopher said. At least he and Arlette could pass off their animosity toward each other as that of siblings. Nevertheless, it was not an ideal situation to have them working together closely, but when Sébastien had first laid out the plan, Liang knew which way their group would be split. After what had happened a few months ago, none of his friends would be taking any chances of losing track of the person they cared about.
“You’re not going to successfully pass yourself off as a German soldier,” Matt said. “You’ve tried that before, and I saw through it in about two minutes.”
“I knew you weren’t who you said you were either,” Kristopher countered.
They’d first met in the Black Forest while using assumed identities, and worked together for days before trusting each other enough to reveal who they really were.
Matt chuckled. “Touché.”
“Is your French good enough?” Arlette asked.
“It’s passable,” Michel said quickly before Kristopher could answer. “If he is playing the part of an injured man, there is no reason why that injury could not hinder his ability to speak clearly. He will still need to keep his head down and not draw attention to himself. Benoit understands more than he speaks and has picked up our language quickly.”
“Besides, it is the only role left,” Kristopher said.
Matt glanced between Kristopher and Arlette. “If this mission is to succeed,” he said, “we need to put any personal problems with each other to one side. Are you going to be able to work together?”
“I have no problem working with Arlette,” Kristopher said calmly. “I will be traveling with her and Michel to Paris.” His tone suggested the subject was not up for debate.
“I apologize if I seemed rude earlier,” Arlette said. “As I said, I have lost too many good friends to this war, and I allowed my emotions to cloud my judgment.”
“Apology accepted.” Kristopher said. “This mission is important, and its success takes priority over all else.”
“I agree,” Michel said.
“Well, now that’s settled, I’m going to have some more of that delicious stew.” Matt turned to Sébastien. “Do you need some help in making the final alterations to our identity papers after we’ve eaten? We have a long road ahead of us, and we all need to get some sleep.”
“Thank you. I’d appreciate that, but first could we discuss a few details over a plate of stew?” Sébastien led Matt into the kitchen, Ken following close behind.
“I owe you an apology too,” Arlette said to Michel. “I shouldn’t have brought Corin into the conversation. From your friends’ reactions, I suspect you hadn’t told them, and it wasn’t my place to.”
“No, it wasn’t.” Michel folded the map, tucked it under his arm, and started to walk away.
Arlette ran after him. “Michel,” she said, linking her arm through his. “We still have a lot to talk about. So much has changed since you left.”
Kristopher picked up his cold cup of coffee from the table, took one sip, and pulled a face. “I should make some more,” he said, “but I don’t want to disturb anyone.”
“We need to talk,” Liang said. He wasn’t going to say anything, but now Kristopher and Michel were going to be traveling with Arlette, something needed to be said.
“What about?” Kristopher frowned. “Do you have a problem with this plan? It’s me Holm is looking for—”
“Officially,” Liang said, “but we both know he also has an interest in Ken, and that he is not a man who gives up easily. I want some fresh air. Join me?” Although he intended to speak English for the rest of their conversation, he did not want to risk being overheard. Michel might not speak good English, but Arlette and Sébastien could be proficient in the language.
Liang headed outside, with Kristopher following him. The crisp air was chilly, but not overly so.
“All right.” Kristopher folded his arms and leaned against the back wall of the house. “You’re worried about something. What is it?”
“Not that obviously, I hope.” Liang wondered how best to broach the subject. In the end, he decided to get right to it. “You and Michel need to be more careful,” he said in English.
“Careful?” Kristopher sounded puzzled, but he switched languages without questioning why. “I don’t understand. We’re not about to reveal who we are to anyone. Michel won’t tell Arlette who the rest of us really are, although he does trust her. They’ve known each other for years, even before this war.”
Oh dear. Liang had hoped he wouldn’t have to be so direct. He lowered his voice and closed the distance between them to ensure no one else would overhear. “I know you and Michel are involved.”
Kristopher glanced at him with a shocked expression, which he covered quickly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. “We’re good friends. You’re mistaken.”
“No,” Liang said firmly. He placed a hand on Kristopher’s arm. “I’m not.” He sighed. “I figure with this war, if you’ve got a chance for a bit of happiness with someone you love, you should follow it. I’m not going to report it or tell anyone else.”
Kristopher relaxed, but he still looked nervous. He shook Liang’s hand off his arm. “How long have you known?”
“I’ve had my suspicions for a while, given the way Michel spoke of you, but the first time I saw the two of you together, I knew.” Liang shook his head. “You’re not as careful as you think you are. I’ve seen the way you look at each other, and Michel isn’t as closed off around you.” He colored. “I, umm, almost walked in on you one time.” He hadn’t seen anything, but he’d recognized the way they were leaning into each other well enough, and what it might lead to.
“Verdammt,” Kristopher muttered. “No one else has figured it out?”
“I have no idea, but don’t worry; I suspect your secret is safe with Matt and Ken if that’s what you are worried about.” If Liang was correct, Matt and Ken had their own secrets to keep. “It’s easier to recognize the signs of someone in love when you’re in love yourself.”
“Juliane,” Kristopher said softly. “You’re not good at hiding your feelings either.”
“I don’t need to,” Liang reminded him, “although it would not do for her brother to find out.” If Holm suspected Liang and Juliane were involved, it would put Juliane in danger too.
“I won’t tell anyone.” Kristopher hesitated before continuing. “Michel already knows.”
“Of course he does,” Liang said dryly, “even if he has not figured out that Arlette is flirting with him.”
“Excuse me?” Kristopher narrowed his eyes. “She’s wasting her time. He’s not interested.”
“Yes, well, we know that, but he can hardly tell her the reason why, can he?” Liang sighed. For a brilliant man, Kristopher was not coming to the conclusions he needed to. “Can I be blunt?”
“Of course. You have so far. Why stop now?”
Liang winced. He hadn’t meant to upset Kristopher, but anything less than directness was not going to be helpful. “Arlette obviously has feelings for him. Not only that, but they know each other well. How long will it be before she works out the truth? The three of you are going to be spending time together. The last thing you need is for her unrequited feelings for Michel to jeopardize everything.”
“You’re worried about the mission.”
“I’m worried about you. Holm won’t need an excuse to arrest you if he finds out about your feelings for Michel.”
“I won’t let Holm harm Michel to get to me,” Kristopher said stiffl
y. He bit his lip. “The possibility is one I’ve thought of a long time ago. Ending up in a camp because of what I am pales in comparison. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Michel safe.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,” Liang said. “That and a woman scorned. You know what they say about that. I’ve had women angry at me before. It’s something you want to avoid, trust me. Michel needs to stop her flirting with him. Any excuse will do but the truth, and you both need to hide your feelings for each other better. Stop the glances and the brushing against each other when there is anyone else around.”
“We haven’t been doing that.” Kristopher frowned. He sounded genuinely surprised.
Liang snorted. “Yes, you have. And your reaction to Arlette earlier when she kept brushing against Michel? I know jealously when I see it. If someone was flirting with Juliane the way Arlette was with Michel, I’d be reacting the same way. I’m sorry, Kristopher. I wish you could tell her the truth, but you can’t.”
“This isn’t fair.” Kristopher closed his eyes. “We’re never going to be able to be honest about how we feel. Even if we survive this war, we’ll have to pretend to be something we’re not. I can’t believe our relationship is wrong.” He clenched one fist and opened his eyes again before he lowered his gaze, but not before Liang saw a glimpse of frustration and pain reflected in them.
“Not when it feels so right when you’re together?” Liang said softly. “I’m so sorry. I wish things were different too, but they’re not, and I’ve lost too many friends to risk losing more. Be careful, my friend. Please.”
“I’ll talk to Michel,” Kristopher said. “Thank you.”
“I’ll leave you to think,” Liang said.
Kristopher caught his arm as he went to walk away. “No,” he said. “Stay.” He smiled, but it was shaky. “You don’t know how much I’ve wanted to be able to talk to someone about this. It’s a relief not to have to keep it a complete secret.”
Liang knew about keeping secrets. “Whatever we talk about, it will go no further,” he promised.