The Incidental Spy by Libby Fischer Hellmann Read Free Book Online Page A

tears.
    “What is it you want me to do?”
    “We want you to bring us whatever you come across in your daily work. Letters, files, theoretical analyses, observations. Photos of the Lab, if you can. It is clear America is committed to building an atomic weapon, and we know there are several paths to that end. We know Chicago is working on one option. We need to know what your scientists know. As soon as they know it. You will provide it. “
    “But what happens if they find out?” She repeated. “Will you help me escape? Find someplace for Max and me to disappear to?”
    The man cleared his throat. “We understand this will not be easy. Or risk free. It is quite possible someone at some point will suspect what you are doing.”
    The answer was no, she thought. They would do nothing if she was unmasked. She was on her own.
“That is why we are willing to compensate you. Generously,” he went on. “We will pay you two hundred dollars a month.”
    Her mouth opened. It was a fortune. Her money problems would disappear. “We know you have had financial problems since the untimely death of your husband.”
    Untimely? What did that mean “untimely?” She peered at him, but his expression remained flat. Then he cocked his head.
    “A word of warning, Lena. Do not think you can get away from us. We are watching you. We know every step that you take. Once you start down this road, there is no going back.”
    Lena hated this man and his words. But she couldn’t go to the authorities. She was a German herself. A refugee. And although she was now a U.S. citizen, every German was suspect these days. They might even decide she was already spying. Then what would happen to her and Max? She couldn’t risk it. She was trapped.
    The man looked at his watch. “I must leave.” He cleared his throat. “But there is one other matter. You will need to learn tradecraft.”
    “What does that mean, tradecraft?”
    “There are many ways to retrieve and exchange information. You will learn the basic techniques. I will teach you.”
    “You’re going to teach me how to be a spy!”
    “I wouldn’t call it that.”
    “What would you call it?” She knew she sounded irritated. She wanted him to get that.
    “Methods to manage your risk. And ours.” He hesitated. “So. What is your answer?”
    She stared and took a deep breath, hoping it would make him uncomfortable. “You give me no choice.”
    The man pulled out an envelope from his jacket pocket. He opened it and counted out ten twenty dollar bills which he laid on the coffee table.
    Her mouth fell open again.
    “You need not see me out. We start training tomorrow. You will find a note in your mailbox with the meeting time and location.”
    Lena picked up the money. “Since we are to be working together, what is your name?”
    “You may call me Hans.”
    She nodded. “What about Max, Hans? ”
    He rose from the sofa. “Your son will be dropped off shortly.”
    The promise was kept. Ten minutes later, the buzzer rang. Lena raced down the steps. As she opened the front door, a car pulled away, leaving Max on standing on the curb. He held a balloon in one hand, and a small cherry lollypop in the other. His lips were stained red, as if he’d been sucking on it for hours.
    “Hello, Mama,” He grinned.
    She closed her arms around him.

Chapter 16
    “A mericans are suspicious of everything,’” Hans told Lena a week later. “But they must not be suspicious of you.”
    They were walking down State Street in the Loop on a crisp Saturday morning in April. It was still early, and the sun slanted through the buildings and bounced off shop windows in a cheerful display of light. “You must always be aware of your surroundings, the environment, and the people. Be alert for someone or something that could compromise your security. It might be quite small and inconsequential, and it will probably be the one thing that doesn’t belong.” He stopped. “For example, what color was the