“As you were,” Major Dillon said. “Gunny, there’s been a slight change in plans. This is Lieutenant Pickering, who will be in charge.”
“Aye, aye, Sir,” the master gunnery sergeant said.
“Lieutenant Pickering, this is Master Gunnery Sergeant Louveau, who is Sergeant McCoy’s escort, and this is Gunnery Sergeant Devlin.”
Pickering shook hands with both Louveau and Devlin, then offered a hand to McCoy.
“I have the advantage on you, Sergeant,” he said. “Not only do I know who you are, but I’m a friend of your brother’s. This is Lieutenant Dunn.”
“I know who you are, too, Sergeant,” Dunn said.
Staff Sergeant McCoy said not a word, for which breach of courtesy he received another thumb over the kidney.
“The officers spoke to you, McCoy,” the gunnery sergeant said.
“Aye, aye, Sir,” Staff Sergeant McCoy said.
“Gunny, I’m sure they’re ready to board the aircraft,” Dillon said. “Would you see that Sergeant McCoy finds his seat?”
“Aye, aye, Sir,” the master gunnery sergeant said. He took Staff Sergeant McCoy’s elbow and, followed by the gunnery sergeant, propelled him down the terminal toward an area occupied by United Airlines.
“You want to tell me what that’s all about?” Pick asked.
“He’s a mean sonofabitch when he’s sober,” Dillon said. “Drunk, he’s worse. The gunnies are going to keep him sober while the President or the Secretary of the Navy-just who is still up in the air-hangs The Medal around his neck. And while you all are out selling war bonds.”
“Major, did you hear what he did on Bloody Ridge?” Dunn asked. “He’s one hell of a Marine.”
“I also heard what he did in a whorehouse in San Diego,” Dillon replied. “The only reason he’s not on his way to Portsmouth Naval Prison is because of what he did on Bloody Ridge.” He paused for a moment, catching each of their eyes in turn., as he said: “Let me tell both of you something: A smart Marine officer knows when to look the other way when good Marine sergeants, like those two, deal with a problem. You understand what I’m saying?”
“I get the picture,” Pickering said.
“Good,” Dillon said. “I really hope you do. I know Charley would have. Whether you like it or not, Pick, you’re going to have to start behaving like a Marine officer; flying airplanes isn’t all The Corps expects you to do.”
He raised his hand over his shoulder and made a come on over gesture to the second lieutenant sitting in the chrome and plastic chair across the terminal.
“Surprise two,” Dillon said.
Pick and Dunn turned to see Second Lieutenant Robert F. Easter-brook, USMCR, standing up and then walking over to them.
“I’ll be damned,” Bill Dunn said. “What do you call that, a three-day wonder?”
“Good morning, Sirs,” the Easterbunny said.
My God, Pick thought, he’s actually blushing.
“Where’s your camera, Easterbunny?”‘ Dunn asked. “You have to have a camera around somewhere.”
“Shit,” the Easterbunny said, blushing even redder as he ran back to where he’d been sitting and retrieved a 35mm Leica from under the seat. He returned looking sheepish.
“Lieutenant Easterbrook is one more responsibility of yours, Lieutenant Pickering,” Jake said. “Since you so graciously excused Captain Galloway from this detail.”
“What do I do with him?”
“The Director of Public Affairs, a brigadier general named J. J. Stewart whom you will find at Eighth and I, is not only determined to have a look at this most recent addition to the officer corps, but he’s going to pin a medal on him. You will work that into your busy schedule, too. After that, Easterbrook, you have until Thursday, 5 November, to make your way back out here.”
“Aye, aye, Sir,” the Easterbunny said.
“The same applies to you two,” Jake said. “Today is Tuesday the twenty-seventh. I want you in Los Angeles a week from Thursday. The tour starts Friday. And you will be on it.”
“This officer, too, Sir?” Dunn asked.
“For a day or two. Then he’s going to start training combat correspondents.”
“Hey, good for you, Easterbunny,” Pick said.
“In the meantime, I don’t want him to pick up any bad habits,” Dillon said.
“We won’t let him out of our sight until we send him home to his mommy, will we, Lieutenant Dunn?” Pick replied.
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