FIc: Breaking the Code - Chapter 11
Numb3rs/Foyle's War crossover, set in WWII
Characters: Don, Alan & Charlie Eppes, Colby Granger, Larry Fleinhardt, Christopher Foyle, Samantha Stewart, Paul Milner
Rating: T for some violence and ethnic slurs
Beta: Digeediva, superbeta and font of all sorts of esoteric information.
Author’s Note: After much thought, I decided to change Anita Buonaroti’s name to Anna. I kept typing “Amita” for some strange reason.
Chapter 11
Don glanced up at the sky as he held the door for Sam and Larry. “It’s a lot nicer out today than it was yesterday.”
“Thank goodness for that,” Sam said. “Though the rain is good for the garden, isn’t it?”
“It is,” Larry said. “And this garden is beautiful. Look at the rhododendrons over there. Aren’t they amazing?”
“Those pink flowery bushes?” Don asked. “Sorry. I’m not really interested in gardening. They are pretty, though.” He pulled a cigar from his pocket and lit it.
As Larry led the way to the rhododendrons, the door behind them opened again. They turned to see Charlie holding the door for a protesting Anna. Sam chuckled. “I see those two are still at it.”
Don laughed and gave Charlie a wave. Softly, he said to Sam, “I’ll bet he can’t wait to get back to his code work. Miss Buonaroti seems to be giving him a piece of her mind.”
“A piece I daresay she will sorely miss,” Sam brushed past Don to join Larry next to the rhododendrons.
“Why, Miss Stewart,” Don said in mocking sternness, “what did Miss Buonaroti ever do to you?” He drew deeply on his cigar and blew the smoke out in lazy rings.
“Nothing, to be perfectly honest. But she’s just a bit brash for my tastes. And all that nonsense about being a modern woman. You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar, that’s what they say, isn’t it?”
Larry smirked. “You’re assuming she wants to catch flies.”
“Oh, that’s just a figure of speech,” Sam said.
“What’s a figure of speech?” Charlie asked as he came up beside them.
“Nothing,” Sam said hastily.
Charlie looked quizzically at Don, who said, “Nothing at all, Buddy.” He glanced at Anna. “Have you two worked out your differences?”
“For now,” Anna said. “I think I made myself clear to Charlie.”
Charlie rolled his eyes. “Abundantly. So, Larry, this is the garden you wanted us to see?”
“It is.” Larry filled his pipe and carefully tamped the tobacco down. “It’s not quite as warm here as it is back home, but I do believe that being on the water makes the climate a great deal milder than it is inland.” He lit the pipe. “We were just admiring these rhododendrons. And the camellias over there are just beautiful.”
“They are,” Charlie said. “When can we get back to work?”
“Soon enough, Buddy,” Don said. “Just relax, will you? You’re so impatient!”
Charlie reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes and his Zippo. “I just want to finish up here so we can get back to … to the reason we came to England to begin with.”
Being ever the gentleman, Charlie held out the pack to Anna and Sam. “Would you care for one?”
Both women accepted and held their cigarettes so Charlie could light them.
Anna took a deep puff. “Thanks. So, what was the reason you came here to begin with?”
Charlie glanced at Don, who said, “We’re here on classified government business. I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to tell you anything else.”
“Not even where you’ve been stationed?”
“Nope. Not even that.”
“How about how long you’ve been in England? You can at least tell me that, can’t you?” Anna asked with a sigh. The reporter in her was shut down. “Were you here for May Day?”
“Uh, yes, we were,” Don said. “But we were working.” He puffed on his cigar and gave Anna a grin. “Okay, we’ve been in England since March.”
“We missed the festivities this year,” Larry said, “but Charlie and I both studied over here and were able to participate in previous May Day festivities.”
“It’s fun to watch the Brits let their hair down, isn’t it?” Anna said with a laugh. “Most of the time they’re pretty straight laced.”
Sam’s brow furrowed. “I believe we’re capable of cutting loose when the situation calls for it. Unfortunately, it’s been a few years since the situation really called for it.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, Sam. Maybe when this damned war is over, I can come back and see you guys really celebrate.”
“Good,” Sam said. “I’d love to have you back to see us under better circumstances. We’re a little worn around the edges now, I’m afraid.”
“So,” Anna said, “Larry, what kind of flowers are we looking at here?”
“Well, these are rhododendrons. There are tulips and daffodils. Milton wrote a poem about May with its primroses and cowslips. I’ve found primroses, but I’m not sure what a cowslip looks like.”
“Oh my,” Charlie scoffed, “don’t tell me our Renaissance man has been stumped.”
“I never claimed to know everything, Charles. I am simply making an attempt to be well-rounded.”
“Well,” Charlie laughed, “a few more breakfasts like we just ate and we’ll all be well-rounded.”
The morning sun reached the garden and started to warm the visitors. Charlie took off his suit coat and draped it over his forearm. “If I’d known we’d been in England this long, I would have brought a summer weight suit.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that,” Sam laughed. “By this evening, it could very well be cold and damp again. You’ll be glad you brought your tweeds. So, Anna, how long have you been here? And what brought you to Hastings?”
“Sharon and I came here in January. We chose Hastings because Sharon has relatives here. Her maternal grandparents are here. Her mom married an American and went home with him, but she said her mom’s sister stayed here and married. So she probably has cousins here too.”
“Really?” Sam asked. “Who are they? I might know them.”
“The grandparents are Sir Walter St. James and his wife. I think her name is Charlotte. Sharon contacted them, but they refused to see us. So that left us on our own here at the White Feather.”
“I’ve heard of Sir Walter,” Sam said. “He was a hero in the last war, I believe. I’ve seen his wife around town, but that’s about it. Why wouldn’t they see you?”
Anna shrugged. “I don’t think old Sir Walter was thrilled that his daughter married an American Jew. Sharon hoped they’d let bygones be bygones, but I guess the St. James clan can hold a grudge.”
“Well, that’s too bad,” Sam shook her head. “It’s a shame, if you ask me. Life’s too short to hold onto a grudge. Though the old guard do hold on to their loyalty to the Church of England. I should know. My father and uncle are vicars. They’re both very concerned about my soul. When I stepped out with an American boy for a while they were worried that I might marry outside of the church.”
Don and Charlie exchanged glances. “I’m sorry to hear that,” Don said.
“Oh, I don’t worry about what they think. I’m afraid I’m beyond help at this point.”
“Well,” Anna said, “you are a grown woman, and fully capable of making your own decisions. If I were you, I’d tell them - what’s the phrase? - ‘bugger off?’”
Sam blushed. “I may think that, but I’d never say it out loud.”
“I think it’s about time you learn to say what you think and the hell with propriety,” Anna said, grinning. “If this war has done anything, it’s shown that women can handle any job a man can do. And probably do it better. It’s time we step forward and take our place alongside the men, not under their heel.”
“She does have a good point,” Larry said. “In many cultures, women have taken roles outside of what we might consider proper. It is not a biological imperative for them to take the lesser role.”
Anna gave Larry a playful punch on the arm. “I’m beginning to like you, Larry. Now if you could just drive some sense into Charlie’s skull … .”
Charlie rolled his eyes. “I think I have enough sense, thank you very much.” He pulled his pocket watch from his vest pocket. “I think it’s time we got to work.”
“I don’t suppose I could come along with you and see what you’re doing?” Anna asked. “Like I said at breakfast, it is getting a little boring waiting around here for something to happen. I am a reporter, after all. I’m not used to sitting on the sidelines.”
“Well,” Don said, “I’m afraid you’re going to have to sit a little longer. You know what we’re doing is classified.”
“I know. It was worth a shot, though.”
After they had bid their farewells to Anna, Don, Larry and Charlie followed Sam to the car. “Where to?” Sam asked pertly as she climbed into the driver’s seat.
“Why don’t we drop these two off at the school house?” Don said. “Then if you think he’d be willing to put up with me, I thought I could hang around with DCS Foyle today.”
“Well,” Sam said, “it won’t hurt to ask him.”
At the school, Don unlocked the door and accompanied the professors into their classroom. Then he handed Charlie the key. “Here. You might as well hang onto this. Lock the door behind us, and if you leave the building for any reason, don’t forget to lock the door behind you.”
Charlie saluted. “Yessir.” He glanced at the blackboards, anxious to return to his work, but followed Don back to the front door. “You two going to the movie tonight?”
Don looked hopefully at Sam. “Sam?”
“Definitely! I’ve not been to the cinema in such a long time.”
Don grinned. “Well, Charlie, it looks like we will be going to the movie … er … the cinema tonight. Why?”
“I was just wondering when to expect you back. Now that I know you’ll be occupied this evening, we won’t expect to see you until tomorrow morning.”
Sam’s eyes widened. “Oh, I believe you’ll see him tonight some time.”
Charlie covered his mouth with his hand. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to imply anything. All right. I’ll see you later tonight.” He waved as Sam and Don trotted down the steps, then closed and locked the door. Turning to Larry, rubbing his hands, he said, “Well, let’s get to it.”
Once they were back in the classroom, Charlie took out a sheaf of graph paper. “All right. Why don’t you start with the keyword DITSEF and I’ll start with HITSEF? This way we can save time.”
“Excellent idea,” Larry said, reaching for a few sheets of paper. They sat, deep in concentration, deciphering their respective lists and smoking quietly. Finally Charlie sighed and took one last look at his list. He glanced up at Larry, who was still working. A few moments later, Larry looked quizzically at what he had written. “Well, it’s clearly not DITSEF.” He handed Charlie his list:
PILBBQ XWIELM VRIOEO EMBXRX IYFBRE XJUGEK SUAKEF STADET IRHHSF EGEBFB SSSBBX IONEYW MLLAED ESAEAE XRELOD XSHXWU PLBXKZ SWNTSE ICOGDE YBAETQ VNEEIL EBEMHI MNDLOD OESMRQ PWIELB VOVBDQ ENYMHU RGYHUZ IEDVOZ XACMMQ ESSHOZ ESYHUT EVETCO SMPEIE LEDROG VMILSU SNNXXF HROIWU PLBXIZ XHEPHU XEFXAF LER
“Not HITSEF either,” Charlie said with a sigh, passing his list to Larry:
LILBBQ TWIELM RRIOEO AMBXRX EYFBRE TJUGEK OUAKEF OTADET ERHHSF AGEBFB OSSBBX EONEYW ILLAED ASAEAE TRELOD TSHXWU LLBXKZ OWNTSE ECOGDE UBAETQ RNEEIL ABEMHI INDLOD KESMRQ LWIELB ROVBDQ ANYMHU NGHYUZ EEDVOZ TACMMQ ASSHOZ ASYHUT AVETCO OMPEIE HEDROG RMILSU ONNXXF DROIWU LLBXIZ THEPHU TEFXAF HER
They sat side by side, studying the two lists for a few minutes, then Larry said, “I don’t think ‘d’ is the first letter. Look at all these x’s I got with it.” He circled the seven x’s that showed up for the first letter in the six letter groupings. “I’m afraid you were right.” He picked up his list and began to wad it up.
“Wait,” Charlie took the paper from him. “Look at all the x’s we both got in the fourth spot. I don’t think ‘s’ is the right fourth letter in the keyword.”
Larry pulled out the bar graphs. “Okay, let’s accept that the first letter is ‘h’ - for now anyway. And let’s have another look at the fourth letter. Let’s see if we can come up with something that makes more sense than ‘s.’”
Characters: Don, Alan & Charlie Eppes, Colby Granger, Larry Fleinhardt, Christopher Foyle, Samantha Stewart, Paul Milner
Rating: T for some violence and ethnic slurs
Beta: Digeediva, superbeta and font of all sorts of esoteric information.
Author’s Note: After much thought, I decided to change Anita Buonaroti’s name to Anna. I kept typing “Amita” for some strange reason.
Chapter 11
Don glanced up at the sky as he held the door for Sam and Larry. “It’s a lot nicer out today than it was yesterday.”
“Thank goodness for that,” Sam said. “Though the rain is good for the garden, isn’t it?”
“It is,” Larry said. “And this garden is beautiful. Look at the rhododendrons over there. Aren’t they amazing?”
“Those pink flowery bushes?” Don asked. “Sorry. I’m not really interested in gardening. They are pretty, though.” He pulled a cigar from his pocket and lit it.
As Larry led the way to the rhododendrons, the door behind them opened again. They turned to see Charlie holding the door for a protesting Anna. Sam chuckled. “I see those two are still at it.”
Don laughed and gave Charlie a wave. Softly, he said to Sam, “I’ll bet he can’t wait to get back to his code work. Miss Buonaroti seems to be giving him a piece of her mind.”
“A piece I daresay she will sorely miss,” Sam brushed past Don to join Larry next to the rhododendrons.
“Why, Miss Stewart,” Don said in mocking sternness, “what did Miss Buonaroti ever do to you?” He drew deeply on his cigar and blew the smoke out in lazy rings.
“Nothing, to be perfectly honest. But she’s just a bit brash for my tastes. And all that nonsense about being a modern woman. You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar, that’s what they say, isn’t it?”
Larry smirked. “You’re assuming she wants to catch flies.”
“Oh, that’s just a figure of speech,” Sam said.
“What’s a figure of speech?” Charlie asked as he came up beside them.
“Nothing,” Sam said hastily.
Charlie looked quizzically at Don, who said, “Nothing at all, Buddy.” He glanced at Anna. “Have you two worked out your differences?”
“For now,” Anna said. “I think I made myself clear to Charlie.”
Charlie rolled his eyes. “Abundantly. So, Larry, this is the garden you wanted us to see?”
“It is.” Larry filled his pipe and carefully tamped the tobacco down. “It’s not quite as warm here as it is back home, but I do believe that being on the water makes the climate a great deal milder than it is inland.” He lit the pipe. “We were just admiring these rhododendrons. And the camellias over there are just beautiful.”
“They are,” Charlie said. “When can we get back to work?”
“Soon enough, Buddy,” Don said. “Just relax, will you? You’re so impatient!”
Charlie reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes and his Zippo. “I just want to finish up here so we can get back to … to the reason we came to England to begin with.”
Being ever the gentleman, Charlie held out the pack to Anna and Sam. “Would you care for one?”
Both women accepted and held their cigarettes so Charlie could light them.
Anna took a deep puff. “Thanks. So, what was the reason you came here to begin with?”
Charlie glanced at Don, who said, “We’re here on classified government business. I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to tell you anything else.”
“Not even where you’ve been stationed?”
“Nope. Not even that.”
“How about how long you’ve been in England? You can at least tell me that, can’t you?” Anna asked with a sigh. The reporter in her was shut down. “Were you here for May Day?”
“Uh, yes, we were,” Don said. “But we were working.” He puffed on his cigar and gave Anna a grin. “Okay, we’ve been in England since March.”
“We missed the festivities this year,” Larry said, “but Charlie and I both studied over here and were able to participate in previous May Day festivities.”
“It’s fun to watch the Brits let their hair down, isn’t it?” Anna said with a laugh. “Most of the time they’re pretty straight laced.”
Sam’s brow furrowed. “I believe we’re capable of cutting loose when the situation calls for it. Unfortunately, it’s been a few years since the situation really called for it.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, Sam. Maybe when this damned war is over, I can come back and see you guys really celebrate.”
“Good,” Sam said. “I’d love to have you back to see us under better circumstances. We’re a little worn around the edges now, I’m afraid.”
“So,” Anna said, “Larry, what kind of flowers are we looking at here?”
“Well, these are rhododendrons. There are tulips and daffodils. Milton wrote a poem about May with its primroses and cowslips. I’ve found primroses, but I’m not sure what a cowslip looks like.”
“Oh my,” Charlie scoffed, “don’t tell me our Renaissance man has been stumped.”
“I never claimed to know everything, Charles. I am simply making an attempt to be well-rounded.”
“Well,” Charlie laughed, “a few more breakfasts like we just ate and we’ll all be well-rounded.”
The morning sun reached the garden and started to warm the visitors. Charlie took off his suit coat and draped it over his forearm. “If I’d known we’d been in England this long, I would have brought a summer weight suit.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that,” Sam laughed. “By this evening, it could very well be cold and damp again. You’ll be glad you brought your tweeds. So, Anna, how long have you been here? And what brought you to Hastings?”
“Sharon and I came here in January. We chose Hastings because Sharon has relatives here. Her maternal grandparents are here. Her mom married an American and went home with him, but she said her mom’s sister stayed here and married. So she probably has cousins here too.”
“Really?” Sam asked. “Who are they? I might know them.”
“The grandparents are Sir Walter St. James and his wife. I think her name is Charlotte. Sharon contacted them, but they refused to see us. So that left us on our own here at the White Feather.”
“I’ve heard of Sir Walter,” Sam said. “He was a hero in the last war, I believe. I’ve seen his wife around town, but that’s about it. Why wouldn’t they see you?”
Anna shrugged. “I don’t think old Sir Walter was thrilled that his daughter married an American Jew. Sharon hoped they’d let bygones be bygones, but I guess the St. James clan can hold a grudge.”
“Well, that’s too bad,” Sam shook her head. “It’s a shame, if you ask me. Life’s too short to hold onto a grudge. Though the old guard do hold on to their loyalty to the Church of England. I should know. My father and uncle are vicars. They’re both very concerned about my soul. When I stepped out with an American boy for a while they were worried that I might marry outside of the church.”
Don and Charlie exchanged glances. “I’m sorry to hear that,” Don said.
“Oh, I don’t worry about what they think. I’m afraid I’m beyond help at this point.”
“Well,” Anna said, “you are a grown woman, and fully capable of making your own decisions. If I were you, I’d tell them - what’s the phrase? - ‘bugger off?’”
Sam blushed. “I may think that, but I’d never say it out loud.”
“I think it’s about time you learn to say what you think and the hell with propriety,” Anna said, grinning. “If this war has done anything, it’s shown that women can handle any job a man can do. And probably do it better. It’s time we step forward and take our place alongside the men, not under their heel.”
“She does have a good point,” Larry said. “In many cultures, women have taken roles outside of what we might consider proper. It is not a biological imperative for them to take the lesser role.”
Anna gave Larry a playful punch on the arm. “I’m beginning to like you, Larry. Now if you could just drive some sense into Charlie’s skull … .”
Charlie rolled his eyes. “I think I have enough sense, thank you very much.” He pulled his pocket watch from his vest pocket. “I think it’s time we got to work.”
“I don’t suppose I could come along with you and see what you’re doing?” Anna asked. “Like I said at breakfast, it is getting a little boring waiting around here for something to happen. I am a reporter, after all. I’m not used to sitting on the sidelines.”
“Well,” Don said, “I’m afraid you’re going to have to sit a little longer. You know what we’re doing is classified.”
“I know. It was worth a shot, though.”
After they had bid their farewells to Anna, Don, Larry and Charlie followed Sam to the car. “Where to?” Sam asked pertly as she climbed into the driver’s seat.
“Why don’t we drop these two off at the school house?” Don said. “Then if you think he’d be willing to put up with me, I thought I could hang around with DCS Foyle today.”
“Well,” Sam said, “it won’t hurt to ask him.”
At the school, Don unlocked the door and accompanied the professors into their classroom. Then he handed Charlie the key. “Here. You might as well hang onto this. Lock the door behind us, and if you leave the building for any reason, don’t forget to lock the door behind you.”
Charlie saluted. “Yessir.” He glanced at the blackboards, anxious to return to his work, but followed Don back to the front door. “You two going to the movie tonight?”
Don looked hopefully at Sam. “Sam?”
“Definitely! I’ve not been to the cinema in such a long time.”
Don grinned. “Well, Charlie, it looks like we will be going to the movie … er … the cinema tonight. Why?”
“I was just wondering when to expect you back. Now that I know you’ll be occupied this evening, we won’t expect to see you until tomorrow morning.”
Sam’s eyes widened. “Oh, I believe you’ll see him tonight some time.”
Charlie covered his mouth with his hand. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to imply anything. All right. I’ll see you later tonight.” He waved as Sam and Don trotted down the steps, then closed and locked the door. Turning to Larry, rubbing his hands, he said, “Well, let’s get to it.”
Once they were back in the classroom, Charlie took out a sheaf of graph paper. “All right. Why don’t you start with the keyword DITSEF and I’ll start with HITSEF? This way we can save time.”
“Excellent idea,” Larry said, reaching for a few sheets of paper. They sat, deep in concentration, deciphering their respective lists and smoking quietly. Finally Charlie sighed and took one last look at his list. He glanced up at Larry, who was still working. A few moments later, Larry looked quizzically at what he had written. “Well, it’s clearly not DITSEF.” He handed Charlie his list:
PILBBQ XWIELM VRIOEO EMBXRX IYFBRE XJUGEK SUAKEF STADET IRHHSF EGEBFB SSSBBX IONEYW MLLAED ESAEAE XRELOD XSHXWU PLBXKZ SWNTSE ICOGDE YBAETQ VNEEIL EBEMHI MNDLOD OESMRQ PWIELB VOVBDQ ENYMHU RGYHUZ IEDVOZ XACMMQ ESSHOZ ESYHUT EVETCO SMPEIE LEDROG VMILSU SNNXXF HROIWU PLBXIZ XHEPHU XEFXAF LER
“Not HITSEF either,” Charlie said with a sigh, passing his list to Larry:
LILBBQ TWIELM RRIOEO AMBXRX EYFBRE TJUGEK OUAKEF OTADET ERHHSF AGEBFB OSSBBX EONEYW ILLAED ASAEAE TRELOD TSHXWU LLBXKZ OWNTSE ECOGDE UBAETQ RNEEIL ABEMHI INDLOD KESMRQ LWIELB ROVBDQ ANYMHU NGHYUZ EEDVOZ TACMMQ ASSHOZ ASYHUT AVETCO OMPEIE HEDROG RMILSU ONNXXF DROIWU LLBXIZ THEPHU TEFXAF HER
They sat side by side, studying the two lists for a few minutes, then Larry said, “I don’t think ‘d’ is the first letter. Look at all these x’s I got with it.” He circled the seven x’s that showed up for the first letter in the six letter groupings. “I’m afraid you were right.” He picked up his list and began to wad it up.
“Wait,” Charlie took the paper from him. “Look at all the x’s we both got in the fourth spot. I don’t think ‘s’ is the right fourth letter in the keyword.”
Larry pulled out the bar graphs. “Okay, let’s accept that the first letter is ‘h’ - for now anyway. And let’s have another look at the fourth letter. Let’s see if we can come up with something that makes more sense than ‘s.’”