Rag and Bone Read Online Free PDF Page A

don’t.”
    “It means the Russians will take all of Poland before the British and Americans even get close to Germany.”
    “I thought we called that liberating Poland,” I said, gulping the hot, black joe.
    “I call it trading a Nazi master for a Communist master. The Nazis are the more bloodthirsty of the two, but neither will let Poland be free. And isn’t that what started this whole war? We were the first to be attacked, and Poles have been fighting ever since. In Italy, here with the RAF, and with the undergroundin Poland itself. I sometimes wonder what we are fighting for. Or who will fight for us, once the war is over and the Soviets occupy my country.”
    “Would you go back after the war if the Russians ran the place?” I asked.
    “Billy, I know what the Russians did to Polish officers. I think they would take even less kindly to Poles who had worn British uniforms. It would be a death sentence.”
    “Isn’t that kind of harsh?”
    “Harsh? I don’t think you understand, Billy, I don’t think you understand at all.”
    “I don’t doubt you, Kaz. It’s just that General Eisenhower has been pounding Allied unity into our heads for so long, I have trouble criticizing the Russians. Hell, I even have trouble criticizing the Brits these days. And after all the propaganda stunts the Krauts have pulled, I have a hard time believing they’re aboveboard about the Katyn slaughter.”
    “I know they are not to be trusted. I don’t mean to put you in a difficult position, Billy, but after what I’ve seen and learned, I’ve begun to question things. Everything has changed, hasn’t it?”
    “Yeah.” I chewed toast and washed it down with coffee. “And it’s only getting started.”
    “I must get to work,” Kaz said, standing up. “Can you come by and visit today? Perhaps I can show you the evidence I’ve been gathering. It may help to explain things.”
    “You don’t have to explain yourself, Kaz,” I said.
    “Thank you, Billy. But do come to the Rubens Hotel. It’s off Buckingham Gate, immediately south of the palace. Ask for me at the desk and they’ll take you up.”
    “I’m busy this morning, Kaz, but I’ll try to stop by this afternoon.”
    “Are you going to Norfolk House? It’s a short walk from there to the hotel.”
    “Yeah, I have to check in, scout out the arrangements.” NorfolkHouse was in St. James’s Square, a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Circus. It was going to be Uncle Ike’s new headquarters.
    “Is Major Harding here yet? Is Big Mike coming with you?”
    “I forgot to tell you, it’s Colonel Harding now. And yes, Big Mike will be here with him, maybe tomorrow.” Corporal Mike Miecznikowski was an MP who had joined up with us after Sicily, where he’d gotten in hot water for helping me out. He was a former Detroit cop, and as the nickname implied, a really large former Detroit cop. He was handy to have around, and I wondered what his take on this Polish stuff might be.
    “Why did they send you ahead?”
    “I didn’t have anything to do,” I lied.
    “Well, I’m glad you’re here. I didn’t mean to unload all my troubles on you, but it is good to have a friend to talk to.”
    “It is, Kaz,” I said as he left to dress, glad he wasn’t watching me as I felt my face flush with betrayal. I sat alone, drinking the remains of my coffee, thinking how right he was and how guilty I felt at not being straight with him. I decided to come clean that afternoon, and get it out in the open. But first, I had an appointment at New Scotland Yard.
    T HE RAIN FELL in fat, slow drops, as if it couldn’t make up its mind, and it fit my mood. I pulled up the collar of my trench coat and set off from the Dorchester toward Westminster. It would be a straight shot on Park Lane, alongside Hyde Park, past Buckingham Palace, then down Birdcage Walk to Big Ben and Parliament. But I decided to reacquaint myself with the side streets of London. It had been a while, and I was in