When she got to ATA headquarters, the assignments officer, a matronly woman who was always official army in her manner, looked at her skeptically.
"Barbara, we've had a special request for your services on a most unusual flight. We only agreed to it because you are an American and an ATA volunteer, not strictly one of our girls."
What can she possibly be talking about? "At this moment, I can't reveal what the assignment is, but it is dangerous and top secret. You don't have to make a decision to accept it until you learn what it is tonight. Can you return here at nine o'clock? You will be relieved of all duties until then."
Barbara agreed to return at nine o'clock and left, wondering about the secret mission.
After she returned to her hotel room at the Savoy, a handsome young man in an expensive blue suit sat in a taxi that had pulled up out front.
"Give this note to the desk clerk," he instructed the driver. "Then come back and we'll wait here."
The driver delivered the note to a clerk at the reception desk, then returned to his taxi and waited in it with his fare who rested his chin pensively on the crook of a cane he held in both hands.
The desk clerk sent a bell boy up to Barbara's room with the note. Hoping it was from Stephen, she tipped the boy and as he left, she opened it eagerly. Her heart nearly stopped as she read,
Barbara, I am here in London and coming for you. Funny double meaning, huh? You cannot escape me. I will find you no matter where you go.
If you stay in your hotel room, so much the better. I'm sure there's a bed there for us.
If you leave and try to hide from me, don't think you can. I'll find you.
Today, this afternoon, I will finally have you. And afterward, no one else ever will.
Aren't you sorry now, you've made me wait so long?
Your adoring one.
The note was unsigned, but Barbara knew who had written it.