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“I presume you have been officially informed,” Frade said, “that the SAA Constellation is bound for Germany to relieve the Argentine diplomatic staff in Berlin.”

“We’ve been expecting you, Colonel,” the major said.

“Please do not use my rank,” Frade said.

“Sorry, sir.”

“That mission of compassion and mercy, however, is not the only reason I and these members of my staff are going to Germany. The second mission is unknown, as is my association with the OSS, to the Argentine diplomats, and I wish it kept that way. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” the major and the lieutenant again said together.

“I wish to discuss the second mission with the officer, or officers, commanding the B-24 submarine hunting group. Is that one officer or two?”

“Actually, sir, it’s four. In the wing, there are two antisubmarine groups here, and a third, the 480th, at Port Lyautey, in Morocco. Three group commanders, colonels, and the brigadier general who commands the wing, sir.”

“The general is where?” Clete asked.

“Here, sir. In his quarters.”

“Let’s start with him. Would you get him on the phone, Major, offer my apologies for waking him up, and ask him to come down here?”

“Yes, sir. And who do I say, sir, wishes to see him?”

“Tell him anything you wish, so long as you don’t mention the OSS.”

“Can I mention South American Airways?”

“Why not?”

[ONE]

Val de Cans Airfield Belém do Pará, Brazil 0218 17 May 1945

Brigadier General Robert G. Bendick, U.S. Army Air Forces, walked into the flight-planning room five minutes later, trailed by his aide-de-camp. He was a trim, intelligent-looking man in his midthirties; the aide looked like he had just finished high school.

“Good morning,” General Bendick said. “I’m afraid my Spanish is awful.”

“Not a problem, General,” Frade said. “I speak English. Thank you for coming so quickly. We’re a little pressed for time.”

Frade handed him the spurious credentials.

“Oh,” the general said.

“I never showed you those, sir. This is an out-of-school meeting.”

“To what end?”

“We’re headed for Berlin to relieve the Argentine diplomatic staff there. The aircraft has been chartered by the Argentine Foreign Ministry.”

“I saw the notification of that,” General Bendick said. “And?”

“Before we get into ‘and,’ why don’t you tell me about the other Constellation on the tarmac?”

“Before we get into ‘the other Constellation,’ why don’t you tell me about those Naval Aviator Wings you’re sporting?”

Their eyes locked. Frade had a sudden epiphany.

I am not going to get away with bullshitting this guy.