Jack Higgins – Night of the Fox

“No, I suppose you’re right.” Gallagher laughed. “The things I do for England. Look after our friend here. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

As he reached the door she called, “And Sean?”

He turned. “Yes?”

“Don’t forget to drive on the right-hand side of the road.”

It was an old joke, but not without a certain amount of truth. One of the first things the German forces had done on occupying Jersey was to change the traffic flow from the left- to the right-hand side of the road. After four years, Gallagher still couldn’t get used to it, not that he drove very often. They only had the old Ford van as a special dispensation because the de Ville farmlands supplied various crops for the use of the German forces. The size of the petrol ration meant the van could be used only two or three times a week anyway. Gallagher stretched it by coasting down the hills with the engine off, and there was always a little black-market petrol available if you knew the right people.

He drove down through the tiny picturesque town of St. Aubin and followed the curve of the bay to Bel Royal, St. Helier in the distance. He passed a number of gun emplacements with a few troops in evidence, but Victoria Avenue was deserted on the run into town. One of the French trains the Germans had brought over passed him on its way to Millbrook, the only sign of activity until he reached the Grand Hotel. He checked his watch. It was just before eleven. Plenty of time to catch Savary before the Victor Hugo left for Granville, so he turned left into Gloucester Street and made his way to the market.

There weren’t too many people about, mainly because of the weather. The scarlet and black Nazi flag with its swastika on the pole above the Town Hall entrance hung limply in the damp air. The German for Town Hall is Rathaus. It was, therefore, understandable that the place was now known as the Rat House by the local inhabitants.

He parked outside the market in Beresford Street. It was almost deserted, just a handful of shoppers and a sprinkling of German soldiers. The market itself was officially closed, open for only two hours on a Saturday afternoon. There would be enough people in evidence then, desperately hoping for fresh produce.

Gallagher got two sacks of potatoes from the van, kicked open the gate and went inside. Most of the stalls in the old Victorian Market were empty, but there were one or two people about. He made straight for a stall on the far side where a large genial man in heavy sweater and cloth cap was arranging turnips in neat rows under a sign D. Chevalier.

“So, it’s swedes today?” Gallagher said as he arrived.

“Good for you, General,” Chevalier said.

“Do you tell me? Mrs. Vibert gave me swede jam for breakfast the other day.” Gallagher shuddered. “I can still taste it. Two sacks of spuds for you here.”

Chevalier’s eyes lit up. “I knew you wouldn’t let me down, General. Let’s have them in the back.”

Gallagher dragged them into the room at the rear, and Chevalier opened a cupboard and took out an old canvas duffel bag. “Four loaves of white bread.”

“Jesus,” Gallagher said. “Who did you kill to get those?”

“A quarter pound of China tea and a leg of pork. Okay?”

“Nice to do business with you,” Gallagher told him. “See you next week.”

His next stop was at the troop supply depot in Wesley Street It had originally been a garage and there were half-a-dozen trucks parked in there. There wasn’t much happening, but a burly Feldwebel called Klinger was sitting in the glass office eating a sandwich. He waved, opened the door and came down the steps.

“Herr General,” he said genially.

“God, Hans, but you do well for youself.” Gallagher said in excellent German and prodded the ample stomach.

Klinger smiled. “A man must live. We are both old soldiers, Herr General. We understand each other. You have something for me?”

“Two sacks of potatoes for the official list.”

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