“Colonel Donovan told me to expect that Canidy would be difficult,” Baker said, smiling.
That surprised Canidy. He knew that Donovan was engaged in hush-hush work for the President. Baker was, therefore, sending W. E. B. GRIFI’l him a message. He looked quickly at Chennault and Crookshank Their faces showed no sign that they knew Donovan.
“How is the colonel?” Canidy asked dryly.
“He sends his best regards ” Baker said. “He hopes to have dinner with you soon.”
Canidy doubted that. But he understood he was being told that if he went along with Baker, he would be going to the States.
“That would be nice,” Canidy said, dryly sarcastic.
What the hell is the matter with me? Canidy thought. All the questions of rushing to the bulwarks to defend theflag aside, my option is either to remain here, where I’ll likely be shot and killed, or to go along with whatever this guy has up his sleeve. The odds are that it will probably be less dangerous than what I’m doing now. Donovan probably needs a pilot, and Im a pilot. It may be as simple as that.
What’s wrong with that theory is that the President would not send a high-level bureaucrat halfway around the world to recruit an airplane driver.
“Can you tell me what my status would be?” Canidy asked.
“Oh, You mean who’s going to pay you?” Baker asked, “You would be a civilian employee of the U.S. government. There would be at least as much money as you’re making now. Including bonuses I understand you earned yesterday.”
Oh, what the fuck!
“All right,” Canidy said. “What the hell, why not?”
Baker nodded.
“When does all this happen?” Canidy asked.
“You’ll go back with General Chennault and me,” Baker said. “Which raises the question of how we explain your departure around here.”
“What difference does that make? Let them ask Crookshanks if they’re curious.”
“The situation is such that we can’t let you tell your friends what you’re doing,” Baker said. “That means I have to come up with sorne sort of credible explanation why you suddenly vanished the day after you became an ace and got a medal.”
,The Cloud Banner is not common knowledge,” Crookshanks said. “The only person who knows about it is Canidy’s wingman, Douglass.”
“That would be Douglas Douglass?” Baker said, brightening.
,Yes’ ” Crookshanks said, surprised that Baker had that information.
“The word you will spread about my visit is that I came to see Douglass,” Baker said. “To bring him a package from his father. “JI Why isn’t Canidy’s medal common knowledge?”
“That was Douglass’s suggestion ‘ ” Crookshanks said. “I was going to make Canidy a flight commander, and planned to combine that announcement with the story of his kills and the medal.”
Baker nodded.
He’s thinking profound thoughts, Canidy thought; you can alm most smell the wood burning.
“I have a somewhat unpleasant suggestion,” Baker said a moment later. “I think it necessary for Canidy to leave China in disgrace. People are less apt to talk about cowards than heroes. Thus we’ll have to alter the past a little. The word will therefore be spread that Canidy turned tail yesterday and fled, and that you consequently relieved him and sent him home.”
“A hero’s life is a short one,” Canidy said.
“I don’t think Douglass would go along with that,” Crookshanks said stiffly.
“I also have a letter with me from Douglass’s father,” Baker said. “It asks him to do whatever I ask.”
“His father’s a Navy commander, isn’t he?” Chennault asked.
“Captain,” Baker said.
“And he’s involved with you?” Canidy asked.
Baker ignored the question. “If we did this’ ” he said thoughtfully, “it would obviate the necessity of Canidy saying anything at all to anyone. He would simply walk out there on the airplane and be gone. Afterward, Douglass could reluctantly say that he didrl,t know what happened. I think he could manage that.”
“Is this really necessary?” Chermault asked. Baker ignored him, too.
441V S up to you, Canidy,” Baker said. “I am open to other sug-gestions.”
It was a moment before Canidy replied.
“I don’t much give a damn what people think of me,” he said.