“There’s been a complication,” she told Hans when they met the next day.
“What?” Hans asked.
She told him about Collins. “I wanted to tell you before, but I have been afraid. I do not know how much he knows about my—our—situation. I wanted to be sure before I came to you.”
Hans’ face was unreadable. “What have you been passing to him?”
“Pretty much the same thing I’ve given you.”
Hans grunted. “Make sure you tell me exactly what material he gets from now on.” He appraised her. “Does he have any idea about our arrangement?”
“That’s why I waited. He does not know. I am sure.”
She expected Hans to be suspicious, to threaten reprisals, to punish her in some way. To her surprise, though, he smiled. “Well, well, this could actually be quite useful. Make sure you continue to update me on him.”
Update him? That was all? Lena tensed. Hans really did seem unconcerned. But they’d had Irving killed for getting in the way. Her plan wasn’t working. “How can you say Collins might be useful? He’s a serious threat.”
“What makes you believe that?”
Lena felt her anger build. “Hans, look at the situation. You have me spying for the Germans. Collins has me spying on the Communists. If he finds out, I am finished. Especially now that Hitler has invaded Russia.”
“Lena, do not worry.”
He was trying to soothe her. Badly, she thought. “You seem to forget it is my life at stake.”
“You are doing a wonderful job.”
She took a deep breath. “No. This cannot continue. I want out. That’s why I told you about Collins. It has become too dangerous. I cannot do this anymore. Genuch ist genuch.”
Hans nodded. “I understand. It will not be long now.”
“What do you mean?”
“We all know that when construction begins, the Manhattan Project will relocate to other places. You will, of course, remain here. The only question is when the move will take place. We will reassess your options at that point.”
“But what about Collins? What are you going to do about him?”
Hans seemed unperturbed. “Nothing. He’s—what do the Americans say? ‘Small potatoes.’”
Lena knew she would go straight to hell for thinking it, but she couldn’t wait for the bomb to be built. At least she would be free.
If she was still alive.