“In the name of the L.A. Times, I’ve been authorized to use up to thirty-five thousand dollars of the money we recovered to set up a trust for Lalana’s education and living expenses. The name of the bank and who I’m supposed to see are enclosed,” she said as she pointed to her orders.
“I think it is a good thing,” said Bunnel. “If it wasn’t for us, her mother would still be serving meals at her restaurant. Money won’t bring her mother back, but at least it’s a chance to kind of set things right, and in a war this big, there are a lot of wrongs that need to be righted.”
Wednesday afternoon while Emma and LaCroix were at the bank, Bunnel reported to O House. While waiting for his appointment, he glanced through a newspaper. Toward the back of the first section was a small article about a man named Edwin Tillerman. Tillerman had been found Monday night near his boarding house bludgeoned to death.
Bunnel was not kept waiting long before he was ushered into Major Reese Dixon’s office. He came to attention and saluted the superior officer.
“You can dispense with the formalities. We’re quite informal around here, lieutenant. Go ahead and have a seat, smoke if you want to,” said Dixon.
Bunnel took a package of Pall Malls from his jacket pocket and offered one to the Major.
“Thank you,” said Dixon. “We get Camels, but Pall Malls and Chesterfields are a real treat.” He took a cigarette and lit it, then turned his gaze back to Bunnel. “I think you have something for me.”
“I do, sir,” said Bunnel, lifting a large duffel bag. At Dixon’s direction, he set it on a table.
“Where did you come across four kilos of opium, a kilo of cocaine, and the equivalent of four hundred and eleven thousand dollars?” asked Dixon.
“Four hundred, eleven thousand, two hundred and thirty-six dollars, to be exact.”
“Okay, now how did you come across it?” asked Dixon once again.
“I’m sorry, sir, that’s classified and I’m not at liberty to discuss it. For conversational purposes, let’s just say I found it, and let it go at that. And if you insist on pressing this matter further, I’m going to require a receipt.”
Dixon laughed. “I didn’t expect anything different from you.” He then changed the topic of conversation. “It is my understanding that you are fluent in Polish. How are you with other languages?”
“Eastern European history and ancient civilizations were my specialty in college. Languages come easy to me,” replied Bunnel.
“I’m asking because there’s a posting for you in Cairo. You’ll be working with the British, interviewing Polish refugees, learning everything you can about the conditions there and how we can use it against the Nazis. It’s a good assignment and you’ll probably be able to be in the officer’s club each day by five and sleep on clean sheets. Plus you’ll probably have plenty of time to explore archeological sites.” The major paused then continued, “Or you can do something to help me.”
“What do you have in mind, sir?”
“The OSS is operating a training base in Assam Province on a tea plantation. It’s the perfect staging area to go into Burma. You’d be trained in guerilla warfare. Then you’d be sent into Burma with the native Burmese people and take the fight to the Japanese behind their lines. I’m not going to fool you, a lot of the time you’ll be living off the land, and it’s going to be dangerous. Hell, you’ll be lucky if the tigers and snakes don’t kill you.”
“Tigers?” asked Bunnel.
“Lots of them, and they seem to have a taste for humans. And there are snakes, too, some real nasty bastards.”
“Sounds like a wonderful place.”
“It isn’t often that we get to choose where we want to go. This is a rare occasion, and you get a choice. Nobody is going to think any less of you if you choose Cairo.”
Bunnel thought for a moment. He knew Emma and LaCroix were not going to Switzerland to take clerical jobs. Most likely, it would be a stopping off point before they were parachuted into France to join the Resistance. They were both again heading into danger. If either of them didn’t survive the war, he knew he would have a hard time looking himself in the mirror each day if he took a cushy assignment in Cairo.
“I think I’d like to go to Burma, sir. You can count me in. When do I report?”
“Tomorrow afternoon. Be back here at fourteen hundred hours and we will head up to Assam together. There will be three of us, a noncommissioned officer named Miller will be going with us too. That’s all, you’re dismissed, lieutenant.”
Bunnel rose to his feet, came to attention, and gave Major Dixon a crisp salute.
“I told you that wasn’t necessary,” said Dixon.
“I know Major, that’s why I did it. Now, about that receipt.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, lieutenant.”
Just before Bunnel reached the door, Major Dixon asked, “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about a shipment of rifles that was hijacked Sunday night would you?”
“Rifles, sir?” asked Bunnel.
“Ten truckloads didn’t make it to the warehouse. Drivers were all killed. The British think it was one of those independence groups. They’re just not sure which one.”
“No, I don’t know anything about that,” replied Bunnel.
“I suppose just like you found the money.”
“Yes, Major, that’s exactly what happened.”
Dixon laughed. He’s going to fit in perfectly he thought as Bunnel left his office.
After going to the bank, Emma and LaCroix went to the market and purchased food. Even with the mission completed, she did not want the four of them to be seen together and felt there was no reason to raise anyone’s suspicions at this stage of the expedition. She felt even better about her decision after Bunnel told her about the heist of the rifles from the Ishapore Rifle Factory. When Miller saw all the food, he decided cocktails would be in order and excused himself to purchase more tonic water.
LaCroix stopped Miller as he started out the back door. “Vern, your tonics are great, but if you should happen to find a Dixie or two, bring them back. An ice cold beer would really hit the spot about now.”
“And if I can’t?” asked Miller.
“I’d even settle for a Jax.”
“I understand that. Captain Blaine loved his Stroh’s and talked about it being one of the things he missed about Michigan. That and going with his wife and family to his summer place on Lake St. Clair. Muskie fishing and a Stroh’s. I think if he could, he would have had them open up a brewery here.”
“He fished for Muskies? I’m impressed,” said LaCroix.
“Are they good to eat?” asked Emma.
“I don’t know how they taste. But they’re like a fresh water barracuda, hook into one and you have your hands full,” replied LaCroix.
Miller smiled, “I’ll do the best I can, Henri.”
After Miller departed, Emma asked Bunnel, “Jimmy, are you coming with us to Europe?”
“No, I’m staying on here in Calcutta.”
“Calcutta? Why?” asked Emma, surprised.
“They have another mission in mind for me. That’s all I can say about it.”
“Just tell me you’re not going to be taking over Captain Preston’s job. One monumental failure on that front has been enough.” Emma laughed. “Besides, if you do, and get into trouble, Henri and I may not be able to come back and rescue you.”
“Nothing like that, Emma. Actually, I wish it were going to be that easy.”
“Henri and I will miss you when we fly out of here tomorrow. I know the kind of service we’re in and all, but I’m going to miss you. It seems like just yesterday that we left on our first mission together.”
“And what a convoluted mess that turned out to be,” said LaCroix.
“And now we’re halfway around the world. The United States seems like nothing more than a distant memory,” said Bunnel.
“At the time it was like we didn’t have a care in the world. What we were sent to do wa
s so easy and straightforward. Then, like Henri said, it turned into a convoluted mess,” said Emma.
“The important thing is, we survived and accomplished our mission. We all learned a lot, and I think it’ll pay off. I have a feeling the future is going to be a lot more dangerous. Compared to what lays ahead, Calcutta’s going to look like a walk in the park,” Bunnel replied.
“Henri and I both speak French, and France is just across the border of Switzerland. I probably shouldn’t say this, but I know that’s where we’re going, and you’re right, Jimmy, Calcutta is going to look like a picnic.”
When Miller returned with the tonic water, everyone pitched in and lent a hand making dinner. Emma and LaCroix had found a good butcher. Using the recipes Padma had taught her, Emma made a lamb curry and several vegetable dishes using Indian spices. Miller again outdid himself with his gin and tonics and received many compliments for them. He made sure no one’s glass was ever empty.
After dinner the four of them spent the evening talking. The mood in the house was one of relief and happiness, as they were all safe and had accomplished their mission. Yet for Emma, the small celebration they were having was bittersweet. Sitting in the living room sipping her cocktail, she realized she would be parting ways with Bunnel. In one capacity or another, since joining the OSS she had always served with him. Emma liked him, but more importantly, she trusted him. She had always known this time would eventually come. It was the path she had chosen. She hadn’t been forced to join the OSS or go to Camp X in Ontario. The decisions had been hers and she was solely responsible for them. Even though she didn’t like this aspect of service, it was still better than being a glorified file clerk back at Fort Benning, Georgia.
The next morning they all drove to Dum Dum Airfield so Emma and LaCroix could catch the first of their flights to Switzerland. After Miller pulled the car to a stop, he and Emma got out. Bunnel was ready to get out of the back seat when LaCroix stopped him. “Here, Jimmy, take this,” he said as he handed him his Colt .45 pistol. “It shoots straight and works flawlessly.”
“Are you sure, Henri?” asked Bunnel.
“I can get another, and I think wherever it is you’re going, you’re going to need it.”
Bunnel took the pistol and simply said, “Thank you.”
After Emma and LaCroix had checked in for their flight, it wasn’t long before it was called and they were ready to board the plane. Walking to the edge of the tarmac, Emma stopped to give Miller a hug.
“Thank you, Emma,” he said. “What you did won’t bring Captain Preston back, but it feels good to know those responsible got the justice that they deserved.”
Emma turned to Bunnel. She gave him a hug, too, and handed him a piece of paper. “This is my parents’ address in L.A., you can always get in touch with me through them. Don’t be a stranger. Look me up when you get back to the States.”
“I will, Emma, and you take care of yourself in Europe. Don’t do anything foolish.”
Emma could hear one of the airplane’s massive radial engines begin to turn over. “Come on, Henri, we need to board now,” she said. Both she and LaCroix said a final goodbye and quickly walked toward the plane.
After Bunnel and Miller watched the plane take off and it was out of sight, Miller turned to Bunnel. “Remember what I asked you about Emma, if she was capable of handling this situation? I regret asking that.”
“Don’t worry, Vern, let’s just hope she keeps herself out of trouble in Europe. I have a feeling it won’t be a picnic for her.”
Bunnel reflected for a moment “Vern, what do you say we get packed and on our way to Burma?”
“Quicker we get there, maybe the quicker we can get back.”
“My thoughts exactly,” said Bunnel.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank all my family and friends for their support and encouragement throughout this project. It is very much appreciated.
and
A special thanks to the owner and staff of the Fleur de Lily Bakery and Café in Kenner, Louisiana. Everything was always perfect.
Operation Blue Sapphire Page 26