Secret Warriors (Men at War 2)

"Canidy," Donovan said.

"Yes," Doug lass said.

"And the President said fine, and that he and Mrs. Roosevelt both looked forward to seeing him."

"Whittaker then said he wanted to catch up on his sleep," Canidy said.

"And asked us to wake him when it was time."

56 0 W.K.S. URIFFIN "And you did?"

"We sent up a tray, in case he woke and was hungry. And we did what we could to make him look presentable," Canidy said.

"A rush dry-cleaning job on his uniform. At five-thirty, I went up and woke him again, and shaved him."

"You shaved him?"

"He wanted more to drink," Canidy said, "and I didn't think he should have it. When I told him so, he held up his hands, which were shaking, and asked me how the hell he was supposed to shave, so I told him I'd shave him, and I did."

"At six-fifteen I sent them to the White House, in the Buick," Doug lass said. "Had he been given anything else to drink?"

"I gave him a drink in the car," Canidy said. "I told you not to," Doug lass said. "I thought it was necessary," Canidy said, unrepentant.

"He was shaking, and he said he hurt. I think he had cramps. The drink seemed to help. In view of what was waiting for him at the White House, I think it was the right thing to do."

"The press, you mean?"

"Yes, Sir," Canidy said.

"There was a Marine officer waiting for us. He took us into the Oval Office. The press was already there. Whittaker didn't know they would be, of course, and he didn't like it. I was glad he'd had something to drink."

"Where was the letter all this time?"

"He had it."

"There was no chance for you to see it?" Donovan asked. "It was sealed, Sir," Canidy said. "We didn't have time to risk opening and resealing it, Colonel," Doug lass said.

"I made that decision."

"I'd love to know what the hell it says," Donovan said. "Whatever it says, General Marshall didn't like it," Canidy said.

"As soon as Whittaker gave it to the President, he gave it to General Marshall, and Marshall didn't like what it said."

"We're getting ahead of what happened," Donovan said.

"Take it in sequence."

"There were half a dozen photographers, and eight, ten reporters, THE SECRET WARRIORS 8 ST nd crews from Fox Movie tone newsreel and the March of Time," Canidy a said.

"The President was already propped up. Standing, I mean, leaning against a back support. It was very carefully rehearsed, apparently.

Early got Jimmy in position, and then they turned on the floodlights, or whatever they're -called, and started to operate the cameras. The President started out and -said he wanted them to meet an authentic hero who had just escaped from the Philippines with MacArthur and flown to Washington with a message from the general. He said-with his grin-that it was normal for an officer to salute the Commander in Chief, but in this case he was going to give him a hug, because he was the son of one of his best friends, and he had known him since he was in diapers. "Then Early pushed Jimmy into camera range, and the President hugged him and introduced him by name. Then he gave him the Silver Star for his heroic escape and told the press that Jimmy had already won medals for valor in the air and on the ground."

"Very touching," Donovan said. There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Roosevelt is marvelous at that sort of thing."

"The press wanted to ask Whittaker all kinds of questions," Canidy went on, "but the President wouldn't let them on the grounds that Whittaker was exhausted, and that after he and Mrs. Roosevelt had a family supper with him, he was going to let him go to bed. Somebody turned off the bright lights, and the press was ushered out."