Wings in the Dark

by Michael Murphy

  Patton raised an eyebrow. “Did he now?”

  “He did. The killer shot Kalua next to Amelia Earhart’s plane. One bullet in the center of the back and another to the head. He fled without dropping any evidence by the body, leaving Amelia alone in the hangar.”

  “That sounds like Kitsune. The son of a bitch isn’t in Hawaii for R and R or to snap pictures of military installations.” Patton rubbed the side of his face and stared toward the photos beneath the sword. “I’ve been after this bastard since I arrived in Hawaii. If I don’t find him, there’s a chance I’ll rot here. When the next war starts, I’ll be reporting to men half my age.”

  That’s why Patton hadn’t thrown us out when I mentioned reading his classified report. If he helped capture Kitsune, his career might resume its upward path.

  “Have you learned anything new since you wrote the report?”

  “Two weeks ago a security jeep spotted someone taking pictures outside a secure area at Pearl Harbor. He disappeared before he could be apprehended. The MPs provided a vague description, slender and short, between five foot five and five eight. That’s about eighty percent of the damn Japs on the island.”

  If Kitsune was a genuine suspect, I’d need more information and a better description. “So, except for a vague physical description, there’s nothing else that isn’t in the report.”

  “Read the report again. The most important part is this: wherever he is, whether it’s Manchuria, southern China, or Hawaii, Kitsune blends into the population. British intelligence out of Singapore has reported he passes himself off as a common laborer, someone you’d least expect to be an intelligence agent. Hell, he could be the gardener trimming our palm trees earlier. Sorry I don’t have more to offer you.”

  I thanked him for his time.

  Patton stood. “I wish you all the success in the world. Lives depend on it.”

  Stoddard and I rose and shook the colonel’s hand.

  When we turned to leave, Patton spoke again. “Stoddard, would you give Mr. Donovan and me a moment?”

  “Sure, Colonel.” Stoddard didn’t look happy, but he left the room and closed the door behind him.

  Patton sat and gestured to the chairs.

  I took a seat and waited to see what he wanted to share out of earshot of Stoddard.

  “I know it’s none of your concern, but I hate sitting behind a desk. I was meant to command men in battle, men like you.”

  I’d seen enough combat in Europe and on the streets of New York. Men weren’t put on earth to die when a bullet ripped through them, smashing bones and tearing tissue. No one should bleed to death on a street or a battlefield.

  My father died of tuberculosis, but at least he passed away in his sleep.

  Patton opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a small box. “Cigar?”

  “No, thanks, Colonel. I don’t smoke.”

  “You were in combat and didn’t learn to smoke?”

  “I learned. When I returned to the States, I forgot.”

  He put the cigars back in the drawer. “Most people would envy being stationed in Hawaii. The sand, surf, and weather. It’s probably twenty degrees in D.C. right now. I feel like I’m marooned here while every important decision maker is in Washington.”

  “I’m sure the military still values a man with your experience and background.”

  “You don’t have to lay it on so thick.” For a moment he glanced at the pictures along the wall, Patton with General Pershing, and others with people I didn’t recognize. “I just wanted to share one more thing.”

  He seemed to struggle with what he was about to say. “This isn’t army protocol, or even the policy of Washington bureaucrats like Stoddard has become. This is just advice from one old soldier to another. If you get the chance to nail this bastard Kitsune, don’t call for backup, hoping to capture him alive to be interrogated. He’ll never talk. If you get the chance, blow the son of a bitch’s brains out. Got it?”

  I rose and shook his hand again. “Yes, sir.”

  Chapter 20

  I’m My Own Boss

  Stoddard wore dark sunglasses as he stood in the afternoon sun beside their convertible. He didn’t ask and I didn’t volunteer anything Patton said.

  “The flight across the Pacific is scheduled to take off in two days. We need to warn Amelia and Putnam about Kitsune.”

  “You’re right. We owe them that. We’ll let them decide whether to postpone the flight or not.”

  “Let’s take Reggie and Laura with us.” Assuming Reggie hadn’t consumed the rest of the champagne and ordered the sherry.

  When we returned from Schofield Barracks, Stoddard parked by the hotel lobby. Inside, I entered a phone booth and dialed the penthouse suite at the Moana Hotel.

  Billy answered. While he was telling me Amelia and George were at Wheeler Field, Stoddard and Reggie entered the lobby. The two men faced each other, continuing a serious conversation, until Stoddard nodded. He stepped into a vacant phone booth and made a call.

  I hung up and approached Reggie. “Where’s Laura?”

  “She’s at the cabana, of course. I came to the lobby so I could call my office and report the latest. I suggested our friend do the same.” He nodded toward Stoddard. “Next time you might consider a room with a telephone.”

  “I’ll do that on my next honeymoon.”

  “Next honeymoon…” Reggie laughed until he wheezed. “I love American humor.”

  Stoddard didn’t look happy when he hung up.

  “Everything okay?” I asked as he set his fedora on his head.

  “Sure,” Stoddard said. “Get Laura.”

  I didn’t like being ordered around, but I was anxious to see my wife.

  While the two men waited in the lobby, I returned to the cabana, where Laura was reading Freddy’s screenplay. I was happy she’d changed into a simple flowered sundress and the bottle of champagne was still more than half full. To my relief, I didn’t see any evidence they’d ordered sherry. She tossed the screenplay aside and took my hand as we walked back to the hotel.

  Stoddard and Reggie barely spoke as the Brit drove us to Wheeler Field. I filled Laura in on the meeting with Colonel Patton, leaving out the part about suggesting I shoot Kitsune if I got the chance. That was a decision I’d have to make if the opportunity presented itself.

  The investigation had spread to an area beyond my field of interest. Governments often invented conflicts to justify maintaining armies, or at least that was what I’d learned during the Great War. Now I preferred to leave international intrigues to pros like Stoddard and Reggie.

  At Wheeler Field, we parked alongside the hangar. When we climbed out, I shaded my eyes from the late afternoon sun and spotted Amelia’s plane circling low over the field.

  With Billy dutifully following him, Putnam greeted us with all the enthusiasm of someone meeting a tax collector. “Mr. Stoddard, you rarely come bearing good news.”

  “We have to meet with you and Amelia.”

  “Amelia’s taking a final shakedown flight.” Putnam checked his watch. “We don’t have time for a meeting. I’ve got a call to the mainland press in fifteen minutes, and there are last-minute details—”

  “It wasn’t a request.” Stoddard shook Billy’s hand. “Good to see you again, kid.”

  “Hello, Agent Stoddard.” Billy looked like he’d just shaken hands with Babe Ruth.

  Stoddard introduced Reggie to Putnam and Billy.

  “I guess I can make a phone call. The press can wait.” Putnam hurried to the hangar. His mood wouldn’t improve when we filled him in on Kitsune.

  When Putnam returned, he squinted and pointed to the plane low on the horizon. Amelia’s Vega touched down with a slight bounce, then taxied toward us. She shut off the engine. A moment later, a mechanic helped her climb from the wing.

  She yanked off her goggles and cap and ran a hand through her short hair. Her friendly reaction contrasted with her husband’s. “A welcoming committee, what
a nice surprise. Mr. Stoddard, what’s this about?”

  Stoddard nodded toward me like I was in charge. “Jake thought we should brief you on the investigation into Kalua’s murder.”

  The briefing had been my idea, but I didn’t want to be the only one to inform Amelia and her husband what they were up against.

  Stoddard introduced Reggie, and Amelia shook his hand.

  The Brit stared like he’d met Jean Harlow. “A real pleasure, Miss Earhart. I wish we were meeting under more positive circumstances.”

  Her husband checked his watch again and gestured to the hangar. “Then let’s get on with it.”

  While the mechanic looked over Amelia’s plane, we went inside the hangar. Billy and I set up chairs in a circle near the front so Amelia could keep an eye on her plane. Amelia sat between Billy and her husband. Laura sat on my right and Stoddard and Reggie to my left.

  “Before we get started”—Amelia held up one hand—“I want everyone to know I don’t care what you have to say, in two days, I’m taking off for the West Coast.”

  Laura flashed me a smile of encouragement, but all I could think of was how I’d let her down. A honeymoon was supposed to be filled with memorable experiences. We wouldn’t forget the past two days, of that I was sure, but Laura deserved better than this, and I blamed myself for not standing up to Putnam.

  “Jake.” Stoddard nodded to me. “Why don’t you summarize where you think the case is?”

  Stoddard had ordered me around back at the hotel, but now I got the uneasy feeling he and Reggie wanted to leave the bad news to me.

  Amelia Earhart wore her famous leather jacket, with her celebrated windblown hair. She looked like she’d just stepped out of one of the countless newsreels I’d seen, but to me, she wasn’t her husband’s well-orchestrated public persona. I’d come to know her as a talented, well-educated, and caring woman. I didn’t care whether Putnam didn’t like what I had to recommend. Amelia Earhart’s life was too important to hold back.

  “Jake.” When Laura patted my hand, her touch brought me back to the task before me.

  “Right.” I presented the case against Fanny Chandler, then explained there were other potential suspects. I described the motive of the Royalists and my trip to the Kana Bar, where I encountered the fanatical General Mahelona. I gave them the short version of my conversation with Detective Tanaka when he mentioned the police were still trying to find Lyle Benedict, Kalua’s business rival.

  I saved the greatest concern for last. “Before all hell broke loose at the bar, Ihe Kalua gave me the name of someone Stoddard and Reggie know more about than I do. He goes by the name of Kitsune.”

  Billy chuckled. “The Fox.”

  Was there no end to the kid’s knowledge? “You speak Japanese?”

  Grinning, he raised one hand with an inch between his thumb and index finger. “Sukoshi.”

  Putnam crossed his arms, and his forehead looked like rows in a recently plowed field. “Stoddard mentioned this fellow before we left California.”

  Reggie sat hunched over, apparently staring at something important on the floor.

  Laura looked as surprised as I felt about Stoddard and Reggie’s silence.

  Stoddard finally jumped in with all the enthusiasm of a shot glass. “But now, Mr. Putnam, someone executed Kalua’s murder with planning and precision. The killing seems more likely to have been by a professional than an aircraft mechanic.”

  Putnam stared at Reggie a moment. “What do you think, Mr. Gary?”

  Government agents like Stoddard and Reggie were handpicked for their ability to make tough calls, but it was obvious the Brit didn’t want to express his opinion. “If Kitsune’s in Hawaii, I think he’s someone capable of committing the crime.”

  Someone capable? When had Reggie lost the bravado so evident at the cabana?

  “If he’s in Hawaii.” Putnam let out a skeptical laugh. “I kept the press waiting for this? So, what’s the bottom line here? Worst case scenario, this Japanese spy killed Kalua and perhaps might want to stop Amelia directly, is that what you’re saying?”

  If Reggie and Stoddard had swallowed their nerve, I’d speak for them. “That’s what we’re saying.”

  “I guess what I’m waiting for is a damn recommendation.” Putnam’s tapping foot revealed his growing impatience. “What’s yours, Donovan?”

  Stoddard and Reggie wouldn’t meet my gaze. Apparently they wanted me to stick my neck out there first. “I recommend you postpone the flight until it’s clear who killed Kalua.”

  Laura backed me up. “Amelia, that’s the sensible thing to do. It might only be for a few days.”

  Thank you, Laura.

  Putnam stared at Stoddard and Reggie.

  Stoddard took a deep breath and flashed me a quick look of regret. “I think if we take proper security measures, Amelia’s safety can be ensured within a reasonable degree of certainty, without postponing the flight.”

  “I agree,” Reggie added.

  Laura leaped to her feet and stood with both hands on her hips. “Amelia, this isn’t like ice forming on your wings at high altitude or some mechanical failure endangering you. The threat could be a fanatical Royalist or a Japanese assassin who’s killed plenty of times.”

  When Amelia stared at her hands, Laura stood in front of Stoddard. “What’s wrong with you and Reggie? Did you swallow your tongues or do you just want to make Jake look like an alarmist?”

  I took her hand and led her back to her chair as Stoddard and Reggie’s behavior began to make sense: the phone calls to the offices in the hotel lobby. Washington had ordered Stoddard to ensure the flight took place as scheduled. London must have done the same thing, and I was left looking like a scaremonger.

  There was an advantage to not having a boss, something I’d learned running my own agency. I could say whatever the hell I wanted to and could do the right thing, without needing someone else’s approval. However, I’d lost that advantage when I agreed to get involved.

  Putnam leaned forward. “Stoddard, you say you can keep Amelia safe?”

  “I recommend you hire additional security to guard the plane, and Reggie and I won’t leave Amelia’s side until she takes off.”

  I pointed to Stoddard and Reggie, who I had thought gave a damn. Now they were just two bureaucrats doing their duty. “These two are following orders, orders their respective agency heads have determined are best for their governments. Bureaucrats from both governments have determined Amelia’s life is worth risking.”

  Putnam rose. “Now, Jake, calm down. I appreciate all the work you’ve done, but frankly you’re wasting our time. The police have the most likely suspect in custody.”

  “Sit down!” I ordered. “You got me into this, and you’re damn sure going to listen to what I have to say.”

  From the stunned look on his face, no one had spoken to him like that since he was six. To my surprise, he slowly took a seat.

  “Then get on with the business of convincing me you’re right and they’re wrong.”

  I was sinking into quicksand and even Laura’s help wasn’t enough to save me, not with Stoddard and Reggie pouring buckets of water around my ankles.

  For the next several minutes, I summarized Kitsune’s involvement in murder in Manchuria. Reggie knew more details, but I was on my own. “Two years ago, Kitsune came to Hawaii. He’s been mostly invisible since. However, recently Japan has expressed its opposition to a flight across the Pacific in a secret cable.”

  “Stoddard told us that before we left California.”

  Putnam and I were going toe to toe. “But now the killer knows Hank Kalua’s murder failed to stop Amelia’s flight.”

  Putnam remained calm. “The police think Kalua’s murderer is in jail.”

  “Even Tanaka has his doubts. Look, the army prepared a report outlining Kitsune’s history. I think you have to consider postponing the flight.”

  Billy spoke up. “May I see the report?”

  Stodda
rd shook his head. “Sorry, kid. The paper’s classified.”

  I glared at Stoddard. “Let him see it. The kid’s plenty smart.”

  Stoddard wasn’t happy, but he gave Billy the report and summarized what was in it for the rest. When Billy finished reading, he handed the report back to Stoddard.

  It took some prodding, but Reggie finally described his experience with Japan’s secret Kempeitai organization.

  The hangar remained silent until Amelia spoke. “Does anyone want my thoughts?”

  Everyone nodded.

  “Jake, what George, Mr. Stoddard, and Mr. Gary are talking about is acceptable risk, a consideration I have to make each time I plan a flight that’s never been completed before. The issue now isn’t a potential mechanical or aeronautical problem. I have listened to your concerns and appreciate them”—she took a quick glance at Laura—“but, at the end of the day, it’s my decision to make.”

  I nodded. “Of course it is.”

  “I’m also thinking the best way to catch this Kitsune is to proceed with the flight and bring him out of hiding, if he’s trying to stop me.”

  What kind of crazy idea was that? “With you as the bait?”

  I couldn’t believe Stoddard and Reggie could sit silently while Amelia’s plan was being discussed.

  “I wouldn’t characterize it that way.” Amelia smiled. “I won’t postpone the flight.”

  I shrugged. “Like you said, it’s your call.”

  “We’ll hire more security, won’t we, George? After all, he’s only one man.”

  Laura shook her head. “Amelia, you’re making a mistake.”

  “Someday I’ll stop making mistakes.” Amelia rose, signaling the end of the discussion.

  Everyone stood, except for Laura and me.

  Amelia paused in front of us. “Jake, thank you for expressing your concern for me.” She squeezed Laura’s arm. “You too.”

  I got up. “I wish you the very best with your flight.”

  While Amelia and the rest left the hangar, Laura and I remained. I shouldn’t have cared. I’d offered my recommendation, and Amelia and Putnam had rejected my concerns. Case closed. “Remind me why I give a damn.”