The Last Heroes (Men at War 1)

‘‘I’m not at liberty to say,’’ Baker said.

‘‘I can’t imagine what else it could be,’’ Canidy thought aloud. Then he added: ‘‘I’m under a year’s contract to the AVG. I don’t suppose that matters?’’

‘‘What you would be doing is considered of greater importance, ’’ Baker said.

‘‘Would I come back here?’’

‘‘That hasn’t been determined,’’ Baker said. ‘‘Most probably, you would not.’’

‘‘Jesus,’’ Canidy said, exasperated. ‘‘You understand that the only skill I can bring to this war is flying single-engine airplanes?’’

Baker nodded.

‘‘Unless you’re willing to tell me more, my answer is no,’’ Canidy said.

‘‘Canidy,’’ Chennault said, ‘‘Roosevelt would not have sent Mr. Baker here unless this was damned important.’’

‘‘Colonel Donovan told me to expect that Canidy would be difficult,’’ Baker said, smiling.

That surprised Canidy. He knew that Donovan was engaged in hush-hush work for the President. Baker was, therefore, sending him a message. He looked quickly at Chennault and Crookshanks. Their faces showed no sign that they knew Donovan.

‘‘How is the colonel?’’ Canidy asked dryly.

‘‘He sends his best regards,’’ Baker said. ‘‘He hopes to have dinner with you soon.’’

Canidy doubted that. But he understood he was being told that if he went along with Baker, he would be going to the States.

‘‘That would be nice,’’ Canidy said, dryly sarcastic.

What the hell is the matter with me? Canidy thought. All the questions of rushing to the bulwarks to defend the flag aside, my option is either to remain here, where I’ll likely be shot and killed, or to go along with whatever this guy has up his sleeve. The odds are that it will probably be less dangerous than what I’m doing now. Donovan probably needs a pilot, and I’m a pilot. It may be as simple as that.

What’s wrong with that theory is that the President would not send a high-level bureaucrat halfway around the world to recruit an airplane driver.

‘‘Can you tell me what my status would be?’’ Canidy asked.

‘‘Oh, you mean who’s going to pay you?’’ Baker asked. "You would be a civilian employee of the U.S. government. There would be at least as much money as you’re making now. Including bonuses I understand you earned yesterday. ’’

Oh, what the fuck!

‘‘All right,’’ Canidy said. ‘‘What the hell, why not?’’

Baker nodded.

‘‘When does all this happen?’’ Canidy asked.

‘‘You’ll go back with General Chennault and me,’’ Baker said. ‘‘Which raises the question of how we explain your departure around here.’’

‘‘What difference does that make? Let them ask Crookshanks if they’re curious.’’

‘‘The situation is such that we can’t let you tell your friends what you’re doing,’’ Baker said. ‘‘That means I have to come up with some sort of credible explanation why you suddenly vanished the day after you became an ace and got a medal.’’

‘‘The Cloud Banner is not common knowledge,’’ Crookshanks said. ‘‘The only person who knows about it is Canidy’s wingman, Douglass.’’

‘‘That would be Douglas Douglass?’’ Baker said, brightening.

‘‘Yes,’’ Crookshanks said, surprised that Baker had that information.

‘‘The word you will spread about my visit is that I came to see Douglass,’’ Baker said. ‘‘To bring him a package from his father. Why isn’t Canidy’s medal common knowledge? >