Part 16 (1/2)
”Mattingly doesn't want to know what Gehlen does with the Russian. That's why he told me to deal with it.”
”And you're happy with that?”
”Do I have to point out that first sergeants-and brand-new captains-do not question what full bull colonels tell them to do?”
”Do first sergeants question their orders from brand-new captains?”
Dunwiddie didn't reply.
”Let's try one and see. Sergeant, if the prisoner Bischoff attempts to talk to Major Orlovsky, you will place him under arrest.”
”You're crazy, Jim. He'll go right to General Gehlen-”
”I'm not finished,” Cronley interrupted. ”You will immediately a.s.sign enough of our men to protect Major Orlovsky around the clock from any attempt by any of the Germans to kill him. The use of deadly force is authorized to protect Major Orlovsky. The foregoing is a direct order.”
”Jesus, Jim!”
”The answer I expect from you, Sergeant, is 'Yes, sir.'”
Dunwiddie looked at Cronley for ten seconds before coming to attention and saying, ”Yes, sir.”
”Thank you.”
”Permission to speak, sir?”
”Granted.”
”Mattingly is not going to like this.”
”Probably not. On the other hand, I don't like the way he's trying to cover his a.s.s about the Russian. If he wants to let the Germans shoot him-or, for that matter, torture him-I don't know right now what I can do about that. But I do know I'm not going to let him get away with saying, 'I didn't know anything about what happens at Kloster Grnau,' and then blame whatever happens on you and me.”
”You really think that's what Mattingly is doing?”
”It may not have started out that way, but yeah, I think-I d.a.m.ned well know-that's what he's doing. He considers you and me expendable, Tiny.”
”Operation Ost is really important, Jim.”
”So important that Mattingly is perfectly willing to throw you and me to the hungry lions to keep it going. That's the point. But I'm not willing to be fed to the lions.”
”You realize the spot you're putting me in?”
”Are you going to obey the direct order I gave you?”
”You heard me say 'Yes, sir.'”
”Then you're off the spot. I just moved onto it.”
Dunwiddie threw up his hands in resignation.
”Let's go get some breakfast,” Cronley said.
[ TWO ].
U.S. Army Airfield H-7 Eschborn, Hesse American Zone of Occupation, Germany 1120 30 October 1945 ”Eschborn, Seven-Oh-Seven understands Number Two to land on Niner-zero behind the C-47,” Cronley said into the microphone.
He looked at his wrist.w.a.tch and saw that he was ten minutes early.
A minute later, he saw that Colonel Robert Mattingly was also ten minutes early; he was leaning against the front fender of his Horch, which was parked next to what had to be Base Operations.
Did he come early to be a nice guy?
Or has Gehlen called him and complained about my behavior-and he can't wait to put me in my place?
A minute after that, the Storch was on the ground. A Follow me jeep led it to the visitors' tarmac in front of Base Operations.
As he was shutting down the Storch, Mattingly walked up to the airplane and waited for him to climb down from it.
He smiled and offered his hand.
”Right on time, Jim. Ready to go?”
I guess Gehlen did not complain.
”Sir, I have to see about getting it fueled, and I want to check the weather.” He pointed to the Base Operations building. ”It won't take a minute.”
”Fine,” Mattingly said with a smile, but Cronley sensed he was annoyed.
There were two signs over the Flight Briefing Room. One read FLIGHT PLANNING/WEATHER. The other read PILOTS ONLY.
Mattingly nevertheless followed Cronley into the room.
Why not? Full bull colonels get to go just about anyplace they want to.
Cronley studied the weather map, and then caught the eye of an Air Force sergeant.
”It doesn't look good for the south this afternoon, does it?”
”Not good unless you're a penguin. Penguins don't fly.”
”When do you think that front will move through southern Bavaria?”
”Very late this afternoon.”