Code Name Verity

Maddie writes that she has to remember to call Julie Verity. Nobody can move forward with Julie gone, since she’s the only one who can move between the town hall and the Gestapo headquarters. So, the entire Damask Circuit is on edge; they fear that Julie will betray them. It’s very likely the Gestapo have her.

Maddie writes that for her, nothing has changed. It’s been two weeks. She’s had her picture taken by a trusted photographer. They’re going to give Maddie a new identity: that of Katharina Habicht, the family’s cousin from Alsace who’s come to help on the farm. It’s risky, especially since Julie may have compromised the name. But Maddie and Paul figure that Julie wouldn’t have mentioned Katharina, since she must know it’s the only identity Maddie can use (since Julie has Maddie’s identity documents).

The photographer also works for the Nazis. He showed Maddie the enlargements he made of Maddie’s crashed plane. The pilot, who’s supposed to be Maddie, is unrecognizable, and the pictures of his body are horrific. But what really got to Maddie was a closeup of her badge and wings. The photographer explained that apparently the Gestapo have an English airman and want to ask him questions about the pictures. Maddie and Paul wonder if the airman is Verity, though she’s not English or technically an airman. But she does have Maddie’s pilot’s license, and since Maddie is a civilian, there are no photos on the ID for the Gestapo to look at.

Paul asked if Maddie or Verity would be able to tell if the pilot is Maddie. The body is so destroyed it barely looks like a human, but Maddie hates the thought of Julie having to look at the photos. She asked the photographer if he could stall before turning in the photos. He agreed to stall and pulled out some other photos to hand over immediately. Seeing them, Maddie laughed—the one of the rear cockpit, with the 11 wireless sets, was convincing and was the best thing Maddie had seen in weeks. Maddie knows Julie will make up code to go with each set. Those photos will save her. Then, the photographer took Maddie’s picture. He told her not to smile; she should be neutral, “Like the Swiss.”

The photographer also brought Maddie a pair of lightly used climbing slacks. The gift made Maddie cry, and the photographer apologized (he believed Maddie wanted a dress, not pants). Maman comforted Maddie, while Paul joked to the photographer that Maddie won’t mind pants since she doesn’t use anything between her legs. Maddie pretended not to hear him, but she hates him. Paul continues to touch Maddie whenever they practice shooting. She’d like to shoot him.