Chapter 15 Chapter fifteen

Time will only become long when you are waiting, especially waiting for some results that you cannot grasp. It feels like being roasted on fire, which is extremely uncomfortable. I am unfortunately in this situation right now.Of course, I also understand that I asked for it—— Major Portman was "generaled" by me for the first time, but I didn't think I could hold the reins firmly on him.With his personality, he wouldn't be a puppet obediently, not to mention that my wrists are not very good, even I disdain myself. This step plan is too risky, but even looking back now, I will not make the second choice: I need the privileges in his hands, but he will not easily become a traitor to the Third Reich; He has such potential deep in his heart, but he also knows what to do in his own best interest. He will not easily abandon his current position as a high-ranking official and put himself in a dangerous situation.However, the urgent situation in front of me did not allow me to slowly "indulge" him emotionally, and it was even more absurd to "understand righteousness", so I chose the most efficient but despicable method - coercing him.

"Taking advantage of his... sincerity?" I put my fingers on the keys quietly without moving, and only the face of the major at that time flashed in my mind.There was a very rare anger on that handsome face, if it wasn't for my delusion, I even thought I saw a little pain in his eyes.It was this expression that actually made me feel more and more guilty. Yes, guilt; and damn shame. I began to force myself to play "Pathetique" over and over again, notes hitting the closed piano room and bouncing back to me.The overflowing melody filled my ears, but my heart seemed to be floating in mid-air. I still have trouble understanding why our relationship has evolved into the way it is now.

Is the script of fate too wonderful... "My lord, the garden has been pruned." There was a soft call from the door, and I stopped my fingers to invite the man in the peaked cap to come in. He put his muddy gloves in his pocket, and there were still thin beads of sweat on his bronzed face. "Thank you, Luwangso." I sat him down on the chair. "Would you like some brandy?" "Thank you, my lord." I handed him the drink, closed the door, leaned against the window, watched the people passing by on the street and said to him, "That plainclothes policeman can't see here, don't worry."

"Gardenist" stretched his thick black eyebrows: "I believe you are still safe here, my lord." "For the time being, my friend, but don't think it's safe forever." I smiled at him, "Come on, tell me how our 'prey' reacts these two days." "As usual, my lord. He seems to be doing well, and he hasn't moved at all. He goes from where he lives to work in the office next to Turner Square every day, entertains the officers and traitors at night, and even finds time to accompany him mistress." "Has he found you?" "Absolutely not. We go with different people every time, and the makeup is never the same."

I folded my arms in doubt: "There are two days before the weekend, doesn't he understand what will happen if he doesn't have a passport by then?" "Could it be that he plans to find a way to solve it by himself?" No, I know the major wouldn't risk that bet with us, he couldn't afford to lose.So he's bound to obey us, and I wouldn't mind if he took this opportunity to make us rush and make a little "innocuous" joke...but is he really? "Louwangso." I walked up to him, "I want you to tell Francois that from today onwards, another person will be sent to watch over him, as well as the people around him, especially those who are in close contact with him."

"Yes, my lord." My comrade stood up and went out. Major, don't disappoint me. The sound of the piano hovered high and low in the room, just like my thoughts at this moment. The news of Luwangso was passed to me very efficiently in the next dozens of hours, almost all of which were Major Portman's itinerary: At 8:00 on November 16th, arrived at the office from the apartment; at 9:52, drove to the Paris Police Headquarters to interrogate the arrested British spies; at 12:10, had lunch with two lieutenant colonels at the "Prince of Galle" Hotel Arrived at the Versailles Hospital at 15:38 to visit the wounded Waffen SS soldiers; arrived at the detention center at 13:34; returned to the apartment at 17:50: met with the mistress at 20:12; at 8:00 on November 17, from the apartment to the office ...

It was completely the same as usual, and he seemed to be able to act as if nothing had happened.but-- "Louwangso," I asked the man sitting in front of me, still dressed as a gardener, "how far is the person sent to watch at this time from him?" "The farthest is no more than 200 meters. Sometimes we hide in a nearby hidden place and observe with a telescope." "So have you noticed the people around him?" "certainly." "Has Sergeant Heinrich Belken followed him all the time?" "You mean..." "The lieutenant with wine red hair."

My comrade was silent for a while: "...No, my lord, we have never seen such a person!" Damn it!My face must be turning green very quickly now! Major Portman, he really played tricks, he didn't show himself, but he used the most convenient tool!How I hate my stupidity!Why only focus on him, I should know that he is not so easy to defeat, what did he let his adjutant do?That person is not a simple character, at least his eyes, his eyes make me uncomfortable! The trace of guilt towards the major that originally existed in my heart has been buried by the news I just heard. I quickly cleared my mind and found the fastest way to deal with it: "Go and tell François, don't let those three British People brought into Paris, the plan has changed a little. We need to reconfirm whether the major is dangerous or not."

"OK." Luwangso concealed his panic and left in a hurry.I grabbed the pistol from the dark compartment of the desk and put it in my pocket, picked up my coat and hat— bell bell... The sudden ringing of the phone interrupted my preparations to go out.I frowned, and after a moment of hesitation, I put the receiver to my ear. "Hello……" "Good evening, Lord Earl." It was that sinister and seductive voice like a devil, "Can I have a treat tonight, I have three very 'special' gifts for you." My heart beat violently; what trick is he playing?Suddenly completed our request, is this a trap?

"What's the matter, my lord earl, you don't seem very happy?" The major's voice was as usual, frivolous but faintly powerful, but I shuddered.Should I accept his "invitation"?Or he had already prepared the handcuffs, but what if he really had three passports in his arms? Now I only have doubts but lack evidence. If I don't go...will I waste a great opportunity?If I go then does that mean I'm making a bigger bet too- "What's the matter with you, my lord earl?" The major's voice became impatient. "Are you afraid? Afraid that I will hurt you?"

"You're joking, Major Portman." I controlled my sharp tone. "Yes." He laughed loudly at the other end. "You hold my future in your hands. Our position is not as delicate as it is now. You can rest assured." The dice have already been cast, so let me gamble happily! "What time? Where?" "At seven o'clock in the evening, at the Hotel Jardin Aurora in the Rue Sainte-Glory. I have a reservation." "I'll be there on time." After putting down the receiver, I thought about it for a while, and then put the gun back into the dark compartment - now I don't even have a sharp knife on me.No matter what, the Gestapo couldn't "just happen" to find ironclad evidence in my pocket when they arrested me, right? I told Andre to get the car ready, then put on my coat and buttoned it securely.Hope it helps me beat the cold tonight. Aurora Garden Hotel is a gorgeous but small-scale five-storey building. The interior decoration is a bit of an old-style palace. The swirl-shaped flower decorations are very unique under the light of the wall lamps, and the reliefs on the wainscot are also exquisite.A seven-member band played a soothing serenade on the narrow stage, and the cylindrical lamps on each table dimly shrouded the faces of the diners, making people feel affectionate—however, they are lovers here their paradise. The major booked a table for two near the window. When I arrived, he had already ordered a glass of sherry and was slowly flipping through the menu. "Please sit down, Lord Earl." He smiled at me under the lamp, "What would you like to eat?" I calmly ordered several light vegetarian dishes. "Is your appetite not good?" He tilted his head and teased, "No wonder you are so thin." "That's nothing to worry about, Mr. Major. I'm fine." The blond man's eyes were a little teasing, and he pressed his neck lightly with his hand: "Oh, but I haven't been well these two days. My lord, the wound you left on my body makes me so painful that I can't sleep Feel it." I snorted coldly: "I hope you are just exaggerating." "Absolutely not." He took out three hard sheets of paper from his pocket and put them on the table, "It reminds me all the time that I never dare to forget what you ordered." It was a passport, but I didn't take it as he expected. "What? Your expression makes me feel that you don't seem to be very satisfied with this." The major raised his beautiful eyebrows, "Or... are you even more greedy?" I could tell that these three passports were genuine, because the eagle stamps, serial numbers, and signatures on the faces were brand new, and the dark patterns on the paper were very clear under the light.I can't make any more demands on the major if I can do this, but that's not the problem... "Where's Sergeant Belken, Major?" I asked looking into those blue eyes across the way. "Why didn't you see him?" "He...has other business affairs recently." Major Portman paused for a second, "Why did you mention that person suddenly?" "Because he's been following you all the time, I'll feel weird if I haven't seen him for too long." "I didn't know that you cared so much about my adjutant." He sarcastically said, "To be honest, Lord Earl, you are acting weird today. Are you doubting me?" I didn't answer, because the waiter had already served the fragrant dishes, temporarily blocking the topic that was almost out of control.The restlessness in me had already been expressed in words, and the major grabbed my tail warily, which I did not want to see. Taking advantage of this blank tens of seconds, I slowly turned my face and looked at the garden under the night outside the window, cooling down the heated atmosphere.At almost the same moment, a certain black figure quickly jumped past the two camellias. My blood became cold at once; because in the faint moonlight, I clearly saw the man's wine-red hair. trap! Sure enough, the major has taken action!Perhaps Sergeant Belken has already ambushed here!Who knows how many goddamn Gestapo guests are around! I understand that now I can't reach out and touch those passports no matter what!It's a ticking time bomb, maybe I just touch it with my fingertips and the handcuffs will be locked immediately, or a gun will end my life! Slight beads of sweat ooze from my back, and my right hand gently strokes my stomach.The waiter put the last dish in front of me and politely made a "please" gesture. "Mr. Major," I tried to put on a normal smile on my face, "Actually...I just think it's too dangerous to take out the 'gift' in this place, and you should be careful. I...maybe I can change the place Accept your gift." His eyes narrowed like a cheetah sizing up an opponent; I secretly contracted the muscles in my throat. "Okay." He finally put his passport back in his pocket, "As you wish." I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. So in the next time, we finished our dinner like the most ordinary friends and walked out the door.The valet drove my car up to the gate and I got into the driver's seat with the major sitting next to me. I didn't find any tracking shadows from the rearview mirror, but the black night couldn't make me completely relieved.I started the car, and Major Portman didn't ask me where I was going, which baffled me.What is he thinking?Why hasn't he done it yet?If he leaves this place, can he guarantee to catch me? Almost the instant I put the car keys in, there was a snap, a hole slammed through the windshield, and the spider web of cracks blurred my eyes!Immediately afterwards, there were five consecutive gunshots, and I was overwhelmed by a powerful force on the seat at the same time. The two powerful hands next to me protected my head, and the broken glass hit the ground like small stones. On us! The waiters and passers-by outside the car burst into screams, chaotic footsteps ran past, some people yelled for the police, and some people screamed hysterically! Was it an assassination?That was my first thought! "Stay in the car obediently!" Major Portman ordered in my ear, and then he opened the door and jumped down! No more gunshots were heard!It appears that the shooter left the scene as soon as he realized he had failed!The major's rapid breathing indicated that he was anxious to find the killer.In the distance, the sound of messy footsteps gradually approaching, mixed with unpleasant German.Is it a patrol? I straightened up and found that I was fine except for a few small scratches on my face!The interior was littered with shards of glass, the rear window had completely disappeared, and there were two holes in the black leather seatbacks. The major was two or three meters away talking with the patrolling soldiers who rushed over.The young soldiers saluted him with trepidation; it was no small matter for a commander to be hurt in their area.The major told a corporal about the general situation with a livid face, ordered them to scatter around and search immediately, and then walked towards me. I'm a little confused; isn't there an ambush soldier from the beginning to the end?Could it be that this attack was not arranged by the major?So who is that person I saw?Could it be that I read it wrong? Just as I was trying to sort out these chaotic thoughts, the major opened the car door and got in. "Are you okay?" He looked at me intently. "Well, it's okay..." I nodded, not knowing how to thank him for protecting me. "Let's drive." "Ah?" I was taken aback, "Why, don't you need to stay and deal with this matter?" "I told you to drive!" His voice was very deep, but I could hear a suppressed anger that was about to explode!I swallowed the vicious words on the tip of my tongue, decided to obey his orders, and drove away from the scene. Under the dark sky, the dim streetlights helped me see that I was wandering the George V Road.The stagnant air and heavy breathing in the carriage reminded me of what a terrible assassination we had just experienced!But who is the target?Is it me or the major?Or both of us! "Where are you going, Major?" I decided to break the tense deadlock. "Shall I take you home?" There was no answer, I turned my head in surprise, and suddenly found that this man's handsome face was covered with cold sweat, and his lips were as pale as a dead man!His hands gripped the leather of the seat hard, and his knuckles were abnormally blue. "Oh, God!" I hurriedly parked the car to the side of the road and held his shoulder: "What's the matter with you, Major—" A warm liquid wets my hands and I smell blood in my nose.With the help of that poor light, I could see a large wet mark just below his right shoulder, and a barely discernible small hole in his black uniform! He was shot!He was hit just now! I gasped. "My God! Do you know what you're doing? Are you a log?" The major glanced at me as if he thought there was a fuss about my reaction! "Now is not the time for you to scream, my lord." He said in a normal tone as much as possible, "Take me away, or I will bleed dry when I get home!" "You have to go to the hospital!" "It's not that serious!" He glared at me sternly, "Send me to the apartment on West Avenue, and I'll take care of this little trouble myself!" "This is a gunshot wound..." "So I want you to stop yelling and do what I say and don't make me point a gun at you too." Simply unreasonable!I stomped on the gas pedal angrily— This nasty fellow!Go to hell!