His grief over his friends and colleagues could certainly cover his stress over what he had to keep to himself.
At the hotel, he parked the limousine and braced for what he had to do.
Best to remember that they were all trying to help people. They were trying to save lives. An omission of part of the truth was necessary.
As he entered the suite, Melanie took his hat and coat.
Chaisley’s face brimmed with a smile. “You’re back.”
It warmed him to see her delight. “I am.” If only he could bottle the smile on her face and the sparkle in her eyes for just a few moments.
But her face turned serious. Drat that uncanny ability of hers.
“Oh no! What’s happened?”
“I’m not sure how to say this.” Rick didn’t want to make a mess of things. Especially since he’d come to respect these ladies so much. But now, he worried about telling them. How would they react?
Chaisley frowned. She moved her stockinged feet out fromunder her and set them on the floor. Resting her elbows on her knees, she gripped her hands together. “Just tell us the truth.”
His mind started to backpedal.
Would it be okay to go rogueandcontinue to do what was right to help the British against Germany?
The agency had told him to carry on with his job. Well, there were times when a man had to take matters into his own hands and make decisions.
Rick took a bolstering breath. “I’m not just a driver.” He’d start small and go from there. “First, I speak multiple languages. French included.”
No response from either of them, but he could practically see the wheels turning in their thoughts as they digested this information.
Melanie was first to show her understanding of what he’d just said. Her brow creased, her eyes narrowed. “You’re telling us that you have listened in on our conversations? Without telling us.”
But Chaisley laid a hand on her companion’s arm. Her face serene. What was she feeling? “If you’re not just a driver ... then who are you?”
There. A slight tremble in her chin. What did she think of him at this moment? “I work for the British Secret Intelligence Service.”
chapter
Eleven
Sothatwas the secret he’d been keeping from them.
Rick was a spy for the British.
While in one sense it made Chaisley feel better to have him with her—especially after all the encounters she’d had with Nazi soldiers—on the other hand, the thought made her shiver.
She’d never known a spy before. Was there more he was hiding? With everything in her, she wanted to be able to trust this man. “Why didn’t you tell us?” The question was silly, but she needed to hear his voice as he answered.
“I’m not authorized to. I’m not even supposed to tell you now, but I think it’s the only safe way we can work together and accomplish our goals. I believe we are on the same team, and I trust you both. I can help protect you, and you can help protect my cover.”
He was sincere. Gone was any perception that he kept something to himself. In fact, there were notes of relief in his tone. Like it was good to tell someone. To have someone to confide in.
“What goals do you believe we share?” It was important to push now and find out what he really thought. While she hated to put everything in jeopardy, she had to know without a shadow of a doubt that she could trust this man with her life. With Melanie’s life.
The squeak and moan of leather gave her the picture that he was shifting in his chair. Perhaps leaning over his knees.
She leaned forward to show her full attention.
He released a sharp breath. “Goals? To stop Hitler. To keep another war from happening. To save people he wants to eliminate. I can’t believe the filth and garbage that are part of the Nazis’ propaganda and what they say about the Jews and others. It has gotten bolder and more insulting the past couple years.”
