They have furnished us with the airfield dimensions. Have a look at them, then tell Stevens if you think your B-25 has the necessary range and can use the airfield on Vis. If it doesn’t, we have been offered space on a British submarine.” Canidy’s face registered surprise.
“We also have people with Mihajlovic and Tito,” Donovan said. “It wasn’t considered necessary that you know, Dick.”
“I need one more piece of information,” Canidy said. “Now that Fulmar has committed to memory a map of Leeuwarden, Holland, he’s going to Budapest. Where in Budapest?” Donovan chuckled.
“Stevens has that, too,” he said. “Will you have any trouble getting it to von Heurten-Mitnitz?”
“It takes five days to put a piece of paper in his hand,” Canidy said.
“Overnight to Sweden, and then four days from Stockholm to Berlin.”
“We don’t want to cut it too close,” Donovan said. “Better set that moving, Ed.”
“Yes, sir,” Stevens said.
“That’s it,” Donovan said, rising. “I’ve got a plane to catch. I can sense Chief Ellis growing nervous downstairs.” He went to each man to shake hands, and then he walked out of the sitting room. The chief of station and Colonel Stevens walked after him.
“I have just had an inspiration,” Canidy said. “Let’s find Jimmy and Fulmar, and go to some pub full of soldiers and get drunk. Maybe with a little bit of luck we can get in a fight.”
“I’m going to surprise you,” Fine said. “I’m going with you.” [FEVEL Th-Dorchqst-r Rol-l Be Loudou, ED gland ZOIO Sourn Captain James M. B. Whittaker, Lieutenant Eric Fulmar, and Captain the Duchess Stanfield, WRAC, were sitting in the Dorchester bar where Canidy had expected to find them, at a table against the wall.
“We were wondering where you were,” Whittaker said as Canidy sat down and inspected the bottles in paper bags. He was looking for Scotch.
“We were with the Boss,” Canidy said.
“I thought he was with you at High Wycombe,” Whittaker said.
“The Boss,” Canidy said.
“There was a rumor he’s in town,” Whittaker said. “Got any interesting gossip?” As a matter of fact, buddy, you’re going to go back to the Philippines.
“Nothing important,” Canidy said.
“And how was High Wycombe?” the Duchess asked.
“The less said about it the better, Your Gracefulness,” Canidy said.
“Even the Boss felt sorry for us.” “We ate,” Whittaker said. “We didn’t know when, or if, you were coming.”
“No problem,” Canidy said. “Stan and I came to take the third man here over to drink with the Air Corps anyway. Joe Kennedy’s over there talking them out of aircraft parts. They have a pretty good kitchen in the O Club.”
“The third man?” the Duchess asked.
“Another quaint Americanism, Your Gracefulness,” Canidy said.
“Two’s company, three’s a crowd.” She blushed, then quickly said, “We’re not going back to Whitbey House tonight?” “No,” he said.
“Both Jimmy and I have to see Stevens in the morning.” And Stevens will tell him to pack his things, his services are needed in the Philippines The Great Romance will be put on hold.
Canidy sipped at his liquor. And wished that Ann were here. It would have been nice to spend what was certain to be Jimmy’s last night on the town with the four of them together.
And then his eyebrows went up and he smiled mischievously.
“Stanley,” he said, “there is a damsel yonder trying desperately to attract your attention.” “I know,” Fine said. “I’m doing my best to pretend I don’t see her.”
“You don’t want to be nice to the damsel, Stan?” Canidy asked.
“For God’s sake, ignore her,” Fine said.
Canidy raised his hand over his head and waved.
The woman across the room was a tall, slender woman with silver-gray hair combed upward under her Red Cross uniform cap. She pointed, signifying she was trying to attract Fine’s attention. Canidy nodded and beamed happily at her and pushed Fine’s shoulder.
“I think she wants to say hello to you, Stan,” Canidy said innocently.
“You sonofabitch,” Fine said, and turned toward the woman. “Oh, my God,” he said. “Here she comes.” Fulmar and Canidy laughed.
“You’ll stop laughing, Eric,” Fine said, aw hen she sinks her fangs into you.” It had been inevitable that Stanley S. Fine would become a regular at the Dorchester bar. He had been temporarily housed at the hotel on his arrival in London, and when quarters were found, they were shabby and a long Underground ride across London. With a good deal less embarrassment than he had expected, he took over the apartment Continental Motion Picture Studios maintained in London for traveling stars and executives. It was at Park Lane and Aldford Street, two blocks from the Dorchester.