no doubt told you, there is a set of documents we are hoping to substitute. The documents can be replicated, but we’ve discovered there is also a letter that must be altered in order to accompany them. It’s handwritten.”
“And if the letter can’t be replicated?” Felix asked mildly.
“Then more drastic action will be taken,” Major Ramsey said.
Felix knew what he meant as well as I did, but he didn’t seem alarmed at the suggestion. “Wouldn’t that just be the simpler way all around?”
I looked sharply at him. The suggestion that we resort to violence as an alternative measure was unlike him. Then again, I knew that the war had changed his perspective on a lot of things.
“It might be,” Major Ramsey assented. “But it won’t give the Germans the wrong information. That’s our primary objective. If we can convince them they’ve recovered genuine information via this particular route, it may be an avenue we can continue to use for deception purposes.”
“It’s not a bad plan,” Felix said, without any great conviction. “And I’m sure I can replicate the letter. There are a few things to be considered, however.”
“Such as?”
“You can’t keep making Ellie play spies with you, Major,” Felix said. “It isn’t fair to her. She doesn’t know the game, and it’s wrong of you to ask her to play for these stakes.”
I was startled. This hadn’t been part of the plan.
“Felix…” I began.
The major answered before I could finish. “Miss McDonnell is aware of the risks.”
“That doesn’t mean she should take them,” Felix said.
“I think I’m the best one to speak for myself on that score,” I cut in, before either of them could make another comment about me as though I wasn’t there. I had never stood for that sort of thing from Colm and Toby, and I certainly wasn’t going to take it from these two.
Felix glanced at me then, his expression softening ever so slightly. “I know you want to do this, Ellie, but that doesn’t mean that you should. This isn’t some harmless soft touch you’re dealing with. The Nazis will kill to get what they want. Or to prevent you from getting in their way.”
He turned back to Major Ramsey. “Asking me, or even Mick McDonnell, for help is one thing. But it’s unconscionable to get an untrained woman to do your work for you.”
Major Ramsey looked calm, but I saw that silver cast come over his eyes, and I knew well enough what that meant. When he spoke, his tone was quiet. “I understand your concerns, Lacey, but Miss McDonnell is working for us of her own free will. What’s more, I’m perfectly capable of running this operation without your input.”
“I’m not under your command, Major,” Felix said. His tone was friendly enough, but I could see that his eyes were growing hard.
“You will be if you agree to this operation,” Major Ramsey replied levelly. “This isn’t going to be one of your little cons. The security of our nation is at risk, and I need to know you can do as you’re told.”
Things were spiraling out of control rapidly, and I wasn’t sure how to fix it. I tried to decide which one of them it would be best to placate. I could manage Felix more easily, but the major was the one who was pulling all the strings.
I reached over and put a hand on Felix’s arm. I could feel the tension in it.
He turned to look at me, and I gave him the barest hint of a smile. I appreciated that he wanted to protect me, but I hadn’t brought him here to do that. I think my expression told him as much, for I felt his posture relax ever so slightly beneath my hand.
I looked back to Major Ramsey. He was watching the two of us closely. I remembered his insinuations about the night Felix had spent on my sofa. Well, let him think whatever he wanted. My relationship with Felix was not his concern.
“I think we’re losing sight of the matter at hand,” I said. I felt two sets of eyes on me, each telling me that this was none of my concern. I didn’t take kindly to those looks.
“We’re trying to help win a war, gentlemen. I don’t suppose it’s time for petty arguments. Besides, I’m a grown woman, and it’s been a long time since I’ve let any man tell me what I can or cannot do.”
Felix smiled. It wasn’t his easy smile, but I could