The Incidental Spy by Libby Fischer Hellmann Page B

copy of everything before you send it on.”
    “How will I get it to you?”
    “How do you do it now?”
    She told him.
    He nodded. “We’ll set up our own dead drop.”
    She ran a hand through her hair. “What happens when they realize the documents have been adulterated?”
    “They won’t,” he paused, “if you’re careful. Remember, you’re going to be passing them genuine intel also.”
    “To Collins too, you say?”
    Lanier nodded. “At this point, it’s better to be safe than sorry, don’t you agree?”
    Lena didn’t reply.
    “Hey. I’m gonna do my best to back you up. You’re working for the good guys now.”
    Skeptical, she flashed him a look.
    “Okay.” He shifted. She could smell his aftershave. “Now, let’s talk about tomorrow.”
    * * *
    Lena had two tasks. One, she was to tell Hans that Irving was now suspected of spying himself, and it was her fault. She would ask Hans what he could to manage the situation. She would also talk about winding down her work. She would tell him she was prepared for the consequences, but she had to be honest; she was slowly going mad with guilt. Two, she would tell Irving about Collins’ visit. He deserved to know he was under surveillance, she would say. Perhaps together they could come up with a solution to the Colonel’s scheming.
    She wanted to talk to Irving right away, but she had to wait; he usually dropped by around lunchtime. Today, though, lunchtime came and went without him. Lena asked Sonia if she’d seen him. Sonia shook her head.
    “But I have something to tell you.”
    Lena felt her stomach twist.
    “I finally heard from Frank,” Sonia grinned. “He’s all right. He’ll be coming home in a couple of months.” Sonia’s husband had been drafted and fought the Battle of Midway over the summer, but Sonia hadn’t heard from him in weeks.
    A wave of relief so profound it came out as a gasp swept over Lena. “That’s wonderful, Sonia. Congratulations!” She pasted on a smile and hoped it looked genuine.
    “There’s something else.” Sonia tilted her head. “Once he’s home, I—I won’t be coming back.”
    “Oh, no.” Lena realized she had become fond of the girl. Not to mention that whoever replaced her might be a plant. She squeezed her eyes shut. She despised having to think this way.
    “I am not as dedicated as you, Lena,” Sonia added. “I could never spend all the time at work that you do.” Dedicated? Is that what Sonia thought? Lena bit back a reply. She didn’t want to spoil Sonia’s joy.
    * * *
    Lena went to a pay phone after lunch and made a call.
    “Where have you been, Irving? I’ve been so worried.”
    “I was fired.”
    “What? Why?”
    “Collins knows I was in the Pile when I wasn’t supposed to be. The guard told him he heard two people. He didn’t know the other, but he thought it was a woman. Collins thinks I’m a spy. He says he’ll keep it under wraps if I go quietly.”
    “That’s impossible. A spy? For whom?” Lena asked. She couldn’t help wondering whether Collins knew the truth about
her
. Had he put the pieces together? Had his night visit been nothing but a ruse after all?
    “For the Communists.”
    “The Communists? Wherever would he get that idea?” Inwardly, though, she let out a breath. She’d been handed a reprieve. Collins wasn’t focusing on Nazi espionage. But her relief soon turned into self-loathing. How could she be thankful that the Nazis were off the hook?
    “Irving?” There was no response. “Irving, we need to talk. This is all my fault.”
    Silence on his end. He wasn’t disagreeing.
    “Irving,” she said, “I’m going to tell Collins I was the one who wanted to go in. If anything, I should be the one who’s fired.”
    This time he answered. “No. There’s no sense both of us suffering.”
    She hoped he’d say that. “But I can’t let you take the blame when it was my idea.” She pondered whether there really
was
any way to salvage the situation.