I’m about to say no again when I register the technical truth, as well as the chances that Bogart already knows the answer. “As a trusted old friend, Arie was kind enough to carry my briefcase for me, but very shortly. And at no time did I reveal its contents, confidential or otherwise.”

“You’re certain.”

“Unmistakably.”

Bogart gives another tap to his chin. “Did the lieutenant request anything more of you? Anything at all?”

This line of inquiry, I realize, is less about me than Arie. What ever could he have done to warrant the scrutiny? Particularly in the measly few days he was in England.

Granted, I recall he did make requests—for me to not speak of the past, to move on without regret—but those aren’t what this is about.

“I’m afraid I’m unsure what you mean, sir.”

“Did he pass you any documents, for instance? A message to forward?”

I resist a smirk at what he’s inferring. “Gracious, no. Nothing like that.”

But then a memory slams back: his returning of the toy train. It’s the object we’d used historically as a courier. For the passage of notes.

Over my urge to redirect, I manage casualness. “Do you mind if I ask the reason for my interrogation?”

“Oh, miss, this is no interrogation. We are only clarifying.”

I smile dryly and recognize that if I’m to uncover the core of the matter, I need to be bold—within acceptable limits. A hundred theater hecklers have taught me how to reassume control through a gentle, even humble tone. “Sir, as an American, please forgive me if I’m out of line by saying so. But if I’ve learned anything from my duties here, it’s that the war clock is always ticking, and surely neither of you gentlemen would be wasting your time on a meeting of this sort if it weren’t vital.”

Although Bogart’s face remains stoic, his eyes betray his surprise in where I’m taking this. Even the colonel’s brow arches a smidge.

“I must think, then, that the less ambiguous your questions, the faster I might help you unwind this mystery. And trust me, sirs, I want nothing more—mind you, with the well-established understanding that I’m duty-bound to keep in confidence anything you see fit to share.”

Bogart shifts his square jaw and studies me. Then the two exchange looks, considerations passing between them. When Bogart lowers his arms and fully stands, I expect him to escort me out. But he slips his hands into his trouser pockets and sends a nod to the colonel, who returns his steadied gaze to mine.

“In conjunction with our forces,” Crockatt says, accepting the handoff, “Lieutenant Jansen was assigned a special mission. As such, he was dropped into occupied territory to aid a Resistance cell.”