"The Ridge would be assaulted by five platoons taking different routes. Ultimately the 5th platoon joined with the 4th platoon" Mac began. "To muffle the sound, pitons would be driven into the rock with hammers wrapped in cloth. Platoon leaders were given the map a few days before the attack. But they were not told that the Army expected casualties as high as 90%. Medics gathered below the Ridge."

Following the card game, on the base of the music box was a drawing of a room with bunk beds and a table. It was dark, except for one light that shone on the table, where lay a partially open package. Inside, an ancient leather-bound object was visible.

Was that package mailed to his Land Girl sweetheart a few days before the assault on Riva Ridge? If so, what had Pete thought as he consigned the package to US Army mail that, at a time when German U boats were sinking American ships, did not always reach its destination.