“Now that you know what you know, are you still ready to move forward in this aspect of warfare? I don’t have to tell you that what you will be doing will be dangerous. Extremely dangerous. Failure for you is not going to be an option, because if you do fail, you’re going to be, at the least, tortured and executed. The people we’re up against are ruthless. Am I clear?”
“Very, Colonel.”
“And you still want to go forward? If not, we can find you a position in morale operations. With your language skills, you’d do well there. If you want to back out, no one will think any less of you.”
“Colonel, I mean no disrespect in what I’m about to say, and I probably shouldn’t say it, but are you giving me this option because I’m a woman?
“No.”
“Colonel, I went through the training and I’m fully aware of the potential consequences. I appreciate the offer, but no, it wouldn’t be right to back out. If I back out, someone else is going to be sitting in this chair taking my place. That isn’t fair, not to them or to our organization. To be honest, I’d have a hard time living with myself if, after all the specialized training I’ve had, I backed out and later found out the person who took my place was captured or killed. When I went to Canada, I knew right away that whatever you had in mind for my future wasn’t going to be an easy row to hoe. I’m in this for the duration, Colonel, no matter where it takes me or what the risks are. You have my word and full commitment on that.”
Wyman leaned back in his chair, giving careful consideration to Emma’s words. All he said, however, was, “Last chance, Captain.”
“Thank you, sir, but I’m committed. I’m ready to give you one hundred percent.” Emma took one of her Lucky Strikes out of her cigarette case and lit it.
Wyman was pleased. He hadn’t expected a different response. “Captain, when I knew you were coming back from Canada, I was preparing to send you, along with LaCroix, to Europe. However, something else has arisen that needs our immediate attention. It’s going to be completely different in nature, but it’s important. It could be very important. Before I go into what you’ll be doing, let me bring in Bunnel and LaCroix. They’ll both be working with you on this.”
He got up from his desk and ushered in the two agents. Returning to his seat, he then turned in his chair, opened a door in the large credenza behind him and retrieved a file, which he placed in front of him on his desk. “Before we begin, whatever we discuss here in this office today does not go beyond the four of us. Am I clear about that?” He paused until all of them had answered in the affirmative. “This afternoon, I want to give you three a quick briefing,” he continued. “I’ll give you all day to digest it and we’ll talk more tomorrow in more depth.” He slowly and methodically took out a picture and handed it to Emma. “Take a look at this man and tell me if you know him. Pass it over to the others so they can have a look, too.”
LaCroix was the last to look and returned the photo to Colonel Wyman. They all quietly shook their heads. They didn’t know him.
“This is, or rather was, Captain Blaine Preston. Until last week he was a member of the OSS. He was working for us. Captain Preston held a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Michigan. His dissertation dealt with the economics of colonial countries and, specifically, the dependence of the colonial country on the dominant one and what would be necessary for the colonial country to survive economically if the colonial power either granted independence or independence was won. Unfortunately, as happens with a lot of these papers, it was filed away somewhere and never looked at again.
“Not having too much success academically, Preston decided to apply to law school at the University of Michigan and later went to work as an attorney with a firm representing Ford Motor Company. General Donovan’s firm was representing a company on a contract with Ford and that’s how the two met. When the negotiations were over, they got to know each other, and last year General Donovan remembered the young attorney from Michigan with an understanding of colonial economics. Last fall he tracked Preston down in Michigan and offered him an opportunity to join this office. Preston accepted on the spot and was eager to lend a hand any way he could.
“Captain Preston and Staff Sergeant Vern Miller were sent to Calcutta, India. There’s a growing American presence in Calcutta, as it basically has become a supply depot for the China-Burma-India Theater. It’s also the perfect place for a man with Preston’s background to give us a full assessment on the economic and political conditions in India. His job was to analyze the various independence movements and then assess what the future would be like in India if A, the British were to go home or B, if they are determined to stay. Preston was investigating, observing, and drafting reports on how the independence movements might react. Miller handled all the communications, radio, cables, et cetera.
“Captain Preston was sent to India as Blaine Phillips. His cover was as a procurement officer working for the War Department. He was to make sure orders for equipment were submitted and assure that equipment arrived in the field.
“Everything was running smoothly until a week ago. Preston had met with several Indian independence groups and had sent us good analysis. A week ago the local police fished his body out of a drainage canal outside Calcutta. He had been shot once in the back of the head with a thirty-two caliber weapon.
“The day he was shot, Miller received a cable from Washington that Preston’s promotion to captain had come through.
“Preston told Miller he was going to meet a Frenchman that he had played tennis with for dinner and not to wait up. The next morning Miller discovered Preston hadn’t come home. Miller was worried and cabled us for instructions. Later that day he reported Preston missing to the local police, who by that time had found his body.
“Preston told Miller who he was going to meet for dinner and where. Due to the nature of Preston’s activities in India, this information hasn’t been shared with the local police. You see, the British have made it very clear that, for now, they do not want an OSS presence in India. Any questions so far?”
LaCroix spoke first. “I just want to be clear on this. Captain Preston was sent to India to spy on the British?”
“Henri, spying is such a vulgar term. The British are our allies,” Colonel Wyman said, grinning. “In this situation, I would prefer to use the terms ‘analyzing’ and ‘assessing,’ but yes, we are spying on the British and all the other political groups there. It isn’t anything that they haven’t been doing to us here, in New York and Washington, for years.”
“What about the Frenchman or the restaurant Preston was going to?” asked Emma.
“Miller hasn’t made contact with the man. He did go to the restaurant, gave the owner a description of Preston, and inquired if he had been there the evening he was shot. The woman told him Preston never came to her establishment. However, she did remember that a woman with black hair and, she thought a French accent, came in and inquired about an American. The woman then bought a cold drink from her and left. She remembered her because the drink wasn’t as cold as the woman wanted and she was very rude about it.”
“Frenchman or Frenchwoman? Are you sure he was meeting a man?” inquired Emma.
“Miller definitely says man, and says Preston had written down ‘dinner with Jacques du Maurier,’” replied Colonel Wyman.
“Maybe he was meeting a girlfriend he didn’t want Miller to know about,” said Bunnel.
“I thought about that, too, Jimmy, but I don’t think so. I mean, anything’s possible, but Miller doesn’t think so, either. Preston talked about his wife and three children constantly and sent his wife letters almost daily. He even told Miller how much he liked the winter climate in Calcutta and wished it would be possible to get his family out of Detroit to come join him.”
“Do we know anything about this du Maurier fellow?” asked Emma.
“Miller has gone through all of Preston’s personal things, but so far, not much. All we know is Preston played tennis
with him and was on his way to meet him for dinner but didn’t make it. Apparently, he met the Frenchman through an Englishman named Hamilton who owns an import firm that du Maurier works for.
“I know what I’ve told you about this situation isn’t a lot. Now, I’ll tell you why this is important. Calcutta is close to Burma. There are all kinds of people there from all over the region, Burma, Siam, Singapore. We’re not too sure if they’re all just refugees escaping from the Japanese or if they’re working for the Japanese. For the colonials, the war is like a prizefight, and everybody’s trying to pick a winner. Not only pick a winner, but a winner they can deal with when the war is over. And don’t forget the Indians themselves. There are numerous groups that want the English to go back to England, once and for all.
“Reluctantly, the British have agreed to allow the OSS a small base of operation near the Burma border, but that’s all. Basically, they agreed because it’s beneficial to them. Otherwise, they’ve made it very clear that the OSS is not to be operating in India. If they find out about Preston’s ‘activities’—as Henri bluntly put it, that we’re spying on them—the consequences are going to be severe. It will not only create a scandal all the way up to President Roosevelt himself but could change the outcome of the entire war. Not only will the OSS be expelled from India, but any sort of American presence could be shut down. We need to be in India to keep China supplied and in the war. China’s on thin ice now. Without continued supplies from us, it will collapse. I don’t think I need to spell out to you what that would mean.
“The three of you were scheduled to go to Europe, but this takes priority. Your mission is to go to Calcutta, find out if Preston’s cover was blown and, if it was, by whom. When you find the ones responsible for killing him, find out what they know then eliminate them.” Colonel Wyman looked straight into Emma’s eyes. “Are there any questions?”
After a brief silence, it was Bunnel who spoke first. “Colonel, when do we leave?”
“You go on Wednesday. Thursday at the latest.”
Emma opened her purse and took out a small notebook and a fountain pen. She scribbled some words down and then handed the page to Colonel Wyman. “Colonel, I’m going to need a few things. I hope it won’t be a problem.”
Colonel Wyman looked at the list before answering. “This is impressive, Captain. It looks like they taught you well in Canada. No, it shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll be sure Sergeant Sutter at the Club is ready for you in the morning. I’ll let him know what you want.”
“Colonel, I’d also like some time on the firing range for the three of us. I don’t want to get to India and have to use a weapon only to find out I can’t hit the broad side of a barn with it,” Emma added.
“You can do that tomorrow morning, Captain, and then come back here and we’ll work on all the particulars. Enjoy your time at the range, because tomorrow night you’re all going in for shots. I don’t want any of you getting sick and dying on me over there.”
“Yes, sir, we’ll be at the Club at zero eight hundred hours,” Emma assured him.
“Very good. Now why don’t you take the rest of the day off and figure out amongst yourselves what else you think you may need. Tomorrow we’ll go over your cover stories and get all your documentation together. If everyone is feeling okay after your immunizations, you’ll leave for India Wednesday afternoon.
“All the hotels here in Washington are pretty full, Captain. I’ve arranged for you, Bunnel, and LaCroix to stay at a house across the river in Arlington. Until you leave for India, the three of you will have the house to yourselves. I think you’ll be very comfortable there. Now, if there’s nothing else, you’re all dismissed for the day.”
“Just one thing, Colonel,” Emma said. “When we find these people in India, the ones responsible for murdering Captain Preston, what if they can be of use to us?”
“You mean turn them as double agents?”
“Precisely.”
“I’ve thought about it, but why don’t we cross that bridge when we come to it. Shooting Captain Preston in the back of the head was cold and calculating. I don’t know if the ones responsible will be worthy of working for us or even want to. Like I said, I’ll let you cross that bridge when you come to it.”
Promptly at 0800 hours the next morning, the trio arrived in Bethesda, Maryland, at the Congressional Country Club. The club had been converted into a training camp for the OSS, its long fairways perfect for shooting ranges and explosives training.
When they entered the armory, Sergeant John Sutter was already there and waiting for them. He knew all three of them, as he had trained each of them in firearms when they joined the OSS. Sergeant Sutter not only taught shooting but was an accomplished gunsmith, as well. “Captain, it’s good to see you again,” he said.
“You, too, John, and we can dispense with the formalities. You know you can call me Emma.”
“Very well. I understand from Colonel Wyman that you three are in need of some weapons, and you’ve put in some special requests.”
“That’s correct. I know this is all short notice, but we want to get this part of our preparations taken care of. If it’s not a problem, I’d like us all to have some range time today, too,” said Emma.
“All taken care of,” said Sutter as he pulled a blanket off a table, revealing several handguns. “This first one is the new standard issue. It’s a Colt Pocket Hammerless, in three-eighty caliber. Basically it is a nine millimeter short. ” said Sutter as he opened one of the boxes. “Of course, you don’t have to carry it. You can carry whatever you like.”
Bunnel was the first to respond. “It’s not for me. I know it’s a lot easier to conceal, but I prefer the forty-five.”
“Me, too,” said LaCroix.
“I didn’t think you’d go with it. Captain, what about you?”
“I’m not sure yet. You know how much I like the forty-five, but I prefer a revolver. It’s always ready. There’s no safety to worry about and a revolver won’t jam.”
“I remembered your preference,” Sutter said, smiling. “I took the liberty of picking something out for you. I think I have just what you’ll like, but if not, don’t feel bashful. We have just about everything, so we’ll find you something. Give me a second.”
A moment later he returned with a Colt Commando .38 Special revolver. “It has a four inch barrel and is heavier than the snub nose you used before, but try it out,” he instructed Emma. “Like I said, if you don’t like it, we can find you something else.”
Emma examined the weapon. It was a larger gun, which meant she would have to carry a larger purse. However, she liked the matt finish and the way the gun balanced in her hand. “Of course, I want to try it out on the range, but I like it,” she said.
Sutter then pulled the blanket further off the table and revealed another weapon, a High Standard semi-automatic pistol, .22 caliber. “It’s been silenced, just like you asked,” he told Emma. “It’s a good pistol, and even with the silencer, it’s very accurate. I’m going to be sending my designs off soon to see if we can get these mass produced. Save me a lot of time. What do you all say I grab a few boxes of ammo and we go on out to the range?”
The three were all in agreement and helped Sutter carry the guns and ammunition the short walk to the firing range. After the targets had been set up at twenty-five yards, Sutter handed Bunnel and LaCroix .45 caliber pistols and ammunition. He gave Emma the .38 revolver. “Now, before you start,” he said, “I’ve reworked the triggers on all the guns. I didn’t make them hair triggers, but I decreased the pull. I think you’ll find them to your liking. Captain, the same is true with the revolver. It’ll shoot a lot easier and smoother in either single or double action. Everyone shoot a few rounds and let me know what you think. If necessary, I can make further adjustments.” Sutter took his place behind them. “The range is clear and it’s all yours. Fire at will,” he said.
Emma, Bunnel and LaCroix wasted no time loading the weapons and firing, as t
hey had been trained, in successive three-shot groupings. The idea behind the rapid, grouped shots being that the more lead going toward the target, the better chance of doing serious damage.
LaCroix was the first to empty his weapon’s magazine and the first to speak. “It’s perfect the way it is. Don’t change a thing. This is a nice firing gun.”
Bunnel concurred. “I’m impressed, John. When did you have time to work on this?”
“Yesterday afternoon, after I got the call from Colonel Wyman.” He turned to Emma. “Captain, how’s the revolver?”
“I like it. Actually, I like it a lot. I’ll take it. It’s heavier than the snub nose, but the recoil is a lot more manageable. This will be more than fine.”
After the three went through several boxes of ammunition and multiple targets, Sutter introduced them to the silenced .22 pistol. “I think I did a good job with it. I’ve made silenced weapons before, but for this one, I took apart an English Welrod to see what they were doing. I’m pleased with the results.”
Sutter handed the pistol to Emma. She carefully loaded the ten-shot magazine, inserted it into the butt of the gun, and chambered a round. Taking aim at the paper target, she squeezed off a round, followed by a second and a third, before applying the safety and setting the gun down on the table.
“Well, what do you think?” asked an anxious Sutter.
“Amazing! Absolutely amazing. And like you said, it’s very accurate,” said Emma.
“I got it quieted down as much as I could. If you need to use it, you won’t attract any attention to yourself,” said Sutter, smiling.
Emma emptied the magazine, reloaded the weapon, and passed it on to Bunnel and LaCroix, both of whom took time familiarizing themselves with the gun. Toward the end of their shooting session, they traded weapons with each other. In case of an emergency, they didn’t want to have to guess how the others’ weapons would shoot. A little time spent in preparation now could save their lives in the future.
Operation Blue Sapphire Page 3