“Have you heard anything of the like?” Sophie asked her. “Perhaps something a maid or servant might have mentioned? One of the serving staff? It’s possible that someone like—”

“Me,” Estelle interrupted.

“I beg your pardon?”

“It was me who sent that information. Well, that’s not true. It was someone in Vivienne’s network whom I told that to, and I can only assume that they included it in a radio transmission. But you’re right, it was a long time ago.”

Sophie had gone quite still. “What?”

“I’ve been in that room. With the radios. Or machines. Or whatever they’re called.”

Sophie had turned fully. “And it’s still there?”

“As far as I know.” Estelle stepped away from the windows. “I think it was installed exclusively for Göring’s personal use. The room is accessible through the Imperial Suite, where Göring stays while he is in Paris. It’s down in the cellars, to protect the devices from the threat of bombing, I assume. But Göring isn’t in Paris right now. I overheard a colonel say that he was on the eastern front somewhere. Poland, maybe?”

“Yes, that was what we had heard as well right before we left.” Sophie drummed her fingers on the edge of the mantel. “How often have you been inside this room where the device is located?”

“Only once.”

“Did you see anything that looked like a codebook?”

Estelle shook her head. “No. But there are locked cabinets inside the room.”

“Cabinets? Not a safe?”

“Cabinets,” Estelle confirmed. “That open with a key. A small one.”

“And what sort of lock is on the door to the room?”

“None.”

“None?” Sophie’s brows shot up.

“Access is through a closet with a false back.”

“It’s not guarded?”

“No. I’ve been in that suite a total of three times, and I’ve never seen anyone standing by the door. It’s supposed to be a closet, after all. I don’t even think it’s used when Göring is not in residence. I’ve only ever seen men with dispatches coming and going from the suite when he is present.”

“What arrogant fools,” Sophie marveled.

“The floor that the Imperial Suite is on is restricted access,” Estelle warned. “Not just anyone can wander about without being challenged. Hotel staff come and go to clean and maintain the room, of course, but they are known. You or I could not simply waltz into the suite unless we had a good reason to be there. And permission.”

Sophie absorbed that. “How will the officers inside the hotel be armed?”

“They’re not.”

Sophie’s head jerked around in surprise. “What do you mean, they’re not?”

“Officers are required to surrender their sidearms at the door. Can’t have such vulgarity in the hotel,” she mocked.

“Why were you in his suite?” Sophie asked. There was no judgement in the question, merely curiosity.