“Thank you, Frances. Have a seat, Dot.”
She rushed forward. “What is it? Is it Gus? Please, sir. What does it say?”
“It’s not Gus, but you do need to hear this.” He cleared his throat then looked directly at her. “It’s your classmate, Ruby. She and Gordon have been in France, as you know.”
She stared at her boss, taken by surprise. Did she see tears in his eyes?
“They were ambushed last night,” he said. “I regret to inform you that Ruby was killed.”
Dot sank into the chair, numb with disbelief.
“A terrible loss,” he said gruffly. He passed her his handkerchief. “Everyone here knows what we signed up for. Especially with a war on. We know what can happen. But this kind of news never gets any easier. Ruby was a crackerjack agent, and I know she was your friend. I’m very sorry, Dot.”
Dot stared at the note on his desk. She saw Ruby’s wide grin again,the way she could never wait to get to the explosives field, and those bouncing brown curls Dot had watched while she ran laps around the track.I’ll bring you something from France when I’m back.
She looked at Gerald helplessly.
“She told me you were one of her inspirations for getting through this programme, Dot. Did you know that?”
Dot blinked, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Give it time,” he said gently. Then he tapped the note. “On a brighter note, this was sent by Gordon two hours ago. Here’s the frequency. Find him. Gordon will find Gus.”
... . . -.- .. -. --. / --. / -... ..- .-. .-. / .-. -.... ---.. ----- .---- --...
Seeking G Burr R68017
Gordon replied almost immediately.
--. / -... ..- .-. .-. / .-. -.... ---.. ----- .---- --... / .-. . -.-. . .. ...- . -..
G Burr R68017 Received
Dot focused on her pulse, keeping it regular. Nothing was guaranteed, but she was one step closer. She tapped straight through to him.
- .... .. ... / .. ... / -.. --- - .-.-.- / ...- . .-. -.-- / ... --- .-. .-. -.-- / .- -... --- ..- - / .-. ..- -... -.-- .-.-.- / .. / ... . . -.- / --. ..- ... .-.-.- / .--. . .-. ... --- -. .- .-.. / . -- . .-. --. . -. -.-. -.-- .-.-.-
This is Dot. Very sorry about Ruby. I seek Gus. Personal emergency.
.... --- .-.. -.. / --- -.
Hold on
--. ..- ... / .... . .-. . .-.-.- / --. --- / -.. --- -
Gus here. Go Dot
At first, she couldn’t breathe, then she almost sobbed with relief. It was almost like hearing his voice, and she longed to talk with him without the dots and dashes between them.Thank God you’re alive!she wanted to say, but there was no time.
She tapped her message through:Dash missing since June 4. Honorine area.
There was a beat, then:
-- .. ... ... .. -. --. ..--..
Missing?
As she prepared to answer, a stream of sound came through.
