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.""We're taking care of that," Fine said.Fulmar looked at him curiously."Muller's going to get her a radio," Canidy said.Fulmar's look turned incredulous.Then Canidy nodded."Jesus," Fulmar said, impressed."Think of something, Eric," Canidy said gently."Something intimate, somethingPage 182ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlshe would remember, something they would not, of course, connect with her.""In other words, something happened in bed, right?" Fulmar snapped."Anything that will do the job," Canidy said."Sex is intimate and private.That's why I got into that.And for obvious reasons, we're going to need morethan one message.But we need one now." Fulmar shrugged."I don't really know why I'm going along with this shit at all," he said.He had thought of something.Just before he'd left Marburg, they'd had apicnic on the Lahn.They'd rented a canoe, floated downriver with the current,and stopped and picnicked on the riverbank.He had been debating that day whether to tell her he was going.In the end, hedecided it would be better if she didn't know.He closed his eyes and exhaled."Eric wants to paddle Gisella's canoe again," he said."What?"""Eric wants to paddle Gisella's canoe again, "' Fulmar said."With your filthy imagination, you figure out what it means.She'll know.""Don't be too clever.You're sure she'll know?""I said, she'll know it's me." "What's it mean?" Canidy asked."None of your fucking business, Richard," Fulmar said."What about a pet name?" Fine asked."Something that would at once furtheridentify you, and not use your real name.Or hers." Fulmar gave him awithering look."Bubchen," he said finally." Boobchin'?" Canidy quoted."What the hell is that?""Liale boy, " Fine made the translation."With overtones of affection thatdon't come across in English.""And what did you call her?""Fuck you, Dick!" Fulmar said.And then, a moment later, a'bubchen would liketo paddle Gisella's canoe again.And that's it, Dick.If that doesn't satisfyyou, stick the whole thing up your ass." Canidy stood up."Let's get the hell out of here," he said."Let's go get something to drink.""Are you sure that's all, Dick?" Fine asked.His eyes moved, just perceptibly, to the Stars's Stripes."Christ, I for got about that," Canidy said.Page 183ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlFulmar misunderstood him."Whatever it is, it's going to have to wait," he said."I need a bath and adrink.I have had enough of this shit for one day." Canidy unfolded thenewspaper and handed it to Fulmar.Fulmar read the story about America's Sweetheart's arrival in England.L."What do you want to do about it, Eric?" Canidy asked gently."You weren't listening, Major," Fulmar said."Huh?""I just said, I need a bath and a drink.I have had enough shit for one day."' "Captain Fine," Canidy said."If anyone should inquire, Lieutenant Fulmarand I will be in the bar at the Dorchester.When the press of your duties permits, feel free to join us.""Give me three minutes," Fine said, "and I'll go with you." [FOUR] As Canidy,Fulmar, and Fine walked up from the direction of Tilney Street and crossedDeanery Street, there were half a dozen official limousines and staff carsparked in the small lot between Park Lane and the door to the Dorchester.Their drivers stood, smoking, in a knot by the front fender of a Rolls Royce."Excuse me," Canidy said, and walked toward them.They all came to attention, and one of them stamped her foot, saluted, andbarked,"Sir!""Would you come with me, please, Sergeant?" Canidy said as he crisply returnedthe salute."Sir!" Sergeant Agnes Draper barked and stamped her foot again.When Canidy marched in a military manner toward the sandbags around the door,she marched in a military manner after him.Making him more than a liale uncomfortable, Sergeant Draper relievedLieutenant Fulmar of his luggage.Staggering a little under the weight, shefollowed the three officers across the lobby into the elevator.They rode to the fourth floor.At the entrance to one of the corridors there,a man wearing an American uniform with civilian technician insignia droppedhis Stars's Stripes to the carpet beside his upholstered chair and rose attheir approach."This is Lieutenant Fulmar," Fine said."He'll be staying here on and off.""Yes, sir," the man said as he pulled his olive-drab jacket over the snubnosed Colt Detective Special on his belt."And you know Major Canidy and the sergeant?" Fine said."Oh, yes, sir," the American said.Page 184ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"They also serve who sit in hotel corridors reading the Stripes," Canidy said."Better this, Major," the CIC agent said, smiling, "than standing around inthe snow guarding the castle.""Virtue, doubtless," Canidy said, "is its own reward." Fine unlocked a door.As he pushed it open, the CIC agent called, ZTHE Signal Corps swept it thismorning, Captain.""Thank you," Fine said, and motioned the others into the suite ahead of them."I wondered where the hell you were," Canidy said to Agnes."Commander Whathisname dismissed me," Agnes said."I think he suspected I wasgoing to carry Commander Bitter off before he got to cocktails with Ike.Andyou told me not to take the Packard to Berkeley Square.I knew you would showup here eventually, so I came here." "Good thinking, Sergeant," Canidy said,"you are a credit to the noncommissioned officer corps.""Oh, I'm so pleased you think so, "Agnes said."Do you think I've earned adrink of your whisky?""Fix us all one while the Sheikh of Araby has his bath," Canidy said."No one," Fulmar said, beaming at Agnes, zhas seen fit to introduce us,Sergeant.My name is Fulmar.""Rein it in, Lone Ranger," Canidy said."The lady is spoken for." Agnes Draperblushed.Both Fine and Fulmar looked at Canidy in surprise."I thought Ann was here," Fulmar blurted."Indeed she is," Canidy said."She'll be here, with Eddie Bieer, about fivethirty or six.That's one of the reasons I am being so.indelicate.""Dolan told you?" Agnes said.Canidy nodded."Damn him!""I'm sure you're a big girl, Agnes," Canidy said."I'm not so sure aboutBitter.""You make me sound.predatory, Dick," Agnes said."I didn't mean to, honey," Canidy said gently."I don't think that.I justwanted to be sure you understand what you're into.Eddie is liable to erupt inparoxysms of regret.He's an Annapolis man, you know.And officers andgentlemen_ n"Particularly married officers and gentlemen," Agnes interrupted."Are you being oblique, Dick? Is this in the nature of a reprimand?""Ann is Eddie's cousin," Canidy went on."She went to college with Mrs.Bitter.""I didn't know that, "Agnes said."Forewarned, to coin a phrase, is forearmed," Canidy said."Having done my paternal duty as your commanding officer, my dear child, IPage 185ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlconsider the matter closed.""Now that you have managed to let Captain Fine know? And Lieutenant Fulmar?""Don't be a bitch, Agnes," Canidy flared."Fine has the need-to-know, and Ididn't want Eric and Eddie getting into anything over the prize of yourcharms." He glared at her, then warmed to his subject, "I have enough on mymind without worrying about the impact of your geting the hots for one of myofficers." She glared at him, tight-lipped."Now that I think of it, Agnes," Canidy said, "and now that we've exhaustedthe subject, Lawrence of Arabia can wash behind his ears without supervision.Put a couple of bottles in bags, and we'll go downstairs to the bar.There wasa moment's hesitation before she smiled [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]