“Good. Emma, may I have the satchel?”
Emma placed the brown leather case on Colonel Wyman’s desk. He took a moment and slowly rifled through its contents. “Now, how did we all do on our homework last night? Henri, let’s start with you.” Wyman began quizzing each of them on their new cover identities. When he was finished, he was very happy and proud of his recruits. “That was a lot of information to memorize in a night, I know, but I knew you all could do it. Now remember, once you step out of the car and onto the tarmac at the airfield, address each other by your new names. Remember them. You’re going to be among friendly people, but you don’t want to raise any suspicions. We want this to go as smoothly as possible.”
“We understand, Colonel,” said Bunnel.
“When you get to Egypt, you may run across Americans. Some will be Army or Navy, but there’s a very good chance there will be OSS too. I’m not telling you not to converse with them, but keep to your stories. They’re going to try to figure out who you are. It’s just their job and, like you, what they’ve been trained to do.”
“We’ll keep our eyes and ears open, Colonel,” said Emma.
“Are there any questions so far?” Hearing none, Wyman waited for a moment then continued. “What do you say we go get something to eat. I think everyone has a good idea of what they need to do. We can finish this up after lunch.”
After lunch Wyman again went over their cover stories, took their old OSS identifications—except for their badges that had to be worn at all times in the building—and briefed them on their travel schedule. As he had mentioned, the trip was going to be grueling and would be non-stop until they reached Cairo.
“One last thing. When you get to West Africa, I have a word of advice for you. Be careful if you leave the airfield. It’s probably safe, but I’ve heard rumors of a lot of criminal types being about. I’m not restricting you, just use your best judgment.”
“Yes, Colonel,” replied Emma.
“Very well then, I wish you all the best of luck. I’ll escort you out of the building and send you on your way. If you think of anything later today, call me. Oh, I almost forgot, one more thing. Take as many cartons of cigarettes with you as you can. Where you’re going, American cigarettes are going to be as good as gold.”
As they all rose to their feet, Emma asked,”Colonel, may I have a word with you?”
“Certainly.” LaCroix and Bunnel excused themselves and waited in the hall. “Emma,” the Colonel asked when the two were alone, “are you worried about being in charge? If so, don’t be. You did a fine job on the last mission, and I have all the confidence in the world in you. I want you to be the leader on this because, after India, I have another mission planned for you, and I want you to get as much experience as possible being in command.”
“No, it isn’t that, Colonel. I know the mission will go well. This is more of a personal question, and if I’m out of line, just tell me and we can forget I asked. Colonel, you seem troubled today. Does it have something to do with what we’re going to do?”
“It does. This is the part of the job I don’t like. I’m sending the three of you off to be in harm’s way, and I don’t like doing it, It’s the business we have all found ourselves in, but I don’t like it. In the last war, the war that was going to end all wars, I was a line officer. I was the one who ordered everyone out and over the top of the trenches. I knew a lot of them wouldn’t be coming back, but I did it anyway. I had to. This is a different war and things have changed, but it’s the same too. I still feel responsible, for you, for LaCroix and Bunnel, and for a lot of others you don’t know. It just never gets easier. I hope that I’ve given you all enough information and resources to accomplish your mission in the safest way possible. I won’t know you’ve been successful until I receive the message from Miller telling me ‘mission accomplished’ and you’re all safe, and until then, I’ll worry.” He paused then continued, “To a smaller degree, you have that responsibility with LaCroix and Bunnel. I know you like them both, and you’re all friends, but don’t let that cloud your judgment. If it’s necessary to put them in an ugly situation, do it. They knew there could be risks with this job, but volunteered for it. All I can tell you is to use your best intuition and follow it.”
“I will, Colonel. I’ll do the best I can,” said Emma.
“I know you will.”
Colonel Wyman followed them out of the building and collected their badges. He wished them all good luck and gave them firm handshakes. After a short goodbye, he turned and walked back into the building.
Later in the afternoon, Emma finished packing and walked downstairs to the living room of the house where they were staying. Bunnel and LaCroix were seated on a long leather sofa by the fireplace and Emma took a seat opposite them. On the mid January afternoon, the warm fire felt good and comforting.
“I’m all packed and ready to go,” Emma said. “I don’t think we’ll be getting much sleep tonight. If the plane leaves at midnight, I’m sure the driver will be here by eleven.”
“Henri and I were just thinking the same thing,” Bunnel told her. “I don’t know if it’s even worth trying. Maybe we can get some sleep on the plane. Colonel Wyman was right, we’re going to need a day in Cairo to rest up. This is like having a coach tell you to get a good night’s sleep before the championship game. It just isn’t going to happen. Emma, I know you’ve spent time in Mexico and France, but have you ever been to the places we’re going now?” asked Bunnel.
“I don’t know if …”
“It’s safe, Emma, the housekeeper left a few minutes ago. We’re here alone. And sitting here in the living room, we can see her when she returns,” Bunnel said, reassuringly. “We’re just wondering what it’s going to be like in India. Other than a few times across the border to Vancouver, and of course Cuba, I’ve never left the country. I know one thing for certain, Africa and India are not going to be like Vancouver,” said Bunnel with a smile.
“I haven’t been to India, either,” replied Emma. “All I know about it is what I’ve read in books or seen at the picture shows. I’m afraid the Hollywood version is a lot different than the true version. I know it’ll be a lot different than Mexico City or Paris too. Both of those places have their poor and their problems, just like anywhere, but India’s an entirely different situation. Sorry I can’t be of any help.”
“No, no, that’s okay, Emma. This trip is kind of like being a kid and going to Mardi Gras for the first time. The sights, the sounds, the smells. You think you know what to expect, then when the parade starts, it’s a whole other world. I think we just have a bit of anticipation not knowing what it’s going to be like,” said LaCroix.
“I think we all do,” Emma responded.
“One thing is certain, though, it’s going to be a lot different than any place we’ve been before or probably ever will be again. Mission aside, it’s going to be the trip of a lifetime,” said Bunnel. “I never thought in a million years I’d be going half way around the world.”
“Jimmy, you may end up going all the way around it. No telling how Colonel Wyman will bring us home,” said Emma.
“You know, you just may be right. I never thought of it. We could be on our way to circumventing the globe. I like that idea. If we didn’t have such a long night and days ahead of us, I’d think a drink would be in order to celebrate.”
“One won’t hurt us, Jimmy. Henri, what do you say?” asked Emma.
“Let me see if I understand this correctly,” began LaCroix. “Ya asking a Cajun fisherman if we should have a drink?”
“Precisely,” answered Emma.
“Emma, you should know the answer to that question,” said LaCroix, laughing almost uncontrollably.
“I take it that’s an affirmative.”
“Yes, it is,” replied a still laughing LaCroix.
Bunnel quickly produced a bottle of whiskey and three glasses. He poured a liberal amount into each glass and they all stood by the fire and dra
nk a toast to the trip, the mission, and themselves. The whiskey felt warm going down and, momentarily, took away the anticipation.
“Emma, what do you think this is going to be like? When we went to Cuba, you and Jimmy were in the thick of it. What do you expect will happen?” asked a serious LaCroix.
Before she could answer, Bunnel answered. “That turned into a real nasty bit of business. We were lucky any of us made it back. I sure don’t want to go down that road again.”
“Don’t worry, we’re not. As Colonel Wyman mentioned, Calcutta is full of all kinds of people. One thing is certain, some of them are going to be desperate. That means we keep our guard up at all times and trust no one. That goes for Miller, too. He’s an outsider. The three of us know each other and know that when the stuff hits the fan, we’ll be there for each other. We don’t know Miller, and before we bring him in too deep, we need to get to know him.” Emma paused, nodded her head slowly, and continued. “Cuba was intense, but we survived. Out of it, we learned a lot. When we get to India, we’ll make sure we use what we learned. And we’re going to be a lot more careful this time. We’re going to keep our weapons with us at all times and be ready to use them. If we keep alert, we’ll all come back alive.”
As they silently stood in front of the fire, Bunnel said, “I have an idea. Let me know if this sounds good. I’ve been thinking. Tonight’s going to be our last night here. Tomorrow morning we get to Miami, and a few hours later, we’ll be on our way to Brazil. You know what I’d like? Something we won’t be getting for a while. A hamburger and a large order of fries. How does that sound?”
“With cheese,” said Emma.
“And an ice cold Coke,” added LaCroix
“No, with a milkshake. Chocolate or vanilla, it doesn’t matter. Just a thick creamy shake,” said Emma.
“I know just the place. Henri and I found it a couple of weeks ago before you got back from Canada. It isn’t much, just a simple diner, but the food’s good.”
“That sounds perfect,” said Emma.
“We can go right after the housekeeper gets back. I don’t think we should leave the fire unattended. Last thing we need to do is burn down this beautiful house and then catch a flight to India. Colonel Wyman’s an understanding commanding officer, but I don’t think he’d be too sporting about us burning the place up,” said Bunnel.
“In that case, Henri, what do you think, is a refill in order?”
“You’re asking me again, Emma?” said LaCroix, laughing.
When they arrived at the diner, Bunnel and LaCroix were surprised. The normally crowded establishment was virtually empty, just a couple of men sitting on stools at the long counter. The three took a seat in a booth and were soon greeted by a waitress. Before she could set down the menus, Bunnel told her, “I think we all know what we’ll have. We’d all like cheeseburgers and fries. And I think she’d like a shake,” Bunnel added, pointing at Emma.
“That’s going to be a problem,” said the waitress. “Today the only meat dishes we have are the pork chops and some fish. We don’t have any beef.”
“No beef?” inquired LaCroix.
“It’s the rationing. Something to do with our shipment. I don’t know all the particulars of it, but we’re all out of beef. We’ve been out since Sunday. I’m sorry. The pork chops are good, though,” said the waitress.
“They probably are, but we were pretty well set on cheeseburgers. Give us a minute,” said Bunnel. A few moments later he rose from the table. “I’m going to have a word with the owner. I’ll be right back.”
Emma and LaCroix sat in the booth and watched as Bunnel had a quiet conversation with the owner at the end of the counter. At the end of their talk, they shook hands and Bunnel returned to the booth. He put on his overcoat and removed his hat from the hook on the side of the booth.
“I’ll be back in fifteen or twenty minutes. The waitress is bringing you both some coffee.”
“Where are you going, Jimmy?” asked Emma.
“Just have an errand to run. Don’t order until I get back,” replied Bunnel with a grin on his face.
Twenty minutes later Bunnel emerged from the kitchen of the diner, rejoined them at the booth, and sat down.
“Jimmy, are you helping out in the kitchen now?” asked Emma.
“You could say that.” Bunnel looked over his shoulder and, making sure none of the other patrons could hear, said, “I made the owner a deal. I went to the butcher who supplies the house we’re staying at. I told him some brass was coming and I needed the best cuts of beef he had. I walked out with around twenty-five pounds. The owner’s back there now, grinding it up. He’s back in the burger business. They’re going to be the best cheeseburgers we’ve ever had! I also told him I would look into his rationing problem and see what I can do for him.”
“But how did you know about the butcher?” asked Emma.
“I took the housekeeper there last week. The butcher knows the account is for some government types, but he doesn’t know for whom and doesn’t ask questions. It was simply a supply and demand problem for the owner here, and for today anyway, I fixed it. Emma, did you still want that shake?”
“Chocolate.”
“That does sound good. I think I’ll have one, too. Chocolate,” added LaCroix.
When the food was ready, the waitress served each of them their cheeseburgers, excused herself, and returned with a platter of fries for the table. “If there’s anything else I can get for you, don’t be afraid to ask. My name’s Barbara.”
Emma took a bite of her cheeseburger, chewed it slowly, savoring the flavor, and exclaimed, “Jimmy, this is probably the best burger I’ve ever had. It’s a shame to put cheese on it. The beef in this is just wonderful.”
“It should be Emma. Its ground rib eye steak,” said Bunnel with a mischievous grin on his face. “I hope you like it.”
“Like it? I love it. Really, Jimmy, did you have him grind up a rib eye?”
“Just a small standing rib roast. I figured why not. No telling when we’re going to be back here again. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long time. This is probably going to be our last decent meal here in the States for who knows how long. We all wanted burgers, and now we have the opportunity to have exceptional ones. After all, we’re in the service of our country too.”
“These are certainly exceptional, Jimmy,” remarked LaCroix.
“All in the marbling, Henri, all in the marbling. A standing rib roast is the perfect cut of beef for this.”
“But isn’t the owner going to think this is a bit extravagant?” asked Emma, concerned.
“He probably will, but it won’t be a problem. Before we leave tonight, I’m going to make a few calls and see if I can help him out with his deliveries. Henri and I have been coming in here a lot the last couple of weeks. I like the man and I don’t want to come back here and find out he closed down because he couldn’t get his ration. You know the restaurants that cater to the politicians and generals don’t have any rationing problems. Fair is fair.”
“Well, whatever your motives are, Jimmy, thank you. This is all just perfect,” said Emma.
Later in the evening, while awaiting their driver, the three patiently engaged in small, inconsequential conversation by the fire in the living room. The housekeeper had made them all sandwiches for their trip. LaCroix lent a hand in the kitchen and made them thermoses of strong black coffee. He knew they would all try to sleep on the plane to Miami, but the coffee would be welcome on the next leg of the trip, the flight to Brazil.
Promptly at 11 p.m. the doorbell rang. It was their driver, ready to take them to the airfield. They thanked the housekeeper for all her hospitality, helped the driver with their luggage, and began their journey.
Zacharie Chevalier heard his friend Jacques du Maurier return to his office. They both worked for an Englishman named John Hamilton who owned and operated an import firm in Calcutta. Chevalier and du Maurier had done extensive business with him when they liv
ed in Saigon. When the fall of Saigon and Indochina to the Japanese was close at hand, Hamilton invited them to bring their wives to Calcutta. He helped them find housing and provided them both with employment. They all worked well together, and it wasn’t long before the profits of the company increased. Hamilton, happy with the way things were progressing, began spending more and more time away from the office, basically turning the daily operations over to them.
Zacharie was eager to hear what his friend had learned and entered Jacques’ office. “Well, what did you find out?” Chevalier asked.
“I’m afraid not much. As you know, the story has gone cold in the newspapers, and it’s no longer mentioned. If the police are investigating Phillips’ murder, they’re either not sharing it with the press, or they have nothing to share. I really think, as far as the police are concerned, we’re safe.”
“I think so too. That canal is far away from anywhere. I think by now, if there was a witness, he or she would have come forward. Either that, or a potential witness doesn’t want to get involved. But, as we discussed at dinner last night, the police are the least of our worries. Did you find out anything else about Phillips?”
“I’m afraid not. We’ve gone over all the identification he had on him, and based on that, he was working for the War Department. This morning I went by the club where we played tennis and bribed one of the Indians for Phillips’ address. I told him I was a friend and needed to deliver some things to him. He was reluctant, but for the right amount, he gave me the address Phillips used when he joined the club. I then took a drive by there. Zacharie, I was expecting the address to be a house, but it wasn’t. It was some sort of warehouse.”
“A warehouse? That is strange. I’d think he would have put down his residential address.”
“I would, too. It’s odd but maybe not unusual. However, the warehouse wasn’t like most around Calcutta.”
Operation Blue Sapphire Page 5
