Deceptions Of War: Sue Lee Mystery

By SORLIE DM

In "Deceptions Of War," the second book in the Sue Lee mystery series by D.M. Sorlie, readers are taken on a thrilling journey from the barb wired beachfront of Hawaii to occupied Paris in 1942. Captain Sue Lee Ono, a skilled code breaker for army intelligence, finds herself delving deeper into the dangerous world of espionage. With her exceptional language skills, Sue Lee is sent to Nazi-occupied Paris on a mission to locate and assist a Jewish scientist in his liberation. 

Time is of the essence as Sue Lee must complete her mission before the Gestapo, aided by the Vichy French, round up all the Jewish residents of Paris and send them to Auschwitz's gas chambers. Throughout her mission, Sue Lee is guided by her handler, Alex Mueller from the Army Counter Intelligence Command. 

Meanwhile, Sue Lee's former lover, Tommaso, a pacifist, is fleeing from Mussolini's regime and war-torn Italy in an attempt to reunite with her. Tommaso embarks on a perilous journey, sailing along the German-patrolled coast of France. 

The action in "Deceptions Of War" is relentless as Sue Lee finds herself escaping with the courageous ladies of the French Resistance, leading her on a secret path to Spain. The
 thrilling climax of the book occurs when Sue Lee encounters flying Dr. Jane. 

With its fast-paced narrative and gripping storyline, "Deceptions Of War" is sure to captivate readers as they follow Sue Lee's daring exploits in the midst of World War Two.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Enchanted Island Publishing LLC
• Release date: Feb 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9791223005491

Book preview

PROLOGUE

PARIS FRANCE, JUNE 1942

Sue Lee knew the Vichy Council of Ministers was a group of puppets run by the Nazis, but it could be the opportunity she needed. It scared her. Sue Lee could just wait, then disappear this evening, but so many lives were at stake. She made her decision.

Maria was smoking as she walked by, scowling as Sue Lee straightened files on her desk for the parade of officials to see. Sue Lee stood, then stretched, watching Maria leave the room. Maria left a pack with a book of matches on the table. I hope that one she’s had in her mouth will keep her away for a while?

Sue Lee took a cigarette from the pack after lighting it. Quickly took several puffs to make sure it was going well. She folded the matchbook cover back, placing the burning cigarette between the unlighted matches. She then set it on several sheets of parchment paper under the old curtains.

She picked up her suitcase and left the office, stopping to ask the girl to direct her to the washroom to freshen up. From the layout Alex showed her, she knew the toilet was in the back of the building by a door leading to an alleyway. She didn’t stop, went through the door, then turned down the alley leading away from the street.

Stepping into another doorway, Sue Lee opened her suitcase, pulling out a coat with a large matching hat. She needed to look different. She left the bag by the door, turning to go. There stood Maria, swinging her arm in a high arc with a club screaming, Halt!

Sue Lee jumped from the steps inside the swinging arm, thrusting her body against Maria’s, knocking her down. She landed on top, pushing her forearm across Maria’s throat. She then saw the blood. My God, her head must have hit the cobblestone? I need to get the hell out of here!

Chapter One

CODE BREAKERS

HAWAII, MAY 1942

Sue Lee could feel the humidity seeping through her summer uniform. A welcome breeze came through the open door, helping cool the stuffy room. She was with a group of other code-breakers in Hawaii, closely monitoring a battle in the Coral Sea. The aim was to seek new jargon to add to the cryptanalysis dictionary for future code-breaking.

The cryptanalysis results were working well. Teamed with code-breakers from Australia, they learned that the Japanese forces would invade Port Moresby in New Guinea and Tulagi in the southeastern Solomon Islands.

A carrier task force and a joint American-Australian cruiser force were sent to stop them.

It was the second day of the battle; they had severely damaged the carrier Yorktown.

Carrier Lexington’s damage was far worse. A fire caused by an explosion forced the evacuation of all personnel below the waterline. Shortly after that, another explosion — they had given the order to abandon the ship.

The Japanese had had one light carrier sunk, one destroyer sunk, and three warships sunk. The carrier Shōkaku was severely damaged—hit three times by bombs—could not launch or recover her aircraft. Now, she was running back to Japan.

Both sides were withdrawing with heavy losses. However, the Japanese invasion had been repelled, which was a victory.

Finally, code-breakers were told to stand down. Sue Lee leaned against the wall outside the stuffy building, breathing in the fresh air while waiting for her ride back to the hotel.

She was attracting the attention of a group of sailors nearby. Sue Lee was tall and slim-waisted, with black hair cut to shoulder length and green eyes. She had a distinct beauty, which had been passed down to her from her European heritage, French Polynesian mother, mixed with Asian from her Japanese father.

Usually, she would smile and strike up a conversation, but she was worried about Carl. Carl was Finn and Mary’s boy, who had been aboard the Carrier Lexington. It would be days before she knew who the survivors were.

Her car pulled up. A corporal jumped out to open the door.

After she’d settled in the back seat, she remembered the card in her pocket. A little old man approached her yesterday morning while waiting for her ride in front of the hotel. He handed her his card, saying, Could I have a moment of your time when you are free, Sue Lee? Before she could answer, her car pulled up. The dapper gentleman opened the door for her. Your uncle Yoshi and I were partners. My number is on the card. Please call me when you’re free.

The name on the card was Mr. Han. She shook her head. Maybe tomorrow I need some sleep. Her driver stopped at the entrance to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The last time she’d stayed at the Royal Hawaiian had been the summer before she’d graduated from Stanford University in 1940. She’d flown over with Yoshi on the Pan-American China clipper. Yoshi had been negotiating a new shipping contract; he’d wanted to teach her more about the business. She was part owner of the Walker Ono shipping lines after her father’s death. But she knew that Yoshi just wanted to cheer her up after her lover Tommaso left.

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel was exclusively leased to the United States Navy as a rest and transient center for those serving in the Pacific Fleet.

Sue Lee awaited her transportation orders to continue to Melbourne, Australia, to the HYPO listening station. Code-breakers throughout the Pacific were scrambling to anticipate Admiral Yamamoto’s next moves.

Sue Lee became involved with army intelligence shortly after graduating from Stanford University. The war department realized they needed more personnel fluent in the Japanese language.

In the event of war with Japan, they needed to train translators and field interrogators. This entailed the starting of a school to teach the Japanese language.

She’d been told that any time war was declared, they could conscript her into the army shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, which had become a reality. Her language skills and fluency had pushed her deeper into intelligence work; now, she was a leading code-breaker, interpreting enemy information. But she was exhausted when a doorman opened her door, welcoming her to the Royal Hawaii Hotel.

Chapter Two

MR. HAN’S BROTHEL

HAWAII, MAY 1942

The little Chinese man across from her was impeccably dressed in a stylish, white, tailored suit. His mannerisms, along with his speech, were that of an English gentleman.

It seemed appropriate that she had asked him to join her for high tea on the hotel terrace. It was pleasant, overlooking the sea; the only thing that spoiled the view were barricades of barbed wire with sandbags along the beach. After the waiter had left, Sue Lee poured the tea for both of them, continuing the conversation.

Thank you for your condolences, Mr. Han. You said you knew my uncle, Yoshi? Sue Lee started sipping her tea.

We’re partners. Together we own the Hotel Bing, one of the best brothels in Honolulu. Now it is half yours! He said, raising his cup. Welcome aboard, Madam Sue Lee!

Sue Lee almost choked on her tea!

I say, are you all right? Waiter more water, quickly, please! Mr. Han rose from his chair.

No—no, I’m okay. Please sit. You must be Jimmy; Yoshi spoke of you often. You were in Singapore during our last visit. I only know about the hotel. I even asked Yoshi back then why we were not staying there. He said it was full. Apparently, he left out a few details. Sue Lee used the clean napkin the server handed her to wipe tears from her eyes.

Oh, I’m sorry. I did not mean my levity to be disrespectful. The hotel is half yours, not the brothel; I thought you knew. Please forgive me.

Sue Lee waited until the server left after placing a fresh cup before her.

Let’s start from the beginning. When did this business of using the hotel as a brothel start with you and Yoshi?

A bit of luck—We fell into it. Prostitution has been loosely regulated here on the islands for quite some time, but in 1930, they pushed it into Chinatown. Yoshi and I bought the hotel in 1929, and the economy slowed. You might say regulatory prostitution laws in Chinatown saved us. However, they are now regulated by the military. The business has increased with all the servicemen passing through. Our full—time resident, Mademoiselle Fifi, requires the ladies to receive one hundred men daily. They’re required to work twenty days in a month. Mr. Han told her with such