Lachlan winced. “We did consider that night.”
Her slim shoulders hunched up. “It looks as if I’m delaying, making excuses, disobeying his orders—which is exactly what I’m doing. He’ll know without a doubt. There are no—there are no solutions.”
“Wheesht, lass.” Lachlan shoved out of his chair, dropped to his knees before her, and gripped her hands in his. “I willnae let anything happen to you or your family. I willnae.” He could hear it—hear the love in his voice. And he didn’t care.
Her gaze dragged up to his, shimmering between blue and green, between trust and affection—and sadness. “I know. I know you would if you could.”
He couldn’t bear the grief in her eyes, in his heart, couldn’t bear the thought that he might not be able to protect her.
Lachlan enfolded her in his arms, pressed her head to his shoulder, and rocked her. Only the Lord could protect her.
41
Dunnet Head
Thursday, April 30, 1942
A light breeze played with Cilla’s skirt as Commander Yardley unlocked the door to the concrete hut on the lighthouse grounds.
In her mind, Cilla recited the lock’s combination, a combination she’d observed when they’d stored the German explosives inside and then the British limpet mines. A combination she’d secretly used late last night.
Lachlan stood nearby in his navy-blue uniform, solid and steady as always. The type of explosives the Germans sent needed to be placed inside the blockship to avoid detection by passersby—a dangerous operation Lachlan said he could not manage alone.
Instead, MI5 obtained limpet mines used by British special operatives. Acting alone, Lachlan could magnetically attach the mines to the blockship below the waterline, out of sight. The Germans wouldn’t know which type of device had been used—only that an explosion had occurred.
Yardley and Lieutenant Dobbs, an MI5 explosives expert, entered the concrete hut.
“Mackenzie, how many limpet mines will you need?” Yardley asked.
“Two and a half pounds of explosive in each, aye? Three should be plenty.”
Lieutenant Dobbs, a slender man wearing Army battledress, carried out a wooden crate. “We brought eight, so let’s send you with four. We want to give the Germans a jolly good show.”
“Eight?” Yardley called from inside. “We have only seven here.”
Because Cilla had hidden one in a suitcase under her bed. She raised her eyebrows as if surprised. “How odd. Do you think someone broke in—”
“Impossible.” Yardley stepped out of the hut, brushing off his hands. “This location is secure, and we’re the only ones who know the mines are here.”
A frown turned down the ends of Dobbs’s mustache. “I’m certain we brought eight.”
Cilla needed to distract them, so she raised a hesitant smile. “Perhaps you can sort this out later. You may want to begin training Lieutenant Mackenzie. Remember, he needs to return to Scapa Flow before sunset.”
“Aye, that’s when the booms close.” Lachlan let out a low grumble. “The sooner I return, the better. Commander Blake was very displeased when you summoned me today. And when you summon me again tomorrow ... I dinnae like it. I should supervise the explosion at Scapa.”
“It’s necessary.” Yardley crossed his arms. “You’ll plant the mines by daylight and set them to explode late at night to reduce the danger to vessels or civilians—and to be observed by our German guests. Whilst waiting, you’ll have supper at Lyness and—”
“But I’d return to the blockship.” Deep lines etched Lachlan’sforehead. “I’d never leave an explosion untended. If anyone were to wander into the area—”
“That’s why I’ll be there, disguised as a fisherman. I’ll secure the area.” Dobbs unpacked the mine, a great iron insect with six magnets for feet.
Yet light enough to carry in a suitcase, and Cilla shuffled her feet in the tufts of heather.
Yardley pulled a manual from the crate. “The risk of arrest would be too high if you were there. The timing on the fuses is not entirely precise. The mines may explode simultaneously or over a half-hour period, even an hour. After the first explosion, the base will sound an alert.”
“But I want to take responsibility,” Lachlan said.
“You will, but not from inside a cell. MI5 insisted. Besides, I want you here to protect Cilla.”
