Im working on ICARUS PLOT today. Heres an excerpt. It’s April 1940 in Panama. Clive Smith and one of his agents have been hauled into Major Neumann’s office and are having their second encounter with the major. In their first meeting Clive turned a camera and film, dropped by a Japanese agent, over to the major for processing. Clive and his agent are standing in front of the majors desk . . . With nowhere to sit, Jacob shifted from side to side while Clive’s jaw tightened and his face slowly reddened. Clive was on a slow boil. Both men stared at the major’s back as he puffed on his pipe and gazed out the window for what seemed an eternity At last, the major began to speak while he continued to watch the calisthenics. “Mister Smith, the last time we met I recall specifically telling you to stay out of Army business and yet I continue to receive reports of your activities at the locks. You obviously did not understand what I said.” The major took a deep breath and turned away from the window. His eyes narrowed as he glared at Clive. “I am not sure if I can make myself any clearer, but I shall try. You are not in the United States Army. You are not even a United States citizen. You are a British citizen with no responsibility or authority for Canal Zone security. Let me say this as plainly as I can.” The major slowly walked over to his desk and leaned toward Clive. “Stay away from the Panama Canal, including all US Army or Navy facilities anywhere in the Canal Zone. America built this canal as a peaceful highway for the commerce of the world without British assistance and I intend to keep it that way without any help from you or your associates.” Clive’s eyes bulged as he clinched his fists. “I thought we had an understanding and were working together on the Japanese threat to the locks at Gatun.” “There is no threat and we, most certainly, are not working together. I suggest that you conclude your investigation into the warehouse thefts in Colón and return to England without delay.” “What about the camera and film? Surely the photographs confirm my suspicions.” The major’s posture stiffened. “There are no photographs. The camera and its film have disappeared. We are searching, but I’m not going to turn this base upside down looking for some Japanese tourist’s vacation pictures. “How could you lose . . .” The major held up his right hand and shook his index finger at Clive. “Now see here, Mister Smith. If that’s your real name. I am not accountable to you. This entire region is under martial law and I am in command. If I hear of you or your men lurking around the canal for any reason I will have the lot of you detained as foreign agents.” The veins in Clive’s temples protruded as his nails dug into his palms. “What about our passports?” “I have notified my superiors in Washington of your movements. I am also referring this matter to the British Consulate in Panama City.” The major tossed the passports into the top drawer of his desk. “You can contact your embassy in Panama City concerning these passports. By all rights I could have you and your associates arrested and deported. This meeting is over. Lieutenant, escort these gentlemen off the base.”
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 20:25:11 +0000