While Rome Was Sleeping

by M. S. Forsythe

  Brad knew he had to disengage from Lia. She would get no more information from him, but she was still the most sexually desirable woman he had ever known. He was determined that he could control the relationship; and when it had to end that it would be solely on his terms. He was to learn much later the depth of her Communist ties would make it impossible for him to escape from her unscathed

  ✽✽✽

  Respite from the immediacy of a decision came in July of 1968 when Lia left for Paris to attend a gala birthday celebration of Pablo Picasso. She would not return to Saigon before Brad left in August on a temporary duty assignment to Blackhorse the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment for several months.

  In July of 1968 the Regiment had come under the command of Colonel George S. Patton, Jr. It excited Brad to be assigned even temporarily to a regiment known for its expert action against the enemy. And to serve with a man whose own reputation like that of his well known father was respected throughout the United States Army was an opportunity that Brad relished.

  He smiled as he thought back to the months he had been attached to the Blackhorse and of the battles in which they had been involved. Names of missions, operations and places he had once forgotten flew into his mind; villages like Lai Khe, Tan Binh, Binh Co, and Bien Hoa surfaced in his memory.

  He had loved the challenge of combat. It excited and tested him. He would like to have remained the Armored Cavalry Regiment, but was ordered to return to Saigon in mid December.

  ✽✽✽

  Arriving at Headquarters he reported to General Abrams. Brad was relieved to find out that Lt. Colonel Thayer had been called to Washington; he had little interest as to why. He could now focus on handling the problem of Lia. That would take some skill and not having Paul around took the pressure off.

  He had thought about her and his physical desire for her and imagined their first encounter after being away from her for months.

  He was pleasantly surprised by an invitation from Lia to a party to be given by her father at their home to introduce T. R. Perkins’ newly recruited information specialist, Australian born Phillip Durkan.

  Durkan had been operating as a mercenary against the Communists in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos as well as North and South Vietnam. He had made himself available to the CIA and the military. Because he traveled across borders easily without problems, Perkins had used him on several occasions to verify intelligence in areas when other sources had been compromised.

  He had won Perkins’s gratitude by identifying the Viet Cong infiltrator responsible for the listening post outside of MACV Headquarters thereby clearing Lia of any complicity and proving George Kelshaw wrong. Now T. R. had made Durkan one of the ‘family’.

  That Lia should be attracted to Durkan was not a surprise; he had a masculine sensuality that drew her like a magnet and the fact that he had T.R’s. approval was the clincher. He was about to be one of her conquests and for that Brad breathed a sigh of relief; it would play into his plan.

  At the party while Lia’s mother sat quietly smiling and nodding approval, Lia’s father had graciously introduced their good friend, T. R. Perkins who enthusiastically presented Phillip Durkan as a new member of his team to military and embassy staff and a few of the local Vietnamese politicians.

  Durkan’s six foot muscular build reminded Brad of some of the young coal miners from his youth. Their physical strength was the only thing about the industry that Brad had ever wanted to emulate. Durkan appeared to be in top physical condition. Brad thought of the old body building magazine ads showing an individual with rippling muscles. Durkan rippled... he looked strong enough to wrestle a bear—and win.

  Between thirty and thirty-five years old, his close cropped sandy hair gave him a far more youthful appearance than his life experience would have allowed. He laughed and smiled a lot displaying even white teeth that gave the impression of warmth and humor; but the blue eyes that looked out from his deeply tanned face and swept the room capturing every detail, were as cold as steel.

  As the evening wore on Perkins and Durkan regaled the guests and each other with outlandish tales of their exploits. Durkan talked of his Australian parentage and told of how he had knocked around Southeast Asia most of his life. In more recent years he saw himself as a kind of ‘soldier of fortune’ serving as a mercenary against the Communists.

  Perkins was a leftover WWII pilot, who for years, had been in Southeast Asia and prior to that in China for a long time as well. Recruited by the CIA, he had flown for Air America and eventually became the CIA Station Chief in Saigon. He fancied himself to be more knowledgeable in the Asian mindset than most of his peers. If truth be known, he now regarded the war as an inconvenience to an undeclared lifestyle of dissipation and profit.

  Brad seated across the room was admiring Lia who was perched close to T.R., her long legs crossed showing an appealing portion of thigh from the opening on the side of her richly embroidered saffron colored silk dress. He was wondering how her evening would end, with him or Durkan. Either way he had determined it would be all right. Without Paul around to play “parent” he was free to take advantage of an opening if it came his way.

  It was time to find out. After saying goodnight to Lia’s father and mother, he moved to leave. Lia was quickly beside him linking her arm in his brushing her body against his as they walked to the door. Her fragrance sent his blood racing and he was finding it very hard to retain the self control that would be his only ally.

  Standing seductively close she whispered, “Shall I see you tomorrow?” then stepped away.

  Brad smiled and leaning close to her ear, replied softly, “It’s possible, but I have a lot of paper work to catch up on. I’m thinking about arranging for some R and R and asking my wife to meet me in Tokyo.” He saw the expression on Lia’s face turn from a teasing smile to surprised anger. He heard the door close behind him, but did not look back.

  ✽✽✽

  Earlier in November of 1968, CIA operative Fred Wellman had arrived in Saigon from Thailand to meet with State Department Intelligence Officer, Neil Klein and George Kelshaw. Wellman had warned Klein and Kelshaw about a prominent young Vietnamese woman Lia Dupre‘and her seemingly innocent trips to Paris. He informed them that the group of student art enthusiasts of which she was a part, was a cover for a powerful communist cell. It operated under the direct supervision of the Soviet Embassy in Paris and GRU chief, Colonel Yuri Karpov.

  Each time there was a significant artistic event of international importance, Karpov would arrive from Moscow to attend. Lia had connected with Karpov at the Picasso birthday celebration at the Palais Royale in Paris earlier in the summer. During her stay in Paris, Karpov had invited and escorted her to a party at the Soviet Embassy. Since that time Lia’s trips to Paris would be closely monitored.

  ✽✽✽

  It wasn’t until June of 1969 that Brad would learn how Wellman’s November visit would impact him.

  Paul Thayer was preparing to leave for the States expecting to be gone from Saigon for about thirty days. The evening before he left, Paul had initiated a meeting with Coleman for dinner. Their professional relationship had remained amicable, even so their friendship had cooled since the heated argument over Lia and Paul was uncomfortable allowing acrimony to continue between them. He believed Brad felt badly as well.

  At dinner they talked of the war each one holding back the pessimism that permeated much of their day to day experience. Talk then turned to casual reminiscences of their days at West Point. They laughed some and talked of Olivia and Charlene. Then Paul became serious again and told Brad about Fred Wellman’s information regarding Lia, commenting, “I’m glad you didn’t let it go any farther and went to the 11th when you did, Brad. Perkins may wish he had gone somewhere too before this is over.”

  Brad sucked in his breath and mumbled lamely, “I’m glad also. Have you or Kelshaw shared this information with Perkins?” he asked.

  “No,” Paul replied, “We haven’t—it cou
ld jeopardize other areas of intelligence if we did. He’s out of the loop. So far T. R. hasn’t been willing to consider Lia as a security threat even with evidence staring him right in the face; and after the routine that Durkan pulled on finding the listening post culprits, both Kelshaw and I are persona non grata. The situation is time limited anyway; rumor is that T.R. expects to retire in a few months—and then we’ll see what happens. If Perkins is lucky, he’ll walk away with his pension. If not, oh well...”

  Brad agreed, “Yes, it will be interesting.” Glancing at his watch he said, “I guess it’s time to call it a night. By the way, I’m meeting Olivia in Hawaii in July for R and R. So I may not be here when you get back. Take care of your self, Paul, and watch your back,” Coleman said only half kidding.

  As they shook hands, Paul smiled and said warmly, “I will. Tell Olivia hello and give her my love.”

  “I’ll do that and thanks, Paul, we should have done this sooner; too stubborn, I guess.”

  “Something like that,” Thayer smiled.

  ✽✽✽

  Coleman was gratified that a friendship had been restored that once had meant a great deal to him and because of the information regarding Lia. She was more than just a local Communist informant, she was connected to the Soviet “big boys”; she was a spy. He didn’t know how much information she had passed on to Karpov, but he was sure that whatever information had passed through T.R. Perkins’s hands had probably found its way to Moscow.

  He was glad that he would be leaving in a few days hopefully Lia would not be in Saigon when he returned.

  She had become more assertive and demanding and their little time together was increasingly burdensome and dangerous for Brad.

  They had often quarreled over her jealousy of Olivia. Though it seemed totally irrational to him, Lia was furious that he was not jealous of her affair with Durkan.

  They argued bitterly when Lia found out that Brad was leaving for Hawaii to meet Olivia. For the first time Brad confronted her about the information she had earlier passed to the Viet Cong, careful not to mention the further information he had learned from Paul. “I know that information on our POW’s was given to the VC and it came from you. You sold out some of your own people.”

  He then told her the relationship was too dangerous to continue.Eyes snapping she struck back ridiculing him, “Who are ‘my’ people? Just remember, Baby, the information came from you, so if I get caught you get caught too.”

  She accused him of believing everything Paul Thayer told him saying, “Oh yes, I know the two of you have dinners together, how cozy! You think I don’t know what goes on? People tell me things. You let Paul Thayer make up your mind for you and he tells you lies about me.

  “Our relationship will be over when I say so... Baby! Don’t forget I always know what you like and how you like it, more than that dull wife of yours. Does she make you feel the way I do, Baby?” she screamed.

  For the first time he quietly walked out in response to her fury, vowing to dissolve the relationship one way or the other. He stayed as busy as possible hoping Lia would see Phillip Durkan when he was in Saigon, but it was clear that her relationship with Durkan was not as intense as Brad would have wished.

  Durkan didn’t offer Lia the prestige she desired, but now it seemed that her trips to Paris had added a new dimension of excitement to her life. Small wonder, Brad thought. He looked forward to R and R and seeing Olivia.

  ✽✽✽

  It had been wonderful with Olivia in Honolulu. The excitement of their courtship was rekindled and Brad silently vowed that he wouldn’t risk his reputation or career any longer. The time with Olivia in Hawaii would hold Brad’s resolve that nothing would stand in the way of his military career or of a marriage that was very much an asset to all of his plans.

  ✽✽✽

  He recalled his last six months of duty in Vietnam. During that time his encounters with Lia had been few. The war was creeping closer to Saigon and there had been numerous raids on Than Son Nhut airport. Brad’s responsibilities at Headquarters left little time for anything else. When he did see Lia it was usually at the embassy or at meetings with Perkins.

  His friendship with Paul Thayer had strengthened and though Paul’s assignments often took him out of Saigon, they had managed to socialize once or twice a month.

  On a March evening of 1970, Brad and Paul had had a drink together earlier. Paul was preparing to drive to Long Binh early the next morning. Brad had returned to his office and was preparing to work when he heard shouting and a commotion in the corridor. Military Policemen were there in numbers searching through the buildings.

  Inquiring what was going on he was told that a sailor who had been slightly injured on a river boat mission had walked away from the hospital. The patient, Bos Anderson was due to be returned to duty later in the week, but he had managed to slip out and was missing. The dispensary had been burgled; narcotics had been stolen and it was suspected that Anderson was the culprit. After a thorough search it was determined that Anderson was not on the premises and was listed as officially AWOL.

  The search continued, but Anderson had managed to elude his pursuers. He noticed a supply truck that was returning to Saigon and jumped in the back. As soon as he was in the city he looked for one of the hotels where some of the military officers were billeted. He saw an officer standing by a vehicle close to the Ham Ngi and speaking with an army non-com gesturing toward the jeep. Anderson got close enough to hear that it was all fueled and the driver would be there at 0400. He would wait until just before the driver was due and take the vehicle.

  Brad returned to the hotel and was tempted to knock on Paul’s door but remembered Paul was leaving for Long Binh at 0400 and would be asleep by now.

  When Paul Thayer entered his quarters he was surprised to find George Kelshaw waiting for him.

  “What’s going on?” he asked Kelshaw.

  Kelshaw spoke hurriedly, “We’re leaving now—leave everything behind—no ID; we got the message—‘The Bird is in the air’. We have to meet Klein, now.”

  Shortly before morning a blast tore through the street close to the hotel. It jarred Brad and the residents out of bed. Throwing clothes on quickly everyone was running and it was unclear where the attack had originated.

  Outside, Paul’s driver spotted Brad in the crowd and moved to his side. “Colonel Coleman, Sir, I’m Corporal Bodega, I was to drive Colonel Thayer to Long Binh this morning. That’s the vehicle we were to use... I was detained at a road block; they’re looking for some guy who bailed out of the hospital and checking everybody in and out. Anyway I was late trying to get to Colonel Thayer. Have you seen him, Sir?”

  Brad surveyed the crowd and then said “Let’s check his room. I’m sure he didn’t sleep through this.”

  After checking Paul’s quarters and checking through the hotel it became clear that Paul was not there. No one had seen him and most of his personal items were still in his room.

  Shock was beginning to make its way into Brad’s consciousness. After a fruitless search for Paul, it was determined that everyone else was accounted for except Thayer. What was left of a charred body was found inside the burned and twisted hulk of the vehicle; and as the morning wore on and Paul didn’t appear Brad’s worst fears became reality.

  Later, after a preliminary investigation it was concluded that Lt. Colonel Thayer was the victim. The investigators conjectured that an explosive device was placed in the vehicle in such a way that it was triggered by the weight of something or someone as they entered it.

  Little forensic evidence or even dental work was available because of the extensive damage to the body, burned beyond recognition.

  Brad was thoroughly shaken and wondered if Paul had been targeted and why. Thayer was well liked by everyone who knew him with the exception of one person whom Brad knew hated him. But surely she wouldn’t go that far, would she?

  ✽✽✽

  With difficulty Brad wrote a letter to Cha
rlene telling her of the explosion that had claimed Paul’s life and then wrote to Olivia. He then made arrangements to accompany Paul’s body home.

  Lia was in his quarters waiting for him when he arrived to pack for the flight.

  “What are you doing here?” he demanded. “I thought I told you it was over.”

  “You don’t have to worry anymore, Baby, now that Paul Thayer is dead. We’re free and clear!” She said softly, wrapping her arms around him. “No more Paul Thayer to tell lies to you about me and keep watch on you. Now we can be together as much as we want,” she insisted. “I made sure of that.”

  “What do you mean, you made sure of that?” Brad’s voice was low and he felt frozen inside. “What did you do or what did you have your Commie friends do?”

  “What do you think, Baby? Colonel Thayer was making big trouble for me... and for you too, but no more.” She was smiling as she slowly removed her dress. “Let’s make love, Baby, I’ll make it good for you,”

  Not responding verbally, Brad succumbed, hating himself, but unable to resist the sight and the excitement of her body. This would be the last time. He knew it had to be.

  Afterward she was languishing on the bed as Brad poured scotch into two glasses and handed one to her. He clinked his to hers and said “I toast you, Lia, no one can cook like you.” He drained the glass and said, “Get dressed we’re going to take a little drive, I want to talk with you privately. Let’s have another for the road,” He poured more of the amber liquid into her glass and then his. He watched her as she dressed.

  She brushed her hair and touched lipstick to her mouth, but not before she kissed Brad long and sensuously. Where are we going, Baby?” she asked.