Japanese on his first sortie was good news. It was therefore possible s about to be shown off. that he wa This theory seemed to be confirmed when he saw the briefcaseg civilian with Chennault. The man was American; he was carryin clearly not one of the AVG civilians, and he was just as clearly not a soldier in civilian clothing. He looked to Canidy like a bureaucrat. A little overweight, pate, and more than a little self-important.
Crookshanks saluted when Chennault came close, and Canidy followed his example.
“Good morning, General,” Crookshanks said. “This is Wingman Canidy.”
Chennault offered Canidy his hand.
“Canidy is one I recruited myself,” he said. “How are you, Canidy? How does it feel to be our first ace?”
“I’m not entirely sure the Chinese know how to count, General,” Canidy said.
“They know how to count.” Chennault chuckled. “Damned well done, son.”
“Thank you, sir,” Canidy said.
“This is Mr. Baker,” Chennault said. “Commander Crookshanks and Wingman Canidy.”
They shook hands.
“We need someplace to talk in private’ ” Chennault said.
“Would my office be all right, General?” Crookshanks asked.
“If we can run everybody out and have some coffee,” Chennault said, “Of course, sir,” Crookshanks said.
As they walked toward the building which housed Crookshanks’s office, Canidy noticed, amused, that Crookshanks did the little dance military inferiors did to stay in step with their superiors.
As soon as coffee and sweet rolls were served, Baker got down to business.
“What is said here,” he announced, “is not to leave this room. I want you both to understand that.”
“Yes, sir,” Crookshanks said. Canidy nodded.
Baker opened his briefcase, took an envelope from it, and handed it to Crookshanks.
“General Chennault has seen that,” Baker said to Crookshanks while Crookshanks was reading.
Whatever it was, Canidy thought, was impressing the hell out of Crookshanks. His eyes actually widened. When he was finished, he looked at Baker, who gestured with his hands to give it to Canidy.
It wasn’t long, but it was certainly impressive:
THE WH@ E TJ WASHINGTON, D. Mr. Eis engaged in a con-fid6ntial in is-sion of theat My Persona l direction.
United Stalcivilian agencies are directed to provide port he requests. Militai@v and civilian agencies of the Allied Powers are requested to do so.
@ranklin D. Roosevelt Canidy looked at Baker.
“Has this something to do with me?” he asked. said ‘. “I came here from Washington to see you, Mr. Canidy,” Baker “My immediate reaction,” Canidy said, “is that you’ve got the wrong man. This Canidy is a former Navy lieutenant junior grade, now flying for General Chennault.”
“I know who you are, Mr. Canidy,” Baker said. “You were acquainted with Mr. Chesley Whittaker, I believe?”
“Yes,” Canidy said.
“I’m sorry to have to tell you Mr. Whittaker is dead,” B said. “He suffered a stroke on December seventh.”
-You didn’t come to China to tell me that.”
11 told you that to show that I know who you are,” Baker said. “I came to China to recruit you for an important mission.”
“What kind of a mission?”
“I can’t get into that just yet,” Baker said.
“That’s wonderful!” Canidy said, rolling his eyes.
“It comes with the standard caveat,” Baker said. “It is a mission considered of great importance to the war effort, and it entails a high degree of risk.”
“But you won’t tell me what?” Canidy asked.
“For Christ’s sake, Canidy,” Crookshanks snapped. “That letter is from the President!” saw,” Canidy snapped back. He looked at Baker. “A flying job?”
1 6I’m not at liberty to say,” Baker said.
“I can’t imagine what else it could be,” Canidy thought aloud. Then he added: “I’m under a year’s contract to the AVG. I don’t suppose that matters?”
“What you would be doing is considered of greater importance Baker said.
“Would I come back here?”
“That hasn’t been determined,” Baker said. “Most probably, you would not.”
“Jesus,” Canidy said, exasperated. “You understand that the only skill I can bring to this war is flying single-engine airplanes?”
Baker nodded. “Unless you’re willing to tell me more, my answer is no,” Canidy said.
“Canidy,” Chennault said, “Roosevelt would not have sent Mr. 13aker here unless this was damned important.”
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