“I think,” Martin said, “that much ado is being made about nothing. “I must respectfully disagree with Mr. Martin, Colonel,” Captain Doug lass said, and then he outlined his theory that every operation now under way, planned, or discussed was compromised by the current security breach. Donovan was impressed with Doug lass’s presentation, and he suspected that Doug lass had worked on his speech from the moment Baker had called him the night before. “All right, Pete,” Donovan said when he had finished.
“That’s just what I wanted. Will you send in Baker, so that we get all the bad news at once? Baker was in fact angry; more than angry, outraged. He was a professional intelligence officer, and furious that a number of well-laid plans were apparently going down the toilet not only because of the inexcusable carelessness of a bunch of amateurs, but because-more seriously certain individuals who could have been expected to know better had acted sloppily.
THE SECRET WARRIORS M low He didn’t mention Captain Doug lass’s name, Donovan thought, but he left no doubt who he means. And then he had another thought: No, that’s not all that he means. The “certain individuals,’ plural, includes me. Baker had apparently spent as much time as Doug lass preparing his opening statement. He likewise had specific recommendations. Canidy should be relieved of his responsibilities and put on ice at least until after the African flight and Operation Torch.
After that his case would be reviewed and a decision made about what to do next with him. Whittaker and Fulmar should also be put on ice, at least until after operation Torch. Their cases would be reviewed then.
Fulmar, considering the projected use of him, would require special attention. Although it had to be presumed that they knew more than they had a right to know, Commander Bitter, Major Doug lass, and Lieutenant Martin could probably be made aware of all the relevant security implications and so could be returned to their units and trusted to keep their mouths shut. Bitter’s wife could also doubtless be trusted. s The wild cards were Ann Chambers and Charity Hoc he. Hoc he, Baker said, had the brains of a gnat as well as an automatic mouth. There was no doubt that no matter how carefully everything was explained to her, she would promptly talk to whoever would listen about the fascinating people she had met at Deal. “And Ann Chambers is a journalist,” Baker concluded, “She smells a story, and she’s skilled at pulling facts from people. There is no question that at this very moment she is skillfully milking facts to fill in what didn’t come out last night when Canidy and company were in their cups.” The Misses Chambers and Hoc he consequently should be put under close supervision, regardless of the consequences, until after the African flight and Operation Torch, Baker said flatly.
That’s a wish list he’s offering me, Donovan concluded. Everything he would like to have but knows he can’t get. Still, he has gone on record that if something goes wrong, the onus will not fall on him.
But he’s right about one thing. Ann Chambers is a loose cannon rolling around on the deck of a ship in a storm. “As for Captain Fine,” Baker concluded, “he is the silver lining. We can turn the African flight over to him.
Presuming he returns safely from that, he can be put to work on the other projects.” If we relieve Canidy, what do we do about a backup aircraft?” Donovan asked.
“It would mean bringing somebody else in, and who would that be?”
“I could go, of course,” Baker said. “No, you know too much about uraninite,” Donovan said.
“I’m even uncomfortable with Grunier’s knowledge of our interest. “But if the backup aircraft were required,” Baker argued, “we would have to presume that secrecy would be compromised anyway. For that reason I’d take my chances on only one plane. “But we absolutely have to have the uraninite,” C. Holds worth Martin, Jr.” said.
“Even at the price of letting the Germans know we’re working on an atomic bomb. For the long term, getting that ore is of greater importance than Torch.” Donovan snorted his agreement. Then, realizing that nothing more was going to come from Baker but repetition of the’ arguments he’d already made, Donovan cut him off. “I want to talk to Ann Chambers,” Donovan said.