Cast No Shadow, Peter Sharp [books to get back into reading txt] 📗

the meat, which he was informed was arctic hare marinated in ale and vodka, was delicious. After the meal, Josef rested for a few minutes before moving into the back area again to put on his heavy outer clothes.

“More work to do I’m afraid” he called as he left the cabin. “Katya, can you check the traps?” He then added something in Russian.

“Yes Grandpa,” she called after him, then rushed around to the front window to watch him plod slowly into the forest.

“You like your Grandpa very much,” said Kelly.

Katya turned and nodded to him, for a moment serious. “Yes, he is very special. He fought in the first war, until the Bolsheviks took over then he returned here. He supported the revolution, but he thinks things have gone too far. Mama says it is as well that he lives away from party members or he could get into trouble.”

Her face brightened. “Come on Dan! I need help to check the traps.” So saying, she set about reversing the cocoon impression she had given previously as she hauled on jumpers, tunic and boots.

Kelly doubted if this precocious child ever really needed help with anything, but he would be glad to get some air, so quickly dressed in his mountaineering outer garments.

Thrusting her arm through Kelly’s, Katya ushered him to the door and out into the fresh arctic air. Kelly felt the bite of the cold as he breathed it in.

He glanced briefly in the direction of the Norwegian border and felt a pang as he thought of the cabin and Sybilla, but his thoughts were soon diverted by the child as she chatted almost nonstop about all manner of subjects, pausing just long enough to allow Kelly to interpose with a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’.

When they reached the first trap, she fell silent as she retrieved a stoat, resplendent in its ermine. The pause gave Kelly a chance to speak.

“Do you know something that surprises me?” he asked.

“Tell me,” the child responded, looking her most elfish.

“You have not once asked who I am, where I’ve come from, or what I’m doing here. Nothing.”

“I know who you are,” she said. “You’re Dan.”

“What about the rest?” Kelly asked.

“Grandpa told me that you had to leave Norway. That’s why I thought you were Norwegian this morning. I had a feeling from what he said that it was probably best not to ask anything else.”

She paused for a moment before continuing, “I was up first this morning, before Grandpa, so you can guess the shock I had when I saw you on the sofa! At first, I thought you might be Hans come to get Mama, but Hans must be older than you, so I woke Grandpa and asked him.”

“You know about Hans?” asked Kelly, slightly surprised.

“Oh yes, Grandpa often talks about him. He liked Hans. Mama sometimes tells me about him,” she smiled knowingly, “not when Papa’s around of course. I think she loved him, but he was much too young.”

She paused for a while as they set out for the next trap, then asked, “Have you ever loved an older woman, Dan?”

The question caught Kelly off guard for a moment and he didn’t answer immediately. Then without looking at the child he answered, “Yes I have.” He volunteered no more and the girl did not pursue the matter, though she observed him without speaking for some minutes. Eventually she started some discourse on the value of mathematics to the sciences, leaving Kelly alone with his own thoughts.

When they arrived back at the cabin, the old man was already home and preparing coffee. The walk had given Kelly time to reflect and think about what must be done. As if reading his thoughts, Josef said, “My daughter and her husband arrive tomorrow to pick up Katya. Why not travel to Leningrad with them to arrange passage to England? He is a senior party member. I am sure he would be delighted to help.”

“No!” said Kelly decisively. “There are things that must be done. I need to find out more about that plant near the border. I can’t get this close and not make the effort to gain information that might be useful to the allies.”

“Go back into Norway?” Josef exclaimed. “Are you serious?”

“Perfectly,” answered Kelly. “If I leave now and keep to the treeline, I will be at the plant just after last light. That will give me time to look around to see if there is any way to get in.”

The old man, still looking shocked, slowly shook his head.

“I have to do this Josef, I can’t pass up this opportunity,” Kelly told him. “I’ll try to get back to the cabin if things go well, but if not, I wish you well and thank you for your help.” There was a pause as he collected his few things together, then the three of them stood at the door of the cabin. Katya was looking from one to the other her face a picture of concern.

“Will it be dangerous Dan?” she asked, her voice faltering.

“I don’t know Katya,” he answered honestly. “It may be. I won’t know until I get there. I have no intention of taking unnecessary risks.”

“I’ll be gone when you return,” she said sadly, “so must say goodbye now.” She grasped him and pulled him down to her level then planted a kiss on each cheek. He smiled at the child and held her hands in his for a moment. Releasing her, he clasped the outstretched hand of Josef and shook it.

“Good luck, my friend. You are either very foolish or very brave!” On impulse, the two men embraced, then Dan Kelly turned and strode purposely towards the tree break. He hadn’t gone far when he stopped, hearing the crunch of snow behind him. He turned to see the child running to catch up.

“You didn’t tell me your full name,” she said, panting when she reached him.

“It’s Kelly,” he said “Dragan Kelly. And your family name?”

The girl was