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“Did the ACofS G-2 say why they’re going to abolish the OSS?”
It took Flowers a moment to come up with a reply, but finally he said, “Because it will not be needed.”
“Then why fold it into Army Intelligence?” Frade asked innocently.
Flowers started to reply—his mouth was actually open—and then he had an epiphany and it caused him to lose his temper.
“You arrogant sonofabitch!” Flowers blurted, spittle flying from his lips. “If you think you can make a fool of me, you’ve got another think coming!”
“Did I say something that offended you, Colonel?”
“You knew all about this, didn’t you? And don’t lie to me, Frade. Colonel Donovan told you, didn’t he?”
“Told me what?”
“That the OSS is to be dissolved.”
Frade held up his right hand, pinkie and thumb touching, three fingers extended.
“Boy Scout’s Honor, I have never discussed this with Wild Bill.”
Flowers glared at him, his face flushed with anger.
Frade went on: “And with respect, sir. It’s not Colonel Donovan. It’s General Donovan. Wild Bill’s a major general now. I’m surprised you didn’t know that.”
Flowers was red-faced, and Frade could see steam coming out of his ears again.
“You ever hear, Frade, that he who laughs last laughs best? I’m going to have your ass sooner or later. Count on it!”
“Yes, sir. I’ll tell General Donovan you said that, when I tell him you told me the ACofS G-2 told you that the OSS is going to be dissolved and that you and he are agreed that it should be folded into Army Intelligence.” Frade paused, then gave in to temptation: “With the help of the Los Angeles Project, and maybe even the New Orleans Project.”
Flowers took a moment to take control of himself.
“The war is about over, Colonel Frade. We’ll all eventually go home. But when you get off the ship, or the airplane, or whatever returns you to the Zone of the Interior, you will be in handcuffs, on your way to a general court-martial a
nd the Army prison at Fort Leavenworth!”
“Maybe I can get General Donovan to represent me at the court-martial. I understand he’s a pretty good lawyer.”
Flowers wordlessly turned and marched out of the office, slamming the door after him.
Frade was still looking thoughtfully at the door—I don’t think pissing him off was the smart thing to do—when Enrico came through it.
“The diplomats are arriving, mi coronel.”
“Whatever happened to ‘Don Cletus,’ Enrico?”
“The diplomats are arriving, Don Cletus, mi coronel.”
“Now, in German. If you don’t get it right, you can’t go.”
Enrico got it right.
“Well, I guess you get to go.”
“Danke, Herr Oberst.”
[TWO]
