for the dockworkers’ union, which was a thinly-veiled front for the New York mafia.
‘I’m sure we could help with a lawyer and things, PT,’ Mae said. ‘But after what happened, you’re going to have to accept a severe punishment and there’s not much we can do about that.’
Thierry smiled again, and much to PT’s relief it had a touch of sympathy to it. ‘That’s not why you’re here though, is it?’
PT shook his head. ‘I thought, with your influence in the docks, you might be able to get me on a boat.’
‘You were always smarter than your brothers,’ Thierry said. ‘I thought you might turn up here sooner or later. I’ve already put out feelers, just in case.’
PT smiled, but only until Thierry yanked his head across the table and nearly twisted his ear off.
‘Uncle,’ PT gasped. ‘Please.’
‘When cops get killed there’s a of heat,’ Thierry growled. ‘I dearly loved my sister. She wouldn’t have wanted you to rot in prison so I’m doing this for her – but once you’re gone you can’t lot ever come back to the United States. Not next month, not next year, not even when you’re a hundred years old.’
‘I understand,’ PT moaned weakly.
‘If the cops ever find out that I helped you, I’ll be in so much shit that even my union connections won’t help. So you keep your mouth and if you ever mention my name or even try to contact me or your little brother – god help you.’shut
Thierry let go of PT’s ear.
‘Thanks, Uncle.’
Thierry explained more as Mae refilled his bowl of stew. ‘A stolen French passport and identity documents will cost you a hundred and sixty dollars. I can get them sorted in a few hours. I assume you can cover that cost?’
‘I’ve got money.’ PT nodded.
‘And you speak good French?’
PT nodded again. ‘Dad always spoke it at home.’
‘There’s a cargo ship sailing for Bordeaux tomorrow evening. Captain’s a man I’ve known for many years. He’ll put you on crew as a cabin boy, but I expect he’s gonna want a few hundred dollars for his trouble.’
‘And there’s no bother getting me into the docks?’
Thierry shook his head. ‘The crossing takes around eighteen days. Once you arrive in Bordeaux you’ll be on your own, but you’ve got money, and the captain may even be able to help you some. We’ll make your documents so that you’re fourteen. Plenty of boys that age work on the ships, so you should have no bother getting yourself a room in a hostel. When your money runs low there’s always gonna be work on a boat or around the docks.’
‘I appreciate this, Uncle,’ PT said, as tears started welling in his eyes.
Thierry was a hard man, but he stood by you when it mattered.
* * *
*Equivalent to roughly $55,000 in 2009.
Part Three
3 July 1940 – 5 July 1940
Bordeaux, France
France signed a formal surrender agreement with Germany on 22 June 1940. The country was to be divided into two zones. The industrialised north and a broad strip stretching along the Atlantic coastline down to Spain would be occupied by Germany. The rural south and the Mediterranean coast were to be ruled by a puppet French government based in the small spa town of Vichy.
Under the terms of surrender the French Navy was under Vichy Government control, but the British feared that its fleet would eventually fall into German hands. On 3 July the Royal Navy surrounded the main body of the French fleet at the North African port of Mers-El-Kebir and delivered an ultimatum. The French could either scuttle their ships, join the British in the fight against Nazi Germany, or be destroyed.
Meanwhile in Berlin, the German High Command was jubilant at the rapid capitulation of France. Hitler had no desire for a long battle and expected to reach a diplomatic settlement with Britain that would end the war within months.
CHAPTER SIX
Once he’d met up with Paul and Rosie again, Henderson wanted to take the kids by ship from Bordeaux or across the border into a neutral country. But Paul was too sick to travel for a week after the sank and by that time German forces controlled the entire Atlantic coast, including all ports and the borders with Spain and Switzerland.Cardiff Bay
Henderson couldn’t risk getting arrested at a port or border crossing and decided to lie low. Hopefully the Germans would assume he’d left the country if a few weeks went by without any sightings.
They needed somewhere to stay and consular official Maxine