The Librarian Spy(79)

“It isn’t something I care to discuss.” James cut the engine and silence fell over them. “It’s better that I don’t think of him out there, worrying that he might be cold or hungry or in danger.” His level gaze found hers. “I would never jeopardize his life.”

She turned her attention to where her shoes peeked from beneath the glossy hem of her gown, now on the correct feet. As much as she hated to admit it, she could understand not wanting to think about one’s brother in battle. If her mother had been alive and corresponded with Daniel, would Ava even have done so at all?

An ache in her chest gave her the answer she already knew. But then, if her parents hadn’t died, she and Daniel would never have been close, especially with him living in DC and them being in Chicago.

“What did you tell the German?” She looked up at him once more.

James sighed. “I’d rather not say.”

“Because, apparently, I’m not supposed to know?” The bitterness of her hurt found its target. “I heard that too. When you were behind the door with Artemis and Orion.”

“How did you know they were Artemis and Orion?”

“The hunting bows,” she said distractedly. “I heard you in there, James.”

Church bells tolled in the distance.

James’s lips pulled downward. “It’s dangerous.”

“That was said as well.”

He regarded her for a long moment, as if considering whether to tell her or not. “Misinformation,” he said finally.

“What?”

James ran a hand through his thick, dark hair. “I fed him misinformation. Something he thinks is true but is actually a falsehood. It was the actual purpose for my being at the dinner party. The last time I went, I was alone and thought doing so again would call attention.”

She considered him, weighing the words to determine his candor and trying to quell the rise of her own anger so she could think properly.

“It’s quite common,” he continued. “The spread of false information. Rather than tell many, you only tell one and it is like a flame to dry tinder.”

“If that’s true,” she said softly, “you used me as your cover.”

“I personally did not mind.” He offered a hesitant smile. “I hope you did not.”

“I would have preferred to know beforehand.” Certainly, a forewarning would have avoided the ugliness in which they were now embroiled.

If he was even telling the truth. The events all crowded together, making it impossible to decipher between what might be true and what might be a lie.

“I was not sure how you would act around everyone if you knew.” His mouth thinned in a hard line. “But there’s more to it than that. Ava, it is not safe to meddle with spies. If you didn’t know, you wouldn’t be in danger.”

“Is that why Lukas was there?” An uneasiness snaked through her at the memory of having seen him.

“Who?”

“The Austrian,” Ava replied wearily.

But rather than agree with her suspicion, the skin around James’s eyes tightened. “He was there?”

“Yes, pretending to be one of the waiters. I didn’t see him until you slipped from the room.”

A muscle worked in his jaw. “You’re certain?”

“Yes,” Ava said with exasperation. “I wouldn’t have mistaken him.”

James nodded slowly. “I see.”

She frowned. “Is that something I should worry about?”

“Of course not. Come, I’ll walk you in.” James got out of his car and saw her to the door. But despite his usually courteous manners, there was something else amiss, something that left him distracted.

And something they could likely discuss the next time they met, after she’d had a night to sift through everything he’d said and compose new questions. For the time being, exhaustion pulled at Ava, encouraged by the heavy meal resting in her stomach and the rich wine she’d consumed.

The following morning, however, it was not James who waited on the street in front of her building, but Alfie. The young man was wearing a coffee-brown coat with a matching fedora pulled over his red hair. It was such formal dress for the youth and made him look like a child dressing up in men’s clothing. Especially when he offered her a shy wave.

“Good morning, Alfie.” She smiled as she approached, ignoring the disconcerting nip at the back of her mind. “Is James all right?”

“Of course he is,” Alfie quipped. “He’s been sent away on a special task and will likely be gone for several months. I was told to see to you in his absence.” He gave her a hesitant wince. “If that’s well and good with you.”

“Why was he sent away?” Ava asked, pressing the issue. “Did he know he would be leaving?”

“James receives different missions than we do.” There was a finality to the way he said it that told her she’d get nothing more from him.

But Ava could not stop puzzling over James’s sudden disappearance. Where had he gone and what was he doing that he would not return for some time?

And what—if anything—did that have to do with Lukas?



TWENTY


Elaine


Getting Sarah and Noah from the city to the Maquis in the forest would not be difficult. They had false papers that were well-made should they be stopped and would travel in the evening, making their forged identity cards harder to examine. It was the look in Sarah’s eye that most concerned Elaine.