The Brightest Day Read online

  Joanna stood up. “No, I am not shitting well all right.” She glared at Inspector Lodge. “I have been arrested by the Gestapo on more than one occasion. They were a bunch of shits, but at least they gave me a drink.”

  “She has been a difficult customer, sir,” Lodge remarked. “But perhaps you know that.”

  “I do indeed. Come along, Joanna, and you’ll have your drink. After we’ve had a little chat.”

  “Bastard,” she commented.

  “You’ll have to sign for her, sir,” Lodge said.

  “Sign for me?” Joanna demanded. “What the fuck is that for? Am I a parcel or something?”

  “You are still under arrest, madam. You are being released into the major’s custody.”

  Joanna looked at James. “Let’s get on with it.” He escorted her from the cell into the charge room. At two o’clock in the morning, this was deserted save for the constable on duty; he had been half asleep when the two officers had arrived, but now he was very wide awake.

  “Are those forms ready?” Lodge inquired.

  “I have them here, sir.”

  “If you would sign them, major.”

  James did so. “I had a suitcase,” Joanna pointed out. Lodge held it up. “And I suppose you’ve been through it.”

  “That is so, madam.”

  “What a bunch of shits.” She stalked outside, leaving James to bring the case.

  “Important lady, is she?” Lodge suggested.

  “Sometimes.” James sat beside her in the back of the car. “London, Harry.”

  “I hope we’re heading for a hot bath and a cold drink,” Joanna remarked.

  “I think we can arrange that. If you behave yourself.”

  “Oh, I’ll behave. Just get me to the Dorchester. I have a lot to tell you.”

  “I imagine you do. But we aren’t going to the Dorchester. You’re still under arrest. Only now you are in the custody of the SIS instead of the police.”

  “I hope you’re joking. What am I supposed to have done?”

  “What you haven’t done would be a shorter list. When we terminated your employment last summer and requested you to remain at the Dorchester, under guard until your ship for New York was ready to sail, you gave your minder the slip and went to Sweden instead, thence to Germany. Why?”

  “I like it there. And I felt I could still be of use to you.”

  “But you surely understood that, as we had had to clear you with the State Department and inform them that you had been working for us for the previous two years, we were obliged then to inform them that you had chosen to return to Germany, without our permission. So they promptly put you on a most wanted list.”

  “Well, you’ll have to get them to take me back off it.”

  “I don’t think that is going to be possible. You’re on our most wanted list as well. You don’t seem to understand that this is a war, not a party game.”

  “And my past record doesn’t count for anything?”

  “So you gave us some very valuable information once or twice in the past. But in a war it’s tomorrow that counts, not yesterday. We gave you an out, which you declined to take. You returned to Germany. To everyone on this side of the fence that means you have chosen your side. And some of your recent actions don’t stand up. As for coming back here, as bold as brass—”

  “So what are you going to do, hang me?”

  “Joanna, I do wish you’d take this seriously. It could come to that. I will do my damnedest for you—”

  “Why?”

  “Because I like you—”

  “Gee, you sure have been pulling the wool over my eyes all these years. You sure it’s not because I’m Liane’s friend?”

  “You aren’t her friend any more. She knows about Moulin. About your part in it.”

  For the first time, Joanna looked concerned. “What does she know?”

  “That you were there when he was arrested. That you probably fingered him.”

  “And if I deny that? Suppose I claim that I could do no more than save her life. I could do nothing for him, because the Gestapo were already on to him?”

  “You saved Liane’s life?”

  “I persuaded Roess that the woman he was looking for wasn’t Liane. And I killed the only woman who could have identified her.” James gazed at her in the gloom. But he knew she was telling the truth. “So where is she now?” Joanna asked. “I know she was there.”

  “She isn’t there now. She’s setting up a new headquarters.”

  “Where?”

  “Sorry.”

  “Meaning you still don’t trust me.”

  “Meaning it is top secret and not in your field.”

  “But you are in touch with her. Will you put her in the picture?”

  “I might. When I decide what I am going to do with you.”

  “Meaning I’m still under arrest?” They were approaching London now, driving slowly behind dimmed headlights through deserted streets. “Or am I being driven straight to prison?”

  “You are being driven to my office, where you will be interrogated.”

  “By you and Rachel? Sounds like fun.”

  “This morning you will be taken to see the brigadier.”

  “What a thrill. Do I have to wait until morning?”

  James refused to allow her to niggle him. “The brigadier believes in a good night’s sleep.”

  “And am I going to get one, too?”

  “That depends. Look, Joanna, you just have to take this seriously. When you went back to Germany, against our advice and indeed against our orders, you stepped out into the cold. We have nothing going for you any more. In addition, your own people are gunning for you. Now, the brigadier signed that order for your release only on condition we find out just what you’re at. No decision has been made as to what we are going to do with you. But if you don’t satisfy us or, rather, him, he is very likely to hand you over to the Americans, and if that happens, you are very likely to wind up in the electric chair. Someone once said that knowing he was going to be hanged in the morning concentrates a man’s mind enormously. I think you need to work on that.”

  “So tell me, what do I have to do to convince you that I’m still on you side and that I have something worth telling you?”

  “It would have to be something very, very big.”

  “What is the biggest thing you can think of?”

  “I really am not in the mood for games, Joanna.”

  “Neither am I. Try me.”

  “Oh, very well. The biggest thing… that Adolf Hitler was about to drop dead.”

  “You got it,” she said. “Well, close.”

  Five

  The Proposal

  “Do you seriously expect me to believe you?” the brigadier asked. It was early in the morning, and he was never at his best at this hour.

  “It happens to be the truth, sir,” Joanna said.

  “Just like that, eh?”

  “I believe it has been building for some time. Alamein, Torch and, above all, Stalingrad, the officer corps, or a large percentage of it, all those who are capable of thinking for themselves, are starting to understand that Germany cannot win this war, and that if they go on fighting to the bitter end the Fatherland will be destroyed. None of them wants that. But they also know of the Casablanca Declaration, requiring unconditional surrender. They wish to be assured that the declaration applies to Hitler and his governing circle, not to the Wehrmacht as a whole; that if Hitler were to be replaced as head of state, Churchill and Roosevelt would be prepared to deal with them on a proper historical basis.”

  “And Stalin? After what they have done in Russia?”

  “They believe that Communist Russia poses a greater threat to world peace than Nazi Germany ever did. In any event, they feel that if the British and the Americans agreed to a negotiated peace settlement, the Russians would have to go along with it. After all, the Russians have only managed to stay in the War, and to be now winning it, with Ame
rican Lend-Lease aid.”

  “You are a convincing advocate, Jonsson. And you say Bock is in this? The former commander-in-chief?”

  “Yes, sir,” Joanna said, praying that she was right. “Supposing this is true, mightn’t it just be a case of sour grapes, because Hitler sacked him?”

  “That could be so, sir. But that doesn’t detract from his importance as a leader of a coup. Most of the officer corps regard him as a man who was wrongfully dismissed.”

  “And just what do they want from us?”

  “Simply the assurance I have outlined, sir; that if Hitler were to be removed from office, the Allies, or certainly the Western Allies, would be willing to negotiate a peace, based on the surrender of the Wehrmacht, certainly, but on the preservation of the territorial and national integrity of the Fatherland. You must understand, sir, the risk these men are prepared to take. The consequences of failure would be quite horrendous, not only for them personally, but for their families.”

  “Hm. Well, obviously, even the suggestion that your information may be correct is of great importance. I will get on to the Cabinet as soon as possible and put them in the picture. But equally, the Cabinet, even Churchill himself, could not possibly act on this without the agreement of Washington. I will present your case as well as I am able, but it is possible they may wish to interview you personally.”

  “Yes, sir. May I ask how long this is likely to take?”

  “If they move as promptly as I should think they will, we should get some kind of answer in a week or so.”

  “A week! Sir, I am supposed to be visiting my sick father in Stockholm. I have already been out of Germany a week. If I am not back by the end of this week, and Herr Himmler were to telephone Stockholm to find out why—”

  “Are you that important to Himmler?”

  Joanna flushed. “Yes, sir, I am.”

  “Good heavens! Well, I will do what I can to expedite matters. Take care of this, ah, young lady, James. Good morning.”

  *

  “Just what did he mean by that?” Joanna asked as she and James went down the stairs. “That it’s back to one of those prisons you call safe houses?”

  “I don’t think that will be necessary, right now. I’ve booked you in at the Dorchester for a week. That’s your favourite hotel, isn’t it?”

  “It is. But James, I cannot stay a week. I told the old buzzard that.”

  He nodded. “I’m going to work on getting you out just as rapidly as possible. But you have to play ball and sit tight until I say so. Promise?”

  “Oh… I suppose so.”

  They got into the waiting car. “Actually,” he said. “I would have thought that a couple of days of just lying in bed and reading a good book, with no traumas lurking at your shoulder, would do you a world of good.”

  “It’s an idea. But you know what would relax me more than anything? If you were to take a little time off and spend it with me.”

  “Now, Joanna. I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

  “Because you don’t find me sexy? Or because of Liane?”

  “Any man who didn’t find you sexy would have to be a eunuch.”

  “Then it is Liane.”

  “Amongst other things.”

  “Ah, well… you can always send Rachel to visit me.”

  *

  Rachel drew a deep breath and tapped on the door. “Who’s there?”

  “Rachel Cartwright.”

  The door opened, and Joanna peered at her. “My God! I never thought he would.”

  “Would what?”

  “Send you. He did send you, didn’t he?”

  “Actually, I volunteered. May I come in?”

  “Of course.” Joanna closed the door behind her. “I’m so happy to see you. Being cooped up here for two days … I’ve been going nuts.”

  “Shall we sit down?”

  “Surely.” Joanna sat on the sofa and gestured Rachel beside her.

  Rachel opened her handbag and took out two envelopes. “You’re to take your pick. This one contains a reservation for a first-class cabin on a liner leaving in a convoy from Liverpool for New York the day after tomorrow. Your train ticket is included. There is also a letter from the brigadier informing the State Department that you have only just retired from working for us and have never worked for the Nazis except as a British double agent.”

  Joanna was frowning. “And the other?”

  “Is a reservation for a first-class cabin on a Swedish steamer leaving Harwich for Gothenburg tonight, supposing you feel obliged to return to Germany.”

  “Are you trying to tell me something?”

  Rachel sighed. “The War Cabinet has decided that it cannot support your proposition.”

  “Just like that? What do the Americans think?”

  “It has not been put to the Americans, as it is accepted that they would reject it out of hand. Their point is that the Allied position has been made clear: unconditional surrender, no matter who happens to be ruling Germany at the moment of victory.” “The bastards! The stupid, narrow-minded bastards!”

  “I’m inclined to agree with you. But…”

  “What does James think about it?”

  “He is very upset.”

  “That’s why he couldn’t come himself, eh? Shit!”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Oh, I’m going back to Germany.” She took the envelope and laid it on the coffee table.

  “You don’t have to,” Rachel said. “Surely you’ve done your bit?”

  “My bit ends when the War ends. When my brother has been avenged.”

  “Oh. Well, I don’t know if we’ll meet again. But you saved my life, and that’s not something I am ever going to forget.”

  “Me neither. But you don’t have to rush off. I’ve lots of time to get to Harwich.” She stretched out her hand and took the glasses from Rachel’s nose. “Aren’t you James’ stand-in?”

  *

  “That took a long time.” James didn’t raise his head from the paper he was studying as the office door opened and closed. “Took it badly, did she?”

  “She wasn’t happy about it.” Rachel hung her hat and coat on the hook behind the door. “Would you sack me if I had a cigarette?”

  Now James did raise his head. “You look as if you need one. Go ahead. Was it that bad?”

  Rachel struck a match and inhaled. “What?”

  “Well… holding her hand, or whatever.”

  “Actually,” Rachel said, “we did hold hands, briefly.”

  “Ah… Good God! You don’t mean…”

  “I’ve never done anything like that before. Well, not since school. And then we didn’t really know what we were about.”

  James regarded her for several seconds. “But she did.”

  “Oh, yes. Oh, indeed.”

  “And you?”

  “I’m a fast learner. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not something I intend to take up on a permanent, or even an occasional, basis. It’s just that, well, one should experience everything in life, shouldn’t one? And she did save my life, remember?”

  “Oh… go and have a hot bath.”

  “I’ve just had a hot bath, sir. With Joanna.”

  *

  Madeleine stared at Joanna with her mouth open. “You did that? Are you out of your mind?”

  “I am trying to save all of our minds. And our bodies, too.” “But if you had been caught…”

  “I wasn’t. Himmler trusts me. That’s my secret; I make men trust me. Now, listen, I can’t approach Freddie or any of his friends. Their instincts will be to distrust me, suppose I am Himmler’s spy. You have to do it.”

  “Me? I wouldn’t know what to say.”

  “I am going to tell you what to say. Freddie trusts you, doesn’t he?”

  “Well… yes. I think so.”

  “Has he confided anything about this conspiracy to you?”

  “Conspiracy? There is no conspiracy. There is just talk
. Whispers.”

  “Then there is a conspiracy. Has he told you any of this talk?”

  “No.”

  “Okay. You must somehow convey to him that you know of it and want to help. Then you tell him that you have been in contact with a British agent – no names yet – who has reported to his government, who are prepared to give the plan their fullest support.”

  “Is that true?”

  Joanna gazed into her eyes. “Would I be risking my life it were not?”

  “No. No, I suppose not. But—”

  “Yes. There is a caveat. The British cannot, they dare not, publicize their support. This would not only alarm Hitler but would antagonize certain of their allies. All they can do is promise that if the coup is successfully carried out, they will deal fairly with any government that succeeds him, provided it is not headed by Goering, Himmler or Goebbels. They would prefer it to be Field Marshal von Bock, but any senior officer not tainted by Nazism would do. Can you get this across to Freddie?”

  “I suppose so. But… he will want proof.”

  “I am the proof. Once he goes for it, you can bring me in. You must do this, Madeleine. This is your chance to… well…”

  “Atone for the crime of marrying a German?”

  “I was going to say, silence all those people who regard you as a collaborator.”

  “Will they ever know of it?”

  “I will make sure they will know of it.”

  “Well… it will take time.”

  “Not too much time, Madeleine. There isn’t all that much time available.”

  *

  The long message was in code, and it took Liane and Amalie some time to get it translated. Then they looked at each other in dismay. “Vercours?” Amalie asked. “Where is Vercours?”

  “It is to the east,” Liane said. “South of Grenoble.”

  “But that is as far away from any possible fighting as it is possible to be. Who is this man Delestraint? He appears to be an idiot.”

  “Delestraint is the new co-ordinator of the Resistance,” Liane explained patiently. “And the message was sent through Pound, therefore it is our duty to obey.”

  “Because you will always obey James even if, like now, you have no idea what he is really at.”

  “He will tell us when he is ready,” Liane said. “Wheren he is able to get to us. He says so. Meanwhile he wants me to take as many people as I can, provided they are all capable of fighting. We need to be in touch with Gaston.” She looked around the anxious faces. “I could go myself, but Pound has forbidden me to enter Aumont.”