But he couldn’t uncouple the carriages too early. If he did that, they’d coast to a halt here on this track, and he’d have a major problem on his hands. He had to do it the moment this carriage reached the blue flag—that would leave just enough time and distance for the main part of the train to continue on its track, for this carriage to slow. Not all the way, but enough to allow for another of Thoroton’s men to switch the track before Drake reached it. But it needed enough momentum left to then coast to a halt along the siding, where British agents could unload the tainted sugar. Timing was crucial.

But better a bit early and risk drifting to a halt too soon than miss his mark and get there too late—or not at all. And if he had to engage Jaeger, it could well be not at all.

His hand moved of its own volition to check his holster—his sidearm still rested snug and secure inside it. If it came to it, he’d do what needed to be done. But it made his chest go tight. He’d never had to kill a man, and he didn’t much fancy changing that. He’d never even fired the gun outside of training. Doing so now, when facing a single enemy, seemed somehow different from being in the heat of battle, comrades on either side and the opposite army swarming.

Seemed different by far from the service he was usually called upon to do.

Maybe his opposite number wasn’t very nimble. Or was afraid of heights. Maybe he’d slip, or decide to go the safer route and climb down and up each carriage’s end instead of jumping from one to the next.

Drake leaned over to check the approach of the blue flag. Estimated that at the train’s rate, it would take another thirty seconds to reach it.

Please, Lord.

He reached for the coupler. He’d already read about how to work them, and yesterday he’d even snuck into the railyard to get some practice. He’d take no undue chances with this going wrong.

Fifteen seconds. Ten.

Please, Lord. He glanced up but saw no angry German charging at him.

Now! He unhooked the air lines in one move, tugged upon the pin until it slid out of place in the next, then held his breath as the blue flag zipped by.

For a moment, nothing happened. The two carriages were still moving at the same clip as the rest of the train, and the coupler just stayed there where it was.

Then inertia beautifully began to work. First a narrow gap appeared between the two couplers, then an inch. Three. A foot. A yard.