Clash by Night Read Online Free

Becker said briskly. “My aide Hesse will provide you with the copies to be distributed. You will have until sundown Sunday to complete this assignment. I will summon you if I have further need of you in the future. Are there any questions?”
    Henri looked at Laura, then shook his head.
    “I believe these are yours, Madame Duclos,” Becker said, handing Laura her papers. “Why is it that you don’t return home?” he asked her as she took them. “Surely it would be safer for you there.”
    Laura studied the commandant’s expression, trying to determine if there was a veiled threat implicit in the remark. But his even features remained purposefully bland.
    “France is my home now, Colonel,” she finally said simply.  
    He held her gaze for a moment longer, then added, “You may go.”
    His glance returned to his correspondence as they left, but when the door closed behind them he looked up, his expression thoughtful.
    Very interesting. He would be willing to bet that the dead hero was nothing like his timid father. He could well imagine what sort of firebrand had married the self- contained redhead with the unwavering gaze. Banked fires smoldered in that little widow, no question about it. And an American too, he thought. Just what he needed. A province full of hate crazed Frenchmen, and a quietly defiant Yankee in their midst, fomenting discord, inciting them to-what? Bake apple pies? Play baseball? He looked at the ceiling wearily, rubbing the bridge of his nose. This assignment got more baroque by the minute.
    Then he shrugged, picked up his pen, and went back to work.
    * * *
    After leaving Becker’s office Henri returned to Fains, while Laura crossed the street to walk to the Ecole Ste. Pierre where she worked. The German martial presence was everywhere in Bar-le-Duc. Outside the headquarters staff cars came and went, soldiers stood around in groups, watching the locals with stolid, impassive faces, and the general atmosphere of bustle and directed activity indicated that the invaders had plans to stay. Laura aroused some curiosity as she passed a trio of infantrymen huddled on the corner; although she could hear them trading comments among themselves, they did not call to her or indicate their interest overtly. Discipline in their army was rigorous and they had strict orders not to bother the local women. It was a directive that had all the earmarks of breaking down over time, but at the moment it was being observed.
    She walked into the turn-of-the century whitewashed building where Lysette Remy greeted her at the door. Lysette was the librarian, and over the last six months she and Laura had been in charge of the school. With only three weeks left in the academic year they were both trying to finish the term without incident.
    “Did you see him?” Lysette asked worriedly, handing Laura a bowl of a chocolate flavored breakfast drink. From down the hall came the soft, singsong chant of a class reciting the times tables.
    “Yes, I saw him,” Laura sighed, accepting the drink gratefully.
    “How did he seem?”
    “He’s a machine, like all of them,” Laura replied contemptuously. “He had a list of regulations all prepared for Henri to post in the town. Everyone is under house arrest now.”
    “We got word this morning that we can go on as usual,” Lysette whispered, looking around her. “‘Customary procedures will not be disturbed’, that’s what the message said.”
    Laura snorted. “That sounds like Becker. I guess the flunky who was here yesterday gave him a good report.”
    “I’ll bet there will be some changes by the time we reopen in the fall. Right now they have too much on their minds to be concerned about the elementary school.”
    “Becker will get to it,” Laura said dismally. “I have an idea there isn’t much that escapes his notice.”
    “I’ve been told that I can keep the library open for the summer,” Lysette said, pushing back strands of her fine, dark blonde hair.