Part 31 (1/2)
”Yes?”
”Sir, with respect, I have conditions. Before I'll agree to be transferred to DCI.”
Now, what the h.e.l.l?
”Conditions, Sergeant?” Cronley asked unpleasantly. ”Before you 'agree to be transferred'? You don't have to agree to being transferred. I decide whether or not that will happen.”
”Sir, with respect. Would you want me in DCI if I didn't want to be here?”
Turn off the automatic mouth or you really will say something stupid.
”What sort of conditions, Sergeant?” Lieutenant Colonel Ashton asked.
Cronley saw Schultz flash Ashton a withering look, and then he said, ”She has a point, Jim.”
”What sort of conditions, Sergeant?” Cronley asked.
”Just two things, sir. I'd like permission to wear civilian triangles. And if you're issuing what I guess could be called special IDs, I'd like one of those, too. I suppose what I'm saying-”
”That will not pose a problem,” Cronley said. ”We're all aware that it's easier to get things done if you're not wearing rank insignia. And that ties in with what I said before that in the DCI authority is based on your job, not your rank.”
”Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
”You said 'two things,' Sergeant.”
”Yes, sir. I'd like to bring three of my girls with me.”
What?
Her girls?
Jesus Christ, she's a d.y.k.e!
”Excuse me, Sergeant?”
”They want to get out of the ASA house . . .”
That she was queer never entered my mind!
Until just now.
So much for that intuition bulls.h.i.+t we were just talking about!
”. . . and not only will they be useful here, but they'll be able to keep an eye on anything going to or from Was.h.i.+ngton,” Sergeant Colbert went on, and then stopped, and then went on again, ”It's not what you're thinking, sir.”
So what do I say now?
Ask her what she thinks I'm thinking?
Cronley was literally struck dumb.
”Sir, I'm no more interested in other women-that way-than you are in other men.”
”Sergeant, I hope I didn't say anything to suggest-”
”May I continue, sir?” she interrupted.
How could I possibly say no?
”Certainly,” Cronley said.
”I'm glad this came up,” she began. ”To clear the air. One of the reasons I want to get out of the WAC is because I'm really tired of being suspected of being a d.y.k.e. And I've learned that every man, officer or enlisted, who looks at me thinks there is no other explanation for an attractive, unmarried woman being in the WAC except that she's a lesbian.”
Cronley thought: That's true. It may not be fair, but it's true.
But he remained struck dumb.
”I'm heteros.e.xual,” Sergeant Colbert said. ”And so are the women I want to bring with me into DCI. Is that clear?”
Cronley found his voice.
”Perfectly clear,” he said. ”And I appreciate your candor, Sergeant Colbert. Hessinger, get the names of the women Sergeant Colbert wants to bring with her, and see that they're transferred.”
”Yes, sir,” Hessinger said.
Sergeant Colbert stood up, came to attention, and looked at Cronley.
What the h.e.l.l is that all about?
”Permission to withdraw, sir?” she asked.
Oh!
”Granted,” Cronley said.
Sergeant Colbert saluted. Cronley returned it. Sergeant Colbert executed a snappy ”left turn” movement and marched toward the door.
Cronley's automatic mouth switched on.
”Colbert! Just a minute, please.”
She stopped, did a snappy ”about face” movement, and stood at attention.
”Sir?”
”First of all, at ease,” Cronley said. ”You can knock off just about all the military courtesy, Colbert. For one thing, this isn't the Farben Building. For another, I'm wearing triangles, not bars. Pa.s.s that word to your girls.”
”Yes, sir.”
”Welcome to DCI, Claudette. Freddy will see that you have everything you need.”