Silent Killing Page 2
“All aboard!” the conductor shouted, then began walking alongside the coaches, slamming the doors closed as he passed them.
Alice breathed heavily. Moving forward, she stepped up into the coach. The conductor—directly behind her, slammed the door shut. She was now on her way to Liverpool Docks.
•••
After sitting for nearly an hour, Alice decided to take herself to the restaurant car, where she would order herself a cup of tea and a sandwich. She stood up, the coach rocked and swayed as the train—at high speed, drove over the tracks. Alice held on to the edge of each seat as she walked past, steadying herself as best she could. There were those who looked up from their newspapers, or books, their eyes coldly glaring at her for being disturbed. She wondered if any of these people were also travelling to the same destination as she was. It unnerved her to think that she may not be alone after all.
Sitting at a table in the restaurant car, she ordered a cup of tea and a ham sandwich. She stared out of the window, sighting the lush green fields with leafless trees, farmhouses, and country lanes as the train powered along the tracks. A man stood in the aisle by her seat, Alice caught a glimpse of his reflection in the window—she turned her head sharply, looking over her shoulder—her eyes absorbing as much detail about him. He was tall, slender, wearing a single-breasted grey suit and a bowler hat. He appeared to be in his mid-thirties, his dark-hair sprinkled with flecks of grey, gave her that notion.
He touched the brim of his hat and tipped it politely. “It seems that this car is jam-packed, would you mind if I sit on the empty seat on the other side of your table?”
Alice glanced around the car. Seeing that there was no other empty seat, she relaxed her shoulders. The corners of her mouth lifted into a polite smile. “It seems as though you may be right. Please, do sit down.”
He removed his hat and sat down opposite her. Brushing his hand through his hair, to smooth it out, he caught the waiter’s attention by raising his other hand and clicking his fingers.
The waiter acknowledged him and made his way over. “Yes, Sir, what can I get you?”
The man, leaning slightly forward, inquisitively arched an eyebrow as he looked at Alice’s plate. “I’ll have the same as the lady, please.”
“Very well, Sir,” the waiter replied.
Alice, her elbow rested on the table and her chin propped into her fisted hand, continued to look out of the window.
“Please excuse my bad manners for not introducing myself. My name’s George…George Hamilton,” he said suavely.
Slowly moving her stare from the window towards George, Alice picked up her cup and sipped her tea. “Alice Bennet,” she quietly informed him. “So, George, where are you headed to, or is that a top secret?”
George smirked. “Now, that would be telling, wouldn’t it? This war has so many people believing that the world is filled with secret agents and spies. Tell me, Alice Bennet, on first impressions, would you really class me as one?”
Alice put her cup down on the saucer. “Well, you’ve certainly drawn attention to yourself by not answering a simple question with a simple answer, now haven’t you? So my first impression of you, George Hamilton, is one of suspicion.”
“And here’s me thinking that I was going to have a boring journey. I’m on my way to visit my family. I’m a pilot in the RAF, homeward bound before I’m sent back out to Germany, to fight once again. And you, what is it that’s brought you on your journey?”
Alice didn’t expect to be asked by anyone why she was travelling. A quick response was necessary. Frowning, she looked him directly in his dark-brown eyes. “I report on the war for a London newspaper. I can’t say that its anything compared to what you do.”
The waiter brought over George’s order. Carrying it on a tray, he placed the cup and saucer down on the table in front of George and then a ham sandwich on a plate. He then turned the cup the right way up and poured hot tea into it.
“Thank you,” George said to him, with a delightful tone. With his elbows placed firmly onto the edge of the table, he rested his chin on his clasped hands. “I wouldn’t say that reporting on the war doesn’t have its risks. Surely you’ve come across scenes of chaos and destruction, misery caused by families torn apart through death. You report from sites that have been bombed. There are risks being taken, even if you don’t know it.”
Concentrating on the way that George had confidently positioned himself, Alice was made aware that he had natural flaws. His upper-lip seemed to drag to the left when he spoke. Whether he was aware of this fact himself, she wasn’t sure. His eyes were not truly asymmetric, one appeared to have a heavier eyelid than the other. The lines on his face etched a story of a good life and the crows-feet around his eyes gave away that he was a man of smiles, perhaps even laughter. Alice had surprised herself with how much information she had been able to absorb in such little time. She wondered if this was what James and Robert had seen in her ability to help in the war effort.
Chapter Two
Approaching Birmingham, the train slowed down. This city too, had sustained many strikes from German Luftwaffe bombers. To the east of the city, rising smoke dominated the skyline and as the train drew closer to New Street Station, it became apparent that many buildings had already fallen victim to the war.
Alice, who had gone back to her compartment, looked on through the window, watching travellers leave the train and new ones board. Many looked exhausted, others, fearful, as they said goodbye to their loved ones, women persistently kissing their husband or lover, perhaps thinking that this may be the last time they’ll ever do so. Not one was without tears, as their significant other prised themselves away from clutches of their loving arms.
The platform conductor walked along, slamming the carriage doors closed. He blew his whistle. Steam hissed and rose from beneath the train, the brakes were released and then the wheels began to move. Through the steam, white handkerchiefs’ were waved in the air by the sad wives and girlfriends, cries came from those who were saying goodbye, perhaps knowing that this was the last possible chance of ever seeing each other. These images were not that uncommon as the war went on but for each human being involved, it had become their own personal conflict.
The journey took them through Stoke-On-Trent and then on through Runcorn, Warrington and to the trains final destination—Liverpool, Lime Street.
Alice removed her suitcase from the luggage rack above her and made her way to the open carriage door. She stepped down onto the platform, ghostly merging with many of the other passengers, who were all headed for the same source—Albert Docks.
Significant damage to the docks and surrounding buildings from recent bomb strikes, meant extra security had been placed. Alice didn’t know whether she should feel scared that this area was a main target, or thankful that the military were a sure sign of protection.
Two soldiers had been stationed to check everyone’s papers and tickets, ensuring that only legitimate travellers would be boarding their respective vessels. Alice, with her ticket and papers in her hand, joined the queue of people, who handed the soldiers their documents and in return, were directed where they were to go. She shuffled forward, as the people ahead of her headed to their ship.
When she handed her papers and ticket to the soldier, he held them in his hands and looked at them carefully. “Where are you headed?” he asked firmly—his eyes still reading over the paperwork. Alice hesitated to answer. The lack of her response caused the soldier to raise his eyes. His glare was non-friendly. “Miss. Bennet, I asked you a question, please answer immediately, or I’ll be forced to turn you away.”
Alice gripped the handle of her suitcase so hard, that they became clammy, even though the temperature was 34 ºF. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude,” she answered swiftly.
“Tell him where you’re going, lady, so we can all get to where we’re going,” a man behind her said, frustrated with the inconvenience of waiting.
“Miss. I’m going to have to ask you to step aside,” the soldier informed her.
“Canada. I’m going to Ontario, Canada,” she quietly enlightened him.
The soldier glared hard at her for a moment, then scanned the paperwork again. He handed them back to her and directed her behind him to his left. “That way, Miss.”
Alice raised her eyes to peer over his shoulder. Beyond him was a walkway between two unused five-storey buildings. The windows on the lower levels had been boarded up and the higher levels—almost all were broken, or completely missing. It was derelict and had become a nesting ground for the seagulls.
The heels of Alice’s shoes tapped loudly, as she quickly walked over the bricked thruway. Emerging from the buildings, to her left and her right, she was presented with partially destroyed warehouses and debris and in front of her, the ship that she was to board, docked and ready for sail. Wrought iron posts connected with chains, lined the edge, leaving a gap for passengers to step onto the gangplank. Seagulls flew in circles above the docks, squawking and swooping low, just above people’s heads. The clean salty air was refreshing to breathe in—Alice inhaled deeply.
She stepped on to the gangplank and showed her ticket to the purser.
Smiling, he took it from her. “Thank you, Miss. Bennet. Welcome aboard.”
•••
Booked into a small cabin, Alice had slept for several hours. She awoke at 8:a.m. and felt most put out by the lateness. After dressing, she headed straight for the restaurant. On the deck were passengers taking in the sea air, some oblivious to the worries of war and others petrified that a U Boat could be anywhere below the surface of the sea and target this ship at any time, even though it was secured by a strong military presence, who maintained a watchful lookout on a 24-hour surveillance. Guns had been attached to the deck and soldiers on guard next to them. A sergeant kept a lookout with his binoculars and even men in suits walked the length of the deck, constantly watching the sea for any sign of discrepancy.
A breakfast of toast, sausages and bacon with a side of baked beans, was on the menu. Alice was seated and immediately, the waiter carried a tray with a pot of hot tea and a small jug of milk. He poured it into a cup for her and then added the milk. Shortly after, he returned with a plate of food for her.
“Thank you,” she said to him. She ate slowly, pushing her food around the plate with her fork. Although the restaurant was busy with hungry travellers, conversations were kept low-key, practically mumbling. For some reason, Alice felt suspicious about everyone on board.
‘Hello again, Miss. Bennet,” a man’s voice said from behind her.
Alice turned her head slowly. Glancing over her shoulder, she recognised that George was the person speaking to her. “What on earth?” Feeling bothered, a twitch pulsated in the corner of her eye.
“Please don’t be alarmed.” He sat down in the seat opposite her. “I’m not following you, not in the way that you think I am anyway. One of the reasons that I am here, is because it was my job to make sure that you boarded the ship and if you didn’t, then I would report back to James and Robert and we would find another way to persuade you. It must all sound so suspicious, mustn’t it?”
Alice pressed her finger to her eye, to try to control the pulsating twitch. “I don’t know whether to find you most annoying, arrogant, or just plain stupid.”
“I was the gentleman who called out behind you in the queue yesterday. I thought for sure that you would look back and at least cuss me out for my rude behaviour.”
“That was you? Do you know how scared I was? I have no idea what I’ve let myself in for and for you to try and make matters worse, well, I find that totally insane.”
George picked up the folded napkin on the table and placed it over his lap. “Even soldiers hate it when people get restless. I could read the expressions on their faces. They wanted you to move along just as much as I did. I just gave them a little push to quicken things up.”
The pupils of Alice’s eyes dilated to their fullest, filling her irises with the blackest of black. “I would appreciate a little tact if we are to suddenly find that our paths cross again, is that clear, Mr. Hamilton, if that is your real name?”
“My dear, Alice.”
“Do not call me your dear. You know absolutely nothing about me.”
George shifted in his seat. “I can assure you that I know all there is to know about you. How do you think information was reported back to James and Robert? You’re going to find that you’ll be meeting a lot more people like myself, be prepared, Alice Bennet. You will soon be entering a world so different from the world you already know. All rules will change, trust me. You will have to think quickly, even while you sleep, you’ll have to be alert. Those shoes that you’re wearing, you won’t be needing them for a while, not until the commanding officer orders you to. You’ll be just like one of the boys and trained like them too.”
Sitting up straight, Alice checked the time on her wrist watch. “I’m sure that I’m quite capable of doing whatever it is that any male counterpart can do. You seem to have pre-judged me, Mr. Hamilton.”
George picked up his cup and blew over the hot tea. His lips parted slightly as he placed the edge of the cup to his mouth and sipped his drink. “You woke later than your predictable time of 7.30 this morning.”
Her eyes narrowing, Alice cocked her head. Her voice was stern. “That’s because I’ve been travelling for some hours. I’m exhausted.”
“Touché,” George answered, bridled with a great smile. “Well, being as we’re both headed for the same destination, we’ll probably be travelling together in the same transport, once we reach Canada. Let’s say that we hold a truce for now.”
Relaxing back in her seat, Alice tightened her lips and exhaled heavily through her nose. “I’ll hold a truce but just so you know, it’s because I don’t feel comfortable about doing this on my own. Once we’re where we need to get to, I may just change my mind.”
•••
Ten days later, the ship docked in the industrial Port of Churchill, in the Hudson Bay. A car and driver had been appointed to pick up both passengers directly from the dock. George carried his own small case, leaving Alice to carry her own, as they walked down the gangplank. They were the only two people leaving the ship at this dock, as it wasn’t on the scheduled route. Secrecy was key to their cause, in which Alice would find that out soon enough.
It was mainly open land, almost abandoned looking, apart from the few small buildings standing close to the dock. The cold wind blew strong, whipping up around their bodies. Alice shivered and had to hold on to her hat.
“After you, Miss. Bennet,” George offered, with his hand extended, guiding Alice to the waiting car.
The driver, a quiet man dressed in a smart single-breasted suit, took both suitcases and placed them in the boot of the ‘1941 model’ grey Dodge. He nodded at George and then opened the back passenger door and waited for them both to get in, closing it gently behind them.
Mainly grassland and trees surrounded them and as the evening sky turned into night, there was absolutely nothing for Alice to look at out of the window. “I take it that you’ve been here before?” she asked George.
“On more than one occasion. Carl is my usual driver, aren’t you, Carl?” He reached his hand out and patted Carl on his shoulder.
“Yes, Mr. Hamilton,” he replied.
“You’ll also find that the time difference here, will make you quite weary for the next few days but you’ll soon adapt, everyone does.”
Her eyes lowered, Alice brushed her hand over the beige leather seat. “What am I even doing here, George? What compelled me to just suddenly jump into something that I’m not even sure of?”
“Perhaps you possess the same attributes that your brother did. I knew him.”
Alice whipped her head up—her eyes wide, she glared at him. “You knew my brother?”
Carl, listening to their conversation, knew how important it
was to keep information secret. He sped the car up and drove around a corner at fast speed, causing Alice and George to slide to the left-side of the back seat.
“Steady on, Carl,” George told him firmly.
Carl looked in the rear-view mirror. “Sorry, Sir. It’s dark and the headlights aren’t that bright. These roads are tricky to drive on.”
The car journey continued for another three hours, driving through sheer country and then deep into forestation. At 12:45a.m. they drove along a narrow dirt track road, protected by dense foliage, tall trees and ferns covering the ground. Civilization was miles away.
By 1:15a.m. Carl stopped the car in front of a fenced area. An armed military guard stepped in front of the vehicle—the headlights shone in his face. With a blank expression, he walked to the driver’s side of the car. Carl wound the window down. The military guard held his hand out. “Your papers, please.” Carl leaned over to the passenger’s side and opened the glove-box. He pulled out his papers and handed them to the guard. The guard shone his torch over the papers and read the details, then handed them back. He leaned down and peered at the two passengers in the back of the vehicle. “Your papers, please.”
Alice opened her handbag and pulled out her papers—she handed them over to the guard, then George pulled his papers from his inside jacket pocket and handed them over. The guard checked them over and once he was satisfied, he handed them back and opened a linked-fence gate. He waved the torch for them to continue through. Carl put the car into first gear and drove into the hidden camp.
It was pitch black and even with the headlights lighting up the tree trunks, it was still hard to see the road. They drove another ten minutes deeper into the secluded camp. Alice drummed her fingers on her handbag—she was nervous. She stared hard through the window, trying to catch sight of any building in the distance but the denseness prevented her from seeing anything.