The Oslo Affair (Shadows of War, #2) by CW Browning (read after .txt) 📗

we were both after the same thing: information about the new Führer and his National Socialist Germany. Our paths crossed. I made sure they crossed again a few months later.”

“Why?”

He paused at the end of the aisle and was silent for a long moment.

“That is a much more complicated answer and one that we don’t have time for today.” He looked at her, his gray eyes considering. “Perhaps we save that for another time, yes? For now, just know that I respected your father and, I hope, one day you will learn to trust me.”

“I don’t know if that’s possible,” Evelyn said softly, shaking her head. “Especially given the current situation between our two countries.”

“And that is why I say one day.” Vladimir turned the corner and she followed him to the next aisle. “I have something for you. Consider it a gesture of good faith.”

She raised an eyebrow and shot him a look from under her lashes. “Oh?”

“What do you know of Finland?” he asked, pausing next to the shelves and reaching out to pull another book out.

“I know that Stalin has been trying to get them to cede a large portion of their border land over to him so that he can set up military protection there for Leningrad, and that Finland has refused.”

“Yes. Moscow has grown tired of their refusal to allow us to protect our cities.”

Evelyn looked at him sharply. “How tired?”

Gray eyes met hers. “Very tired.”

She was silent, her lips tightening. If the Soviet Union invaded Finland, that could potentially spell disaster for both Norway and Sweden, both of whose neutrality was firmly established.

“Why tell me this?”

“As I said, consider it a gesture of good faith. I’m sure you’re aware of the precarious situation in Finland. Should my country gain what they are seeking, then Finland will need military support. Whichever country gives it to them will have a side door into the Soviet Union.”

“Why would you support that?” Evelyn asked, her brows coming together in a frown. “That can only mean war for your country.”

“My country is already at war. It has been for ten years.” He shrugged and closed the book, sliding it back onto the shelf. “Not everyone shares in the belief that we are better off now than we have been in the past.”

Evelyn was silent. She supposed her father would have known and understood all the political nuances of the situation, and would have known what to say to that. She was not her father, however, and she had no idea what response was expected of her, if any. As if sensing her uncertainty, Vladimir glanced at her.

“In Turku, there is someone who knows the details and intricacies of what hangs in the balance. His name is Risto Niva. He has worked undercover in Turku for the NKVD for over five years. If anyone can help you understand, he can.”

She stared at him. “I can’t go to Finland!” she hissed.

“You don’t have to. He is in Stockholm right now. I can arrange a meeting, but only if you go soon. He will be leaving in a few days to travel to Leningrad before returning to Finland.” Vladimir turned and moved a few feet away, looking at the book spines. “He is staying at the Strand. He has only one weakness, from what I have observed.”

“And what’s that?”

He turned to smile at her. “Beautiful women, especially blondes.”

Evelyn exhaled and gave him a look close to a glare. “You can’t be serious.”

“Of course I’m serious. I’m Russian. We don’t joke about matters of security. We can’t afford to.”

“I thought I was here to pick up the same information you gave my father.”

“The information your government managed to lose?” Vladimir made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat. “I must be mad for risking it again, but yes. It’s here, in the book you looked at in the card catalog downstairs. Don’t lose it again. I won’t be trying a third time.”

“I didn’t lose it the first time,” Evelyn muttered. “Why did you take the chance on smuggling it out again?”

“I believe it holds significant value for your government and the safety of your agents, both in Europe and abroad. Guard it well, for there are many who would kill to get their hands on it, and some who already have.” He looked at his watch. “We’ve been together too long. I must go. If you will meet Niva, light the candle in your window at midnight tonight and I will make the necessary arrangements. If not, then I wish you a safe journey back to England.”

He turned to leave and Evelyn watched him go, chewing her bottom lip. His back was straight as he strode to end of the aisle and turned the corner without once looking back.

And there goes Vladimir Lyakhov, Soviet agent, she thought.

Shaking her head, she turned to retrace their steps until she was back in front of the bookshelf housing the book from card downstairs. It was a slim volume and she plucked it from its place between two fat tomes. As she opened it, an envelope slid into her hand. After replacing the book, she opened the envelope to find several strips of microfilm. She tucked the envelope into her purse and turned to leave. At least this was something she was familiar with. She was no stranger to retrieving microfilm, or to concealing it.

As Evelyn stepped out from between the tall bookshelves, she glanced at her watch. The meeting had taken longer than she thought and now she would have to hurry to make her appointment with Hans at the Hotel Bristol.

Her heels clicked rapidly across the tiled floor as she hurried to the stairs. There was no sign of Shustov. In fact, there was no sign of anyone. A shiver went through her and she hurried down the steps to the first floor, thankful to see several patrons moving through the lobby.

As she reached the ground floor and started towards the door, one