The Honor of Spies

"They were offered to me by Howard Hughes . . . the aviator, the movie guy?"

"I know who he is."

"We're old friends. More important, he's close to my grandfather. He's also in tight with Lockheed. I think he probably owns it, but that's just a guess. Anyway, Howard told me what I just told you, and said that the government doesn't want to sell airplanes of any kind to the Swiss--or just about anyone else in Europe, or to the Brazilians, but SAA is sort of special."

"Because the managing director works for the OSS?"

"The what?" Frade replied.

They smiled at each other, and then Frade went on: "The only thing the Constellation is good for, Alejandro, is hauling people long distances. It is not a submarine hunter; it can't drop bombs and there are no machine-gun turrets. And the Americans already have submarine-hunting aircraft--modified B-24s--at Canoas and other places in Brazil. As you well know."

"So why does your friend Howard Hughes think SAA is special?"

"Because Argentina is neutral--"

"Some of us actually are," Martin interrupted.

"Let me finish. When SAA establishes probably a twice-a-week service back and forth to Portugal or Spain, the problem of moving civilians back and forth from the States by air is solved. The airplanes take off from a neutral country, Argentina, and fly with only one stop, Canoas, to another neutral country. If you want to go to Europe, you get on one of the Pan American Grace Clippers, the flying boats, and go to Canoas. SAA will then fly you to Lisbon."

"Why is the United States being so nice to Argentina?"

"The Connies will give the finger"--he demonstrated the gesture--"to the only other airline, Lufthansa, offering commercial service to Europe. Everybody knows the Constellation is an American airplane. They call that 'public relations.' "

"You believe all this, Cletus?"

"All I know for sure is that I am about to own three Constellations with which I hope to make a lot of money."

"That presumes the Argentine Civil Aviation Direccion gives you--gives SAA--permission."

"Come on, Alejandro. The airplanes are owned by an Argentine company--"

"There is a nasty rumor going around that the major stockholder in that company is in the OSS," Martin interjected.

"--and will be flown by Argentine pilots, many of whom"--Frade turned to look Martin in the eyes--"a nasty rumor has it, are actually military officers assigned to the Bureau of Internal Security." Frade looked back to the road and went on: "As will be, I suspect, the Immigration and Customs officers who will carefully check each plane before it takes off, and when each one lands. This has nothing to do with the OSS, Alejandro."

"So you say, Major Frade. Or did a promotion come with your added responsibilities to the OSS?"

"And then there's that other thing," Frade said, ignoring the comment. "I somehow got the impression just now that General Rawson thinks this is a lovely idea, that offering intercontinental air service will add to the prestige of the Argentine Republic."

"Since we are still off the record, Cletus, I will admit that was brilliant, what you did at the airfield."

"You are too kind, Alejandro."

And it was.

Colonel Graham actually orchestrated that entire arrival business like a symphony conductor.

But, Alejandro, if you want to think I'm that clever, help yourself!

"What did you say about borrowing money?"

"My grandfather, who always knows a bargain when he sees one, has elected to make a substantial investment in South American Airways."

"Wouldn't that make it a mostly North American-owned company?"

"Not at all. As you know, I am an Argentine by birth. And many years ago, when he first started looking for oil in Venezuela, my grandfather became a citizen of that splendid South American country. Something to do with excessive taxes laid on foreigners. You know, dual citizenship. Like me. SAA is entirely owned by South Americans."

Martin shook his head.

"You're good, Cletus. This round goes to you."

"That suggests there will be other rounds."

"You and I both know there will be," Martin said.

"All I can do is hope that your careful scrutiny of every little detail of our operations, which I fully expect will finally convince you that my motive in this is solely to make a lot of money. And, of course, to add a little prestige to the country of my birth."

"You already have a lot of money."

"Money is like sex, Alejandro," Frade said solemnly. "You can never get too much of it."

Martin laughed, but then said: "I already warned you that I've learned you are most dangerous when you're playing the clown."

"Can we turn to this 'you have to see me on a matter of life-and-death importance'?" Frade said. "I never clown about things like life and death."