Operation Sherlock by Hannah Howe

Author:Hannah Howe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: thriller, 1940s, spies, french resistance, paris, second world war, secret agents, undercover agents, special operations executive, v2 rockets
Publisher: Goylake Publishing

Chapter Nine

The following evening, we were in business. Léon had found a location for the transmission, an apartment near a modern church, Eglise Saint-Léon, which seemed appropriate. More relevant was the fact that a network of streets surrounded the church and apartment. Like rabbit warrens, the streets extended into the city. If the Gestapo should approach, that network of streets would aid our escape.

Rule One: don’t get trapped inside a building. Rule Two: don’t get trapped in a cul-de-sac. Rule Three: remember Rule One and Rule Two at all times.

Inside the apartment, a modest, homely affair, Léon and I took our positions at the windows while Guy plugged the wireless into a light socket and Mimi studied the transmission codes. As usual, she’d hidden the codes in a red ribbon, tied to her hair.

The apartment overlooked a boulevard and a large tree-lined square. With no streetlights because of the blackout, we relied on the moon for illumination and, thankfully, it was bright tonight.

The boulevard was deserted and our positions beside the windows offered a good view, should anyone approach. However, the trees bothered me. They offered natural seclusion, ideal hiding places. I would keep an eye on them.

“All set?” Guy asked Mimi.

Mimi nodded and prepared to send the first message. However, before she could tap her keys, the power failed.

“What happened?” Guy asked.

“The Gestapo are in the area,” Léon said. “It’s a favourite trick of theirs; they cut the power, apartment block by apartment block, and that helps them to identify the source and arrest the sender.”

“They’ve picked up a signal already?” Guy frowned.

“Yes,” Léon said; “someone else is transmitting from this area.”

“Who?” Guy asked.

“Firefly?” Léon shrugged. “Hawk? Your friend, George, Monique or someone else?”

Guy, Mimi and I exchanged glances. George and Monique insisted that they did not have a wireless, and I saw no reason to disbelieve them. That meant someone else was transmitting in the district.

“Maybe they’re not transmitting to Arthur,” Léon said. “Maybe it’s another branch of your intelligence services transmitting to their master.”

Guy nodded and I reflected on Léon’s words. MI6 resented our existence and our roles in France. They felt that we were impinging, intruding upon their territory. I knew from my brief time as a secretary at the Air Ministry that the infighting between MI6 and the Special Operations Executive was bitter. Their rivalry made the war against Hitler seem like a garden party.

“Maybe it would be better if you didn’t fight amongst yourselves,” Léon suggested, “and just fought the Nazis.”

A light on Mimi’s wireless indicated that the Gestapo had restored the power. That left us with a dilemma – to run, or to transmit.

“What shall we do?” Mimi asked.

“Send the message,” Guy said.

Mimi nodded and sent the first message. While she waited for a reply, I gazed into the trees. The air was still, the trees steady. I detected no movement, no additional shadows. Maybe the Gestapo had tracked down the MI6 operative and were planning a raid. Maybe they were still looking for the source of the signal and we could anticipate another power cut.

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