must have been keeping track of you. How is your daughter?’ Gordon asked her. He was now thinking that maybe this would be a good thing if he could pull it off.

“She is fine. She wanted to come, but they said only one person could come. They didn’t want us to wear you out,” Katherine said. “I guess you aren’t completely out of the woods yet.”

Gordon smiled weakly, “Story of my life. A beautiful woman comes to see me and she can only stay for a few minutes.” He had made his decision. This could work out very well.

“We’re staying close by,” Katherine said. “I’ll come as often as they will let me. I’ll bring Ceiley as soon as the doctors will permit it.”

They talked for a few more minutes and then Katherine had to leave.

About a week later, it was obvious Gordon’s improvement was accelerating. One of his nurses commented to him that she figured his quick improvement could probably be explained by the presence of one very beautiful redhead. Gordon admitted to everyone that seeing Katherine regularly was wonderful therapy. Katherine had been able to visit him fairly regularly, but hadn’t been allowed to bring Ceiley yet. A week or so later, when Katherine walked in the room, Gordon looked at her with a smile. “I haven’t asked you yet. I guess I was afraid to. Are you married?” He knew this is what she was waiting to hear. He would make it sound as if it had been his intention to find her.

Katherine laughed. “Would I be here visiting you regularly if I was?” she answered, then with a smile, added, “I wasn’t asked, at least not by anyone I could possibly consider.”

Gordon smiled, “Sounds like you have very strict qualification requirements.” Then looking at Katherine intently but with a little smile on his face. “Doesn’t sound like I would stand a chance.”

“I never knew you were afraid of a gamble. Why don’t you ask and find out,” Katherine said with that little tip of her head.

Gordon looked at her for a moment. He had made his decision. “When I’m back on my feet, will you marry me?” he asked.

Katherine smiled, “You know you will not only be marrying a wife, you will be marrying an eight-year-old daughter.”

“Maybe I should ask her first,” Gordon said. This would put the right tone to the whole idea of their getting married.

“She would probably like it if you asked us both at the same time,” was Katherine’s reply. “I’ll ask when I can bring Ceiley.”

Several more days went by and Gordon’s improvement was continuing to accelerate. Monday, Gordon was up early and walking around. He just got back to his room when Katherine walked in with Ceiley.

“How are you, princess?” Gordon greeted Ceiley. Ceiley looked at her mother. “Yes he was talking to you,” Katherine said. Ceiley got a shy smile on her face. “I’m very well, thank you. How are you?” she asked.

“Actually I’m feeling wonderful, I just can’t get the Doctors to admit it,” Gordon told her. Ceiley laughed at him. Her eyes kind of sparkled. Gordon continued still watching Ceiley. He had to convince her also that this is what he intended all along. “Pretty soon I am going to be well enough to leave the hospital and take up my life again. I have had plenty of time to think, and I have decided I would like to share that life with somebody. Do you think you and your mother would consider sharing that life with me?”

Ceiley looked somewhat puzzled. She looked at her mother to see if she would explain what this man was saying, but Gordon continued, “Ceiley, what I am really asking, if you and your mother would consider marrying me.”

“You should ask mother that,” protested Ceiley, looking at her mother.

Katherine smiled, “Gordon thought that it was a decision both of us should make, so he thought he should ask both of us.”

“I won’t be marrying just your mother, Ceiley,” Gordon told her. “You will be an equal part of the family, so I think that both you and your mother must make the decision together. I hope, both of you will say yes.” Having a wife and daughter would fall nicely into his plans.

“You will be my dad?” asked Ceiley somewhat shyly.

“That was my intention, Ceiley,” Gordon replied. “You see I not only want your mother as my wife, I also want you as my daughter.”

Ceiley looked at her mother. Katherine gave a slight nod of her head.

Ceiley smiled, “We would love to marry you.” Then she ran over and gave Gordon a hug. Then turning to her mother asked, “Won’t we mother?”

Katherine smiled, “Yes, we definitely would love to marry Gordon.” Ceiley ran over to her mother and gave her a big hug. “I will have a real father.” It was more a statement than a question.

“I intend to work real hard at being a real father, Ceiley,” Gordon told her. “Of course, you are going to have to teach me how.”

Ceiley thought for a moment, “That’s silly,” she said, “I don’t know how to be a father.”

“Yes, but you know what kind of father you would like your father to be, don’t you,” Gordon observed. That should really sell her on the idea, Gordon thought. Ceiley thought for a moment.

Katherine looked at Ceiley, “I think you and he can work out what a father should be like. Then while you are doing that, you can also work out what a daughter should be like,” Katherine said looking back and forth between them.

“I think your mother has a wonderful idea, don’t you?” Gordon asked Ceiley. Ceiley smiled, looked at her mother who still had her arm around her, “Yes, I think it is a wonderful idea,” Ceiley replied with a big smile. “When are we going to marry you?” she then asked.

“As soon as I get out of the hospital and we can arrange for a proper marriage,” Gordon immediately replied, realizing what Ceiley was saying, was she wanted to be part of a family. She realized this is what Gordon was really offering her, and she wanted it to happen as soon as possible. That would fit nicely into his plans, Gordon thought. Katherine looked at the two of them. She knew what Ceiley wanted. She decided in her own mind, she would see what she could do to bring that about as soon as possible.

In the next several days, Katherine bustled between the people in the hospital and local government bureaus. She and Ceiley came to see Gordon, who was now not only roaming the halls, but also walking out on the grounds of the hospital. He was sitting, in a lounge area that had no one else in it. As Katherine and Ceiley came in smiling broadly, Gordon, so wrapped up in his own plans for the moment, didn’t notice. “I have something to show you,” Gordon said. “It is customary for a man to give some token of their engagement to the women to whom he has proposed marriage.” Gordon then took out a diamond and a smaller ring looking much like it. He then put it on the fingers of Katherine and Ceiley.

Both Katherine and Ceiley gave Gordon a hug. Then Katherine looked at Gordon, “I have also been busy. I have obtained a marriage license, and got permission to use the hospital chapel. I have talked the Chaplain into marrying us and a doctor and a nurse to stand up for us. It is scheduled for tomorrow morning.” Then Katherine smiled, “I had an ulterior motive in moving the marriage up in time.” she told Gordon. “You see as family of a patient of your rank here, we are going to move into a very nice apartment, and it will be free to us until you are discharged.”

Gordon looked at Katherine, “I’m all for getting married as soon as possible, although we won’t be able to be together as a family for a while.” Then he looked at Katherine apologetically, “Why didn’t you tell me that it was costing you money you probably couldn’t afford? My salary was being invested for me all the time I was flitting into enemy territory and back. I would have provided you with all the money you needed.”

“Darling, I was not going to run out of money right away,” Katherine answered.

“Why is it I don’t quite believe you.” Then Gordon added, “We are going to the office and get some money for you, before you leave. I can’t have my future wife and daughter doing without whatever they should have.”

“It seems to me you abridged that sentence to serve your particular purpose,” Katherine observed with a smile. However, she did not object, the money she was able to get together in a hurry when she heard Gordon was in this hospital, was starting to run low. She had not intended to ask him for any money, but she knew it would be useless to argue with Gordon. He was going to make sure she had plenty of money for she and Ceiley. It was obvious, he was going to work hard at the role of husband and father, just as he had always worked hard, at all the roles he had to take as a top espionage agent.

Then Gordon got a sly smile on his face, “But Katherine, I have nothing to wear for the wedding.”

Katherine laughed, “Oh you aren’t going to get out of it as easily as that. I already found out you had a full colonel’s uniform made, just before you disappeared behind the lines for the last time. I have been assured it will fit beautifully. The hospital staff came up with dresses for Ceiley and I. Everything is ready. All you have to do is show up,” Katherine said smiling broadly but fondly at Gordon.

“I suppose you have made sure that I am going to show up in full regalia,” Gordon said with a smile.

“Would I be that sneaky?” asked Katherine.

“Ceiley, I think we are going to have an awful time with your mother. I don’t know if we can train her or not.” Ceiley just laughed delightedly that her mother and her new dad were kidding each other like this already.

Still laughing, Ceiley said. “We’ll just have to get together and work on her.”

“Ceiley. You are supposed to be on my side. We women of the family have got to stick together,” protested Katherine with a smile. She was happy, however, that Ceiley seemed to be accepting the idea of Gordon as her dad.

The next day dawned bright and sunny. A very good omen thought Gordon. He was up very early and did his morning exercises. Then he took a shower and put on the uniform they had laid out for him. He was surprised it really did fit. He was gaining back both his strength and his weight. The Doctor, who was going to stand up for him, came to get him. They walked slowly toward the chapel. As they neared it they heard the organ start playing. They entered the chapel through a side door, then waited for the signal for them to make their appearance. As they stood in the front of the church waiting, Katherine and Ceiley appeared. They came walking down the aisle together. He truly was marrying the both of them.

The ceremony went smoothly in spite of not being rehearsed. It was a simple ceremony. At the end, Gordon took Katherine in his arms and kissed her, then he bent down and took Ceiley in his arms and kissed her. Ceiley blushed prettily. They then walked out together and to the hospital cafeteria, where the staff of the hospital and the local military personnel had put together a reception. Ceiley was beaming. Everyone congratulated her also. It was a wonderful day. Especially for Ceiley, she was gaining a dad who seemed to really care for her.

It took another three weeks before Gordon was released from the hospital, and he could join his new family. They were allowed to stay in their apartment for another month after Gordon was discharged as completely cured. During that time, Gordon completed plans for them to move to London. Both he and Katherine were planning to return to college to complete their doctorates. Gordon’s college expenses were being paid for. They were able to arrange for scholarships and grants for Katherine. Gordon also applied for United States citizenship for Katherine and Ceiley as the wife and daughter of a serviceman. A well decorated one at that.

Gordon had been able to arrange for a small place near the college they would be attending. They were also able to arrange for a school for Ceiley. They fell into the routine of college life, except for an occasional absence by Gordon for a few days. Gordon explained it as gathering up loose ends by intelligence headquarters. After the first time, Katherine didn’t question Gordon about this, and Ceiley, taking the cue from her mother did not ask her new father any questions. Ceiley was happy, to have a father who not only was willing to spend time with her but also was obviously fond of her. To Ceiley that was a wonderful feeling. In addition, Ceiley was aware that her mother and new father were obviously very fond of each other.

Gordon made it a habit to come up with unexpected small presents for no apparent reason. To Ceiley this was absolutely wonderful. Gordon did work especially hard during the first years, to keep Ceiley reassured he was very happy to be her father. Of course, Gordon had arranged to adopt her immediately after the wedding. Ceiley seemed to delight in telling all her friends that her father was an American. She had been instructed to merely say he had been a Colonel in the United States Army.

During these years in college, both Gordon and Katherine started to write. Gordon could draw on his wealth of knowledge and experience to begin writing spy stories and mysteries. Katherine wrote some mysteries with a romantic twist. Both their novels and short stories met with good success. In fact, the last two of their novels became best sellers both in Europe and in America.

As time went on, Gordon’s absences became fewer and farther between until about the time Gordon and Katherine received their Doctorates, the absences almost ceased all together. Gordon thought he now had his future plans set. Katherine breathed a sigh of relief when she finally realized the absences were ceasing. To Ceiley, of course, it meant that Gordon was around more. It also meant he would have more time to take her different places. She loved these little excursions. Some of them into special places in town. Other times to the surrounding country. Part of the time it was all three of them. Sometimes only she and her dad.

It was at the end of that school year. Gordon came home and asked, “Ceiley, would you like to go to America to live?” Ceiley’s eyes lit up. “Oh I would love to, Dad. When are we going?” she asked. She had dreamt about the time when she could go to America. She wanted to see what her father’s country was like. She had read about it in books. She was waiting impatiently for the time when she could see it.

Katherine laughed, “Apparently Ceiley is ready to go right now, Gordon.”

Both Gordon and Katherine, with the apparent great success of their latest novels, had been negotiating with several prestigious American Universities. Both of them wanted to be able, not only to teach, but also continue their education, research and writing.

Gordon laughed at Ceiley’s immediate willingness to go to America.

“It will take us a little time to complete all the arrangements so we can be able to move to America. We should be able to go fairly soon,” Gordon told Ceiley. Gordon didn’t tell either Katherine or Ceiley that he was wrapping up certain loose ends.

Ceiley was all excited and had to tell all her friends they were going to be moving to America. She was going to live in her father’s country. Ceiley could hardly wait. Every few days she would ask either her dad or her mother, when they would be going. Actually it was only a few more weeks before Gordon was able to finish making arrangements. The three of them packed the personal belongings they would be taking with them and took a plane for America. When they reached America, Gordon and Katherine were able to make arrangements for fairly satisfactory, temporary living quarters. These would serve, until they could make final arrangements with the University, they had selected.

The American publisher, who had published their latest novels in America, greeted both Gordon and Katherine, on their arrival. The publishing company was very happy to have them here on this side of the Atlantic. Both of them were now working on new novels. The publishing company began immediately arranging for interviews with these best-selling novelists. Katherine, of course, was an immediate hit. Not only was this a very beautiful, intelligent woman with a beautiful English accent, but she proved easy to interview. This tickled Gordon. He was the envy of every man. Katherine made it abundantly clear, she was happily married to the most wonderful man in the world. Katherine loved to do this at every possible opportunity.

Shortly after they arrived in America, Gordon received a phone call. He was on the phone for quite some time. Katherine had taken Ceiley and left the house. She told Ceiley they would do some shopping. When they came back, Gordon took Katherine aside and told her with a smile that it was just a courtesy call. He was going to be away for a long weekend in two weeks. He told her they were arranging it so he would check in with military intelligence, the FBI and the CIA in one fell swoop. He was going to tell them in no uncertain terms he was out of the business and had no intention of returning. It might be a hard sell but Gordon was determined. That was the way Gordon characterized it to Katherine. He was going to remind them he was now happily married with a young daughter, and that he had already done his time. Katherine laughed at his characterization of his service in Allied Intelligence.

“Do you think they are going to try to get you back in?” Katherine asked a little apprehensively.

“No,” said Gordon. “This really is just to let me know they know I am back on American soil. They know how I feel. They may try to pick my brain on a rare occasion, but that will be all,” he told her. Gordon did not want her to worry. Katherine was hoping that was true, but she was still a little apprehensive. She now knew that Gordon had been one of the top experts in his field. Gordon did not assure her that he might not be gone for a while at times. She knew that he could not tell her where or what he was doing. Gordon wanted her to think that.

Katherine had not changed her name when she married Gordon. She was Dr. Tallemann. Gordon had suggested this in order to keep their two careers separate. However, Ceiley did take Gordon’s name so she was officially Ceiley Anne Dietrich. This was Ceiley’s choice. However, Katherine applauded it. With both of them now successful novelists and short story writers, and both embarking on college teaching careers, this was working out very well.

“It was old home week,” said Gordon when he returned from the long weekend. “I renewed a few old acquaintances, and caught up on who else was where among those not there.”

“No old fires were kindled?” asked Katherine.

“Not on your life,” Gordon answered. “The only fire I have burning has to do with you,” he added with a smile. Katherine gave him a big hug and a kiss. Gordon was carefully building this impression of a very happy marriage. It was imperative to his plans.

“Are you two smooching again,” said Ceiley as she walked in the room to see Katherine kissing Gordon.

“Is that bad?” asked Katherine.

“Oh no,” said Ceiley rather emphatically, “I think it’s wonderful.”

Gordon laughed and grabbed Ceiley and gave her a hug and a smooch on the cheek. Ceiley gave him hug in return.

They were able to find a home fairly close to the University. Katherine, with some help from people at the University got Ceiley enrolled in a school and tested to see what grade she would attend. Gordon was able to have Ceiley familiarized with what an American school was like. He wanted her to be comfortable so the transition would be easier. She would have to make new friends. Gordon was cultivating this concerned father image. It would give him a solid family man persona. Appearances were very important if you wanted to have people see things as you wanted them seen. It gave your cover substantiality and validity.

Making new friends, actually proved fairly easy for Ceiley. Many of the young people she met were interested in knowing about her home country. Many of her teachers were intrigued by Ceiley’s precise English accent, which she used for formal occasions such as in class. Ceiley was used to adapting. Gordon was very happy about this. However he made sure he was there for her whenever she needed him. Gordon was determined to work hard at that now. He needed to establish that immage. He might not have time in the future. That actually proved easy. Ceiley made few demands upon him. In addition, Ceiley was very grown-up for her age. Katherine had been a very good teacher.

There were some problems. Ceiley was very intelligent and not at all bashful. She did not flaunt her intelligence, but neither did she try to hide it. Ceiley was a very casual dresser, clothes didn’t particularly impress her. She took after her mother in this. It was also obvious to most people she was going to be a very pretty girl. Pretty is probably not a very good word, in Ceiley’s case. Her mother was very beautiful. Ceiley, Gordon already knew, was going to grow up to look like her mother. Thankfully, Ceiley was still very casual about her looks. Katherine encouraged that. She would prefer Ceiley downplay her beauty as Katherine was wont to do. That also fit Gordon’s plans. He preferred that his family not stick out.

Katherine however was one of those college professors who all male students fell in love with and all female students thought was absolutely wonderful. She was a very good teacher. Her classes filled immediately and had a long waiting list, in case some student had to drop out. Few did. She was always, surrounded by students, because she was very easy to talk to. Gordon once asked facetiously what he had to do to get an audience with her. With a flip of her head, and a light laugh, Katherine replied, “Get on my waiting list, darling.” Then with a smile she added, “You’ll always be at the top.”

Gordon had his following also. Especially when someone noticed on the dust jacket of one of his books that he had been in intelligence during the war. Gordon never said anything about that. He didn’t want to overplay that. That lent just the right amount of mystery to him. It would be easier for him to do some of the things he planned to do in the future. He affected an easy-going laid-back manner. However, his students soon learned, there was a lot of steel to his character also. He intrigued his students with the accents he could affect. It also kept his students on their toes. They never knew what character might be up there giving the lecture on any given day. He only trotted them out on occasion, usually to add spice to a particular lecture. He did it often enough so the students began waiting for these occasions. That was part of his plan to have many people know of his ability in this.

Life for the three of them went along relatively smoothly. Ceiley made friends at school and among the children of Gordon and Katherine’s colleagues at the University. Both Gordon and Katherine were able to complete their studies and research within the years they had planned. Gordon had been called away occasionally for a few days. It was not often enough to cause any real disruptions. Gordon was carefully pacing these absences. As time went on they became fewer and farther between times. Actually they became more irregular, which made them seem fewer and farther between. Katherine began to breathe a sigh of relief. She hoped they would again cease all together. This was not going to happen.

They now started searching for the place they wanted to finally settle down. Gordon, with Katherine’s concurrence, decided they would look for a small city in the middle of the country where there was a small but highly regarded college where they both could teach. They decided they had enough of big cities. Actually, they thought they would be both better off, away from the really big cities. It was Gordon who subtly pushed this idea. They had the luxury of being able to live and work where they wanted. Their continued success as writers of fiction allowed them this. The fact, they both had two Ph.D’s from prestigious Universities, enhanced their ability to attract offers from this type of College. They found however, that it might be a problem, for both of them to find places at just one University. They began to look for places that might have two well regarded colleges in close proximity to each other.

After some considerable searching they found what they considered the ideal situation. There was a small city that had two highly regarded small colleges in it. In addition, the colleges were very interested in Gordon and Katherine. They made several visits to this town and these colleges as they were investigating other options. This they thought was their best possible option. Gordon was happy when it appeared this would work out. It would fit his plans very nicely. It would be easier for him to tell whether there was someone watching him. They were able to reach agreement with the colleges at about the time the spring semester ended. Surprisingly, it only took them a week, after they had reached agreement with the colleges, to find a suitable house and arrange to buy it. They were therefore able to move into the house and begin to settle in as the summer vacation period was just beginning.

Katherine hoped this would be true. She figured it would be easier for Ceiley to find some friends during the time before school would start in fall. It would be easier for Ceiley. She would already know some children with whom she would be going to school. Ceiley was tall like her mother and was mature beyond her years. Although only fourteen, she was a sophomore in high school. She would be starting college at sixteen.

Like her mother, Ceiley had the ability to be one of the top students in her class without being classified as a brain. It was becoming more and more obvious she would have the beauty of her mother. Because she was casual about that fact, her friends also casually treated it. She figured she would use these abilities to acquire new friends in this new neighborhood. Katherine agreed with her daughter and planned to help in every way she could.

Their home, wherever they lived, became a gathering place for Ceiley’s current crop of friends. Gordon and Katherine worked at making the young people feel at home, while still laying down definite rules that had to be abided by. So far it worked. The neighborhood, into which they moved, had several young people who would be in Ceiley’s class in school. This was a real plus. The usual testing went on. One of the girls was obviously very attractive. That was obviously important to her. She immediately saw Ceiley as a challenge to her. It took Ceiley and Katherine about two weeks to diffuse this possible conflict. The girl then decided Ceiley would make a wonderful friend. A couple other girls, in the neighborhood, also recognized that Ceiley was very attractive. However, to them, that was a plus. Ceiley was not interested in attracting boys, so when she attracted them, the other girls got a chance to share. That was fine with these girls. Ceiley also had her mother’s athletic abilities, so at times could be one of the boys.

Within a month of moving in, Gordon and Katherine’s house started to look like the teen-age gathering place. They did nothing to discourage it, while keeping a close, though not very obvious control of it. One of the rules was that no one except Ceiley and perhaps one close friend could be in the house if neither Gordon nor Katherine were there. That was an ironclad rule. No exceptions. Ceiley agreed.

“How do you do it?” was the question of their’ next door neighbor. They had a daughter who found Ceiley to be a wonderful friend.

“Gilbert and I were marveling at the fact that you obviously have rules, but none of the young people seem to resent it. My daughter thinks you are cool, but she says, ‘No one dares get out of line.”

By Richard A. Falb

To most people, Gordon Dietrich appeared a taciturn, easy-going man in his middle thirties. A man obviously in excellent physical condition. A typical college professor in tweed jacket. His eyes belied this. They bored into you as if he was looking into the depths of your very soul. Except, that is, when he hooded them, which he was doing now. He was casually walking along the street in a small town along the coast of northern England. He was actually anything but casual. He was very much on the alert. He was tracking down an enemy master spy. A man who could ruin Gordon, if he told what he knew. Headquarters did not know this. Gordon tracked his quarry this far.

Gordon was a member of Allied Intelligence. He had a reputation as a master spy. He was a highly trusted member of Allied Intelligence. A master at playing double agent. At the moment, he was temporarily on counter-espionage duty. He just got back from the Continent, and had been drafted to track down this person. Actually he had made sure he would be drafted for this particular job. He knew this particular man very well. Gordon met him when Gordon was playing the part of a double agent in enemy territory. Gordon had worked briefly with him. This man was the only one who had been suspicious of Gordon. Luckily in that instance, others were not. They carried more clout. His colleagues in Intelligence would tell you luck had nothing to do with it. Gordon Dietrich was tops in his work.

Jason Connery was the name that man was now using. Gordon had tracked him from London. The problem now, was his task had become more complicated. Gordon learned Connery was traveling with a very attractive young widow and her small daughter. Gordon cursed his luck. Intelligence figured Connery must have picked them up as a cover. Connery practically always worked alone. He said that way he only had to worry about him doublecrossing himself. They hadn’t figured out how he managed to pick up this widow and her daughter. Gordon knew. He knew Connery. Connery was a ladies man, and could be charming when he wished, Gordon knew. Once Connery had them, they would not be leaving him alive. The woman undoubtedly, had no idea who her traveling companion really was. However, the woman and her daughter would be in danger shortly. They were only safe as long as Connery could use them. Then they became expendable. Connery left no witnesses. That was one reason he had survived so long in this dangerous business. He was completely cold-blooded. Life was expendable, as long as it was someone else’s. He had tried to eliminate Gordon when they were working together. Connery would have justified it by claiming Gordon was working for the other side. Gordon had been happy to take this assignment. He had a reason for tracking Connery down. Connery had some information that would prove detrimental to Gordon if anyone else found out about it. Information about some things he had done while playing the double agent. It had to do with where some valuables were supposedly hidden.

Gordon figured Connery was heading for some isolated place along the coast. He was sure Connery was planning to rendezvous with a sub. Intelligence told Gordon they were sure Connery had information of immediate value to his country, and he wanted to get there as soon as possible. Gordon knew he had that information. Gordon’s job was to see that Connery and the information never reached their destination. To accomplish this Gordon had to first find Connery, eliminate him and assume his identity long enough to lure the sub into a trap. Gordon had sold Headquarters on this plan. This would require a lot of luck. Gordon knew he didn’t have that much time. He also wanted to make sure the sub was sunk. Why that sub must be sunk was top secret information. Gordon had been told, part of his job was to see that the sub was sunk, after he had eliminated Jason Connery. Eliminating Jason suited Gordon’s plans.

The first piece of luck came that same day. Gordon learned a radio signal was heard, coming from a certain coastal area. It was not too far from the town where Gordon was at that time. His contact told him it could be from an isolated house they had under occasional surveillance. This was a good place for Connery to try to arrange a rendezvous with a sub. An old couple lived in this house. They were suspected of sending messages to the continent occasionally. They had been allowed to continue to operate, because intelligence found a way to feed some erroneous information to them. The second piece of luck came when reports reached him a man, woman and little girl were seen, several days ago, heading in the general direction of this house.

What was now needed was a third bit of good fortune. That came with the weather. Fog was rolling in. It was suppose to be around for several days. This would provide Gordon cover so he could head immediately toward this house. It would give him the cover he needed to get near enough to the house without being detected. He knew he had to catch Connery outside of the house. He dare not try to get into the house with the widow and daughter also there. That would not only complicate his surprising Connery, but it could put the widow and her daughter in danger. It was not that the widow and daughter were important at this point. It would put him in additional danger. That he would avoid, if at all possible. It was also not in his plans to expend lives unnecessarily. He would have to wait until Connery stepped outside. It was imperative he succeed. No one else knew, but his career depended upon his success in eliminating Connery.

Gordon was furnished with a detailed layout of the house, the surrounding buildings and general lay of the land. Using this and the cover of the fog, he was able to get to one of the closer outbuildings without apparent detection. The fog was somewhat patchy. During one of the periods of slight clearing, Gordon was startled. He cursed his bad luck. Things kept cropping up to spoil his plan. Another figure was moving cautiously toward the house. Gordon was working alone. He had made sure that no one was supposed to be anywhere near the house. This could pose a real problem for Gordon. It could possibly foul up his chance to catch Connery by surprise. He did not want Connery to see him. Gordon saw the person uncover a gun and crouch as if getting ready to run toward the house. Making a quick decision, Gordon took aim with his silenced pistol and squeezed the trigger. The figure pitched forward. Gordon knew he was dead. He knew he never missed from that close. Luckily the person never made a sound. As to who the person was, that would have to wait. It was not important to Gordon at this time. He knew it was not Connery. It also eliminated any witnesses that might foul up his plan.

He waited for a while to make sure this was the only person around. Then he moved silently around to where he could see the front of the house. Under cover of the fog that moved in, he was able to gain the cover of a clump of bushes. In a moment the fog temporarily cleared so he could see. Pretty soon a hooded figure moved out from the house heading toward the water. Gordon knew immediately it was not Connery. Connery was taller, and walked with a slight limp. The figure stopped. It had to be the woman. This could complicate things. Gordon wanted no witnesses if Connery recognized him. A few minutes went by. “Come back in. It must have been a false alarm.” a voice softly called to the figure. Gordon was sure it was Connery talking. The figure did not move. “Come back in. Remember, I have your daughter here,” the voice softly continued. Though soft, the tone of that voice cut through the night like a steel knife. Gordon saw a movement in the doorway. A man’s figure appeared with a gun in his hand. Gordon quickly lifted his pistol and fired twice in rapid succession. The figure in the doorway jerked, then slid to the ground and lay still. Gordon quickly ran to the downed figure and flipped the figure over, keeping his pistol ready to fire again. He wanted to make sure that Connery was dead. It was Connery. He was dead. So far his plan was working perfectly. Now to make sure the woman bought his reasons for killing Connery.

Turning to the hooded figure, he was now sure was the widow, Gordon said softly but clearly, “Come back in. He’s dead. I’m on your side. You and your daughter are safe now, at least for the moment.” He didn’t tell her that depended on how well she cooperated with him from now on.

The figure did not move for a moment, then started to move hesitantly toward him. “Who are you,” came a low, tense voice. “How did you know my daughter was here.” The woman quickly went on, “I didn’t know he was a spy. For the last weeks, he held us virtually captive. He threatened to kill my daughter if I didn’t do what he told me to do.” The words tumbled out quickly. Gordon watched her closely wondering how much she knew about Connery and if she was telling the truth. He also wondered how much Connery had told her.

Before Gordon answered her, he asked, “Anyone else in the house?”

“No,” the woman answered. “He said he called the old fools who lived in the house. He told them, he would need it for a week. He said they went to visit their daughter. No one would disturb us. He said that with a rather nasty laugh.” Gordon found he felt just a little sorry for the woman. Maybe she was just an innocent victim. That would make it much easier. It must have been hell for her. Not knowing what Connery intended to do with her and her daughter. Killing Connery had obviously eliminated a problem for her as well as serving his purposes.

“Let’s go inside. Apparently he was using you as a decoy. Someone else was looking for him. He must have figured, that person would shoot you and he would be able to shoot him, when the person went to check you out,” Gordon told her rather cold-bloodedly. The woman shuddered then stumbled. Gordon caught her. The hood fell back and she smiled rather weakly at him. Gordon could see she was very beautiful, even though she looked haggard, obviously from the strain of not knowing what would happen to her and her daughter. Gordon helped her into the house. He now had to decide what to do about the woman and her daughter. He would have to keep her around, in case someone else was watching the house. He would have the daughter taken away to a safe place until this was all over. She would just be a complication if kept around. Everything had gone well so far. He didn’t want anything fouling things up now.

“Do you know where the radio is in the house?” Gordon asked her. He was hoping she might have observed Connery using it. Gordon figured Connery might not be that careful, knowing he was going to kill her. Gordon knew Connery had that habit. He knew she wouldn’t be around to talk. Gordon on the other hand wanted her to be around to talk. She would back up his story. Also, she might furnish him a cover in the future. He would have to work on that.

“I do not know. One time when I came upon him in the room with the desk, I thought I saw him move the desk back against the wall,” the woman told him. Then she looked at Gordon, “Would he have killed us?” she asked.

Gordon looked at her. He already had a hunch she knew the answer. There was no point in not telling the truth. It made no difference as far as he was concerned. Gordon just shrugged his shoulders and said, “Yes. He couldn’t afford to leave any witnesses. He never did. He was sure no one knew who he really was. He would plan to keep it that way. In his mind, you and your daughter were expendable.”

The woman looked at him. “What are you planning to do with us?”

She was looking at the gun in his hand. Gordon smiled and put the gun back into its holster. Killing her would serve no purpose. Actually he wanted her alive as a witness now. She would tell them what he did. That is what he wanted. “I plan to get you and your daughter to safety as soon as possible. You were just complicating my job.” She didn’t know how much she was complicating his job. Now he planned to use her to corroborate his story. Gordon added, “We were sure you did not know who he was. He always worked alone. In this case, you must have come along at the time when he was looking for a cover. He figured you and your daughter would be perfect and you were expendable.” He was trying to sound very sympathetic.

“We are not expendable to you?” she asked, looking intently at him, “You seem to be in the same business. Killing him didn’t seem to bother you.”

Gordon had a wry smile on his face. “It was not safe to keep him alive. Our plan did not include that. He was a real master at his trade. One of the best,” Gordon replied. He was only lying a little. It was actually his plan that did not include keeping Connery alive. He knew too much. He could be dangerous to Gordon. Then he looked intently at her, “Killing you would be something else. There I draw the line. That would serve no purpose as far as I am concerned. Of course,” Gordon added with a wry smile, “It may be the death of me. Maybe like him I should leave no witnesses.” He said that for effect. If she reported this conversation, it would make his story more credible. No one would question his motives in making sure Connery was dead.

The woman ignored his last statement, “Then how did you know who he was?” she asked still looking intently at him.

“Some day I may tell you. Today is not the day,” Gordon answered. Actually he had no intention of ever telling her the real truth. Actually Gordon had been working with Connery and several other double agents on a scheme to make them all rich when the war ended. There had been a falling out among the group. That information hopefully died with Connery. Then he hurried on, he had made a quick decision, “We will arrange to get your daughter out of here to somewhere safe. I will need you here with me for a couple of days. I have to finish something he started.”

“I thought you were on opposite sides?” the woman said.

“We are. I am going to pretend to be him so we can catch a few more from his side,” Gordon answered. He was giving her just enough information to get her cooperation. He wasn’t about to give her his real reasons. “Now I have to get in touch with my contact. I must let them know the first part of the mission has been accomplished. Then I will arrange to get your daughter to safety. Now I need to know your name. I’m Gordon Dietrich. I am an American.” Gordon knew he was taking a chance, but he wanted her complete cooperation. He figured if he told her his real name, and made sure she knew what a chance he was taking, she might be more cooperative. In addition, it would add one more convincing detail for headquarters.

“Is that your real name or just the one you are using at the moment?” she asked with a small hesitant smile. He knew he had guessed right.

“That is my real name, which I shouldn’t have given you, ” Gordon said with a tight laugh. “For the time being, I am Samuel Sandberg. A Professor of English History, and a graduate of Oxford.” He had made the right decision. She would not question any of his further actions.

“I’m Katherine Tallemann, and that is my real name.” Then she hurried on as if she had to explain why she was here. “My husband was killed in an accident about a month ago. He had been in a wheelchair since just after we got married. It was not a happy marriage. It was worse for Ceiley. He would have nothing to do with her. Somehow he tied her in to the accident that put him in a wheelchair.” Katherine was obviously trying to explain how she got caught in Connery’s web. Gordon had figured it was something like this. He had pegged Katherine as a very intelligent woman. Connery had caught her on the rebound, turned the charm on. He probably played up to the little girl. Katherine was trapped before she realized what she had gotten into. He was going to have to be very careful. She must be convinced that this was exactly what he was supposed to do. That he was carrying out orders.

Katherine looked at Gordon. “Why do you need me?” she asked, but it was not a belligerent question.

“You are now part of my cover. If I am Connery, and my contacts know I have a woman with me, I need you to be visible in case someone is watching in the next few days. Your daughter on the other hand need not be visible. We can spirit her away to a safe place until you can rejoin her,” Gordon explained. “We have no intention of putting you in danger. Your danger would come only from Connery. He would be the one to dispose of you. Anyone else would leave that up to him. Not everyone in this game is a cold-blooded as he was.” He wanted to make sure she was buying this.

“I hope you are not planning to carry the charade that far,” Katherine said.

Gordon laughed. “I can see no possible reason I would want you dead. I would prefer you very much alive.” Katherine looked at Gordon, trying to figure out what he meant by that. She knew he would not be easy to read. He was hoping she would put an entirely wrong spin on that statement.

“To what degree are you planning to become Connery?” she asked Gordon. He looked at her with a puzzled expression, then he suddenly understood what she meant. With a quiet laugh he said,

“You mean he took full advantage of the fact that you were at his mercy. You are a very attractive woman. He loved to take advantage of women, any woman.” Then he looked at her, his eyes now boring into hers, “No, that will not be part of your duties, as far as I’m concerned. You are only here for window dressing. I avoid distractions. They can be very deadly,” Gordon said emphatically. Alone in this house together, this woman could be a very great attraction if he let her. He had work to do and he had to do it quickly. He wasn’t planning on letting her attractiveness foul up his plan. After he had put his plans in motion he could work on her.

Gordon got in touch with his contact. He made arrangements to spirit the little girl away from the house, under cover of darkness and the fog. He then went through Connery’s things. Most of the things he passed on to the men who came to take the girl and remove the bodies. Certain things he slipped in among his own things. These headquarters would never see. Gordon found the short-wave radio, where Katherine thought it might be. Using what he knew, and the information he gleaned from Connery’s things, Gordon was able to make contact as Connery.

His years as a double agent stood him in good stead. He was convincing enough to get a handle on some of Connery’s closest contacts in England. Those he didn’t already know about. This information he passed on to Intelligence headquarters. However, he told them they could not do anything about that information until he completed his mission. He definitely didn’t want himself connected to it. No one must suspect that Connery might be dead. It took him a little while but he finally figured out how Connery was to make contact with a submarine. During the next few days, working very cautiously, Gordon was able to set up the rendezvous without arousing any suspicions. He was able to plant the idea that Connery was to leave on the sub. The trap was set and sprung. This whole process had taken over a week. Enemy intelligence would assume Connery went down with the sub along with his information.

The first few days of this period, Gordon and Katherine had meals together. Other than that Gordon kept his distance. He wanted her full cooperation and he wanted her to tell that kind of story. Connery, apparently let her take some phone calls, until a certain identification, was made. Gordon did the same, except he was listening in all the time. The third evening, after Gordon made his usual contact, he was in the living room looking out the window toward the sea. He had made contact with the sub and had set up the rendezvous. Everything was now in place. His plan was a success. He figured he could rest easy. Katherine came up beside him. She stood very close. Gordon was well aware that now, with the anxiety for the safety of her daughter lifted, Katherine was looking even more beautiful. In fact, a real auburn-haired beauty. She was also much more relaxed. She could be real tempting. However he was now really taken by surprise.

“We are all alone here in the house. It seems a shame not to take advantage of that,” she said looking at him with an enigmatic smile.

“Young lady,” said Gordon, looking intently at her, “I thought your previous experience would have made you more careful. I would think you’d be looking at men as ogres, to be kept at a safe distance away, if at all possible.” But he was now smiling at her. His work here was mostly done. As long as she was the instigator, and she would look on him as having her around because it helped the plan succeed. Besides this might guarantee her loyalty. She was making it easy for Gordon. This could fit in with his future plans.

Katherine tipped her head to one side, then with an engaging smile, and a flip of her head, answered, “I had no choice then. I was forced to do what ever he wanted, to keep my daughter safe. My daughter is no longer here, and you obviously have given me my choice. In fact it is obvious you are leaning over backwards to be the perfect gentleman.” That is exactly what he wanted her to think.

Gordon slipped his arm around her, “You still have a choice. And to set the record straight, I was being a gentleman for a definite reason. I wanted your full cooperation. In addition, I try to eliminate all distractions. You could be a very definite distraction. Just make sure the choice you are about to make is the one you want to make. I may not give you a second chance.”

“I have seriously considered that,” Katherine said as she slipped her arm around Gordon and snuggled into his arm. Gordon bent over and kissed her. She answered his kiss. “Besides,” she said, “I have decided you are not an ogre. I thought I’d see if I was right.”

“You realize that once this is finished, I will be gone. You may not see me again,” Gordon told her. “In this game there are no guarantees.” He might as well tell her the truth. It was a dangerous game he played. He was hoping she would not buy this story. He was hoping she might just be waiting for him when it was all over.

“You are gambling. Why can’t I?” Katherine remarked with a small smile.

“It’s your decision. I’m not going to argue you out of your choice,” was Gordon’s reply as he gathered her into his arms.

One day, after Gordon’s work was completed here, men came to take Katherine to her daughter. Gordon walked with her to take one last look out at the sea. “Will you look me up if you make it back?” Katherine asked him.

“Do you want me to?” Gordon asked turning to face her. She would be nice to come home to, Gordon thought. She would furnish a very nice cover, in case he might still want one.

“Yes, I do,” Katherine replied as she moved into his arms pulled him close and kissed him good-bye. Then she quickly turned and walked to where the men were waiting for her. They were to take her to her daughter. Now she would have to decide what she was going to do with her life. She knew she would be given a story to tell as to what she had been doing during this time. She would do exactly as they told her. Katherine knew Gordon’s safety might depend upon it. She wanted nothing to happen to this man, whom she figured had saved her and her daughter’s lives. Gordon had told her, it was the best way to do the job he had to do. As far as he was concerned, that really was the case. She told Gordon, it really didn’t matter why he did it. The result was all she cared about.

She wanted to continue the education she had interrupted when she had married and had Ceiley. That would not be easy now. She was alone with her daughter. She had no one to help her. Katherine was determined to make it work for Ceiley’s sake. Actually she would have help, but Katherine would not know from where it came. She had her suspicions. She also was sure she would be watched from now on. She wasn’t so sure she’d be really comfortable about this. However she knew it had its benefits. Besides, she knew she would have to accept it. She had inadvertently gotten herself mixed in intelligence operations. She would have to live with that until the war ended.

Gordon knew he would be able the track her down if he was lucky and made it back. He had not intended to become involved with her, but he had. She would not be easy to forget. He did not ask her to wait for him. He had no right to do that. He might not make it back. Besides he could not make up his mind whether she might complicate his life. Besides, he had a feeling Katherine and Ceiley had enough of life’s hard knocks already.

During the next several years, Katherine was able to complete her education and eke out a reasonable living for herself and her daughter. Ceiley was now eight-years-old, and beginning to show she probably would have her mother’s beauty as well as her auburn hair. Katherine had a number of offers of marriage during those years, but she couldn’t seem to forget that man who had saved her life. Yes, she knew that is what he had done, although he never claimed that. She also knew he had done that as an incidental part of a job he had to do. She knew that was the truth. She knew they were lucky that he was able to do his job without endangering theirs. It wasn’t that she felt she owed him something, that she couldn’t forget him. It was because she had fallen in love with him, during that short time they spent together in that house. Katherine kept hoping she would hear from him. Hostilities had now been over for several months. She still heard no word. She was beginning to be afraid he never made it back.

When word of Gordon finally came, it did not come from him. Actually Gordon was not sure that he would seek her out. It came from the man who had been in charge of the group that had taken her to her daughter. He was a good friend of Gordon’s. He kept track of Katherine through those years. He called one day. He told her she might like to know Gordon Dietrich was in a military hospital near London. Gordon contracted a deadly disease on his last assignment. By the time he was able to make it back to friendly territory, he was in a weakened condition. His dangerous game had almost cost him his life. Now he really was fighting for his life. Katherine immediately packed a bag for herself and Ceiley and gathered together what money she could. Then she left for the town where the hospital was located. She was able to find a small room for herself and her daughter not far from the hospital. A friend of Gordon’s arranged so she would be able to see Gordon as soon as he could have visitors. The friend had not told Gordon anything about this. Three days after she arrived, she was informed he was finally on the road to recovery. He could now have a visitor for a very short time.

When Katherine walked into his room, he was sitting on a chair. Gordon was very thin and weak looking. Gordon looked totally surprised when he saw who it was. “How did you find out I was here?” he asked her. He hadn’t expected this. He hadn’t made up his mind if he should try to find her.

“A mutual friend called me and told me you were here. Didn’t you want me to come?” Katherine asked him fighting back the tears at seeing this man in such a condition.

He had to think fast. He hoped he make it sound like he was real happy she was here. “I was waiting until I was sure I was going to make it. Then as soon as I was strong enough, I was going to start looking for you.” Then he added with a weak smile, “Someone else must have been keeping track of you. How is your daughter?’