Chapter 12: Threats, warnings and a family secret is exposed.
29 May 1944, Monday.
Among the dispatches Agatha brought in from London was word of unauthorized radio transmissions originating from somewhere in England, most likely in one of the counties around London. Those transmissions were often in German, but some were coded in English. The transmissions contained information about the weather, the build-up of troops, armaments, and other vital information related to the Allied build-up in England, especially concerning the opening of a second front in Western Europe.
It was becoming an ever-increasing priority to locate the source of those transmissions and shut them down. The date and location of the D-Day operation, also known as "Operation Neptune," was of yet unknown. It was vital that those crucial details never reach German intelligence.
Amanda and I had overheard one of those transmissions for the first time late this morning. The transmission was spoken entirely in German and both voices were male. Neither Amanda nor I spoke German and we did our best to see if we could pick up any words we could recognize, but they both spoke so fast that it was difficult even to distinguish where one word ended, and another began. We both heard "nein," "ja," and "Hitler," clearly enough, but beyond that, it was just a blur of guttural gibberish. The only other information that was even remotely useful was the fact that the transmission of one of the speakers was so much clearer than the other, suggesting that first speaker was transmitting his message from somewhere close by in England. But we already knew that.
On a more personal level, word had gotten out around camp that I was seeing Lord Ayresdon. Quite a few pilots had seen me leave in his Rolls Saturday evening and yesterday afternoon. Neither John nor I made any effort to hide our growing relationship, but I was surprised about how much attention it seemed to be attracting.
The pilots of the 5-1-2 Squadron seemed to be the most interested, probably because they regarded me as their "little sister." I did miss the campfire chats and singalongs we had, but now with the evening bombings, those were no longer possible anyway. But they approached me both as a group and later as individuals to make sure Lord Ayresdon was "treating me properly."
Of course, Lee knew all about my dates with John, including the day I spent at Ayresdon Manor, now over a week ago. He was aware of the concern that his fellow pilots of the 5-1-2 Fighter Squadron had for me, as well as the less-than-flattering gossip from the other horny men at the airfield who had been deprived of female companionship for a while. He pulled me aside before the administration briefing.
"Reena, how far have you gone in your relationship with Lord Ayresdon?"
"Lee, I'm not in high school anymore. I don't need a big brother watching out for me."
"No, you don't, and that's not why I'm asking. We're in the middle of a war and you're an attractive girl at an airfield teeming with hundreds of horny men. You wouldn't believe the rumors flying around about you. I'm just concerned, that's all," he explained.
"When I got here, there were all sorts of rumor flying around about you. You didn't seem too concerned about them, so why are you only concerned about rumors when they're about me?" I retorted.
"That's different, and you know it. Besides, I was concerned about those rumors about me, and I did my best to lay low for a while," he argued.
"There's nothing different about it. Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't handle myself in a relationship. Besides, how can you tell me you're 'laying low' with all that time you're spending with Amanda? Have you any idea about what's being said about the two of you?"
"There's nothing I can do about that," he confessed.
"And just what do you think I can do about the rumors about me?"
He looked down at his shoes before answering.
"You're right. I'm sorry. Maybe I am a little overprotective of you, but only because you're my only sister and I care about you," he confessed.
"I know that. Maybe we're both being too defensive," I said, giving him a hug and kissing him on the cheek.
He hugged me back.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I'm more than okay, Lee. I think I'm in love with John - Lord Ayresdon."
"I'm happy for you, Reena. Really. I just don't like some of the things I hear a few of the guys saying."
"Thanks, Lee. Let them talk, I can handle it. Besides, why should we care? We're lucky enough to be with the ones we love," I replied cheerfully.
"Perhaps you're right, but we still need to be careful. Would you promise me that?"
"Of course, and despite what I said earlier, I appreciate your concern for me. I care a lot about you, too," I confessed.
I barely made it to the administration briefing on time. Colonel Drummond announced a change in the daily schedule to adjust to the twilight bombing schedule, allowing the pilots to sleep later in the mornings to make up for the loss of sleep at night. Meetings and meals would be delayed accordingly as a result of the change.
Amanda and I were in the communications tent testing the radio equipment and replacing the older radio tubes when Squadron Leader Porter entered the tent. He dismissed the corporals assigned to assist us and warded off the tent when they left.
He shot a glance at Amanda before turning to me.
"You could have told me you were a witch. If you had, I could have warned you much sooner," he said, testily.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," I replied dismissively. I looked over at Amanda and gave her an anxious look.
"Don't try to be coy with me. You know what I'm talking about. Agatha told me all about it. It was bad enough that your brother played me for a fool after his escapades with Agatha and Penny Night," he continued.
"I think you should leave, Nigel," Amanda interjected.
"Not until I'm finished with what I have to say. I'm disappointed that you've been complicit in this American deception, Miss Chanter. But I need to warn both of you to stay away from Lord Ayresdon. Don't be deceived by his aristocratic charm," he warned.
"How dare you talk to us that way, especially after the way you've treated my brother! Get out of here!" I demanded, drawing my wand, and pointing it at him.
A sideways glance told me that Amanda had copied my motion.
Nigel Porter looked at my wand and then at Amanda's. He sneered. We both knew that a warlock was more powerful than two witches, but we could still do enough damage to him that would make him think twice, even if that meant the end of the two of us. But no one wanted things to go that far.
"Put those away. I'll leave, but I urge you to heed my warning, or there will be dire consequences," he said before removing his warding spell and leaving the tent.
After he left, I looked at Amanda.
"I can't believe Agatha told him. How could she betray us like that, she put our lives at risk," I lamented.
"I can't believe it either, but she must have had her reasons. She's always been the level-headed one," Amanda agreed.
We did get a chance to ask her just before noontime. She burst into the communications tent with a worried look on her face. Once again, we dismissed the corporal aides and warded the tent.
"I need to warn you about Nigel Porter," she began. She looked very upset.
"It's too late. He's already been in here," I replied.
"Aggie, how could you?" Amanda asked, hurtfully.
