The women embraced while Martin introduced Donovan to the admiral and his staff, "We have a little problem, Barbara," Donovan said, "that has to be talked out. Is there someplace we can go?"
"Captain Doug lass suggested that we clean up the breakfast room for you, Bill," Barbara said. "Fine," Donovan said.
"Holds worth, if you don't mind, I'd like you to sit with us. I'm going to need your advice." With a little bit of luck, if it becomes necessary to put your son on ice, you will hear enough to agree that it is necessary. "I am not a disinterested observer, Bill," Martin said.
"None of us is," Donovan said.
"Will you excuse us, please?" He walked toward the front door of the house. "Pete," he said, 4C you want to come along, please "Yes, Sir," Captain Doug lass said, and followed them into the breakfast room. A glass-topped table had been equipped with legal pads and a glass full of sharpened pencils. The security people had connected two telephones. One of them, a red instrument, was a secured line. "I will begin, Pete," Donovan said, "by saying your resignation is declined, and that while I will be very interested in your worst possible scenario, I don't think the war has yet been lost."
"I think," Martin said, "that much ado is being made about nothing. "I must respectfully disagree with Mr. Martin, Colonel," Captain Doug lass said, and then he outlined his theory that every operation now under way, planned, or discussed was compromised by the current security breach. Donovan was impressed with Doug lass's presentation, and he suspected that Doug lass had worked on his speech from the moment Baker had called him the night before. "All right, Pete," Donovan said when he had finished.
"That's just what I wanted. Will you send in Baker, so that we get all the bad news at once? Baker was in fact angry; more than angry, outraged. He was a professional intelligence officer, and furious that a number of well-laid plans were apparently going down the toilet not only because of the inexcusable carelessness of a bunch of amateurs, but because-more seriously certain individuals who could have been expected to know better had acted sloppily.
THE SECRET WARRIORS M low He didn't mention Captain Doug lass's name, Donovan thought, but he left no doubt who he means. And then he had another thought: No, that's not all that he means. The "certain individuals,' plural, includes me. Baker had apparently spent as much time as Doug lass preparing his opening statement. He likewise had specific recommendations. Canidy should be relieved of his responsibilities and put on ice at least until after the African flight and Operation Torch.
After that his case would be reviewed and a decision made about what to do next with him. Whittaker and Fulmar should also be put on ice, at least until after operation Torch. Their cases would be reviewed then.
Fulmar, considering the projected use of him, would require special attention. Although it had to be presumed that they knew more than they had a right to know, Commander Bitter, Major Doug lass, and Lieutenant Martin could probably be made aware of all the relevant security implications and so could be returned to their units and trusted to keep their mouths shut. Bitter's wife could also doubtless be trusted. s The wild cards were Ann Chambers and Charity Hoc he. Hoc he, Baker said, had the brains of a gnat as well as an automatic mouth. There was no doubt that no matter how carefully everything was explained to her, she would promptly talk to whoever would listen about the fascinating people she had met at Deal. "And Ann Chambers is a journalist," Baker concluded, "She smells a story, and she's skilled at pulling facts from people. There is no question that at this very moment she is skillfully milking facts to fill in what didn't come out last night when Canidy and company were in their cups." The Misses Chambers and Hoc he consequently should be put under close supervision, regardless of the consequences, until after the African flight and Operation Torch, Baker said flatly.
That's a wish list he's offering me, Donovan concluded. Everything he would like to have but knows he can't get. Still, he has gone on record that if something goes wrong, the onus will not fall on him.
But he's right about one thing. Ann Chambers is a loose cannon rolling around on the deck of a ship in a storm. "As for Captain Fine," Baker concluded, "he is the silver lining. We can turn the African flight over to him.
Presuming he returns safely from that, he can be put to work on the other projects." If we relieve Canidy, what do we do about a backup aircraft?" Donovan asked.
"It would mean bringing somebody else in, and who would that be?"
"I could go, of course," Baker said. "No, you know too much about uraninite," Donovan said.
"I'm even uncomfortable with Grunier's knowledge of our interest. "But if the backup aircraft were required," Baker argued, "we would have to presume that secrecy would be compromised anyway. For that reason I'd take my chances on only one plane. "But we absolutely have to have the uraninite," C. Holds worth Martin, Jr." said.
"Even at the price of letting the Germans know we're working on an atomic bomb. For the long term, getting that ore is of greater importance than Torch." Donovan snorted his agreement. Then, realizing that nothing more was going to come from Baker but repetition of the' arguments he'd already made, Donovan cut him off. "I want to talk to Ann Chambers," Donovan said.
"Would you send her in, please, El don?" As soon as he was out the door, C. Holds worth Martin, Jr., said, "Bill, for God's sake, you're not actually thinking of locking the Chambers girl up, are you?"
"Baker thinks that may be necessary," Donovan said. "Brandon Chambers," C. Holds worth Martin, Jr." said, "has so far been willing and eager to cooperate with us. You lock his daughter up, and that will change. You can't tell Brandon Chambers that his daughter is a security risk. I'm sure you're aware, further, that Richard Hoc he, Charity's father, is a very good constitutional lawyer. You lock those girls up, and you can count on Roosevelt's questionable interpretation of habeas corpus being brought before the Supreme Court. And Chambers would keep the story on page one of all his newspapers until they heard it," "We have a mess, don't we, Holds worth?" Donovan said. "I re eat that I think much ado is being made about nothing," Martin p said.
"And I repeat, we have a mess, don't we, Holds worth?" There was a knock at the door, and a female voice called, "Colonel Donovan? "Come in, Ann," Donovan said.
She was wearing a thin pale yellow blouse and a light blue pleated skirt. She looked as sweet and innocent as a college girl-until you looked at her eyes. She was considerably tougher than she looked at first glance, and she was clearly wary but not afraid. "How's your family, Ann?" Donovan asked. "Cousin Edwin's a little green around the gills, Colonel," Ann said. "But the rest of us are just fine."
Donovan smiled.
"Commander Bitter may be a little green around the gills, as you put it, Ann," he said, "because he may have a greater understanding of what's going on right now than you do."
"That could well be," Ann said. "What do you think is going on around here?"
"I'll take the Fifth on that one, Colonel Donovan," she said.
"Certainly you're curious?"
"Sure," she said. "You sense you might have a hell of a story, in other words?" Donovan said. "Is that what you're worried about?" she asked. "A good deal of damage would be done if there is whispering about what might be going on around here," Donovan said.
"If studied guesses were to appear in print... We just can't afford that, Ann."
"Well, you don't have to worry about that, so far as I'm concerned," she said.
"I have no intention of writing a word about it."
"Well, I'm certainly relieved to hear that," Donovan said. "But I've got to pursue that a little further. I hope you won't take offense."
"Try me," she said. "How can I be sure that your patriotism won't wear thin after you've had a chance to think it over?"
"This has nothing to do with my patriotism," she said. "Then what?" he asked, surprised. "Dick Canidy is obviously in deep trouble over us in the first place, Ann said.
"I wouldn't do anything to add to his troubles, and I think
this is the time to tell you that he had nothing at all to do with our coming. I was the one who figured out where he was and talked the others into driving up. "Your loyalty to your friend is commendable," C. Holds worth Martin, Jr." said.
"This has nothing to do with loyalty to a friend," Ann said. "I'm in love with Dick Canidy, I can't tell you how badly I feel about getting him in trouble."
"I didn't know," Donovan said, "that you were that close to Canidy."
"Neither does he, Colonel," Ann said.
"But I hope, sooner or later, to change that," "Mon Dieu!" C. Holds worth Martin, Jr." said. "It wasn't easy for me to tell you that," Ann said, "But under the circumstances, I thought it was necessary."
"I'm glad you told us, Ann," Donovan said.
"And it won't go any further."
"Thank you," she said.
"What happens now" "That's what Mr. Martin and I are going to decide just about as soon as you leave," Donovan said. "If you sock it to Dick anyway," Ann said," I'll help him in any way I can. I've heard whispers about people being locked up for psychiatric examination. If you do something like that to Canidy, you can count on it getting in the papers. Maybe my father's papers wouldn't print it, but somebody will.
She walked out of the room. Donovan had a thought from left field: What the hell is wrong with Canidy? That young woman is really bright.
She's put together like the proverbial brick outhouse, and she's really special to boot. "Was that an example of the female hell hath no fury like?" C. Holds worth Martin, Jr." asked. "Well, she asked the question, didn't she?" Donovan replied. "What happens now?"
"I think we should talk to Canidy," Martin said, "before we decide."
"Yeah," Donovan said. He walked over and opened the door, then raised his voice and called, "Will somebody send Canidy in here, please?"
Canidy came in wearing khaki trousers and a T-shirt. "We seem to have a problem on our hands, don't we, Dick?" Donovan began. "Not as much as Baker seems to think we have," Canidy said. "But a problem."
"You don't seem overly concerned about it," Donovan said sharply.
"What damage has been done has been done," Canidy said.
"And I don't think you called me in here to ask for my remedy for it.
"Canidy," Donovan said, "at this moment, you're on a greased skid at the bottom of which is a long stay in St. Elizabeth's."
"I thought that was probably what was going to happen," Canidy said.
"I thank you, Colonel, for telling me yourself. Denying Baker that satisfaction, I mean." He started to get up.
"That's it, isn't it?" he asked. "Sit down, Canidy," Donovan said.
Canidy shrugged and lowered himself back into the chair. "Have you wondered why Baker is so upset?"
"Baker is a professional," Canidy said.
"He holds me in the contempt he holds all amateurs. I'm not serious enough."
"I'm surprised you haven't considered that he might know something you don't."
"Oh, I've considered that, Colonel."
"Since the odds are about ninety to ten that you're going to St. Elizabeth's," Donovan said, "I'm going to tell you a little more than you know. I'll be interested in your reaction."
"And if my reaction is not what you want, it's St. Elizabeth's for sure?
" "Yes,' Donovan said. Canidy saw in Martin's eyes that the direction this encounter was taking had come as a surprise to him. "The Germans have begun test-flying a jet-powered fighter aircraft, the Messerschmitt ME-262," Donovan said.
"If the tests are successful, and if they can get the airplane into production in sufficient numbers, the ME-262 will be capable of inflicting tremendous losses on the bombers of the Eighth Air Force.
This means that the current strategy calling for the destruction of German industry by aerial bombardment will have to be called off. At the moment, there is no satisfactory substitute available."
"Jesus!" Canidy said. "The only way out of this problem that seems to make any sense," Donovan went on, "is to interrupt production of the engines. But that, in turn, depends on our getting our hands on either an engine or else its specifications. That will allow our technical people to determine how production can be delayed. Special metals, special smelting techniques, special machining, special machines to make those machines... Are you following me?"
"Yes, Sir," Canidy said.
"The Fokker Company has sublet the development and production contracts for the engine to FEG-that is, to Fulmar Elektrische Gesellschaft.
"And you think Eric can help?"
"We hope so."
"Then how?"
"He can help us recruit a man who we hope can do something useful in this regard. Our man in Morocco, Murphy... You met him, I think?"
"On my way out," Canidy confirmed. "He has established a rather interesting contact with a man named Helm ut von Heurten-Mitnitz."
"He heads the Franco-German Armistice Commission," Canidy said. "He was doing his damnedest-he and an SS officer named Milller-to get Fulmar back to Germany."
"Well, for several reasons, Murphy believes he can be very valuable to us. Fulmar is the key to his cooperation. That's why we brought Fulmar out of Morocco. It has little or nothing to do with Operation Torch."
"How is this tied in with the African flight?"
"It's not," Donovan said after a moment's hesitation. It was obvious that Canidy did not believe him, "And this breach of security has fucked this up?"
"If it gets out, it will," Donovan said. "Then, and for the first time, I am truly sorry," Canidy said. "Shit! Why didn't somebody tell me this?"
"You weren't sorry before?"
"You want a straight answer to that?" Canidy asked. "Please," C.
Holds worth Martin, Jr." said. "It struck me as much ado about nothing," Canidy said. Donovan coughed, as if he were trying in vain to dislodge something in his throat. Canidy waited for him to stop and then went on.
"All you have to do is tell Bitter and Doug lass to keep their mouths shut. To consider them security risks is patently absurd. So far as Whittaker and Martin are concerned, they don't know anything, except who's here in Deal. They also can be told to keep their mouths shut.
There is a problem with one of the women, Ann Chambers. She may look like she's nineteen years old, but she's a lot smarter than you'd think just to look at her. Last night she was pumping everybody."
"You think she learned anything?"
"No," Canidy said matter-of-factly.
"I'm sure she didn't. But she's smart, and we can't afford to have her speculating in the newspapers."
"Are you telling me that, with her exception, you don't see any security problem?"
"I don't suppose my opinion is worth much," Canidy said, "but if you figure some way to shut her up, I don't see a security problem, period.
I never did."
"That's very interesting, Canidy," Donovan said.
"It is almost exactly the opposite of the opinion Baker holds. And he's a professional."
"I'm not exactly an amateur myself anymore, Colonel. I stopped being an amateur when the sub went off without me."
"Not exactly an amateur, but not a professional either," Donovan said.
"Okay, Canidy, that'll be it. Thank you."
"What's my status, may I ask?"
"Mr. Martin and I are going to discuss that now. Until a decision has been reached, I think it would be best if you waited in your room."
"Yes, Sir," Canidy said. When he had gone, Martin said, "You're not going to like this, Bin, but my vote goes to Canidy."
"Oh, mine, too," Donovan said.
"What you and I are going to have to do is come up with some way to stroke Baker's ruffled feathers. He's good, and we can't afford to have him feeling that we're pissing on him."
"Piss on him a little, Bill," Martin said.
"It'll be good for him. He seems to think that he's the spy master, and that's your role." Donovan thought that over a moment. "I'll tell you what," h
e said.
"I'll send him in and you piss on him. Tell him you question his judgment about yelling "Fire!" so loudly."
"Why me?"
"It was your idea, Holds worth," Donovan said reasonably, and stood up.
"I'm going to go see Canidy and read the riot act again, and then I'm going to find out if he really has laid on a clambake. I haven't been to one in years."
TWENTY-ONE Summer Place Deal, New Jersey July 4, 1942
W E B Griffin - Men at War 2 - Secret Warriors Page 22
