The Cryptographer's Dilemma by Johnnie Alexander

Author:Johnnie Alexander [Alexander, Johnnie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781643529530
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2021-09-14T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Eloise stood beside Phillip at the Denver train station ticket window and tried not to think about the logistics of the two of them sharing a sleeper cabin. Swarms of people crowded around them, many of the younger men wearing the uniforms of the various military branches. Besides the need for the military to move their troops efficiently, the rationing of gasoline meant more people traveled by train than automobile these days.

“But I have reservations for two cabins,” Phillip said for at least the third time. “Don’t you have a duty to honor them?”

“Duty?” The man spat the word as his eyes narrowed, and he gave Phillip the once-over. “Our duty is to be sure our fighting men get to where they need to go. As I already told you, one of the reservations was handed over to the army. Now you can take the other one or not. Or I can give it to someone more deserving. It’s your choice.”

Eloise’s stomach lurched at the insult while Phillip’s jaw muscle flexed. The unspoken question behind the words obviously stung: Why aren’t you wearing a uniform? She longed to shout to everyone in the station that Phillip was one of the FBI agents who had caught the German saboteurs, but that would blow their “we’re siblings” cover without solving their immediate problem.

She pasted on a huge smile and slipped between Phillip and the ticket window. “Please forgive my brother. We’ve been traveling from California, and it’s been such a long trip. We’re happy to hold on to the reservation we still have. Thank you for all you do for these soldiers and their families. I’m sure you’re an angel in disguise for many of them.”

Phillip turned away, and Eloise didn’t dare glance at him. Was he embarrassed? Angry at her for intervening? Or proud of the way she stepped in? None of it mattered. Only that they got on the train.

The ticket master scowled then handed Eloise their tickets. She tried to thank him, but he was already looking past her to the next person in line. Phillip picked up both their suitcases, and she followed him to a less crowded area near a magazine rack.

“I’m sorry about all this,” he said.

The unexpected apology surprised her. “It’s not your fault.”

“But it is awkward. I don’t know what Richard will say.”

“We don’t have to tell him,” she said, keeping her tone light.

Phillip looked at her askance then burst out laughing. “We don’t,” he agreed. “But he has a way of finding out everything. He’ll know.”

“Then he should also understand the circumstances. What choice did we have?” Eloise didn’t want them sharing a tiny cabin, but she’d rather have Phillip in the other berth than a stranger, even if that stranger was a woman.

“Not much.” A corner of Phillip’s mouth turned up as he shrugged. “Maybe once we’re on the train, we can figure something out.”

Before Eloise could object to his plan, he was on the move again, heading for the platform. The situation was awkward, unseemly, and definitely not proper.

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