Chapter One

of Queen of Hearts by K Dawn Byrd

Daphne Dean traced the red hearts on the bottom of the calling card as a sense of foreboding rolled over her. She shrugged it off, hoping that there would be minimal danger in working stateside as a spy for the Office of Strategic Services. Her grandmother had been a spy during World War I and a good one at that. Daphne hoped to live up to her grandmother‘s reputation. Just thinking about carrying on the tradition excited her and made her feel closer to the woman she‘d loved so much and who had died two years ago.

The letter that came with the calling cards stated that from there on out, she‘d be known as the Queen of Hearts. She sighed and tossed a pencil on her desk. She hated her code name and considered it ill fitting for a woman who‘d been in love only once in the past twenty-five years.

An image of Kenneth‘s handsome face invaded her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself not to cry. She thought of him every day, but never with such intense sadness. God, when will it be my turn? All my friends back home are married.

Daphne reprimanded herself with a quick thought. Now was not the time for self-pity. Not when thousands of women were sick with worry while their precious husbands, boyfriends, or sons resided in some terror-filled foxhole overseas.

She closed the box and tossed the cards into the worn brown satchel with her camera and supplies. She‘d give anything to have the men home even if it meant handing over the keys to her office, the small room that enveloped her in a warm cocoon at the start of each day. Daphne reminded herself often that she‘d likely have to give up her career as a newspaper reporter and trade in the dream that had been as important to her as the air she breathed. As much as she loved it, she‘d gladly swap it for a husband, a couple of kids and a house with a white picket fence.

The phone jingled and she reached for it, studying the contrast of pale pink nail polish against the black receiver. “Hello. Daphne Dean.“

“This is Code Red of Twelve-Seven.“

She sat up straight, desperately trying to recall her conversation with Tom. He‘d said that Twelve-Seven was the code for December 7, the day the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor and it was the name of her group of O.S.S. operatives. “Go ahead.“

“Listen carefully.“ His voice was deep and ominous, hinting of danger and intrigue. He cleared his throat. “Write this message down and then destroy the note. You‘ll type it on your calling card and deliver it to the club at eight o‘clock tonight. The message is ‘Emergency meeting Eight o‘clock tomorrow morning. The usual place‘. Now, read it back to me.“

She finished scribbling and read it back to him, her voice trembling with anticipation.

“That‘s right, doll. A courier will be there in a few minutes with your attire for the evening. You‘ll be approached at the club by a woman in a red. Her code name is Scarlet. She‘s S.O.E. They‘re British Secret Intelligence. Give her the note and make sure no one sees you.“

“When you say the club, do you mean the private club for officers?“

“That‘s the one, babe.“

“How will I get in? As a member of the press?“

“No. You‘ll be undercover. Your ID will be in the box with your clothing. Your name for all Twelve-Seven assignments will be Rose Hart. Show your ID at the door. Got it?“

“Sure.“ She choked on the word.

“Don‘t let us down,“ said the stranger. The line clicked and went dead.

For more:

K.Dawn Byrd, Author
Queen of Hearts (April 2010) & Killing Time (August 2010)
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-template/KDawnByrd/Page.bok
YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/kdawnbyrd#p/a/u/0/grqPjGvfRa0
YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ncljBid61g
BLOG: http://kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com