That wasn’t important. What was important was that his spending the two hours with Scotland Yard spared the station chief from having to do so.
The station chief had more important things to do than help to bring a couple of car thieves to justice. Stevens passed through the revolving door to the Dorchester lobby and walked to the bar. It was very crowded, mostly with officers of the Allied armies, among whom he was sure was at least one officer sent by the intelligence service of Free French Forces to see what he could learn to substantiate their suspicions regarding Vice Admiral d’escadre Jeanphilippe de Verbey.
Major Richard Canidy was sitting at one of the tiny tables against the wall. When Stevens had made his way through the crowd to their table, Canidy stood up. “Good evening, Sir,” he said. There was no empty chair in sight, so Stevens squeezed in beside Canidy on the padded bench. A waiter appeared immediately, which was a surprise. Stevens looked at Canidy, who nodded. “Just ice and a glass, please,” Stevens said.
Sometimes the Dorchester had whiskey and sometimes it didn’t. It never had much. Stevens had unlimited access to the Class VI stocks at SHAEF, and had planned to send several cases to Whitby House. This was the whiskey that had been stolen, but he could get more. Canidy’s nod told him that Canidy had whiskey, probably in a flask. The Dorchester would charge them corkage for the privilege of drinking their own whiskey, but Stevens preferred to do that than use up what was available to others who did not have unlimited access to SHAEF Class VI. “I have just spent two hours,” Stevens said, “discussing whiskey with Scotland Yard.”
” Oh? ” “We have been burgled. After two days of extensive investigation, Scotland Yard has come to the tentative conclusion that it’s an inside job. Party or parties unknown, in the dead of night, made off with three cases of whiskey, plus a staff car.”
“You don’t say?”
“Scotland Yard is taking it very seriously,” Stevens said. “They consider it most unpatriotic for their thieves to prey on their American cousins. I have been told that there ‘have been developments’ and that we ‘may expect to hear something shortly.” I doubt if we’ll get the liquor back, but maybe the staff car. If we get the car back, I’ll send it over to you.”
“Big flap, is it?” Canidy asked. “If Scotland Yard catches the thieves, I think they plan to behead them at the Tower of London to set an example,” Stevens said.
“A chief inspector is devoting all of his time to the case.”
“What would happen, do you think, if the Ford were found on a country lane somewhere? Would they be satisfied with that?”
“Interesting question, Major Canidy,” Colonel Stevens said.
“Particularly since I don’t recall mentioning that it was a Ford staff car.”
“Didn’t you?” Canidy asked innocently. “Whittaker?” Stevens asked.
“Goddamn! I want to change this subject before I am faced with a moral dilemma.”
“Apropos of nothing whatever,” Canidy said, “I have taken to heart what Mr. Baker said about our training. I have tried, consequently, to make it as realistic as possible.”
“Such as ‘practicing’ stealing objects and vehicles from an allegedly well-guarded intelligence establishment?” Stevens asked. “Something like that.”
“As I said, I think we should change the subject,” Stevens said.
“How, for instance, are your relations with Her Grace?”
“Sort of an armed truce,” Canidy said.
“I think Her Grace was not amused when I told her she had a corncob up her ass. It may take her some time to get over that.” Stevens had not, in the balance, been disturbed when Canidy had reported his battle with the duchess. Canidy had felt duty-bound to mention it, even though it made him look foolish. But he was pleased that Canidy had apparently worked it out with her. “I would rather have her there than some of the other liaison officers I’ve met,” Stevens said.
“I hope you can maintain the armistice.” Canidy nodded, then said, “Christ, what games we play.”
“And, unfortunately, for such high stakes,” Stevens replied. The waiter appeared with a glass and ice. Canidy took a flask from his pocket and splashed Scotch into Stevens’s glass. “Found your own source of liquor, have you?” he asked, but when Canidy chuckled uncomfortably, he raised his glass.