Cold Harbour by Jack Higgins Read Free Book Online

care of. This Dietrich business, Craig. Really quite something. You exhibited all your usual flair, if I might say so. It’s going to give Himmler and the SD severe problems.”
    “And how many hostages did they shoot in reprisal?”
    Munro shrugged. “It’s that kind of war. Not your affair.”
    Craig said, “Anne-Marie used the same phrase. The exact same.”
    “Ah, yes, I was delighted to hear that she was of assistance to you. She works for me, you know.”
    “Then God help her,” Craig said forcefully.
    “And you, dear boy. You see, you’re on the strength as of right now.”
    Craig leaned forward, tossing his cigarette into the fire.“Like hell I am. I’m an American officer, a Major in the OSS. You can’t touch me.”
    “Oh, yes I can. I operate under the direct authority of General Eisenhower himself. The Cold Harbour project is a joint venture. Hare and four of his men are American citizens. You’ll join me, Craig, for three reasons. First, because you now know too much about the entire Cold Harbour project. Second, because I need you here. There’s a lot happening with the invasion coming up and you can make a very positive contribution.”
    “And the third reason?” Craig asked.
    “Simple. You’re an officer in the armed forces of your country just like me and you’ll obey orders, just like me.” Munro stood up.
    “No more nonsense, Craig. We’ll go down to the pub, see Hare and tell him and his boys you’re now a member of the club.”
    He turned and walked to the door and Craig followed him feeling curiously light-headed, despair in his heart.
    THE HANGED MAN was exactly what one would have expected, a typical English village pub. The floor was stone flagged, there was a log fire on an open hearth, iron-work tables which had seen years of use, high-backed wooden benches. The ceiling was beamed and the old mahogany bar was conventional enough, bottles ranged on the shelves behind it. The one incongruous thing was Julie pulling pints behind the bar and the Kriegsmarine uniforms of the men who leaned against it.
    As the Brigadier entered followed by Osbourne and Edge, Hare was sitting by the fire drinking coffee andreading a newspaper. He stood up and called, in German. “Attention. General officer present.”
    The men clicked heels. Brigadier Munro waved a hand and said in fair German. “At ease. Carry on drinking.” He held out a hand and said to Hare, “No need for the usual formalities, Martin. We’ll use English. Congratulations. Good job last night.”
    “Thank you, sir.”
    Munro warmed his backside at the fire. “Yes, you used your initiative, which is fine, but do try to clear things with me in future.”
    Edge said to Hare, “Good point, old boy. For all you knew, the gallant Major might have been expendable.”
    Something flared in Hare’s eyes and he took a step towards Edge who backed off, laughing. “All right, old boy, no violence if you please.” He turned to the bar. “Julie, my blossom. A very large gin and tonic, s’il vous plaît. ”
    “Calm down, Martin,” Munro said. “An unpleasant young sod, but a flyer of genius. Let’s all have a drink.” He turned to Craig. “It’s not that we’re alcoholics here, but as the lads work by night, they do their drinking in the morning.” He raised his voice. “Listen, everybody. As you all know by now this is Major Craig Osbourne of the Office of Strategic Services. What you don’t know is that as of right now, he will be one of us here at Cold Harbour.”
    There was a moment’s silence. Julie, at the bar, paused in the act of pulling a pint, face grave, then Schmidt raised his glass of ale. “Gawd help you, guvnor.”
    There was a general laugh and Munro said to Hare, “Introduce them, Martin.” He turned to Osbourne. “Under their assumed identities, of course.”
    The Chief Petty Officer, Langsdorff, who had been at thewheel, was American. So were Hardt, Wagner and Bauer. Schneider, the engineer, was