He could tell from the pained looks of the faces of his three agents that they felt as he did.
The question now becomes: Is Rawson going along with Ramírez and Perón because of—or despite—Obregon’s hatred for the English and the North Americans? Is it possible he doesn’t know? Or is he afraid to defy Ramírez? Or Perón?
The question is moot. I am being told Obregon will be the Director of BIS, not really asked for my opinion.
“I would never question the judgment of either General Ramírez or Coronel Perón, Señor Presidente.”
“How well do you know General Obregon?”
“Only slightly, Señor.”
But well enough to know that he is intelligent and ruthless, and that nothing would give him greater pleasure than to become the Argentine version of Heinrich Himmler.
“I want to get the two of you together, privately, as soon as possible,” Rawson said. “I want him to know how much I appreciate your services in the execution of Outline Blue”
The plan—in American military parlance, the operations order—for the coup d’état had been called “Outline Blue.”
“The next few days will be out of the question, I’m afraid,” Rawson went on, “but I am going to Estancia San Pedro y San Pablo for Señor Frade’s wedding, and perhaps there will be the opportunity there.”
“Señor, I am at your disposal.”
“It would help if we knew when, precisely, the wedding will take place, wouldn’t it?” the President said somewhat petulantly.
“I understand the Cardinal Archbishop has promised his decision by today, Mr. President,” Martín said.
“Don’t tell me you have someone in the Cardinal Archbishop’s office?”
“An absolutely superb agent, Señor Presidente. My wife’s sister. She considers Señor Frade’s request outrageous.”
Rawson chuckled, and then returned to the subject of General Obregon.
“Martín, while the appointment has not been made public, General Obregon has been told. I wouldn’t be surprised if he came to Edificio Libertador to have an unofficial look around.”
“I will hold myself at his disposal, Señor Presidente,” Martín said.
“I really think, under the circumstances, Martín, that this was the best choice.”
If he believed that, he wouldn’t have said it. He has his doubts, which suggests that he gave in to some kind of pressure. Or was trying to solidify his position by appointing Obregon. Which is the same thing.
“I’m sure it was, Señor Presidente,” Martín said.
IV
[ONE]
Estancia Santo Catalina
Near Pila, Buenos Aires Province
1005 1 May 1943
The wedding of Señor Cletus Howell Frade to Señorita Dorotéa Mallín posed certain problems. The basic problem, the blame for which had to be laid squarely at the feet of the prospective couple, was that Dorotéa was three months pregnant.
Her condition precluded the events that would otherwise surround a marriage between the offspring of two prominent Argentine families. Ordinarily, there would have been a formal dinner party to announce the engagement. This would have been followed by a six-month engagement period, during which there would be myriad lunches, dinners, bridal showers, and the like.
Ordinarily, the wedding would have been held in the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar, in the Recoleta section of Buenos Aires; and, considering the prominence of the respective families, the nuptial mass would have been celebrated by the Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires himself.
The bride’s family would then hold a reception for the newlyweds at their home, or perhaps, considering the number of people who would attend, at either the Plaza or Alvear Plaza Hotel.