The Frenchman closed his book, stubbed out his cigarette, and maneuvered his substantial girth from the tight squeeze between table and chair. “I can answer your question,” he said in English, accented by French, and reclosed the exit door. “No one is here but us, and the OUVRIR sign has been turned to FERMÉ in the window. We are alone.”

The Dragonfly team stiffened and stared at him.

The Frenchman held up his large hands in surrender. “I am Major Alistair Renault’s contact in Paris. He has asked that I meet with you to give you crucial information that cannot be related over the wireless. There have been unexpected developments that jeopardize your covers and increase the risk to your lives. After you hear what I’ve been dispatched to report, you are to make a decision, but individually, not as a committee. Your decisions are not to be put to…how do you say in America?…a vote.”

“How do we know we can trust you?” Bridgette demanded.

“You don’t, my dear, but I would strongly advise you to do so.”

“How do we know that Major Renault sent you?” Victoria asked.

The Frenchman handed over a sheet from a notepad filled with Alistair Renault’s characteristic doodles, one of which was a dragonfly. “That is how. Also, the major has a particular fondness for Lucky Strike cigarettes. I can’t stand them myself, far too mild, but then each man to his own vices. Shall we sit down?”

The team pulled out chairs, eyes glued to the Frenchman, and Brad got right to the point. “Okay, let’s hear it. What’s the information?”

The Frenchman sat forward and laced his broad fingers together on the table. “I shall try to recite it as clearly and thoroughly as Major Renault related it to me. I believe I am speaking to Labrador, Liverwort, Limpet, Lodestar, and Lapwing, yes?” At no affirmation of this statement, the Frenchman continued. “Of course, for your security’s sake, I am not to know the face that belongs to each code name, so I shall simply lay out the details of each individual’s situation as if they were cards on a table, and you pick which one applies to you. I would suggest that neither by comment nor facial expression nor glance are you to reveal to me who is who or which card pertains to you.”