“Before you do,” he interjects, “you must know…” Hesitant, he seems to be crafting his statement carefully, leaving me fearful of what’s coming. “On the eve of his mission, Jansen requested a favor. In the event of the worst, I was to pass along a message.”

At the brief pause, sudden dread binds my chest.

I push myself to look at Moretti’s hands, expecting him to produce an envelope. But he makes no such effort, explaining, “He said you would find his missive already in your possession.”

I stare back at him, thoughts racing. “What—but where?”

Worry pulls at the wing commander’s face. “He insisted you would understand.”

I comb through my memories. When he came to see me at Wilton Park, he carried my briefcase. Did he slip a letter inside? If so, I would have found it by now.

Then I remember: the wooden train. It’s certainly possible I missed a new note tucked beneath mine, particularly if made of, say, brown paper and fitted to line the compartment.

Though would I truly want to read it?

From the entry, Lenora is waving. Returned with Evelien, she’s ready to chauffeur us back.

Now the drive that only minutes ago I longed to begin might amount to the most conflicted imaginable.

Chapter 84

Sprinkles of rain dot the passenger window. I gaze at them idly as the truck rumbles out of the city and ever closer to the countryside. Lenora busies Evelien, who sits wedged between us, with questions of favorite foods, colors, flowers, and more. Light and happy topics for a child who’s faced too much darkness.

The answers from Evelien aren’t zealous or lengthy, a mere few words each, but her willingness to share is a welcome surprise. It’s one I would relish if not for the distraction of Arie’s message that apparently awaits.

Much too soon, we disembark at the inn. I nearly forget to thank Lenora, who recognizes my preoccupied state. She simply extends a smile and says she’ll call on us in the morning.

She’s just pulled away when the manager’s daughter skips out the front door with her two usual friends. “Evie, you’re back!” she exclaims. “Would you fancy feeding the animals with us?”

This would effectively fulfill my promise to Evelien, having already taught her the button trick. She’s also encountered all the inn’s cats, dogs, and pigeons but not yet been privy to the thrill of feeding them. She looks to me for approval. Her desire to participate shimmers in her sapphire-blue eyes, though for once I’m tempted to refuse her. Having her up in the room with me, I’d have good reason to postpone my daunting task.

Then again, why delay the inevitable? The sooner I act, the sooner it’s behind me.

“You go and have fun. I’ll just be up in the room.”