Jennifer hears something, she is not sure. She rewinds. 'There is something there.'
She gets up, takes the tapes, unplugs the player and heads directly to his office and knocks.
"Come in."
A tired Commander Alastair Denniston smiles as he drinks his cup of tea with a blanket around this body, "I curse and embrace the chill. If it weren't for the chill I would be in my cot dreaming of a warm summer."
Jennifer gets to the point, "I need your assistance."
"What is it?" He waves her fully into the office.
She closes the door behind her, "I think I have something, except I believe my perception device is causing a disturbance."
He jolts up, "Excellent. How can I assist?"
"I need my device off, in privacy, to listen to specific groups of tapes."
He pats her on her back, "Let's see what we can do?" He smiles, "Do you feel my hand when I do that?"
"I do, but I am wearing layers of clothing you won't feel or see." She leans over and whispers, "I look as if I am Heidi traveling to see her grandfather."
"Ah, the cold-blooded thing must be a nuisance." He turns and grabs his thermos, "I too can't get the cold out of my bones."
They go to a small room with a desk. She sets everything up and looks to Commander Denniston, "I must turn off my device. Do you have the medal?"
He smiles and pulls a box from his inside coat pocket, he opens it and allows Jennifer to hold it.
"It is much heavier than I expected." She places it back in the box.
He closes it and returns the medal to his coat.
"How long have you had that here at B.P."
"The very next day after we meet." He smiles, "I have been carrying just in case."
Jennifer sits in the seat hands him a set of headphones and places a set on her head. "I am going to put this at the volume level I believe I can detect it."
The both listen, her first finger bends when she thinks she hears something. She rewinds and bends her finger. She looks to Commander Alastair Denniston who shakes his head no in frustration.
Jennifer smiles and turns off her perception device.
Commander Denniston notices the bulky clothing but out of respect, reminds himself of her dossier, and nods as they listen again.
Jennifer bends when it is clear when she hears the clicking and bends her finger mimicking the tempo.
Commander Denniston's eyes go wide. It was something, "Can I make it louder."
Jennifer takes off her headphones and raise the volume up two more notches, rewinds and plays it again.
Commander Denniston smiles, "I heard that."
"That isn't all."
Commander Alastair Denniston grabs a seat and is prepared to get comfortable.
Jennifer turns the volume down, stops, rewinds, turns up the volume. She takes off her headphones as Commander Denniston prepares to pay attention.
His eyes go wide, "Is that?"
Jennifer replaces the spindle with four different tapes. Each begin with a different pattern of clicks but it is unmistaken the obvious background sound.
"Where are they?"
"I can listen here quietly for any sounds or patterns of the street, but it would be better if we had speakers that could be more sensitive."
"Turn on your device," He commands Jennifer as he unplugs the player. "Bring your tapes."
Jennifer coils the tapes, turns on her perception device and nods to her Commander, "I am ready."
They exit the room and head towards Hut 14. He walks in a room with long windows facing another room which is padded. Three women turn to the new occupants pointing to a red light. They both know to remain quiet, sit down in the chairs and wait.
A few minutes have passed as the small studio finish up their recoding. The leader turns to commander, "What can we do for you?"
He nods to Jennifer, "Our players are limited it isolating sounds, do you think you could possibly assist?"
"We can only do so much," The leader points to the player console on the sound board, "Place your first tape."
"There is click within the first few seconds." Jennifer stands behind the Commander as she turns off her device.
The team play, rewind, play as they finally isolate the faint clicking. "How on earth did you hear that?"
Jennifer switches off her device before the radio heads turn around, "There is more." She goes to the player control, "May I?"
"Please."
Jennifer forwards the tape, plays it a few seconds before and hides behind the Commander again before turning off her device.
The team play, rewind, play as they finally isolate the obvious midnight bongs of Big Ben. The team is quiet.
Jennifer turns on her device before the team turns around.
The Commander asks the radio head, "We need to isolate for any possible location." She lays down the three other tapes, "These have different entry clicks and sounds of Big Ben. Do you think you can find out at least a street, sounds to listen to where they possibly might be?"
The leader looks to the Commander, "We have listened to these before."
One attendant grabs a clipboard and shows the Commander, "We didn't hear the click or Big Ben. How many tapes have this information."
Jennifer shrugs, "These are the first tapes I have noticed these sounds."
"Here is what I want to do," He looks to Jennifer I need you as they listen to theses four tapes. "Your ears picked these up." Commander Denniston notices Jennifer's eyes become scared. "Miss Jennifer what do you suggest I do? Blindfold these people?"
Jennifer shakes her head no.
"Hold on." Commander Denniston picks up the phone, "Bring me confidential forms for project Vastra." He smiles at Jennifer, "Hut 14."
They stand in silence until two military men enters Hut 14.
Jennifer notices the shoulder board.
Commander Denniston instantly stands at attention.
Jennifer is sucked into the importance and stands at attention as if she is just a young woman in the family gym member of Grandma's army.
The three radio heads show their ignorance buy simply turning around in their chairs.
Commander Denniston quickly looks at them, "Stand at attention," Which the three immediately oblige.
"Commander Alastair Denniston, do you have reason to utilize these forms?"
"Yes Admiral. With your permission?"
"Please do."
The radio heads and Jennifer go through the same motions of the first tape. This time Jennifer takes a blanket from the chair and covers her body as if it is raining in Hut 14.
After the replaying of the two sections Commander Denniston speaks, "We have different clicks at the beginning of these three tapes and hear the clock strikes on each. We need to figure out the location, but it will take sensitive ears."
The Admiral asks the radio heads, "Could you hear these clicks and bongs?"
"We have heard these tapes before. No matter how loud the volume we would not have noticed anything."
"I see." He turns to Jennifer, "Miss Vastra Saint-Clair, do you know how to utilize this equipment."
"I am sorry Admiral; I only know standard tape equipment and short-wave."
"Lieutenant." Was the only thing he had to say and his officer knows what to do.
"Please stand." The three radio heads are confused.
"He asked you to stand," Commander encourages their obedience.
The three stand.
The Lieutenant takes a bible and makes each one swear allegiance to the crown and sign confidentiality forms. After each one has been signed the Lieutenant hands the papers to the Admiral.
"Do you know what you signed?"
"Like what we signed before we started working here at B.P."
"No, this is more than that." Admiral becomes firm in his stance, "You will go to military prison without trial, without notice, and without parole if you disclose or discuss what you are about to learn today."
The shocked radio heads simply nod in disbelief.
"If you can't keep mum about this, tell me now." Admiral gives them an opportunity to find their weakness.
Quiet.
The leader speaks up, "We came to serve our country. I shall not turn my back now."
The two other radio heads found their voice in agreement.
"Good." The Admiral smiles at Jennifer, "Miss Jennifer Vastra Saint-Clair, you oversee Hut 14 during your shift. You shall listen to every tape that comes through that gate." The Admiral points in the direction of Jemima Way. "Your team will also listen to all the tapes that have already been archived." He turns to the Commander, "Commander Denniston, keep me updated after each shift."
The Admiral and Lieutenant exit Hut 14.
"You and your team have done quite well." Commander Denniston looks to the radio heads, "I know that it seems like a daunting task. We now know the Germans are in London we need to use your skills with Miss Vastra Saint-Clair so we can narrow down their location. Also, I want to know if there is a pattern to those clicks in the beginning. Take notes. Be diligent. Be thorough, we could have missed something important." He smiles to Jennifer, "You heard the Admiral, you are in charge."
Jennifer smiles, "Yes Sir." She turns to the radio heads, "Before we get started I will answer your question, for a brief time. First, I assure you I was born in London, as my mothers and my grandmothers." She turns off the perception device and tells them a brief family history.
After the initial shock, they insist she turn on and off the perception device. Ask a few questions and before it gets out of hand the Commander says, "Okay now you select few know our secret weapon. It is time you get to work. I am proud of each of your bravery." He nods, "This room must be locked while you are inside. Nobody comes in without a phone call from me. Do you understand?"
Jennifer and her team nod.
"Good now get to work." Commander Denniston turns to exits, "Miss Vastra Saint-Clair I expect a written report at the end of each shift."
"Yes Sir."
Commander Alastair Denniston leaves Hut 14.
Jennifer locks the door from the inside, turns at looks at her team, "I will answer one more question for each of you before we begin."
After three more questions, they team tediously listens to each tape trying to find out a hint of the German spy or spies Location.
At the end of her shift Jennifer knocks on Commander Denniston's door.
"Come in!"
She enters to find the Admiral and his Lieutenant waiting.
Commander Denniston asks as soon as Jennifer closes the door, "What have you found?"
She hands him her notes.
He reads them and then hands them to the Admiral.
"Are you sure?"
"We listened to each tape multiple times to make sure we heard correctly."
The Admiral stands and exits saying praises to Commander Denniston.
"Have you figured out the beginning clicks?"
"Not yet, but we will need to listen to a larger number of tapes to see if there is a pattern."
"Good." He smiles, "How was your team?"
"Curious but professional."
"I have a questions. I have the power to change your shift. But you insist midnight, why?"
She has the doorknob in her hands, "The Germans are ahead one hour in time zone. Which means the eight o'clock shift is already nine in Berlin. If we are going to win this war it will not be during business hours." She looks back at the Commander, "I am tired. I need to rest my ears and warm my body."
She hesitates exiting, "Commander, I need you to protect me from curiosities and friendships I may develop. I can't help my inclination and genetics. I assure you I not able not change the scales on my back, only offer the illusion to conform to societal expectations of my outward appearance. I shall always work hard, not cause any reason for scandal and do what I can for my country. This is a volunteer position; I am safer back in London with my family."
"I will do what I can."
"I respect and trust you." Jennifer smiles and heads home exhausted. She enters her flat quietly, makes tea and goes to her room and falls asleep instantly.
After a quick stop at St. Anne's College, Oxford they finally arrived at Chantry House.
Edward stands up and stretches.
April pats him on the back, "I was thinking about getting a trailer to haul larger amounts so we can avoid these long trips?"
"I suspect that delivery with social opportunity is healthy and important as the food itself. These monthly deliveries are essential to family morale. They only reason you would haul more food is because you believe travel in the future will be impossible. If that is the case, then I would move the family members to Low Borrowbridge."
"That does seem like the best solution, if it comes to that."
They enter Chantry House to find workers all around. They instantly see Grant's Dastaar and wave to get his attention.
Grant waves back and motions that he will greet them in a moment. He gives a few orders and goes to the back. Moments later Julia accompanies to greet the guests.
"We have the delivery where is the residence?"
Grant leads the group to a door, flips on a light and points, "The residence is upstairs. Julia and I have much to do to meet our deadline. We shall join you for tea. Also, Miss Jennifer ..." He looks at his watch, "She is sleeping. So be quiet."
The three go upstairs taking their heavy hauls carefully through the narrow stairway into the residential area. After putting down the crates and boxes Edward quickly flops on the sofa.
Kay and April focus on dinner.
April finds a calendar near the front door with markings. She takes it off the small hook and brings it to her wife and whispers. "What do you make of this gibberish?"
"Obvious 'M's stand for Molly and the 'J's for Jennifer. It seems that they have odd schedules. Today Molly works the second shift while Jennifer works the third." Kay analyzes the calendar some more, "They have terrible work schedules."
April sits in a chair and whispers, "What has Jennifer and Molly gotten themselves into?" She hands over the Calendar to Edward.
"Ladies we are at war; sacrifices must be made." He hands back the calendar, "It seems they have figured a way to compensate and adjust. This calendar proves it."
April puts the calendar back on the hook and accidentally gets squashed by someone opening the door.
"Oh my goodness, I am sorry." Whispers Molly who looks as if Sandman forgot to visit.
April hugs Molly, "We are making the first bounty delivery to family and decided to take the opportunity to be social."
"Yes, let me get comfortable." Molly goes to her room and re-enters the main room wearing men's pajamas underneath a lovely bed jacket. "I am so glad to see you all. Especially you my brother. Tell me of family news."
They talk about the drive to Cove Harbour, the small cottage and how the girls have grown.
Edwards tells her sister of Lytha's crush.
"That poor child." Molly sits back, sips her tea. "I do hope Lytha finds relief."
"I don't mean to bring you down sister." He taps her knee, "I do have good news, as far as there can be good news during war." He takes out his recruitment notice, "I shall be leaving next month. Assigned clerical work in India."
Molly reads the notice twice to make sure. She tears up, "India is so far away."
"True, but it is a good assignment. I need you to be strong for me."
Just then Julia and Grant enter loft
Molly takes her brothers military assignment notice to Grant.
Grant reads it, "We shall not be too far away from each other. I have been assigned to Sikhs in the British Indian Army as a Messenger for updates."
Kay comes from the Kitchen and whispers, "Dinner is ready."
Jennifer's bedroom door opens; she shuffles to the water closet and returns to the large group of people eating. "My goodness how long was I sleeping? Is the war over?"
Molly gets up and hands Jennifer a cup of coffee, "They are making the bounty delivery."
"That is good. I actually have been looking forward to leek and potato soup." She sits down next to Molly.
"My dear sister you look as if you have not slept enough. Matter of fact neither of you look as if you sleep enough."
"Our schedules are quite difficult. We need time to become accustomed."
"I saw your calendar. How will you manage a business with such little free time?"
Jennifer sips her coffee, "We will manage. I assure you by the time it is ready to open, Molly and I will be fully energized. You have a farm that needs tending all the hours. Did you adjust to your multiple roles in life?"
April concedes, "For the first few weeks I felt as if I was sleepwalking. You will find your rhythm."
"I would take advice into finding a rhythm."
"Just be consistent." April stands, "May I get you dinner?"
Just then Kay comes into the area with a tray with dinner for Molly and Jennifer, "Please eat."
Kay, April, Edward, Grant and Julia all gather around the table eating, talking about India while giving Molly and Jennifer the privacy they so deserve.
Jennifer is relieved when April offers to drive her to the gates Jemima Way, it shall save her a thirty-minute walk and it is thirty more minutes with Molly.