Free Crossword by Alan Bricklin Page B

State
and I'm crazy about Helen. How's that for stupidity?"
    "Don't be too hard on yourself. Besides, I may have a
solution for you." They had been walking all during Kent's confession and
now found themselves alone in a secluded part of the park. "Let's sit a
minute," he said, pointing to a bench just ahead. When they had eased themselves
onto the metal slats of the bench, both finding it much more comfortable a seat
than either had expected, Julian casually looked around to make sure no one was
within earshot before turning to Mallory and speaking. He was careful to talk
naturally, although not loud, avoiding any of the facial expressions that one
uses when whispering or speaking conspiratorially. "How'd you like to stay
on as a State Department employee and earn enough money to give Helen
and yourself the life style she wants?"
    "Who do I have to kill? Or are you going to convince
Roosevelt to appoint me ambassador to England? I didn't know you were on such
good terms with him." It was difficult for Kent to keep the disbelief and
sarcasm out of his voice.
    "Didn't I tell you about those Thursday night poker
games with the president?" When this failed to elicit any response, Julian
saw that Kent was in no mood for levity, so, while mentally jotting down a
modification to his character analysis of him, he switched back to the serious.
"No, you don't have to kill anyone and I've never even met Mr. Roosevelt.
But I do know someone who can get to that plutonium and is willing to give it
to us to get him out of Germany and into South America. What do you think about
that?"
    "I'm not sure what to think? Are you asking me to
become a German agent? I hate those mother fuckers!" A subtle movement of
Julian's hand alerted Kent to the increasing volume of his voice and he notched
it down before continuing, "And I certainly won't betray our
country."
    "Whoa! Hold on there. No one's asking you to do either,
certainly not me. Whatever else you may think of me I don't believe you could
ever accuse me of being a Nazi lover, or even a sympathizer."
    "No, I ..." Templeton held up a hand to silence
Kent's protestation, and continued.
    "Let me finish before you say anything else. Our
government has seen fit to pay off some Nazi general to get this plutonium out
of Germany so none of the remaining 'Hitlerites' could make a bomb. Their idea,
not mine. I want to do the same thing, only I have a different general in mind,
one who's not against making a little money in the deal and who's willing to
share the wealth with us. Same end, different means."
    Kent continued looking at Julian, waiting for him to
continue, but he had too much experience to part with more information than was
necessary. If Kent agreed, he would go into a little more detail, but only as
needed. If he refused, no one had been compromised, no options eliminated. The
only person at risk was himself if Mallory decided to mention it to Dulles, and
if that seemed likely, Julian had a contingency plan for that. He was confident
now in his ability to read Kent and if necessary would see to it that he never
got to Dulles. He had made many contacts in his line of work, most of them
unknown to others in the OSS. That was the way it was meant to be; the fewer
people who knew the sources and contacts that agents and handlers used, the
safer it was for everyone. Among the many people that he knew, people of
various nationalities and political leanings, were more than a few who were not
strangers to arranging "accidents" or outright assassinations. And
Julian had always been willing to do favors for his contacts, only occasionally
taking money, but always letting them know it was a debt, one that might
someday be called. After a pause that was becoming uncomfortable for Kent,
Julian said, "What do you think; are you interested?"
    "Well, this is certainly something I wasn't expecting.
I, ... yes, I'm interested, but exactly ... " He was interrupted by
Templeton.
    "Good. I think you're making