A Time of Secrets Read Online Free Page B

was the Officer in Charge of the Melbourne office of APLO, and it had been a spectacular success. Against all odds it was still providing valuable intelligence after three months in heavily occupied Japanese territory.
    Dolly nodded her head briefly. ‘All of those covert operations in Timor are supported by Destro. We were concerned that Kestrel’s failure might have compromised Destro, but luckily not.’
    I frowned at my hands, which were in dire need of a manicure, then looked up at Dolly. ‘I’m worried that the men I overheard meant what they said about killing an officer. Given what happened near Laleia, the officer might be Lieutenant Ross. Don’t you think I should tell Captain Deacon?’
    She gave a nervous laugh. ‘Stella, forget about it. Lieutenant Ross is far too good-looking to be murdered. Talk is easy – it doesn’t mean they’ll actually do anything. Captain Deacon or Lieutenant Ross would probably just think you’re a hysterical female if you go to either of them with the story.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘Come on, let’s go home.’
    I blew out a breath. There was no point arguing with her. I’d have to make up my own mind. We left the cafe and entered the chilly afternoon, walking briskly towards our tram stop on Swanston Street.
    ‘Oh, quick,’ Dolly forced me into a run. ‘Come on, Stella. The tram’s almost here.’
    We splashed through puddles to get to the tram stop and pulled ourselves up into the crowded car just as it was leaving. I grabbed a strap and although I held on tight, I bumped against Dolly as we took off.
    ‘Hey, you bums, get up and let the ladies – I mean the sergeants – sit down.’ A couple of marines standing next to us were glaring at two young men in suits who were sitting near the door. The seats were vacated and we sat down. The marines loomed over us, hanging onto the straps and swaying dangerously with every lurch of the car. They looked sweet and young, no more than nineteen, but I was well aware that they’d probably come from the Solomon Islands and some of the most horrific battles imaginable.
    ‘Why, thank you,’ said Dolly, giving her most charming smile.
    ‘How do, ma’am?’ said the shorter marine, a swarthy young man who seemed to be as broad as he was tall, but was all muscle. His companion was taller with less hair and a cheerful face. ‘We’re mighty pleased to meet two such bee-yew-tiful sergeants.’
    A conversation began between Dolly and the marines, who were called Lou and Wyatt. It seemed to focus on the weather, recent hit songs and the best places to go dancing in Melbourne. I smiled, nodded and occasionally murmured assent at something Dolly had said, and I let her chatter on about nothing in particular as my thoughts returned to what I’d overheard in the laneway. The tram rattled over the Princes Bridge and I looked out at the utter darkness of the Royal Botanic Gardens. The words ran over and over in my brain: In the neck, quick and fast from behind . . . And as I do it I’ll whisper, Laleia, Lieutenant.
    What if it was Lieutenant Ross they meant? Should I warn him?
    ‘And this is our stop,’ said Dolly brightly.
    Surprised, I looked up. We were almost at the Toorak Road corner.
    Dolly’s smile was dazzling. ‘It’s been so lovely talking to you, Lou, and you too, Wyatt.’
    The marines appeared to be dazzled. ‘You’re sure you won’t come out dancing with us?’ said Lou, with a pleading look. ‘I’ve never danced with a sergeant before.’
    Dolly gave a gurgle of laughter, as if she’d not heard that line at least a dozen times before. ‘I’m so sorry, but we’re busy tonight.’
    She dragged me up out of my seat, and we climbed down from the tram and watched it swerve away to the left along Toorak Road. We had a short walk from the tram stop to Dolly’s flat, which was one of four in a block called Avoca that had been built in the late thirties across from Fawkner Park. I’d been assured that in