by Jack Ambraw
“And I saw him with Chief Blanchard in Hong Kong once,” Decker said.
Mo took a big swig of beer and belched. “He seems to keep to himself on board. ‘Course he hangs out in the Goat Locker a lot. But we can’t go in there.”
“Where?” asked Hack.
“The Goat Locker. The chiefs’ mess,” Decker said. “It’s what everybody calls it. Including the chiefs.”
“That’s a dumb name.”
“I agree,” Decker said. “But that’s what they call it. Even more sad than the name is the fact that they like calling it the Goat Locker.”
The three sailors sat in silence as the Amo Band began playing. The loud music blared from the floor-to-ceiling speakers making any attempt at a conversation impossible. Five songs later, the band took a ten-minute break and Decker resumed. “The bottom line is we don’t know much about Chief Fray. We know the basics. Where he was stationed in the past. He’s married with a kid. He hangs out with a couple fellow chiefs while on liberty. That’s about the extent of it.”
“Why don’t you follow him for a couple days?” Mo said. “If you want to play detective, that’s the way they do it in the movies.”
Decker’s eyes brightened. “Mo, I think you may be on to something. That’s a brilliant idea.”
“How are we going to do that?” Hack asked. “We don’t have a car. He knows all three of us so he’d surely see us if we try to follow him.”
Decker looked at Hack. “Not if you’re careful.”
“If I’m careful?” Hack asked.
“You’re the perfect person to do it,” Decker said. “You’re new on board. New enough he won’t easily recognize you in civilian clothes. All you need is a hat of some kind. You’ll blend right in.”
Hack pointed to Mo. “What about him?”
“Not a chance,” Decker said. “He’d stick out like a sore thumb. No offense, Mo.”
“None taken,” Mo shrugged. “I’m glad you feel that way.”
Hack turned to Decker. “Okay, what about you? You know the base and town better than I do. You’d be able to track him much more easily than me.”
Decker considered the wisdom of Hack’s comment. “I hate it when you’re right, but it makes sense. Okay, let’s both do it. I don’t want to do it alone, though.”
“You were ready to send me out there alone!” Hack said.
“That was before I realized how little you know the surroundings.”
“Then why don’t you do it alone then?” Hack argued.
“I would, but I’d stick out, too. Chief knows me too well. Besides, I don’t look like the kind of guy that would be trailing someone.”
Hack frowned. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
Decker set down his beer and folded his arms. “It makes perfect sense. You have that innocent look about you. You can blend into the background. No one will suspect you’re following someone. I’ll be there as your wingman to guide you.”
“I’ve seen how well you handle that role,” Hack said, finishing the last of his San Miguel. “But if we do it, let’s give ourselves a week. If Chief’s involved with something, he’ll make a move at some point during the week.”
Decker raised his beer bottle. “Okay, we’re in for a week. Hack, you have duty tomorrow, right?
“I think so.”
“Then we’ll start Operation Chief Watch on Friday.”
“What do you want me to do? I’d be more than happy to follow the commander’s wife,” Mo said with a leer.
“At this point, nothing,” said Decker. “You’ll be the muscle when we need it.
Mo polished off the remainder of his beer and set the bottle down with a grunt. “Great.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
1735, Friday, January 10
Decker and Hack waited near the machine shop behind the dumpster, out of sight from the Harvey’s quarterdeck. Decker looked his watch. “Chief’s a man of habits. He always leaves the ship at the same time.”
Ten minutes later, at exactly 1745, the two sailors watched Chief Fray depart the ship. He had on his work khakis, not bothering to change into civilian clothes. He walked down the pier forward of the Harvey, turned right on the shipyard access road, and passed through the security gate exiting the ship repair facility. He continued walking north one block to the Spanish Gate where he made a pit stop for ice cream. Decker and Hack entered the adjacent cafeteria, ordered cokes and fries, and sat in a corner booth. Decker had his back to the Baskin Robbins, but Hack could see Chief through the window that separated the two eateries.
Decker picked at his fries. “What’s he doing now?”
“Sitting there slurping his ice cream.”
“What did he order?”
“Looks like a hot fudge sundae.”
“The fat bastard,” Decker smirked. “But don’t look at him. Keep your eyes on me. What’s he doing now?”
“How can I tell you what’s he doing if I’m looking at you?”
“Use your peripheral vision.”
“Why don’t you just turn around and take a quick look?”
Decker shook his head. “It’d be too obvious. What’s he doing now?”
“Are you going to ask me that every ten seconds?”
“Yes.”
Hack glanced over Decker’s shoulder. “He’s flirting with the ice cream girls.”
“Are they cute?”
Hack took another peek. “One of them’s okay. Too young for Chief, though. The other one’s kinda big.”
“Which one is he talking to?”
“The big one.”
Decker put his head in his hands. “We could be here all night. What’s he doing now?”
“Ordering more ice cream.”
“He’s finished with his sundae already?”
“No, but he’s ordering another one.”
“Maybe it’s his dinner,” said Decker.
Hack stole another glance. “I don’t think so. It looks like he’s leaving. He’s getting some napkins. He’s heading out the door.”
“Let’s follow him,” Decker said. “Which way did he go?”
“The west exit. He’s headed for the street.”
Decker and Hack walked into the ice cream store and watched through the window to the sidewalk. They saw Mrs. Fray parked on the curb in a maroon Cadillac Brougham next to the Spanish Gate. Little Fray sat strapped in the backseat. Chief Fray got in on the passenger side, kissed his wife, and handed the extra sundae to his kid. Mrs. Fray put the car in gear, looked over her left shoulder, and sped away.
“I bet they’re going home,” Hack said.
Decker watched the station wagon drive out of sight. “You’re probably right. No luck tonight. We’ll follow him again next week.” He turned to his left as the girls greeted a customer. “Let’s get a treat. The big one’s yours.”
And so it went the following Monday. Decker and Hack followed Chief Fray to Baskin Robbins whereupon he ordered a hot fudge sundae, flirted with the ice cream girls for a few minutes, ordered an extra sundae, and then departed at exactly 1805 out the front door. Waiting for Chief would be Mrs. Fray parked on the street in front of the Spanish Gate. Little Fray in the back seat. Monday night Hack had duty. Tuesday night it was Chief Fray’s turn. Decker had duty Wednesday night. Thursday night, the two sailors returned to the stakeout.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
1735, Thursday, January 16
Decker and Hack hadn’t bothered to follow Chief Fray from the ship. They knew where he’d end up. Chief entered the Baskin Robbins at his usual time, ordered his customary hot fudge sundae, and departed the premises at exactly 1805. But tonight Mrs. Fray was nowhere to be seen. He exited the ice cream store and walked down Dewey Avenue heading west. Decker and Hack, caught off guard, followed Chief when he was a block away.
They found themselves exposed walking down the same sidewalk on the same side of the street. Decker took a quick look around the area. “If he turns around, we’re busted. He’s probably heading to the chiefs’ club. If so, I suspect he’ll turn right on Aguinaldo and follow that to the club. Let’s take Bonifacio and follow him a block south of his position.”
The two sailors turned right on Bonifacio and walked a half block until they were in front of the base mess hall. A long line of sailors had formed along the sidewalk extending several yards west.
“Let’s stand in the chow line,” said Decker. “We’ll blend in with everyone and watch for him to walk down Aguinaldo.”
Decker and Hack waited in line at the mess hall for ten minutes. Plenty of time for Chief to pass by them a block west walking north on Aguinaldo. When another five minutes passed, Hack knew that even the slow-walking Chief should have made his way north by then. “Great plan. Now we’ve lost him. Want to eat since we’re here?”
Decker quickly read the menu posted on the door. “No thanks. I’ve had enough navy cuisine for one day. And how can you think about food at a time like this?”
“It’s easy. We lost him,” Hack said. “We can try again next week.”
Decker folded his arms and contemplated their situation. “I don’t understand it. If he continued straight on Dewey, there’s nothing but officer barracks and administrative offices in that direction. If he turned left on Aguinaldo, he’d be heading to the pier. I doubt if he was heading there. He can look at the water anytime he wants to. I was sure he’d turn right. Let’s backtrack and see if we can find him.”
The two sailors got out of line and backtracked down Bonificio to Dewey Avenue. Three sailors were walking east heading for the Spanish Gate. Two sailors were heading west. None of them was Chief Fray.
“Let’s walk towards Aguinaldo,” Decker said. “Maybe we’ll run into him.”
“What if we do?” asked Hack.
“Not to worry,” Decker said. “It would be normal for us to walk around base. We’ll just say we’re heading to the enlisted club or something.”
Decker and Hack continued walking along Dewey until they reached the intersection of Aguinaldo. The base library and movie theater were to their right. Decker scanned both directions. “No sign of him. That’s odd.”
“Maybe he’s watching a movie.”
“Why would he watch a movie?”
“His wife could be busy. Killing time.”
Decker grimaced at what was showing. Ernest Goes to Camp. “I doubt if he’s in there.
It’s one thing to run a black market scheme, but quite another to watch a movie like that.”
They stood at the corner of Dewey and Aguinaldo, contemplating their next move. Decker pulled at his t-shirt, which was stuck to his body with sweat. “It’s too hot to be standing out here. Let’s head to the Sampaquita Club.”
They turned right on Aguinaldo and were almost out of sight from the library and theater when Hack saw something out of the corner of his eye. Chief Fray sitting in the library, his back to the window. Hack grabbed Decker by the arm and discretely pointed with his thumb. “Look over there.”
“He’s been in the library the whole time,” Decker said. “I suspected that.”
“You’re full of shit,” said Hack. “You had no idea he was in there. So what do we do?”
Decker surveyed their surroundings, finding a perfect hideout. “Let’s go across the street and wait for him to leave.”
“To the miniature golf place?”
“Sure, we can play a few holes. Loser buys the first round at Cal Jam. We’ll be in perfect position to watch the library.”
“Okay. You’re on.”
Decker and Hack were on the eighth hole negotiating the windmill when Chief Fray emerged from the library.
“There he is,” said Hack.
“I see him. He’s just standing there looking at something.”
“Maybe he’s waiting on his ride.”
“Can you see what he’s holding?”
Hack squinted towards the chief. “I don’t think it’s a book. Looks like a piece of paper.”
“Let’s keep playing and see what he does,” Decker said.
From the eighth green, they watched Chief walk down the sidewalk heading back to the Spanish Gate. When he reached the gate, Mrs. Fray sat waiting in a station wagon.
“Well, we know where he was going,” Decker said. “Now we need to find out what he was doing in there.”
“How are we going to do that?” asked Hack. “It’ll be impossible to find out what he was reading.”
“Maybe he left some books lying around,” Decker said. “And if you don’t see anything that looks obvious, you can ask the librarian. Maybe Chief asked her for help.”
“I’m not going in there alone,” Hack said. “You do it. Or we both go in.”
“Someone has to stand guard outside. What if Chief comes back?”
“Okay then, I’ll stand guard. You go in.”
“It has to be you,” said Decker. “If I go in, they won’t believe me when I ask for help. You look like you need help.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
Decker put a hand on Hack’s shoulder. “It makes perfect sense. Just go in, take a look around, and see what you can find. If Chief didn’t leave any books or magazines on the tables, just ask the librarian. It’s as simple as that.”
“I can’t believe you talk me into these things.”
“Five minutes. That’s all. I’ll wait out here by the theater ticket window like I’m going to watch a movie.” Decker frowned again at the “now showing” poster. “I hope no one sees me, but it’s a risk to my reputation that I’m willing to take.”
“You’re a brave man,” Hack said as he walked to the library entrance.
“Wait,” yelled Decker. “One more thing.”
Hacker paused and turned around. “What?”
“I was up two strokes. You owe me a beer.”
Hack shook his head and opened the door. “Why am I the one doing this?” he mumbled, drawing looks from a woman exiting the library
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
1820, Thursday, January 16
Hack walked into the library and paused at a magazine rack to survey the landscape. At a far table a mother and middle-school-aged son were studying an encyclopedia. Near the reference desk, a sailor, asleep on a couch, had been reading Sports Illustrated, which was spilled open in his lap. A cheery-looking librarian sat behind a desk in the middle of the room. Mid-forties with a slim build, her spiked yellowish hair, bright red lipstick, and thick makeup reminded Hack of the Joker from the Batman television series he used to watch as a kid. She peered over the book she was reading and smiled at him.
He walked towards the back of the room where the mother and son were sitting. Two large tables filled the space. The son had books spread out on the table in front on him. Astronomy books, Hack noticed. Probably a class project. The other table was empty. Hack walked to the west end of the library, a research room that was separated from the main part of the library. Hack browsed the shelves. All military stuff with most of them focused on the navy. He saw two carts filled with books, but no books on any of the tables. He walked over to the carts. One was filled with magazines and journals. A note on the cart read “New Material.” The other cart had several Jane’s military books on it. Hack counted. Eight books in all. Five of the books were on fleets of the world. Three were specifically about the U.S. navy. Doesn’t tell me much, Hack said to himself. Books about the navy in a navy library.
Hack walked over to the librarian, who still had her nose in a book.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” Hack said.
The librarian set aside her book and smiled. “Yes? May I help you?”
“I
’m doing some research with a friend. I believe he was just in here. I was wondering if you could tell me what he was reading?”
The librarian lost her smile. “That is information I cannot share. Even if I knew who you were talking about, which I don’t, I still wouldn’t be able to give you that information.”
“He was just in here a few minutes ago.”
“We have many people come in here. I don’t keep track of everyone.”
Hack raised his right hand a couple inches above his head. “A tall guy. Mostly bald. Big gut. Surely you noticed him.”
“Several people fit that description. Besides, it’s our policy not to share reader information with anyone. Even if you were an admiral, I wouldn’t tell you. I’d rather lose my job than do that.”
Hack rubbed his mouth with his hand. “But he’s my friend. We’re working on a project together. He said he was going to leave some material for me.”
“What’s your name?”
“Why is that important?”
“If he left something for you, I’ll check our hold shelf. If you give me your name, I’ll check to see if we have material for you.”
Hack did a quick inventory of items on the desk. There were two dictionaries and a thesaurus between book ends shaped like ships anchors. Next to one bookend was a letter opener. The bookend would work well, he thought. A blow to the head with that and then move to the letter opener.
“If you give me your name, I’ll see if we have a hold for you. I can’t look if I don’t have a name,” the librarian said, smiling.
“It’s not that important. I’ll come back later,” Hack said, turning to walk out of the library.
“You should talk with your friend…” said the librarian as Hack closed the door behind him. He didn’t bother to hear her finish the sentence. He’d had enough of the library.
He walked next door to the theater. Decker was nowhere in sight. He started to believe Decker had left him, but then heard a voice across the street.
“What are you doing over there?” Hack yelled.