He didn’t try to climb on, just held on. The Widgeon crested another wave, tail skyward now. They didn’t see her again. What they could see were two circling DEs, with the other moving in on them at “slow ahead,” men in life jackets and swimming trunks at the rail.
“Sorry,” MacNab said. “About what?”
“That I didn’t get your goat-eared buddy out. She was tilting to the bow too much, and I had to let him go. It was that or we’d both go down.”
“He was dead anyway,” Macurdy answered. He wished to hell he had the body though. It would make his story a lot more convincing.
Then the DE was beside them, and seamen jumped in with lines. A couple of minutes later, they were hoisted aboard.
They got some strange looks from the crew and officersMacurdy in jumpsuit and jump boots, MacNab in a kilt. Macurdy found himself grinning despite his loss. At least I’ve got another witness to what they look like, he told himself. That wouldn’t answer the questions the general wanted asked, but Donovan would still okay the other half of the bargain.
The thought didn’t actually convince Macurdy, but it made him feel better.
33
Bypassing Authority
It was Thursday the 27th of April, when Macurdy and MacNab arrived back at OSS headquarters in Grosvenor Square. Both were debriefed by Von Lutzow, MacNab first. Then the pilot was sent to the medical officer, because he’d come down with a bad cold and sore throat. When it was Macurdy’s turn, he asked if Donovan was going to sit in. No, Von Lutzow said, the general couldn’t be there. He’d read the debrief later.
It wasn’t till afterward that Vonnie told him the general had been called to Washington, and wasn’t expected back for a week or ten days.
Which left Macurdy apprehensive. “We had an oral agreement,” he said. “If I pulled this mission off I could do a second one. And I kind of did, but not entirely. I hoped I could do the follow up.”
He described his discussion with the general. “Don’t worry about it,” Von Lutzow told him. “I’ve got to write up my comments on your debriefs now –your’s and MacNab’s-but you and I will talk in the morning.”
Macurdy took that as hopeful, and looked up Anna. She’d already had supper, but went to a restaurant with him, to keep him company while he ate. She’d been signed on as a civilian internal security specialist, she told him. There was nothing like that on the TO; but after she’d demonstrated her talent for him, the general had improvised.
“What are you doing next?” she asked. “Or-that’s the kind of question you’re not supposed to answer, isn’t it.”
“Right. But I don’t expect to be in town long.” He paused, not meeting her eyes. “There’s something I need to talk about with you.”
“I think I know.” She reached across the table and put her small hand on his. “I’m not sorry we did what we did. It was lovely. But I do sincerely regret any unhappiness it caused you. I admire you, I envy and respect your Mary, and I will not ask for a repeat performance. Believe me I’d enjoy one, but I will neither ask for nor agree to it.”
She withdrew her hand. “And on that cheery note, there’s an American film I’d love to see tonight, at the Leicester: Casablanca. People are talking about it, and I’m starved for a good film. I do hope you’ll keep me company-my treat. I haven’t yet had a payday here, but I held back a few pounds when your–our-organization impounded the lovely counterfeit British money I was given before we left Germany.”
He went with her, and enjoyed the film. But not the drink afterward, because he found himself feeling something which, if it wasn’t love, was something very like it-fondness and appreciation, spiced with desire. He’d had somewhat the same feeling for Melody, only more strongly, when he’d thought himself still married to Varia, so he knew it was possible to be “in love” with two women at once. But knowing didn’t make it any easier. When he left Anna at her quarters, both knew without saying that they wouldn’t see one another again except in passing or on duty.