Page 113

18th Army Group

* * *

“Jumbo Wilson is Field Marshal Wilson—” Niven said.

“Right,” Montagu interrupted.

“But what is Brimstone?” Niven went on.

“That’s the fake code name for Sardinia. Sir Archibald chose it. Clever, yes?”

Fleming nodded.

“And he used Husky for the eastern op,” Fleming said.

“Reasoning behind that,” Montagu said, “is that it’s not if but rather when the Germans will come across an operation with the code name of Husky.”

“Laus Deo,” Charity added. “Nice touch.”

“Praise God,” Montagu said solemnly. “Always appropriate.”

“This letter covers a lot of ground,” Fleming said. “As do the others. But this one, especially this big one, I don’t think I would change anything in it if I could. It smells like the real thing because it is the real thing.”

“Agreed,” Niven said. “Just hope the Krauts think so.”

Everyone else around the table nodded their assent.

Montagu then looked at the bulk of the work for the day and smiled.

“Well,” he said, “thank you all. I do believe that we are finished with this aspect. That leaves us to collect only a few more minor miscellaneous items—his ID, the coins and such one would find in his pockets, et cetera. Tomorrow we can handle that, then Major Martin shall be dressed and the complete package prepared. Then we’re off to the Seraph.”

“Splendid piece of work,” Fleming said.

“Thank you,” Niven said.

“The compliment was meant for Ewen,” Fleming said. “But, okay, you did brilliantly yourself.”

“Thank you,” Niven repeated. “And thank you, everyone.” He paused, and, with raised eyebrows, added: “Formalities complete, then we are finished for the day?”

Montagu nodded. “I do believe so.”

“Then I say it’s to the pub for commencement of Attitude Adjustment Hour!” Niven said.

“I’m not certain there is any booze left after your bender last night,” Private Ustinov said.

[FOUR]

Palermo, Sicily 0650 5 April 1943

Moving as quickly and as quietly as they could, Frank Nola led Dick Canidy and Jim “Tubes” Fuller back up the hill along Via Quinta Casa. They worked their way past the train station at Via Montepellegrino, and finally to a street off Via Altavilla that was lined with two-story apartment buildings.

The morning light was getting brighter by the minute.

&

nbsp; And the sounds of people stirring was becoming greater.

So, more and more signs that there weren’t mass deaths, Canidy thought.