Circles in the Sand

by D. Sallen

  “Goodness. I’m shot down too. I didn’t know he had a pregnant girl in Grand Eclipse. If you won’t have him for a stepfather, no use me trying to get back in his good graces. Maybe I should accept Mr. Altman’s idea, and join him in his Williston funeral home.”

  Lorena stopped crying and looked in her mother’s face. “You wouldn’t do that, would you?”

  Dorris hugged her daughter. “No, dear child. Never. But I do want to find out about a pregnant girl in Grand Eclipse. Are you sure he wasn’t kidding again?”

  Looking in her mother’s face again she hesitated before saying, “I don’t know…but this time…I hope he was kidding.”

  Hhmmm. I hope he was kidding too.

  When Radecker returned to his office, Tommy Kerns said, “Fritz called for you. Wants you to call him back.”

  “Say what about?”

  “Naw. He don’t hardly talk to me.”

  “Well, he’ll just have to wait. I got a bunch of other calls to make first…don’t look too good for that Hooper. My guess is we’ll find him in the river.”

  “Gee, that’s tough shit for a young guy.”

  “Yeah. Tell you what. While I’m calling around, you hot-foot it down to the Boar Pen. Tell Olivia you’re on an official investigation into the disappearance of Airman Hooper…and you need to find out everything they know about him.”

  When Tommy returned after lunch, he said, “That’s a close mouthed bunch of women. They didn’t want to talk to me at all. Then I told ‘em, with Hooper being Air Force, the FBI might want to talk to them,…so they might save themselves some trouble if they told me what they knew.”

  “Good thinking. So what did you find out.”

  “Hooper couldn’t cut the mustard as a man with Jill. She’s the part Indian girl. In a panic he ran out the back door. No one’s seen him since.”

  When the phone rang, Tommy answered it. He handed it to Radecker. “Fritz.”

  After, “Hello Fritz,” Radecker listened, his face getting redder. “Now hold on a God damned minute, Fritz. You may not have noticed, but I got other things to do besides returning your call. What is so damned important this time?”

  “Yeah, I know Tree got bested by Sergeant Werner, and yes he is back here. Judge released him. Where Tree is concerned, maybe you don’t throw too much weight any more…so he’s a good ranch hand, but he’s caused a lot of trouble with his bad mouth…jailing that sergeant ain’t gonna’ stop this project…don’t suppose you know Sergeant Greybull was run off the road, and than shot last night do you?…news to you, huh…no he’s not dead, right back at work…maybe one hitch in his plans, one of his troops is missing, last seen at the Boar Pen…naw not an NCO, a corporal…”

  When he heard the click, he slammed his own phone down. “I believe Fritz ain’t too happy to know Greybull is still alive.”

  After Patton left with the men working on the RADAR target, Clint said, “Lance, take the rest of the guys and police up these three Quonsets. Jewel, give Lance some idea how all these supplies can be better organized and stored. That oughta keep everyone but me busy until supper time.”

  Clint decided what with his wound, and now having the troops busy, he could reasonably sack out for an afternoon siesta. He told Lance why he was leaving. “If I go back to my room, anyone can find me for any reason. Guess I’ll lay down in the camper.”

  He slept soundly when a deuce and a half pulled into West Layover. Tommy Kearns directed the driver to Q-1. Lance heard it pull up at the front door. “Hey, glad ya’ got here. We’re beginning to think you were lost.”

  “That’s because we were,” said Buck Sergeant Eduard Yonkie. “Road signs are either missing or misleading. We were clean over in North Dakota before we got some good directions. Over here, this is Corporal Carson Facell.”

  When they climbed out of the deuce, Lance shook hands with both airmen and introduced himself. “Sergeant Greybull is in charge of this operation. He was up most of the night after he got shot, so you’ll meet him later. What are your specialties?”

  “Hold on a minute,” Yonkie said, “An NCO was shot. What the hell, is this a war zone?”

  “Naw. There’s just some folks around here don’ like the idea of us building a bomb scoring site. They’ve have some cattle and sheep out there.”

  “Balls. Facell here is an Air Policeman. Too bad they didn’t let him carry some weapons along. Oh yeah, I’m a cook and baker.”

  “Like I said, I’m glad you’re here, but the reason for us bodies at this place is mostly grunt work. Doubt if you’ll do much cooking or policing.”

  “Figures,” said Yonkie.

  “Come on inside and I’ll brief you on the entire situation we’re faced with..”

  When Lance finished, he said, “by the way, what all you got in the truck.”

  “Cement, a lot of it. That’s another reason we were slow coming. Got to be careful with a load like that. Also a large crate of field telephones.”

  Lance walked out and climbed up on the truck to look at the cargo. “Run into any rain? Did you keep that cement dry.”

  “I spect so. Unless some water got under that tarp.”

  “Well, we’ll find out later. I’ll introduce you to the troops that are here right now. They can start transferring that cement and phones to Q-3. You guys had anything to eat?”

  “Naw, not since breakfast.”

  “I’ll take you to down to Gilman’s and get you fixed up with a room. Dinner’s a time off yet, but I’ll see if Lorena will fix you up with a snack. By the way, Lorena is a really cute fourteen year old, going on fifteen, and as you can guess…off-limits.

  “Facell, I got to tell you, as far as this unit is concerned, we’re color-blind. But some of the local residents are hick red-necks. A Negro who was supposed to join us, was shot in the back out on the highway. We don’t know who did it. I’m just suggesting, you stay close to one of us. We don’t go along with anyone messing up another airman.”

  Facell looked at Lance, he grinned. “That’s might white of you, Lance.”

  Lance took the new troops in through the restaurant and introduced them to Lorena. Dorris called Lance aside in the hotel. “One man is a sergeant and the other a corporal. I can give the sergeant a single room, but I have to double up the corporal with someone else.” She handed Lance a room assignment sheet.

  “Put him in with Jewel, he’s got a single. Probably not a good idea to take Hooper’s cot yet.”

  “How about…” Dorris gestured back to where the airmen sat, and looked questioningly at Lance.

  “Don’t sweat it, Mrs. Gilman. The Air Force is fully integrated. No problem.”

  Clint woke up and walked into the restaurant before Lance and the new men left. When Clint met Facell, he said, “Most of the folks around here are decent and friendly. But there are a few clods too. Far as I’m concerned, a Negro can go anywhere, anytime, around here. For safety sake though maybe you shouldn’t stray too far out of town alone.”

  “I hear ya,’ Sergeant Greybull. I’m not afraid of any one man, but I ain’t no fool either.”

  “Good. I like your attitude.”

  When Clint stood up to leave, Dorris said, “I need to talk to you Sergeant Greybull.”

  “Sure.” Sergeant Greybull? Did Lorena tell her what a nasty man I am? “Now a good time Dorris?”

  “Sure. Come back to my little office.”

  “There are some other things I need to know about you.” Dorris reached out to touch his arm, she blushed. “I have to be blunt. To clear the air. Do you and I have some sort of relationship?”

  “I certainly hope so, Dorris. I’m very fond of you.”

  “Good. Do you have a pregnant girl friend in Grand Eclipse?”

  Clint wanted to laugh, but Dorris’ grip on his
arm, told him they weren’t talking about laughing matters. “No, I don’t, Dorris, just teasing Lorena. I did have a girl friend there, but not only is she not pregnant, she left for Denver, no address given. Can’t expect to hear from her again. Since I’ve met you Dorris, she has faded out of the past”

  Dorris released his arm. “I’m fond of you too, Clint. Now I have to ask you for a big favor.”

  “Anything, almost. Dorris.”

  Dorris chuckled at the ‘almost.’ “I’ve got to explain something to you first. I found out that Agatha Altman has been spreading a rumor that we are immoral, that I’m no better than the Boar Pen girls, shacking up with you here in the hotel.”

  Tempted to laugh again, Clint controlled himself. “That’s really rotten Dorris. That’s really mean, and coming from a preacher’s wife.”

  “She’s really hurt me. I thought we were friends.”

  “Yeah, makes it hurt worse. How did you find out?”

  “Lilith McCune told me…and suggested the favor I’m going to ask of you.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes, she thinks you ought to move out of here, and take one of the rooms they’ve offered.”

  Irritated by the thought of other people, who had no business in his life, complicating it for him…and Dorris, he hesitated in thought before speaking. He sighed. “It really torques my jaws that a woman like that can interfere in our lives. None of her damn business.”

  “Unfortunately for me, she’s made me her business.”

  “I’m really sorry this stupid situation has come about. Do you want me to move?”

  “On a personal level no. But for my reputation, I hope you will.”

  “Dorris, you got it. I’ll go over to McCunes now and make arrangements.”

  Ollie and Lilith remained in the store…near to closing time. Clint told them he was interested in taking up their offer of a room, but didn’t mention the specific reason why.

  Ollie said, “I guess with more men in now, you need to put one of them over here.”

  “Well no. Actually I want the room for me. I need to separate myself from the troops more. Living too close to the men I’m supervising.”

  “Yeah, I can understand that,” Ollie said. “Too familiar, and they take advantage of you.”

  “That’s true. You can only be so friendly.”

  Lilith said, “Come on into the house. I’ll show you our arrangement.”

  “Okay, but understand, I’m paying for the room. I’ll still expect to eat with the troops. Don’t want to get too far from them.”

  “Follow me, Clint.”

  Expecting Clint, Lilith was dolled up a little more than usual. More eye makeup, a tighter skirt and blouse. Ollie hadn’t even noticed. Casually, she led Clint by the arm to the bedroom. After she opened the bedroom door for Clint, she stepped inside with her back to the door. To enter, Clint would be almost forced to brush against her. Clint hesitated so long that she had to move in out of his way. Swinging inside she turned to face him and looking into his eyes, throwing her arms out said. “Will this do for you…Sergeant Greybull?”

  Clint, being no dummy where women were concerned, noticed her appearance immediately, and wondered if Dorris really wanted him over there. “Oh yes, ma’am. This’ll do just fine.”

  “That’s good. The shower and toilet are just down the hall. Any time…you need anything…anything at all… please let me know.”

  “I hope I won’t be any trouble for you and Ollie.”

  “Oh don’t worry about a thing. It’ll be easy for me to check on your wound too.”

  “I really appreciate you doing this. I’ll get on over to Gilman’s and collect my gear.” Ho, boy. Wonder what this ol’ troop is getting into?

  “Aw, she’s just an old flirt. Too old for me anyway.”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” Lance grinned. “Looks to me like she’s still built for action.”

  Earlier, with his arm in a sling, Clint couldn’t carry much by himself. To move just cross the street didn’t require use of a vehicle, but he did need another arm or two, and both Lance and Rodger toted some items over for him. Clint introduced his friends to Ollie and Lilith. Ollie said, “You guys, and any of Clint’s other friends, feel welcome to visit over here. Our house is Clint’s house.”

  “That’s right.” echoed Lilith, her face glowing.

  Walking back to Gilman’s, Lance continued his assessment. “Hey buddy. Does Dorris know about Lilith. She can’t keep her eyes off you…hungry.”

  “Well, moving was Dorris’ idea. To protect her reputation.”

  “Yeah, well, who’s going to protect yours. Make sure there’s a lock on your bedroom door…unless you don’t want to.” Grinning, “Say, if you end up in Lilith’s clutches, can I have Dorris?”

  “Hell no you can not. Don’t get carried away just because I’ve got a wound. Screw Lilith. Anyone else after Dorris will run into stiff resistance from this ol’ troop.”

  “Just kidding, Buddy. Good luck.”

  “If things get too hectic, I may have to set up my camper bed in Q-1, and hide out.”

  News of Clint’s change of quarters sparked all kind of questions among the troops. At breakfast, Kline said to Lorena, “Rumor has it that our fearless leader has been kicked out of here. I gotta wonder…was it you…or your mom gave him the boot?”

  “Mom said it was his own idea.”

  “Just like that, huh. No reason. You sure you didn’t tell your mom what a brutal fellow he is, how he picks on defenseless maidens?”

  “Hah, I bet he just wants to get away from you smart-alecks once in a while.”

  “Maybe it was your mom, huh? Thought he was too fresh with her daughter?”

  “Well, fresh face. What ever his reasons, no business of yours.” She turned to the new comers. “I hope you new guys are nice, not jerks like some in here.” She flounced off to the kitchen. The rest of the week flowed along uneventfully. Clint was doubly thankful for Rodger’s management of the work schedule. With plenty of cement and other materiel, including wire and fields phones, Rodger kept the troops busy. On Wednesday, one crew constructed the RADAR tower. Another crew set the posts in cement for the first spotter tower

  From some distance away, Basil Tree studied progress in the bomb scoring site. He reported to Fritz. “They’ve erected a tower out there in the center. Not too tall, but easy to see. There’s some work going on southwest of it. Can’t tell what all they’re doing, but they got a red tractor out there.”

  “Damn. They sure don’t quit. We need to keep on giving them a hard time. Anything, that causes delays, slows their work. If we can stall construction long enough, the Air Force might call it quits.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind…and do what I can.”

  “Just don’t get caught. When you gonna’ see Tawny again?”

  “Soon as you pay me.”

  Fritz fished a bill from his wallet. “Here’s fifteen on account. Sweet talk that whore. See what she knows about what they’re doing.”

  “Sure boss. She’ll sing sweeter if I loosen her up with a couple of drinks.”

  Fritz tapped his fingers on his desk. “Okay. Here’s another ten, just make damn sure most of it goes down her throat and not yours.”

  Tree pocked the money and gleefully headed for a shower. Being Thursday, I should be at the head of the line.

  As soon as Basil entered the Boar Pen he headed to the bar. He ordered a draft from Marie-Elena. “Tawny around here tonight?”

  Out of sight under the bar, Marie-Elena pressed a switch that triggered a buzzer in Tawny’s room. “Oh yes, she’s around here somewhere.”

  Before Tree could ask if Tawny was free, she sidled up to him. “Hello, big boy. You’re early this week.”

  “Yeah,
nice surprise, huh? How about a surprise drink?”

  “Since you’re buying, how can I refuse? Gin and tonic,” she said to Marie-Elena.

  “Yeah, since I’m flusher than usual, make that real gin.”

  “Of course.” Marie-Elena said as she loaded Tawny’s drink.

  Not usually a talker, Tree relished the idea of being a spy. He and the two girls exchanged small talk. Tawny was on her third gin and tonic before Basil, trying to sound casual said, “I ain’t seen any of those Air Force jerks around here. Probably too cheap to spend any money.”

  “Oh no.” Marie-Elena said, “Some have come, come, get it, only once, but one of them is a real Casanova. All the girls are happy when he shows up.”

  “Big spender…on Air Force pay?”

  A happy face, Tawny said, “It’s Corporal Jewel. He looks like a little boy, but he’s not. He’s more man than most guys.”

  “It’s his fascinating technique.” Marie-Elena said. She blushed. “I mean, that’s what they tell me anyway.”

  “Hunh? What do you mean by that?”

  Covering up, Marie-Elena shrugged. “Well they tell me he’s just fantastic in the sack. You’ll just have to ask one of the girls.” She turned away and fiddled around under the other end of the bar. In Tawny’s room, Basil felt he hadn’t given her much of a performance. Shouldn’t drink so much beforehand. Lying there smoking a cigarette, he said, “Hey, now I’m curious as hell. What’s so good about that Air Force guy?”

  “Oh well, it’s just his foreplay.”

  “Foreplay? Hell I play with you. Before… You don’t rave over me, do you?”

  “You’re not as expert as he is.”

  “Bull shit. I can do anything he can do…and do it better!”

  “If that’s so. You haven’t done it.”

  “Okay, what is it that’s so wonderful? Don’t tell me he’s got a twelve inch dong…or four inches thick.”