They stood deep in the middle of a forested area. The Nazis couldn't follow them in with a location finder truck. But that didn't mean they couldn't narrow down the area and close in on foot. Jacob would have to be extremely quick.
All the equipment came out, and Jacob set up while Joshua marched the perimeter. They had a bright moon to work with, which was good, if London could send a plane right away. If not, they would have to wait a month, and that would be terrible. Jacob fought with the crystals, trying to find a frequency that would work.
"Lion to Hedgehog stop France d'Abord still functioning, need instructions stop Parachute drop supplies and money Boulet stop."
Marie-Madeleine was quick to respond. She must sleep with a radio by her head. "Will send a litre of gin to Danielle at Boulet stop. Find ways to discourage other suitors from advancing stop. Find traitor stop. Bordeaux going strong stop. Much love stop end."
"Danielle needs a date soon stop. No suspects yet stop. Forward the Alliance stop. Love end."
Thundering footsteps sounded in the night air. Joshua was running toward Jacob. "Turn it off. I saw a van."
Jacob ripped down the aerial. "Got it...let's go."
They bagged their equipment faster than they ever had and ran for the closest access to the road. They had to get across to get back to Lyon. From the corner of his eye, Jacob saw lights approaching.
"Dive!" he shouted and jumped into the ditch on the side of the road.
In mere seconds, lights were flashing back towards the direction they had left. Either the Nazis were getting very good with their direction finding equipment, or they had this area saturated with Gestapo. When Jacob was sure the Nazis were interested in the wrong side of the road, he and Joshua made a go of it. They ran for almost a mile before they slowed to a jog. It was amazing what energy a good scare could give you.
When the adrenaline faded, leaving them more exhausted than before, Jacob limped horribly. The two and a half hour trip out, took over three going back, and it was already daylight when they spotted the farm. A sock, signifying all-clear, hung in the kitchen window, and they dragged themselves in the back door to sink onto kitchen chairs. The Darnells waited on them with something to drink and eat but were anxious to hear of their adventure.
"How did it go?" Ferdinand leaned over the table.
"Oui, what took so long? We were getting worried. You know it's not safe to be out after daylight."
Joshua responded. "While Jacques made his transmission, I scouted the area. But I got a huge surprise when I saw one of those Gibbet vans with the radar tracker on top. I suspected it was after Jacques, so I ran back."
"He reached me just in time," added Jacob. "I had finished my contact and was taking down the aerial. We threw everything in the bag and ran. As we were crossing the road, headlights came around the bend."
Joshua laughed. "Jacques yelled dive, and I went head-first into the ditch."
They all laughed, enjoying the break in the tension.
"That explains the condition of your clothes," said Antoinette, teasing. "You men ruin more clothes diving into ditches!"
"I thank God for ditches!" Jacob insisted.
Ferdinand was ready for more serious talk. "What did London say?"
"The Boulet landing field will get a visit. Start listening to the BBC for the name Danielle." Jacob took several drinks before he continued. "Marie-Madeleine is going to send a litre of gin."
Joshua interrupted. "What would we do with a litre of gin?"
"Spend it," Jacob smiled. "That's a million francs. She also wants us to find ways to stop the advance, oh, and find the traitor. Bordeaux, she says, is going strong, so the traitor can't ever have been there."
"This drop will solve our little problem of extra mouths to feed. But if the Gibbet ever run into Chloe, she'll need papers with an alternate identity," said Joshua, thoughtfully rubbing at the whiskers on his chin.
Jacob shrugged. "We'll ask Opossum to make new identity papers. Chloe is married now. That should throw them off."
"I can visit the store and Opossum, while you fellows take a nap," offered Ferdinand. "Speaking of which, if there's nothing else, why don't you head up to bed."
Both men would rather have collapsed directly into a bed, but the filthy condition of their clothes and bodies compelled them to bathe first. By the time Jacob reached his room, Chloe was missing from the bed. He sighed. He would have enjoyed a few minutes of her warmth. He lay down but didn't have the chance to miss her when he passed out as soon as he closed his eyes.
When he woke that afternoon, a weak winter sun streamed through the window. He stepped out of bed and pulled the chair closer to the light. His Bible drew him, and since he didn't know the next chance he'd get to read it, he took it out. Time disappeared as he reread the story of Jericho and Rahab. There were things he'd forgotten, like the twelve stones left as a memorial to the twelve tribes of Israel. After the war, it would be nice to go back and set up a memorial in Cachet, especially in honor of Chloe's brother.
Another thing struck him. Israel was not to profit from this battle. God had forbidden them to take any of the money or goods found in Jericho. For Jacob, this was confirmation that he and Chloe didn't need the money the Nazis had given her. He felt it strongly in his spirit that he'd done the right thing by forcing her to leave it. God would provide for them.
After reading God's Word and praying, he thought it prudent that he and Chloe have a talk. It was time for her to see his faith. Each night before he went to bed, he would read his Bible to her. She could listen or not; it was her choice. But Jacob didn't know how long they could remain with the Darnells. Some sort of habit concerning his faith needed to be instituted with Chloe.
The door opened behind him, and Jacob peered out from behind the chair. He couldn't help the pleased smile that lit his face. "Chloe, I was just thinking about you."
"Jacques…" She offered him a polite smile. "Would you like some lunch?"
"Very much."
Chloe stood there uncertainly, hovering in the doorway. "You didn't sleep long. Are you tired?"
He grimaced. "I'm used to it. Most missions occur at night."
"All right then. I'll go down and tell Antoinette." She started to back away from the door.
"Chloe!"
She peeped back in. "Yes?"
"You look very pretty today."
She wore a cotton dress with a floral print that gave her an air of innocence. It must have been hers before the Nazi colonel dressed her up in all those provocative Parisian models.
She smoothed her waistline nervously. "In this old thing? I used to scrub Madame's floor in this dress."
Jacob rose from the chair and stood close to her. "You'd be beautiful in the proverbial gunny sack."
When he bent his head, she stiffened as if she anticipated his kiss, but Jacob only kissed the top of her head then ran his finger down the side of her cheek. He intended, bit by bit, to wear down her defenses and distrust of men by showing her self- control and respect. Surely the fruits of the Spirit would minister life to Chloe.
"Well, if you'll excuse me."
She hurried down the stairs, and Jacob stepped into the bathroom to throw some water on his face and freshen up. Downstairs, he looked around for Ferdinand. When he didn't see him anywhere, he wandered into the kitchen. "Antoinette, is he back yet?"
"Non. But he won't be long. Don't worry."
Jacob felt useless in the kitchen, especially with Chloe so effectively avoiding him. "Is Josh awake?"
"Not yet. Chloe, why don't you take Jacques outside? He's getting in the way. I can handle this." Antoinette gave Jacques a conspiratorial smile.
Chloe had no choice but to give in gracefully. "Of course. Jacques, shall we?"
She went out the back door with Jacob behind her. He wrapped her arm through his, though he was sure she wouldn't like it. "How have you been, Chloe? I know I haven't been around much."
"The Darnells have been nice, but
I feel useless. Antoinette doesn't let me do much."
It wasn't good for her to feel useless. She would begin to doubt herself even more. "Would you like to go on a mission with me?"
"Really! You would take me?"
"I've been thinking about it. I wasn't sure if you'd be interested. It's hard work, but the Alliance is so short-handed that some women work alongside the men. In fact, our leader is a woman."
Chloe gasped. "I hadn't heard. Who is it? Would I know her?"
"I don't know. Her name is Marie-Madeleine. We call her hedgehog."
"I heard you mention hedgehog after that first night on the radio in the traboules."
They reached a bench near the barn and sat down together. Jacob still held her hand to his arm. "She was the secretary to Commandant Georges Loustaunau-Lacau when he started a magazine publishing group. You might have heard of their publication, L'Ordre National."
She pursed her lips and wrinkled up her brow in the most adorable manner. "Not that I recall, but I've heard of the Commandant. How did Marie-Madeleine become your leader?"
"The Commandant is in Mauthausen. Marie has managed the underground for a couple of years."
"How old is she? Where is she now?" The bright interest on Chloe's face indicated that she could still get excited about something. Jacob wished it were himself.
"She's in London, but she'll be back soon. I'm not sure how old. We never discussed age."
Chloe laughed, and the sound was like a joyful refrain to Jacob's ears. "Just like a man. Was she an old woman?"
"Hmph, definitely not."
Chloe grinned at him, teasing. "Ahhh, she was young. Attractive?"
Jacob didn't care for this line of conversation. "I suppose…not to me."
"Why not?"
"I never thought of her that way." After a brief pause Jacob said what was in his heart. "I guess because I was waiting for you."
The smile froze on Chloe's face. "What would make you think that?"
"Because I love you." Her petite hand still rested securely under Jacob's, but she yanked it free.
"You don't even know me. You don't know anything about me, about my hopes, my dreams."
Jacob hated the look of resentment on her face that was directed at him, but he didn't turn away from her anger. "Sometimes God gives you a love for someone that defies logic or understanding in the natural mind. Why don't you tell me your dreams? I'd like to know."
She closed her eyes. "They died…along with everything else the Nazis killed."
"I'm sorry about your brother, but he wouldn't want you to give up your dreams because of him."
"You don't understand. They killed a lot more than my brother." Her voice took on that dead tone again.
Jacob reached for her hand and caressed it. "Chloe, I want to understand…more than you know. Please tell me."
She opened her eyes and stared off into the woods. "I was his mistress. He was the first, you know." Her eyes grew even darker, remembering the pain. "He was a pig! He wanted to make sure I knew he was stronger…that he was in control. I couldn't stop him." A sob choked her voice, but there were no tears in her eyes.
Jacob felt the rage and pain radiating through her, and his own eyes filled with tears. "It's all right, Chloe. I haven't been able to stop them either, and I've been trying for twelve years."
Her face twisted toward him. "Twelve years? You've been fighting for twelve years? I'll never live that long. I haven't the strength to fight twelve years."
"It won't be that long. There are others in the fight now. England…America. We're going to win!"
She turned away from him. "It's too late for me, Jacob. They've taken my dreams."
She got up and walked to the house, and Jacob let her go. Arguing wouldn't show Chloe she had something to live for, but love could bring her back to life. He was going to give her more than she'd ever seen.
A few minutes later Ferdinand drove up in his rickety truck. The smile on his face told Jacob he'd been successful. They found Joshua awake, and the whole group sat down to lunch.
"Well?" asked Antoinette as she passed a bowl of steaming greens.
"Chloe has become Claudette Conran, the wife of Jacques Conran. But only for traveling," Ferdinand said with wink. "You won't have to learn to call one another by the new names. We'll begin Mission Lavant right away. The teams move out and disconnect as many power lines as we can before the November 11th take-over. Six teams in all…if Jacques and Joshua participate."
"Of course," Jacob said.
"I'm in," said Joshua. "What exactly are we doing?"
"Thanks to data from Ernest Mercier concerning the electric works across France, we believe it will be possible to take down key power lines all through the Lyon region, instead of blowing the transformers." Ferdinand looked over the table at Chloe. "If we bury the power lines, we can recover them after the war."
"Good." Jacob nodded his head with satisfaction. "Then the teams are all set?"
"One of the teams will have only three men, but it should work."
"I'd like to come," interrupted Chloe. "I could at least stand guard for the team of three."
Ferdinand pursed his lips. He looked intrigued by the idea, but he would never tell someone else's wife she could put herself in danger.
Jacob glanced at Joshua. "I have no problem with that. What about you, Josh? Have you got any reservations?"
"None."
Ferdinand spread his hands on the table, grinning. "We're all in agreement. We leave tomorrow." He tilted his head at his wife. "Antoinette, my love, let us enjoy the delicious repast you prepared for us."
That evening Jacob listened to the BBC broadcast with the others then excused himself for bed. There had been no mention of the Danielle parachute drop. Chloe followed him up, standing at the door of the bathroom as he brushed his teeth. He glanced at her.
"Thank you for allowing me to go with you, Jacob. I won't hold you up. I'm very strong."
Jacob washed his face then dried it on a towel. "You're welcome. I never thought you'd hold us up. Besides, we work with women all the time."
"So you've said."
Jacob passed very close to her as he left the bathroom. "Are you not the least bit jealous?"
She didn't reply, but her slight smile made him wonder as she followed him into the bedroom.
He picked up his Bible and sat in the chair. "May I read something to you?"
She paused at the foot of the bed with her nightgown in her hands. "If it will make you happy."
"It would…very much."
Jacob read the story of Joshua, Jericho, the spies, and Rahab. Chloe leaned back on the bed and listened without a word. When Jacob finished, he put his Bible down and looked over at her. "What do you think?"
"It's incredibly like our own story, isn't it? A harlot, a hidden spy, saving the treasure, the walls falling down…even the scarlet cord."
"Yes, when you brought out that scarlet cord, I almost laughed. God sends us little surprises like that to encourage us."
Her flat expression revealed nothing of her feelings. "What happened to the prostitute after they saved her?"
"She is listed in the book of Matthew as one of the ancestors of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world."
"I guess the men of Jericho treated their prostitutes better than the Nazis."
Before Jacob could ask what she meant, Chloe slid out of her dress and dropped it on the floor to stand before him. "What about you, Jacob? How will you treat your whore?"
His eyes locked on hers, and he forced himself not to clench his hands into fists. "I've never been with a whore. My wife will receive all the love I have to give. Chloe, you're angry with me because I'm trying to share God's love with you. Don't do this to me. I'm only a man, and I love you. Of course, I'm attracted to you."
She turned away from him to pull the gown over her head then she got in the bed. Jacob flicked off the light, and climbed in beside her, careful not to touch her. After a whi
le, her breathing deepened, and Jacob was able to relax.
Lord, she nearly pushed me over the edge that time. I don't know how much more of this forced celibacy I can handle, especially when she delights in taunting me. Show me the way. One thing had helped. The look of absolute misery in her eyes. You couldn't make love to a woman tormented by inner demons. Father, how do I get through to her? How do I convince her that your love is real, that my love is real?
Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
That was his answer. He had to lay down what he thought he wanted for Chloe's sake. If Chloe didn't want England, or Palestine, or anywhere else Jacob had considered, he'd have to make a life for her and his son somewhere else. They would all start over. Most of Europe would be starting over. He could do it, especially with the Lord's guidance.
Thank you, Lord.
Chapter 14
Jacob finally drifted to sleep. Sometime in the middle of the night, he woke to find Chloe asleep on his chest. Her sweetly scented hair draped across his shoulder and brushed against his cheek. He sighed with contentment and went back to sleep. Their accord was short-lived. Chloe began thrashing around in terror. She struck out at him, and he tried to block her blows after she caught him on the chin.
"Chloe, girl, listen. Chloe, it's Jacob."
She shuddered violently but quit fighting him. As she trembled against him, Jacob caressed her back, her shoulder, and her ears. He whispered into her hair. "I love you, Chloe. You're safe. I'm not going to hurt you."
She finally stilled against him, and Jacob knew she was asleep. How long had she had the nightmares? What were they about? He could just imagine. He longed for the day when she would trust him enough to tell him.
When Jacob left the room at sunrise, Chloe was still sleeping. He went downstairs to help Ferdinand and Joshua prepare everything they were taking. This mission would require the use of a vehicle, and Ferdinand's old truck was perfect. They loaded it with cable cutters, several shovels, and other tools that might come in handy. The whole lot was then covered with a load of hay. It wasn't fool-proof, but it would deter the mildly curious. The Nazis hadn't taken over their sector in force yet, hopefully, the French police would be more lenient about checking piles of hay. After lunch, they added bed-rolls and food supplies then it was time to go.
All Things New Page 16
