Chapter 9

'I wonder how Maisie's doing.' Carter remarked, tossing a card from his hand back onto the pile. 'You think she made it to the Gustavssons' alright?'

'I'm sure she made it.' Kinch reassured him, and took another card from the deck. 'It's only been a few days, Carter. I'm sure that she'll send us word as soon as she can.'

'I sure hope she did. It's different without her being around.'

LeBeau returned to the table, picking up his hand as he sat down. 'If it wasn't for Colonel Crittendon, she'd never have left in the first place.' He glanced towards the colonel's office, where both Crittendon's and Newkirk's voices rang out loudly. 'How much longer will those two be at each other's throats?'

'Who knows-' Kinch took another card. 'Newkirk's been in a mood since Maisie left.'

'I think she had the right idea.' Carter looked over his hand carefully. 'Getting out while the going was good. Kinda wished I'd gotten the chance to go with her.'

'Like it or not, we're stuck here, Andrew.'

'A guy can always wish, can't he? Gin.'

LeBeau tossed his hand down on the table as Carter began shuffling the cards again. 'That's the third round you've won this afternoon.'

'Shall we make it a fourth?' Carter asked.

'I'm out.' Kinch stood and went over to the stove, the voices in the office getting louder. He looked up from his mug, shaking his head. 'Sure is getting heated in there.'

'Should we go in and break it up?' LeBeau questioned, with concern.

No sooner had the words left his mouth, the door opened, Newkirk slamming it shut behind himself as he stormed out. 'That man is impossible!'

Carter began to laugh. 'Took you that long to figure it out?'

'What's the verdict about tonight, Newkirk?' LeBeau spoke up. 'Is the mission on or off?'

'He says it's on, I say it's off. It's too bloody risky, especially with the number of patrols out at that bridge.' He replied, as he took a seat at the table, pulling his cigarette packet from his pocket to have a smoke. 'If Colonel Hogan was here, he'd come up with some plan other than us getting caught or worse.'

'London's not going to be happy.' Kinch remarked dryly.

'And I already have all the explosives ready, too.' Carter sighed heavily. 'Be a shame to waste them.'

'If you three want to go out there with Crittendon and commit sucide, be my guest, but I'm not stepping a foot near that bloody bridge.'

LeBeau spoke up after a moment. 'So, what do we do now, then?'

Newkirk took a long puff of his cigarette, his nerves starting to calm down. 'I don't know, Louis.' He thought over their predicament again, trying to come up with some kind of solution. 'Kinch, get on the radio to London. Tell them the situation and ask again if they've got someone who can come take over besides our bloody nuisance.' Kinch nodded as he stood, and after a moment, the radioman had disappeared down into the tunnel. 'How does London expect us to get anything done with someone like Crittendon in charge?'

'They're crazy, if you ask me.' LeBeau added. 'Wanting us to blow up a bridge with twenty guards patrolling it.'

'Colonel Hogan would have come up with some idea, and it would have worked.' Carter said sadly. 'And if he didn't, Maisie would have. That plan of hers to blow up the refinery was brilliant.'

LeBeau smiled a little at the mention of the teen. 'I wonder what she's up to now.'

'Probably taking a well deserved rest.' Newkirk replied. 'We haven't heard a word from her yet?' Carter and LeBeau both shook their heads, and he sighed. 'I sure hope she's alright.'

'You miss her, don't you,' Carter said.

'What gave you that bloody idea?'

'Oh, I don't know-' Carter shrugged. 'Perhaps maybe the fact you've been like a bear with a sore paw since she left.'

'I don't know about you guys, but I do miss ma petite.' LeBeau spoke up. 'It's not the same with her gone.'

'We all know who we can thank for her leaving, too. If it wasn't for him, she'd never have left.' Newkirk sighed. 'Couldn't even carry out Colonel Hogan's wishes for her to be taken care of.'

LeBeau placed his hand on Newkirk's arm. 'Don't be so hard on yourself. You did the best that you could. That's all he ever expected.'

'He's right-' Carter agreed. 'You did a better job then we could have.'

'Thanks, mates.' He smiled sadly. 'I just pray she's alright. I don't think we could stand losing her, too.'

A shiver of apprehension ran up Maisie's spine as she rode Jenny's bicycle up the drive of her Uncle's old house. The past few days she'd spent at the Gustavssons' farm had been anything but relaxing, both her and Willy throwing themselves wholeheartedly into investigating Colonel Hogan's death. Their leads had led her to here. To meet with the agent who had been stationed in her Uncle's place. The agent that now lived where she'd once resided.

As she got closer, she could see the flower beds at the front gate had been replanted; her Aunt's rose bush beside the white picket gate had also been trimmed. She smiled a little seeing that the gardens appeared to be receiving some care. Her Aunt loved working in the garden, and her rose bushes had been her favorite flowers. At least they're getting looked after, she thought, as she came to a stop, climbing off the bike to open the gate to the front yard.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped through the gate, pushing the bike the rest of the way up the walk and leaned it against the porch post. She hadn't returned to the house since she'd run away from the camp all those months ago. Her heart beat faster as she started up the stairs, taking another deep breath, then rapped on the door.

After a moment, she could hear the sound of footsteps coming towards the door, and she swallowed hard as it opened.

'Can I help you?'

'I'm looking for a White Rose?'

The woman smiled. 'I am White Rose. You must be Little Bear. I've been expecting you. Come in.'

'Thank you.' Maisie stepped inside, the door being closed behind her.

'Would you like some refreshments?'

'Some water would be nice. It's a long ride.'

'Of course. This way.'

The teen looked around the house as she followed the woman into the kitchen, seeing most of the furniture that had been there before was still there. It didn't appear that much change had happened in her absence. In a way, seeing the house being close to what she remembered it had looked like helped calm her nerves slightly.

'Have a seat.' The woman offered, motioning to the sitting room. 'I won't be long.'

Maisie nodded and made her way into the room, smiling a little as she recognized her Aunt's vase on the table holding fresh flowers. Her Uncle's chair had been repaired too, sitting in its place beside the stove and a stack of old books sat next to it. Except for Allie, her Aunt's cat, missing from the scene, everything was almost the same as she remembered and almost expected her Aunt to call her to dinner. Many nights had been spent in the sitting room, the family gathered around the stove to read, and she smiled sadly at the memories.

'Here you are-' The woman returned and handed her a glass. The two of them took a seat. 'I'm Matilda. It's nice to meet you-.'

'Maisie.' The teen replied, with a small smile, taking a sip of the cool water.

'It must be different, having someone new in your family's house.' Matilda continued, after a moment. 'I heard about what happened. I was sorry to hear about your family. Your Uncle was a good man. I worked with him on a few occasions.'

'Thank you.' She smiled sadly again, placing the empty glass on the coffee table. 'I understand you've been stationed here for a few months now. Have you had any problems?'

'None so far. However, I have had to exercise additional caution. The Gestapo has been more active around this area lately. You took a great chance coming here to see me.'

'I'm afraid it was unavoidable-' She stood, going over to the window to look out. 'I'm after some information, if you can help me.'

'I was told you were going to drop by. I'll do what I can. What are you in need of?'

'Information about Colonel Hogan's death.' Maisie returned to her seat, satisfied that everything outside seemed to be in order. 'You hear about his death?'

Matilda nodded. 'I have.'

'I know it's an unusual request so long after he was reported as being killed, but I was hoping that perhaps you might have a contact who would be able to enlighten the Underground further as to the circumstances surrounding his death.'

She raised her eyebrows. 'That's a tall order.'

'Can you help?'

'I don't know.' She thought for a moment. 'There is a contact who works in the Dusseldorf Gestapo headquarters. If I can get word to him, he might be able to help. I can't promise anything, though. I don't even know if he is still there. He might have been found out by now.'

'I understand.' Maisie nodded. 'Anything, any information at all, would be a great help.'

'I'll see what I can do.'

'Are you sure you don't want help cleaning up?' Maisie questioned, taking her empty plate to the sink. 'I'm happy to help-'

'I won't hear of it,' Jenny said, as she added the plate to the washing. 'You need to rest after that long ride. How is your arm?'

'It's alright.'

'I saw you rubbing it during dinner. I'd say it's not quite 'alright', is it?'

'Guess you got me there.' She replied, as she felt her cheeks warm. 'This glove helps so much, but holding onto the bicycle handlebars for so long was too much in one go.'

'See? Go on, now. Go get some rest. You've done enough for one day.'

Maisie smiled a little. 'Alright. Thank you.'

'There's some cookies in the cupboard, if you want any. Help yourself.'

She giggled as she found the jar and took one. 'You're too kind. You spoil me.'

'It's nothing.' Jenny smiled kindly. 'I'm glad you like them so much.'

'I do. They're my favorite. Just don't tell LeBeau,' she said, as she headed out of the kitchen, making her way into the living room. The room was vacant as she walked in, Willy having gone out after supper to tend to the livestock for the night. From the window, she could look out at the fields beyond, the sun sinking on the horizon.

Why did you try to get away from the Gestapo, Papa, she questioned in her mind, leaning on the window frame as she looked out of the glass. The question had been playing over and over in her mind, but she hadn't been able to find an answer. So far, she hadn't heard anything back from Matilda or anyone from the Underground, and she had a feeling that it would take some time before they found anything. I wonder if they will find anything, she mused, nibbling away at the cookie. Did she really want to know what had happened?

I deserve to know what really happened, she decided, after a moment, trying to ease the worry in her mind. Perhaps it was better if she didn't know what had happened. What if the truth was worse than she'd been led to believe? It couldn't be any worse than what they had been told...could it be?

'You've been standing at that window for the last hour,' Jenny said, interrupting the girl's thoughts as she joined her, the sun long gone down the horizon. 'Thinking again?'

Maisie nodded. 'I just don't know if I want to know the truth. I mean, Papa's dead, right? On the other hand, maybe, there's just the slim possibility that he could be alive…' She sighed heavily. 'I just don't know.'

'Maisie, honey-' Jenny whispered gently, taking the open book from her lap and laying it back on the coffee table. 'Maisie-' The teen woke up with a startle at her hand being placed on her shoulder, then calmed when she realized it was only the older woman. She smiled at her. 'I think it's time for you to go to bed.'

'Mmm. Did I fall asleep reading again?'

She nodded. 'The third time this evening.'

Maisie giggled, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, then yawned. 'I don't know what's wrong with me. I just feel so tired.'

'Of course you are. You've been working overtime this week, my dear. You need to get some rest.'

'And I'll second that-' Willy agreed, looking over his newspaper at her. 'So tomorrow, you're not lifting a finger.'

'I don't mind helping out around here-'

'You fell asleep at your plate during dinner. I think you certainly deserve a rest.'

'It does sound kind of intriguing-' She giggled softly. While she had been waiting for news about Colonel Hogan, she'd thrown herself into as much work as she could do, just so she didn't have to think about things. 'Alright, alright. You win.' She covered her mouth when she went to yawn again, going to stand, when a knock sounded on the back door.

Willy frowned, placing his newspaper aside as he stood. 'I wonder who that is at this hour.'

'You best go hide-' Jenny prompted, with concern. 'Just in case.'

Maisie nodded and made herself scarce, listening carefully from her hiding place. She frowned, unable to make out the conversation, and decided to wait until she was given the all clear.

'Sorry to bother you at this late hour-' Newkirk started, as Willy opened the door. 'But I was hopin' I might have a word with the little lady I believe is staying here.'

'Of course, come in, come in.' Willy invited warmly. 'She'll be glad to see you.'

'Maisie, you have a visitor,' Jenny called out. 'You can come out.'

The teen emerged from the hiding place in the staircase, following the voice into the hallway. Newkirk! She hurried towards him, throwing her arms around the surprised corporal. 'I've missed you, Newkirk!'

He chuckled, patting her back as he returned the embrace. 'And I've missed you too, hon. How have you been, little mate?'

'Good. Mrs. Gustavsson has been spoiling me.'

Jenny blushed, tousling the girl's hair. 'Oh you.'

Newkirk looked up at her. 'Has she, now?'

'Yep. You don't have to worry. I'm in very good hands.'

'Well, I sure am glad to hear that.' He smiled. 'I can't stay for long, but I had to come see if you were okay.'

'I am. I promise.'

'We'll leave you both to catch up,' Willy said. 'Good to see you, Newkirk.'

Newkirk nodded as he and Jenny disappeared out of the hallway. He turned back to Maisie. 'You have been good, I hope.'

'Of course, I have been good. I'm always good.' She replied with a grin, stepping back. 'Why don't we go into the kitchen. You can try one of these cookies Mrs. Gustavsson baked for me.' She led the way into the kitchen, lit the lamp on the table, then pulled the jar from the cupboard. 'How are things back home?'

'Crittendon's driving everyone bloody crazy-' He took a seat at the table beside her. 'And London still doesn't have anybody they can replace him with.'

She grimaced. 'Sounds like fun.'

'You have no ruddy idea what we've had to put up with. Believe me, you're the lucky one. I'd give my right arm to get outta that camp.'

Maisie raised an eyebrow. 'That bad, hey?'

'That bad, yes.'

'So, your little trip outside the wire to see me wasn't just solely because you wished to see my smiling face?' She teased, good naturedly. 'You just wanted to get away for the evening.'

'Guilty as charged.'

'I thought so.' Her grin widened. 'Apart from everyone's favorite colonel, how are things?'

'We're doin alright.' Newkirk shrugged, taking a bite from the cookie she handed to him. 'All of us are missin' you, though. Carter's been plump outta his mind with worry. He was the one who got me to come make sure you were okay.'

'I meant to send a word-' She returned the jar back to the cupboard, then sat at the table. 'But I just didn't get the chance to get it to you yet. The Gestapo have been a little more active than usual. The Underground is laying low, for the time being.'

'No surprises there. Only happened after Crittendon blew our sabotage on that convey. We haven't had a successful mission since his arrival.'

Maisie raised any eyebrow. 'Just how many missions have been requested?'

'Six.'

'You've failed six?' She coughed, with surprise. 'Oh boy, that's not good.'

'You're telling me.' He grumbled.

'I wish there was something I could do. Some way I could help.'

Newkirk patted her arm with a smile. 'Don't you worry 'bout it, hon. We'll figure something out, I'm sure. It's just good to see you're okay. How are you doing?'

'Oh, I'm alright-' She shrugged. 'Been helping out the Gustavssons where I can. Not much else to say, really.' She decided it was best she didn't mention to Newkirk about her chat with Matilda about Colonel Hogan. 'So yeah, just having a relaxing time while you guys get to deal with Crittendon.'

'Gee, thanks.' The teen grinned, and he rolled his eyes. 'You are really somethin', aren't you?'

Her grin widened, and she giggled. 'Mmhmm. Papa would say mischievous, conniving, cheeky, and a ton of others, if he were here.'

'I heard him refer to you as 'The Little Rascal' on more than one occasion.'

She laughed softly. 'Papa was right, I guess. I'm a little bit of a rascal, aren't I?'

'A little?'

'A little more than a little?'

'I'd say a ruddy full mile, young missie.'

'Is that a compliment or an insult?'

'Little of both, I think.'

Maisie shook her head with amusement, her expression sobering. 'It hurts so bad-' she said, after a long pause. 'I miss Papa so much.'

'We all do.' Newkirk consoled gently. 'We all do, but the G'vnor wouldn't want us to be sad he's gone. He'd want us to remember him with happiness, not sadness.'

'Maybe in time the memories will become sweeter and not so painful. I just miss him. His laugh-' She paused, her voice breaking. 'His hugs, just him. It just hurts so bad… I just want him here with me.

Newkirk gently took her little hand in his. 'I know, little one. I know.'

She lowered her head, her lip quivering. 'It's been over a month, yet it just feels like yesterday you were telling me he was gone. It's just not fair. Why did Papa have to die?'

'I'm still tryin' to figure that out, too, hon.'

Maisie took a deep breath, wrestling with her emotions. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to just blurt all that out. You didn't come here to listen to me-'

'Come here.' He interrupted gently, inviting her for a hug. The teen came over, sitting on his lap, resting her head against his shoulder as he held her. 'It's alright. I know your missin' him.'

'Does it ever get any easier losing someone you love?'

'Nope, but in time you learn to accept it. Deal with it.'

'I already lost my Mama, my Papa, my sister, my Uncle, my Aunt, my cousin. Now Colonel Hogan, too. How much more am I going to lose?' She closed her eyes, holding on tight to him. 'I'm scared. What if I lose you and Carter and-'

'Hush now, hon.' He interrupted gently, stroking her hair. 'We ain't going anywhere.'

'That's what they said, too.' She sniffled. 'Papa said I was brave and strong...I sure don't feel it right now.'

'No one expects you to be brave and strong all the time, Maisie. Sometimes we have to gain our strength from those around us.'

Maisie thought about what he said for a moment. 'That makes sense. I guess you're right.'

'I'm always right.'

She giggled. 'Yeah yeah.'

'You feel better now?'

'A little. Danke.'

He smiled and kissed her head. 'Glad to hear it, little one. You best scamper off to bed now. I'm gonna need to be on my way.'

'Can't you stay just a little longer?'

Newkirk looked at the pleading expression on her face, sighing softly. How could he say 'no' to her? She sure had him wrapped around her little finger. He chuckled and nodded. 'Alright, just a little longer.'

'Good. Can you sing me a song?'

'Don't push your luck, missie moo.'

'Please?'

He sighed again. 'Oh alright. You have somethin' in mind?'

'Something Papa used to sing to me.' She replied, with a contented smile. 'You choose.'

'You are my sunshine, my only sunshine…'