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

stairs and turned right. “There is very little noise from the road in the back of the house. You almost forget you’re in the middle of Oslo.”

She led him down the hallway to the last door on the left and opened it, standing aside so that he could enter.

“Now, I do provide toast and cheese for breakfast, along with coffee. If you prefer tea, let me know and I will provide that as well,” she said as he set his suitcase down on the floor next to the bed. “The front door is locked at ten, but you may take a key if you will be out late.”

“Thank you.” He went over to glance out the small window that overlooked the back. “This will do nicely. It’s a very nice room.”

Else smiled. “I’m glad you like it, Herr Renner. I’ll leave you now. If you need anything, we’re just downstairs.”

“Thank you again.”

She departed, closing the door quietly. The congenial smile left his face as soon as the door closed and he went back to the window, peering out. The kitchen garden was small, surrounded by a fence that could be easily circumvented. A shed at the bottom of the garden drew his attention and he considered it for a moment, noting the open door. As he watched, the landlord came out and closed the door, locking it behind him. Renner watched him pocket the key and turn towards the house.

He turned away from the window and went over to his suitcase, lifting it onto the bed and unlatching it. Tossing it open, he moved a stack of neatly folded shirts and trousers to reveal a false bottom, which he lifted out of the case. Underneath was a square, portable radio. He pulled it out of the case and carried it over to the small desk near the window. It was time to contact Berlin.

He was in position.

Evelyn stepped in the small restaurant and looked around. Towards the back, a lone woman sat a table, eating an open sandwich. When Evelyn approached, she looked up in surprise and a smile of welcome crossed her face.

“Maggie!” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”

“Looking for you,” Evelyn said with a smile, seating herself across from Anna. “I’m glad I caught you.”

“You’re lucky you did. I almost didn’t come out today. Have you eaten?”

“I had toast and cheese earlier.”

“If you’re hungry, I recommend the smoked salmon. It’s particularly good today.”

“I think I’ll pass. I’m not very hungry at the moment.” Evelyn removed her gloves and looked up as a waitress approached. “Perhaps some coffee, though.”

Anna nodded and ordered coffee, then looked across the table.

“What can I do for you? Do you need a translator?” she asked with a cheerful grin. “Or just another companion for dinner?”

“I need a translator,” Evelyn said slowly, “but it’s rather more involved than dinner.”

“Why does that not surprise me?” Anna asked with a short laugh. “What is it?”

“How’s your Swedish?”

Anna’s eyebrows flew into her forehead and she blinked. “My Swedish?” she repeated. “Sufficient, I’d say. Why?”

“I find myself heading to Stockholm,” Evelyn answered, smiling in thanks as a cup of coffee was set down before her. The waitress went away again and she turned her gaze to Anna’s face. “I was hoping you’d consider coming with me.”

“To Stockholm?” Anna stared at her. “When?”

“Tonight.”

The other woman sat back in her chair, a look of astonishment on her face.

“Tonight? What on earth for?”

“I completely understand if you’re unable to come,” Evelyn said, ignoring the question. “I know it’s very short notice. I don’t know any Swedish, but I’m sure I’ll be able to figure it out. There must be travel language books that will suffice.”

Anna frowned and leaned forward. “How long do you expect to be gone?”

“Only a few days.”

Anna was silent for a long time, finishing her lunch as Evelyn sipped her coffee.

“I need more information before I can consider this properly,” she finally said. “Why the sudden jaunt to Sweden?”

“There’s someone there I need to speak with,” Evelyn said, lowering her voice. “They’re only there for a few days, so timing is of the essence. I have tickets on a train leaving tonight.”

Anna studied her for a long moment. “Is Carew aware of this?”

“He’s the one who made the arrangements.”

She exhaled and nodded.

“Of course he was,” she muttered. “I must say, you’re turning out to be a very interesting and extraordinary woman, Maggie Richardson.”

Evelyn grinned. “Why is that?”

“I can’t think of a single other woman of my acquaintance who would be quite this sanguine about going to a country where she doesn’t speak the language, only to find that she now has to go another country where she also doesn’t speak the language.” Anna tilted her head and considered her. “Aren’t you the least bit intimidated?”

“Would it do any good to be?” Evelyn countered. “I am here, and this must be done. So I must do it.”

Anna pursed her lips thoughtfully and was silent for a long time.

“You’ll go whether I accompany you or not, won’t you?”

“Yes.”

The other woman shook her head. “As I said, you’re turning out to be an extraordinary woman.”

“If you’re not comfortable with coming...” Evelyn’s voice trailed off when Anna waved a hand impatiently.

“It’s not that I’m uncomfortable,” she said, “far from it. I think it’s all rather exciting, and I’d rather enjoy a little holiday into Sweden. That’s not what’s causing my hesitation. I don’t know that I can take the time from work.”

“Daniel thought of that,” Evelyn told her. “He said he can arrange it if you decide to come with me. Just let him know and he’ll take care of it.”

Anna raised her eyebrows, clearly surprised. “He said that? How on earth will he manage it, I wonder?”

“I have no idea.”

“Well, I suppose I’m out of objections, then,” she said after another moment of consideration. “If he will arrange my time from work, it must be fairly important, this trip of yours.”

Evelyn was silent for a moment, then she