“He drove an ambulance in the Italian Army Medical Corps,” Delchamps said. “Normally, as you know, Herr Oberst, ambulance drivers are privates. Oh, every once in a while there’s a PFC, and maybe even a corporal after long and faithful service, but usually a private.”
“I suppose that’s true,” Castillo said.
“Hemingway was a lieutenant,” Delchamps said. “The Italian government decided it wouldn’t be good if all the starry-eyed American boys who rushed to do their part in the war to end all wars wrote home to Mama about how privates driving ambulances in the Italian Army were treated and fed, so they made them all second lieutenants.”
“Really?”
“True story. You found it interesting, I hope?”
“Absolutely! But you know what I would really find interesting to know?”
“And what is that?”
“Please tell me if you deliver these fascinating, interesting lectures on little-known facts of history to everyone who comes to Paris or if you have some interesting—possibly nefarious—purpose in relating them to me.”
“In your case, Herr Oberst Gossinger, I was ordered to do so,” Delchamps said as he took a sheet of paper from his pocket.
That’s the second time he called me “Herr Oberst.” I wonder what’s that all about?
“This came in at six this morning, Colonel,” Delchamps said, handing the paper to Castillo, “making it necessary for me to get out of bed at that obscene hour and go to the fucking embassy to get it. I was, as you can imagine, more than a little pissed, for several reasons.”
Castillo unfolded the sheet of paper and read it.
* * *
TOP SECRET
URGENT
DUPLICATION FORBIDDEN
DELIVER IMMEDIATELY TO EDGAR J. DELCHAMPS ONLY AND REPORT TIME OF DELIVERY OR REASONS FOR FAILURE TO DO SO
FROM: DIRECTOR NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
TO: EDGAR J. DELCHAMPS
CIA STATION CHIEF PARIS
COPIES TO: (EYES ONLY) SECSTATE, SECHOMELANDSEC; DIRCIA
COLONEL C. G. CASTILLO, USA, IS PRESENTLY EN ROUTE PARIS ON A MISSION FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WHICH HE MAY AT HIS SOLE DISCRETION ELECT TO CLARIFY FOR YOU.
COLONEL CASTILLO WILL BE FURNISHED WHATEVER ASSISTANCE AND INTELLIGENCE HE REQUESTS, TO INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ACCESS TO AGENCY-OWNED AVIATION ASSETS. FURTHER, IT IS DIRECTED THAT YOU FURNISH HIM WITH ANY INTELLIGENCE NOT SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED BUT IN WHICH YOU FEEL HE MAY BE INTERESTED.
CHARLES W. MONTVALE
DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
TOP SECRET
* * *
“When Montvale called the last time you came here, he told me you were a major, Ace,” Delchamps said, accusingly.
“I’m a lieutenant colonel as of yesterday,” Castillo said.
“Then permit me to be among the very first to congratulate you.”