Lion, Tiger, Bear | 161 Churchill pinched her face just as he did when she was little. Leave him be, hes one of a kind and we need him alive. Beastly rotter, she mumbled. The general held up a crumpled missive. Oh-h-h, yes. One more thing. There was an exchange of seriously wounded men, and an Australian had this German letter pinned to him. It went through the hands of a dozen officers near the front before it landed on my desk two days ago. No one understood it. Allow me. 7c whom it may concern in the Britishforces, regarding the three foolish hut courageous Allied infiltrators at Siwa recently, I wanted to personally state that although there were sixteen civilian casualties, none were seriously hurt or killed. In addition to our own casualties, the lioness was huried with… full…military…honors.Signed,respectfully,Commander X, 15th Panzer Division. Bea sat in relief, head in hands, then cried a little, her exhaustion acute. Alice rubbed her silky back. See? Not all of them are evil-minded. Churchill put his hand upon Beas head and rubbed lovingly. In an hours time I depart for Tehran via swift Liberator. Then its on to Russia to visit Joe Stalin for vodka and belly dancing. Then back to England via the northern route. Do you have mail for your loved ones I can relieve you of? Bea looked up, eyeliner dripping. Yes, but theyre in our f-f-flat a mile away. The Colonel said: Ill send someone straight away. Change of clothes for both of you too? Yes, sir. Thanks, said Bea, regretting the destruction of the only evening dress she had. Bernie kissed Bea on the cheek. Nice job at the bat, kid. Colonel, sir? asked Alice, holding the silk fabric to her chest. Tm afraid Ill need a new brazier as well. Snapped in half. And sir, please send Sergeant Tillings. If anyones going to rustle through our knickers pile Id rather it be him. Best of the bunch. The Colonel smiled under his thick moustache. McMaster gently dragged Bernie away by the elbow. A cars downstairs waiting for you. Youre wanted at the American Embassy post haste. Bernie chugged a warm Coca-Cola and opened another. The embassy? American Ambassador Alexander Kirk rushed out to the black Lincoln sedan that delivered Bernie. They passed one another; Bernie tipped his fedora, but Kirk only gave him a long stern look before he slammed the door.