by Kate Breslin
He carefully replaced the transparent sheet over the tiny images. A second sheet rested beneath the squares, and he lifted the protective paper sandwich and handed it across the desk to Captain Weatherford.
Her father peeled away the back liner to show there was nothing else. “I would like to keep the diary.” He turned to Jo. “If it is all right with you, Daughter.”
“Of course.” The diary with Jewel’s thoughts and songs and dreams would surely be a comfort to him in his grief. She looked across the desk. “Captain Weatherford?”
“I don’t see any harm in it.”
“Thank you, Marcus.” Her father’s eyes glistened as he reached for the diary.
“You painted the birds, didn’t you?” She pointed to the book. “The fore-edge artwork?”
He spread the leaf edges so that the two birds and their nested egg became visible. “You are my bluebird, Johanna. Jewel was my redbird.”
Her throat tightened. “The rings. Our birthstones.”
“Exactly right. Two parts of a wedding ring passed down to me by my German ancestors. Jewel’s mother wore them until her death. After you were born, I decided to have the stones changed for you and your sister.”
“Where is the third part of the ring?” She thought of Odette’s comment. “Do I have another sibling?”
He smiled sadly and shook his head. “Jewel was the only one.”
When he said no more, Jo realized he hadn’t answered her question about the ring. Yet the thought fled as she watched his expression cloud again. He fished from his pocket Jewel’s silver dove.
“Now, then.” He stared at the ruby-eyed ring a moment before handing it to her. “So you can remember your sister, too.”
Jo’s hand trembled as she took it from him, clenching the ring in her fist.
Across the desk, a chair creaked as the captain sat forward. “Where is the original Black Book?”
“Gone, Marcus. I burned it to cinders.” Her father met his gaze. “I told you before, my father was a collection point for information from other German plants in France, many of whom traveled the continent, obtaining intelligence from others installed by the Fatherland to gather information. It was quite a network.
“My father documented the names, dates, places, and events into a large book and kept it under lock and key until such time as the kaiser, then Wilhelm the First, requested it. When his grandson, Wilhelm the Second, finally ascended to the throne, he directed my father to continue his work.
“After my father passed away, the task fell to me. I continued to add information, the darkest secrets of the most affluent people in Europe. I heard about microphotography and I studied the art, purchasing the necessary equipment. Eventually I became proficient enough to begin making backup copies of the Black Book’s pages.”
Papa flashed a sardonic smile. “Oddly enough, I worried that some French agent would get his hands on the book, and my initial intent was to protect the kaiser’s leverage at all costs. When the war started, I was conscripted to fight, so I took the photographed pages and hid them beneath the lining of the diary’s book boards, and gave it to my daughter.”
He glanced at Jo. “I painted the fore-edge picture for your sister, hoping she would treasure it, and I told her to keep the book hidden so that the enemy would not find it.”
His hand caressed the book’s cover. “When I decided to defect and the Americans sent their agent to get Jewel out of the village, I knew that Jewel would bring the book with her when Kepler told her that he planned to reunite us.”
Jo realized how incredibly fortunate she’d been to find the book under the barn floor. “She must have been too ill to go after the diary when Kepler took her away.”
“It is a miracle that you found it, Johanna.”
“I have learned a little about miracles.” Smiling at her father, Jo’s glance darted to Colin, who had returned to stand by the door. His head was bent, so she couldn’t tell if he’d heard her words, and she ached to have back the intimacy they had lost.
“A miracle, indeed.” The captain was frowning. “It’s alarming to realize a German agent could have returned to your farm in Havrincourt and stumbled across it.” He steepled his fingers against the desk. “So you burned the Black Book before you left for the army?”
Her father shook his head. “The kaiser had requested the book before the start of the war. He had a plan in mind even back then. I was ordered to hand the book over to his special envoy, an attorney from Bern, Switzerland.
“When Kepler posted cryptic advertisements in several European newspapers to signal to me that Jewel was out of Havrincourt, I learned through sources that the original Black Book was locked away in the attorney’s office in Bern. The Swiss lawyer was to launch an extortion scheme if the war started to go badly for the German Army. The kaiser could blackmail certain people in power to give Germany whatever it wanted in terms of surrender.”
He smiled at the captain. “It was the reason you had to wait three weeks before I met with you, Marcus. I had to crack the safe and remove the book, then take it to a secure place and burn it, page by page.”
“So you say.” The captain’s brown eyes had turned guarded. “What proof do I have the book is gone?”
“There is none, so you will simply have to trust me.” He paused. “As I trust you.”
When the captain’s eyes narrowed, her father scoffed. “Come now, Marcus. You and G-2 hold all that is dear to me. My lovely daughter.” He reached for Jo’s hand. “And my freedom. Why should I risk that?”
The captain frowned for a long moment before he let out a sigh. “You know the kaiser’s agents will be looking for you. They will find out soon enough about your defection.”
“Papa?” Jo’s breathing quickened. Would they come after her father?
“It’s all right, Daughter.” He squeezed her hand. “The Americans are taking me to a place even I don’t know about, perhaps until the end of the war.”
Jo hated the idea of not seeing him again, possibly for years. Yet if it saved his life, she would willingly make the sacrifice. She turned to the captain. “May we spend some time together before he leaves?”
“I’ll see what I can do.” The captain picked up the transparent sheets containing the microphotography and slid them into a large brown envelope. “Meanwhile, I need to find out what the Allies plan to do with these. Who knows? The French may get the information, which could lessen their enmity toward you, Zero.”
“Please, no more Zero. Jacob will do.” Her father’s look turned cynical. “As to the French accepting my peace offering, I doubt even the Black Book would satisfy their desire for retribution. The French are a fierce lot.”
CHAPTER
30
Are you certain you don’t mind?” Marcus gave Colin a hesitant look. “It’s a rotten business. The man is my best friend.”
“Not at all, sir.” Colin had stopped by the captain’s hotel room before packing for the long train ride back to Paris. “I told Jack it would be my honor to act as his best man, and I sent off a telegram this morning advising him of my return. With the wedding next week, I don’t want him to worry that I won’t be there.”
Marcus sighed. “I wish I could attend, but my orders are to remain at the consulate and tie up loose ends. There’s also this leg to get into working order.” He sat on the divan, leaning against his crutch. “It’s likely I’ll be here another few weeks. I appreciate the favor, Mabry.”
“My pleasure, sir.”
“What time does your train leave?”
Colin checked his watch. “An hour from now.”
“Have you said good-bye to Miss Reyer?”
Colin’s skin grew warm as he shook his head. He wasn’t certain what to say to her.
“Hmm, I see. Well, she’s a brave young woman, coming all this way to find her family. I’ve no doubt it was a shock to be told of her sister’s death and then to learn her father is an enemy spy. I don’t know Miss Reye
r, but I suspect she’s been through a lot in her life already, not just on this trip. She has spirit, much like a particular lady I’m acquainted with back in Britain.” His expression softened. “I suppose the Lord made women especially strong so they could face life’s challenges.”
Colin wondered how Marcus would react to hearing Johanna’s “spirited” mother had taken up arms in the Irish Rebellion and involved her daughter. He stared at the floor. “I’m certain you are right, sir.”
A silence passed between them before Colin lifted his head and caught the captain’s knowing gaze.
“Duty and love, Mabry. Sometimes they do not mix.”
The dull ache in his chest intensified. Did the captain think Johanna’s father kept them apart? Since Colin’s conversation with her, his heart had struggled with her admission that if the rifle hadn’t jammed, she would have kept firing on British soldiers. His comrades-in-arms.
Let Marcus think what he would. “No, sir, they do not mix.” He sought to change the subject. “When will G-2 arrive to take Zero?”
“In due course. I’ve arranged for Miss Reyer and her father to spend a few days here in Barcelona before that happens. Zero will remain under the protection of the consulate.”
Colin nodded. Yesterday, the spy had answered many questions, including why he was delayed in his rendezvous with Kepler and the actress—a botched sabotage plot for the kaiser had led to Zero’s being hospitalized with gas poisoning nearly three months. “What happens once Zero leaves Spain?”
“Likely he’ll be debriefed and perhaps given training.”
“As a spy . . . for the Americans?”
Marcus shrugged. “It would be a good way to keep an eye on him.”
“You don’t trust him, sir?” Despite the two men’s conflicting views of the war, Colin had sensed a mutual respect between them. “Do you think Zero might become a double agent?”
“Anything is possible.” Marcus’s brown eyes glinted. “And to quote him, ‘A good spy never trusts another spy.’ So long as the war continues, there is plenty to tempt a man.”
“As we have proof in George Petit.”
Marcus grimaced. “G-2 is smarting over Petit’s betrayal. One of their own caught committing treason here in Europe is an embarrassment.”
“I still don’t know why he did it. I never really liked Petit, but he seemed legitimate, at least in Toulouse.”
“Money can be an enticement to make even the most honest of men cross a line.” Marcus leaned on the crutch to stand. “Well, I need to get going. I’ll grab a bite downstairs before I head to the consulate.”
Colin straightened, reaching for his felt hat. “And I should finish packing.”
“I wish you safe travels home, Mabry.” Marcus extended a hand, and Colin grasped it. “You can brief Jack, but otherwise, I expect you to honor your oath of secrecy in this matter.” He smiled. “And please convey to him and your sister my very best wishes.”
“I will, sir. Good luck to you as well. I hope to see you in Britain soon.”
Colin returned to his room, and as he began to pack, he recalled the captain’s words about how love and duty often didn’t mix. Like water and oil.
His pulse beat heavily at his throat. Once he left Barcelona, he would never see Johanna again. Likely, she would return to her job at the dovecote outside of Paris after visiting with her father, and pick up the pieces of her life.
His thoughts continued to wrestle with their last conversation together; her honest answers had pierced him, yet he realized she must have known what his reaction would be. And still she had told him, wanting truth between them.
Colin tossed clothes haphazardly into his bag. How could he turn his back on his uniform? On all that he had fought for and endured in the war?
Colin had known Johanna barely two weeks, yet with all they had experienced together in such a short time, it felt like months. Never would he forget the touch of her lips, the passion in her response to his kiss, or the longing he felt each time he took her in his arms.
He shoved the memories aside and closed his luggage. He couldn’t change Johanna Reyer’s past: she had taken up arms against British soldiers, and her mother and father were both traitors to Britain.
A bitter laugh lodged in his throat. Even her hero, Bonaparte, had been Britain’s enemy.
Downstairs, he checked out of the hotel, and after asking the clerk to call for a cab, Colin went outside with his portmanteau and savored the fresh air, waiting near the curb for his ride to the station.
A dark automobile pulled up beside him, and he recognized the British consular flag flying out front. Marcus must have decided to skip his meal and go straight to the office.
Colin was therefore surprised when the driver exited and came around to reach for his bag. “The train station, Lieutenant Mabry?”
Had Marcus made arrangements for his transportation?
Handing the man his luggage, he reached for the back door before he froze.
Johanna sat in the back seat, watching him. She wore the dark blue dress and her voluminous hat. “Hello, Colin.”
“Johanna.” His heart thumped as he opened the door and slid in beside her. “I thought you were with your father.”
“Yes, but I knew you were leaving today and wanted to see you off.” She paused. “To say my good-byes.”
Pain and awareness shot through him like a lance as he gazed at her beautiful pale features. The driver returned to the car, and they soon headed south on La Rambla toward the railway.
An uncomfortable silence ensued before Johanna finally spoke. “I also wanted to thank you, Colin. I could not have found my father without your help.”
He noticed the way she clasped and unclasped her gloved hands against her lap. She must have seen him observing her, because she promptly stopped and averted her eyes.
“Are you enjoying your time with him?”
She turned, relief in her smile. “Yes, Papa and I have years to catch up on, so I’ll remain here until he has to leave.”
“Has he told you the reason he . . . wasn’t able to return to Kilcoole?”
“You mean why he didn’t come back for me.” Her chin lifted slightly.
Mabry, you are an insensitive clod. “I’m sorry, Johanna. I shouldn’t have asked such a question.”
“It’s all right.” She dropped her defensive posture. “I did ask him, you know. He said that after my mother refused to marry him and come to France, he was forced to break all ties”—she glanced toward the driver—“because of his work.
“He said he weakened once, the time he came to visit me when I was small, but he already had an established life in Havrincourt with Jewel and his sister-in-law.” Her gaze dropped back to her lap. “My being a part of that would have raised questions he could ill afford.”
Colin’s brow creased. “Duty and love. Sometimes they do not mix.”
“He regrets our lost time together and wants to make it up to me if he can. Neither of us knows what his future holds.”
Despite his anger and disappointment over Johanna’s actions in Ireland, he couldn’t help feeling compassion for the lost girl who had grown up without a father, in a home filled with strife and rebellion.
Colin thought about his own father and the uncustomary awkwardness between them since his return from Uncle Brian’s farm. Patrick Mabry’s desperate attempts to compensate for what his son now lacked had only served to grate on Colin’s nerves.
Yet somewhere along the line, Colin had come to realize it was his own feeling of detachment and self-reproach that made the situation intolerable. His father, and his sister too, had merely followed his cue.
He was blessed to have his family. And even though Jacob Reyer was a spy, he was Johanna’s father, and it was good that he was back in her life. “After your visit, will you return to working at the château in Vernon?”
“Yes, I look forward to seeing André and Isabelle. And my birds.”
Her lar
ge hat tipped downward, and Colin noticed a lock of her hair had fallen against her shoulder. He kept his hand fisted at his side. “I am certain they will be glad to have you back, especially Little Corporal.”
She glanced up at him then, the sudden sparkle in her eyes piercing his heart. “We’ve had quite the adventure together, haven’t we, Lieutenant?”
Her voice was soft, and Colin fought a sudden constriction in his chest. “Indeed, we have, Johanna.”
They had reached the train station. While the driver quickly exited and headed toward the luggage in the car’s boot, Colin started to open the door.
He paused when he felt Johanna’s touch against his shoulder. Then he turned and watched as her gloved hand slid down to rest over the top of his prosthetic.
“There is nothing on this earth that you cannot master, Colin.” Conviction filled her voice. “You have performed your duty admirably and saved lives on this trip, including countless others through your brave act in retrieving the diary.”
She paused and pressed her lips together. “You also kept your promise to my sister. I know if Jewel were here right now, she would be proud.”
For a moment, grief marred her lovely features, and Colin’s grip tightened on the door handle to keep from reaching for her. “Good-bye, Johanna.”
He left the car and grabbed his bag, a host of emotions twisting his insides. Love, anger, disappointment, despair, love . . .
As the driver returned to the car, Colin paused at her open window. Dropping his bag, he reached inside for her hand, his gaze searching hers beneath the hat.
“No matter where they take him, you are never alone, Johanna. God is with you. Know it, and trust in Him.” He raised her gloved hand to his lips then and closed his eyes as he pressed on her a last tender kiss.
“Good-bye, Colin.”
Her voice was a hoarse whisper and her blue eyes brilliant with unshed tears as she withdrew her hand from his. Colin stepped away from the car, and once it began moving forward, she looked back at him through the small rear window.
