Read Online The Rules in Rome by A.L. Sowards - Free Book Online Page A

my poem?”
    “Yes, and after you’ve used each set, cut them off and burn them. That way they’ll only be used once, and if the Germans catch you, they won’t be able to read your previous messages.”
    “Fine. I was getting sick of Catullus anyway.”
    “If the dead drop’s compromised, how will I get your next report?”
    A slight frown appeared on his face as he thought. He was silent as a pair of civilians entered the building from the street and went into one of the offices on the north side. “Come with me.”
    She followed him outside and walked beside him for a few blocks. When the foot traffic thinned and no one was within earshot, he slowed his stride. “I’m Angelo, by the way.”
    “I’m Concetta,” Gracie said.
    “Pleased to meet you, Concetta. I’m glad you’re here. It’s been frustrating not knowing who to pass my reports to.” He motioned with his head to an apartment complex as they walked past. “In a week, meet me there, on the roof. Noon. I’ll give you another report then.” He took her hand, brought it to his lips for an instant, and winked at her. “I’ll see you next week.” He turned back the way they’d come and strolled away.
    Gracie watched him until he turned a corner. His steps were confident, his clothing old but clean, and his smile friendly. She wondered how and why he’d started working against the Nazis and what he was like when he wasn’t being a spy. She shook her head, knowing her primary concern should be whether or not his information was of any use to the Allies.
    * * *
    The next morning, Gracie walked along the water queue, wondering what her next contact would be like. So far, she was working with two men, both around thirty years old, both handsome. Of course, one of them had manhandled her into an office building and the other had burned her underclothing. I don’t care how old or ugly the next agent is, as long as they’re easy to work with.
    The line stretched more than a block. She’d known water service in the city was sporadic and unpredictable but hadn’t expected so many civilians to turn to public fountains for their water. As she walked along the untidy line, she looked at everyone’s elbows, hoping to see a patch, hoping her contact would be there. She moved slowly, acting like she was trying to find a friend rather than somebody’s elbow.
    A block from the pipe, Gracie saw a woman with a maroon patch near her left elbow. Like most of the women in Rome, she was otherwise dressed in black. Gracie’s own wardrobe was three-quarters black items, even though she preferred color. As Gracie drew near, the woman straightened, and Gracie realized her contact was pregnant.
    “The sunset was lovely yesterday, wasn’t it?” Gracie said.
    The woman’s lips curved upward as if she found the code phrase humorous. “Yes, I watched it from a street near the Pantheon.”
    Gracie tried to judge the distance between the woman’s place in line and the water pipe, wondering how long of a wait she had.
    “The line begins farther back.”
    Gracie had unintentionally cut in line, and the two women waiting behind her contact paused their gossiping long enough to cross their arms and glare at her. Gracie wasn’t even sure which one had spoken.
    “I need water,” her contact said. “Can we meet later? Noon?”
    “Yes. Where?”
    The woman smiled again, revealing a perfect set of teeth. “The Pantheon?”
    * * *
    The last time she’d been in Rome, fourteen years ago, Gracie had gone sightseeing. She hadn’t expected to act the tourist on her OSS mission but didn’t mind an excuse to gawk at Rome’s ancient wonders again. OSS had provided numerous maps and photographs of the city for her to study, but pictures and paper couldn’t do Rome justice.
    She chewed pieces of the pane nero she’d waited an hour for. The bread tasted horrible, but it had been the only thing available when she’d made it to the front of the line. So much for fine Italian