Author DEE RAYMOND'S New Story

THE LIFE SHE

DESERVED

An Army Commander's Son Poses As A Girl Singer In An Effort To Feret Out A Spy Hidden Deep With Allied Headquarters!

Part 2

Heinrich Langer was waiting for Denise outside the staff's "luncheon room." "Mademoi- selle Colbert," he said formally, as Denise approached the room with some apprehension. "Since the good Colonel is not with you may I be your luncheon compan- ion today?"

Denise's bright smile brought a corresponding flush of pleasure to the tanned ex-major. "I would love to lunch with you, Herr Langer," she murmured.

"Agh, Heinrich, please,' said the German, taking her arm and ushering her past the silent M.P., who stepped back to block the doorway as soon as they had passed.

Denise tried to turn the conversation to Heinrich Langer himself, but the ex-major, whose speaking voice carried into all areas of the room, wanted most of all to talk about Eva, to ask why she had returned to her own name after leaving her husband in France, and about Denise's role as her 'companion'. The word sounded as if it were in quotes as Heinrich Langer used it speculatively.

"I don't like to speak of Eva", Denise said at last, almost desperately. She could see the sneer on Jody's face as the girl looked at the two 'foreigners' dining together at one of the few small, two-person tables in the

room.

"Agh, forgive me," Langer slapped his head. "How could I have been so stupid! I forgot all about...

Denise gave him a wan smile "Yes," she said simply.

There was a silence while the German gave Denise one of the most penetrating looks she had ever received, a look that made 'her' flush beneath her makeup and up to the roots of her tinted hair. She felt most acutely the tight bra about 'her' chest, her white, lacy petticoats caressing her stockinged legs and her long hair so soft about her neck.

"Tell me how you met Colonel Simons," Langer said finally breaking off his stare. "If you wish, of course," he added hastily. "I do not mean to pry.' He frowned as he realized what he had said. He would have gone on but Denise stopped him.

"I understand," she said huskily, now easing back into the role of Denise after a brief mo- ment of panic as she had thought of herself as Kenneth Gerlitz sitting in his girl's dress and un- derclothes in front of all these men and women. "Let's change the subject," she smiled.

Heinrich Langer gave a hand gesture to show that such had not really been his intention. He listened carefully while Denise gave him the prepared cover story. It must be obvious, she re-

lated to him, that everyone knew that Eva was an agent of Richard Simons. Langer showed only po- lite surprise. She had apparently been using Denise as a courier - but Denise hadn't known it. Colonel Simons didn't quite be- lieve that or he said he didn't- even when he saw Denise singing in the Colgne Cabaret. Simons. had brought her to the Group H. Q. to check her out, or so he'd said, Denise had smiled, flicking her hair back over her shoulders. He didn't really be- lieve that she'd had nothing to do with Eva's activities, her face was innocent of expression as Langer raised an eyebrow to show his incredulity also at the American Colonel.

"So he's keeping an eye on you .. "Langer stated, his eyes roving down her slim figure. 'Among other things," De- nise's answer was more tart than necessary.

Langer smiled. "I do not like to say," he spoke very quiet- ly as he leaned across the table, "that I saw you in that maid's costume "His pale eyes bore into her darker blue ones. "That's just what I was,' said Denise simply. "It was a job, just that."

Langer frowned. "But you are upset at Frau von Riffel's death...'

Denise paled. "It was how she died," she whispered, clench- ing her table napkin to make her knuckles whiten. "That ... that could have been me, too, if I - I'd stayed in Berlin." She shuddered.

Langer nodded. "Mademoi- selle," he said. "I'm sorry to ask these things. My curiosity, you know, gets the better of me. Any way, he raised the glass of Lieb- fraumilch in front of him, "I hope you will do me the honor of dining with me soon. It is good to talk with someone from here about people we both knew in Berlin. Like Erich and Josef." He mentioned two well-placed ex-Foreign Office officials by their Christian names.

"Richard says he'll be work- ing all evening till past midnight for the next two nights," said Denise doubtfully, her eyes on the wine she too had raised. "Well, then," said Langer,