The Rose Code

In November 1947, Osla and Mab meet at a teashop and exchange insults over breakfast. The discussion turns to Beth’s message, with Osla arguing in Beth’s favor and Mab remaining skeptical.

Within the psychiatric hospital, Beth speculates that the traitor at BP was collaborating with the Russians. Even though the Soviet Union was England’s ally at the time, Churchill’s government kept some information secret from them.

In February 1942, Osla complains to Commander Travis, BP’s new warden, that BP’s security is lacking; he and his staff brush her off. Leaving the office, she sees Giles, whose section head put him on break after he backed up Harry’s assertion that the English intelligence should be sharing more of their findings with their Russian allies.

Disturbed by reports of the systematic murdering of Jews and jealous of Mab’s happy marriage, Osla calls Philip, who happens to be writing a letter to his distant cousin, Princess Elizabeth. Unable to voice her concerns, she merely returns Philip’s declaration of love.

Giles helps Osla, Mab, and Beth find a new room in the village of Aspley Guise. Back at work, Beth receives a new cipher to break, and she cracks it within two weeks.