The Oslo Affair (Shadows of War, #2) CW Browning (sci fi books to read TXT) 📖

turned to hurry away from the prone figure in the shadows. A moment later she reached the busy street and emerged from the alley. Shoving her hands deep in her pockets, Evelyn strode away from The Strand, blending into the throngs of other well-dressed pedestrians and disappearing into the growing shadows.

Chapter Twenty-Four

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As the lift attendant opened the latticed gate, Anna took a deep, silent breath before stepping out into the lobby. When she’d opened the door to the porter upstairs, she’d caught sight of a man hurriedly disappearing around the corner at the end of the corridor. Even though she knew the Germans were watching the room, she had still felt a surge of fear at the visual confirmation. When she left the room with the porter a few minutes later, there was no sign of him, but she knew he was still there.

Just as his companions were all over the lobby and outside.

Squaring her shoulders, she walked across the large, tiled lobby towards the desk. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Herr Renner step out from behind the very column she had stood behind this morning. Ignoring the sudden trembling in her legs, she went to the front desk, trying desperately to act as if everything was completely normal. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and by the time she reached the support of the smooth wood counter, she was convinced that her entire body was shaking. The concierge didn’t appear to notice anything the matter, however, as he came over with a ready smile.

“Ah, Miss Salvesen,” he greeted her. “I understand you’re leaving us.”

“Yes.” Anna set her purse down, relieved when her voice came out clear and steady. “Miss Richardson ran into an old friend this afternoon. She has a house in the city and invited us to stay with her. Miss Richardson felt it would be impolite to refuse.”

“I understand completely.” The concierge turned to retrieve the registration card from the drawer on the wall behind him. “Shall I forward the bill to her new address?”

“No. I’ll settle it now.”

“Very good.” He returned with the card and handed it to her. “If you could just sign under Miss Richardson’s signature there.”

Anna picked up the pen and signed her name, conscious of the pair of dark eyes watching her every move and listening to the conversation. Herr Renner had moved close by, apparently waiting patiently for the concierge to finish with her. When she finished, she opened her purse and extracted the money Maggie had given her earlier. She carefully counted out the correct amount, passing it to the man, then added a rather large addition for him.

“Miss Richardson extends her gratitude for a delightful stay,” she told him with a smile.

He inclined his head and pocketed the extra smoothly. “It was our pleasure. Shall I call a car for you?”

“That’s not necessary. Her friend is having one sent round.” Anna picked up her purse and glanced towards the entrance. “It should be here now. Thank you very much for everything.”

“Our pleasure. I sincerely hope you’ll visit The Strand again.”

Anna smiled and turned away from the desk, motioning for the porter to follow. As she turned, her eyes met Herr Renner’s and a shock went through her. There was nothing but polite disinterest in his face, however, and she turned to walk towards the entrance, exhaling silently. His eyes had been cold and impersonal, but there was no doubt that he had been watching her very closely.

Resisting the urge to look back over her shoulder, she continued across the lobby, forcing her stride to remain unhurried. She mustn’t appear to be rushing. Maggie had been very clear about that.

Maggie had been very clear about a lot of things in the few hours they had spent rushing around the city, preparing for their elaborate charade. While they hurriedly gathered appropriate clothing and accessories to aid in their performance, Maggie had gone over her plan in detail, stressing the importance of both timing and calm. She should never appear hesitant or unsure. The best disguise was confidence. Anna’s lips twitched at the corners as she remembered that particular instruction. She had laughed, but Maggie had been deadly serious. It was human nature, she explained. Present a confident appearance and very few will challenge that image. And she had been right. Herr Renner was watching, but he was making no move to stop her. He couldn’t afford to. She was a respected guest until she walked out that door.

She just had to make it past the short man whom she’d seen earlier and who was standing just inside the entrance, talking to another gentleman.

Maggie had been right about it all. The man in the hallway, the men in the lobby, and even Herr Renner. As soon as she stepped out of the hotel room, all eyes were on her. They wanted to know where she was going. In the absence of their true target, she was the next best thing. Maggie had assured her they would swarm to her like bees, and that was just what they were doing.

“Excuse me, Miss!”

A deep voice called suddenly behind her. He spoke in Norwegian and Anna knew without turning that it was Renner. Her breath caught in her throat and her stomach clenched as she turned, pausing a few feet from the door. Renner was striding towards her quickly, something in his hand.

“I believe you dropped this,” he said, holding out his hand.

Anna stopped just short of letting out a gasp. He held a handkerchief that was most definitely hers. She had left it on the table in the sitting room earlier this morning. She’d completely forgotten about it, but now she stared at it in bemusement. It hadn’t been there when she was hastily gathering everything a few moments before.

“Oh!” she said, realizing that he was waiting for an answer. “Thank you!”

She reached out to take it but as her fingers touched it, it drifted to