To Ride the Wind (25 page)

Their night of lovemaking took Matthew to a world he had never experienced before. He had known many women over the years of his travels but they had only been a means of satisfying his lust. Now he was in a world where love and lust came together. It was not until the early hours of the morning that he and Joanne finally fell asleep in each other’s arms. Before he drifted off, Matthew vowed that he would make this woman his wife. To do that he still had to survive this war. Joanne had already lost one flyer in her life and he did not want to be the second.

On the other side of the world, Inspector Jack Firth could also be in trouble if the commissioner learned one of his best men was neglecting the task of counterintelligence in order to pursue an old murder inquiry. Jack had chased down everything he could on the American Randolph Gates, and was sure that he had enlisted in the Australian army. Although the British officer had not been forthcoming with any knowledge of Gates, Jack felt his best bet would be to corner Major Alexander Macintosh, as he knew he and Gates had been friends before the war.

Firth’s investigation brought him to the door of the infantry officer’s headquarters in Sydney to confront the man himself. Alex had just about tidied up all his admin matters in preparation for departing overseas when he was informed by the orderly room clerk that a policeman was asking for him. He asked the clerk to usher the man through, and within moments Jack Firth strode into the room.

‘Major Macintosh, you may remember me from a matter I was investigating before the war,’ Jack said, not bothering to remove his hat. ‘The murder of Guy Wilkes.’

‘Ah, yes, Inspector.’ Alex rose from behind his desk so that he did not have the intimidating policeman standing over him. ‘How can I be of assistance?’

‘I was informed that you have access to all persons enlisting in the army,’ Jack said bluntly. ‘I would like to have a copy.’

‘Inspector, I doubt that is within your jurisdiction,’ Alex answered firmly. ‘I am afraid you would have to produce written authority for me to provide you with that.’

‘Like this?’ Jack asked, retrieving some papers from his pocket and throwing them on Alex’s desk. ‘You can examine them, if you like, but you will see that the authorisation comes from your own HQ command.’

Alex picked up the two sheets of paper and could see the signature of a high-ranking staff officer he knew.

‘You could save us both a lot of time and heartache by telling me where the Yank is,’ Jack said. ‘You know that you have a duty to the law of this state.’

‘I am aware of that,’ Alex snapped. ‘But I also have the responsibility of training the men out there to go to war. I assume you’re referring to Randolph Gates, but I can swear on my commission as an officer that no American by that name has enlisted.’

‘I am not a fool, Major,’ Jack replied. ‘As Gates is wanted for questioning not only concerning the death of a Mr Michael O’Rourke but also in regard to the matter of Mr Guy Wilkes, I expect that he would have signed up under an assumed name – perhaps even as a Canadian citizen to hide his accent. So, the list of all men who have been through your battalion in the last six months, if you please.’

Alex had not expected this. He had told the truth when he said no man by the name of Gates had enlisted. Randolph had put down his citizenship as that of a Canadian. He glared at the policeman on the other side of the desk.

‘Corporal Hardy,’ he called loudly. ‘Fetch me the carbon copy of the battalion roll covering the last six months.’ Alex was satisfied that it would not reveal Randolph’s true identity in the training battalion. Forewarned by John Hughes, Alex had discreetly altered Randolph’s enlistment nationality to Scot.

‘Yes, sir,’ came the reply from the orderly room and within moments the clerk entered the room holding a thick wad of papers in a bound folder. He placed it on the desk.

‘Thank you, Corp,’ Alex said, dismissing his clerk. ‘That will be all.’

The corporal departed, a puzzled expression on his face.

‘I must insist that you sign for the battalion roll, Inspector,’ Alex said, dipping a pen in an ink pot and passing it to the policeman.

‘The copy of the roll will be returned within twenty-four hours,’ Jack said, hefting the book from the table. ‘I expect that your cooperation will continue for the sake of good relations between the police and army.’

Alex did not answer but watched as the detective inspector left his office. When he was sure he was gone Alex bawled down to his clerk to have Private Maurice Green report to him immediately. The clerk hurried off and within a few minutes Randolph reported to the company HQ building where he was ushered into Alex’s office. He saluted smartly.

‘You wish to see me, sir?’ he asked as Alex closed the door.

‘Stand easy, Randolph. We are pretty safe from being overheard here. Take a seat.’

Randolph removed his hat and sat down. ‘You look worried, Alex,’ he said, glancing at the door.

‘We have to cut short your training and get you out of the country,’ Alex said. ‘That copper Inspector Firth is looking for you in relation to the death of some man called Michael O’Rourke, and also wants to talk to you about the death of Wilkes.’

‘You know that I did not kill Wilkes and, as for the other matter, it is best you do not know. But he was the man who killed Nellie.’

‘It should have been me to settle that matter,’ Alex said, turning from the window. ‘But you shouldered the responsibility and now it’s my turn to protect you. I am going to draw up orders to put you on a ship leaving tonight with a complement of men going to Egypt. From what I can gather they will be most probably disembarking for deployment to Palestine. I am sorry that you will not be able to serve with the cobbers you have made in training.’

A broad smile crossed Randolph’s face. ‘You could not have done me a greater favour. Matt is somewhere in Palestine and there’s a good chance I will be able to track him down – maybe even get a transfer to his unit.’

‘I had not considered that. Let us hope that you get to catch up with my wild Irish cousin and, when you do, please give him my compliments.’

‘What happens next?’ Randolph asked.

Alex laid out his movement details for embarkation on the troop ship. When all was in order, Alex reminded Randolph to pick up his documents authorising his travel from the orderly room. Randolph rose and Alex extended his hand. ‘Well, old boy, let us hope that we get the opportunity to meet after this war and share a cold beer.’

‘You take care, and if you see Colonel Duffy give him my regards,’ he said, gripping Alex’s hand firmly.

‘I will tell him all that you have done for the family,’ Alex said, stepping back. ‘Just keep your bloody Yank head down.’

‘I will,’ Randolph said, grinning. ‘See you when I see you.’

The American stepped back, replaced his slouch hat and saluted his superior officer with genuine respect. Once Randolph was gone Alex sat down at his desk. Soon, it would be his turn to steam across the Indian Ocean. Would there be a reunion after the war? He was acutely aware of the ever-mounting death-roll of soldiers from all theatres of the war.

The coded papers secured under her corset, Karolina Schumann walked towards the main gate of the internment camp. She was greeted by the corporal of the guard who had become used to her frequent visits. But as Karolina approached him she noticed that this day his greeting was strained. Suddenly she felt a sick feeling in her stomach. To add to her growing concern, the corporal unslung his rifle from his shoulder.

‘Mrs Schumann, I have orders to take you to the commandant,’ he said in an awkward voice.

‘Why is that?’ Karolina responded indignantly.

‘I dunno,’ he replied with a shrug of his shoulders. ‘I just have orders to escort you to the office.’

Karolina felt the cold grip of fear. This had never happened before, but she allowed herself to be taken to the main building housing the camp administration. The office was not the commandant’s, but when a male voice bid them enter, Karolina was ushered inside. The room was virtually empty, with just two old chairs and a burly looking civilian standing in the middle.

‘My name is Detective Inspector Firth,’ he said. ‘And I have reason to believe that you are in possession of papers deemed to be subversive.’

Even though she always thought she might be able to bluff her way out of any such situation, the shock registered on Karolina’s face. ‘I do not know what you are saying,’ she replied, her face pale with fear.

Jack took a threatening step towards her, towering over Karolina. ‘Don’t make it hard for yourself, Mrs Schumann,’ he said in a low, menacing voice. ‘We have had a file on you for some time. I have the power to have you stripped and searched by a woman authorised to do so. The choice is yours.’

Karolina glanced around the room. There was an open window but it was foolish to think of fleeing. She knew she would not get far. Jack waited a moment while Karolina stood in silence. ‘Corporal, fetch Mrs Jenkins for the search,’ he said in a tired voice.

‘Wait,’ Karolina said, raising her hand. ‘That will not be necessary. I will give you the documents you demand.’

Jack nodded to the corporal who remained in the room while Karolina turned away from the men. Lifting the front of her long skirt, she took out the papers and passed them to Jack.

‘You do realise, Mrs Schumann, that if these prove to be subversive documents you will be charged with espionage, a crime that carries a death sentence in this country? But, if you cooperate now I may be able to mitigate your sentence.’

Karolina’s hands were trembling. She felt faint. Observing her distress, the policeman pushed a chair towards her.

‘Please, have a seat,’ he said in a gruff tone. ‘We are not in the habit of bullying women, regardless of their nationality.’

Karolina gratefully sat down and stared at the dusty floor. She knew that the Australians would soon discern that the papers she carried were in code – and if they broke that code she would be found guilty of spying. The death threat was not an idle one. In her two years of active work for her country she had not really considered the consequences. Now the reality hit her. A death sentence would mean never seeing her grandson grow up to be a man.

‘What do you want to know?’ she asked in a beaten voice.

‘Who is coding the documents?’ Firth asked, glancing at the unintelligible words. ‘Is it the pastor, von Fellmann, or the former consulate assistant, Herr Bosch?’

Karolina realised that the authorities knew more about her contacts than she gave them credit for. ‘I am afraid that I cannot tell you,’ she said. ‘To do so would be handing them a death sentence.’

‘Fair enough,’ Jack said. ‘I admire your courage and would probably give the same answer if I were in your shoes. But for now you are under arrest and will be taken back to Sydney to be formally charged and put in prison until your trial. Just remember that if at any time you wish to speak to me, it might help in sentencing. I know that your daughter has married into a prominent Sydney family and that your son-in-law is currently on his way overseas. That will be hard on her. You will have to think about your family. Your death would not help either your daughter or your grand son.’

Karolina knew the policeman spoke sense but she also realised that she had a duty to fight for her country and thus must share the dangers faced by her countrymen on the battlefields of Europe.

Jack did not handcuff her as he escorted her to the waiting car. Did they shoot spies? Karolina wondered. Or would she have to resign herself to death on the gallows?

14

K
arolina sat in the front seat beside the police inspector, who drove in silence until they were some distance from the camp. He suddenly pulled off the dirt road to park a short distance away among a stand of gum trees. Karolina now experienced real terror. Was she about to be executed on the side of the road?

Jack leaned towards her. ‘I want you to listen very carefully, and if you have any sense you will do everything I say,’ he said. ‘Right now I am the only one who has your file and if you want to stay alive you will listen to what I am going to tell you.’

Karolina had shrunk back from him, fearing that he was about to rape her before killing her. ‘I am listening.’

‘Good,’ Jack said. ‘As I said, I am the one who has been assigned to follow up your file and we both know that the papers you were caught with would probably get you executed if they were passed onto the intelligence people. But it is a queer world and you just happen to be related to a well-known and respected Sydney family. I am sure if you were arrested for spying it would bring shame on the Macintosh name so I am going to return you to your daughter’s house, but you will not step out of the place unless I say so.’

Karolina was stunned by her reversal of fortune. ‘Why do you do this?’ she asked.

‘Let’s just say that it is in both our interests,’ Jack said, removing his pipe from his pocket and tapping it on the steering wheel. ‘If you do not agree with me, believe me, I will make sure you swing on a rope.’

‘I will do as you say,’ Karolina said meekly. ‘But I will not tell you what you want to know about my friends.’

‘Bugger that,’ Jack snorted. ‘I have other plans. So, we are clear on what I have told you?’

Karolina nodded, still trying to fathom how she had escaped certain death. Jack then swung the car back on the road and drove to Alex Macintosh’s residence, where Giselle was surprised to see her mother escorted to the front door by a burly policeman.

On his way back to his office Jack Firth made another stop. In Kent Street he parked in front of the Macintosh building and told the receptionist he wanted to speak with Mr George Macintosh immediately. The receptionist attempted to protest but was silenced by George, who had come out of his office when he heard the raised voices.

‘Come in, Jack,’ he said. ‘It must be bloody urgent for you to meet me here.’ He closed the door behind them.

‘I have just arrested your brother’s mother-in-law for espionage,’ Jack said without any preliminaries. ‘I had no choice. It seems that a separate file on her exists with the army intelligence people but I was able to convince them to leave the arrest in my hands. I will be needing your influence to make the arrest go away.’