Free The Mediterranean Caper by Clive Cussler

Lewis. “But I’m interested in knowing whether or not you’ve run onto anything substantial concerning the attack yesterday.”
    Pitt was nude, but he didn’t give a damn. “No, nothing positive. I’ve several hunches and a couple of ideas, but very few absolute facts to build an airtight case with.”
    â€œI was hoping you might have stumbled on a lead. My Air Investigation Squadron has struck out.”
    â€œHave you found any remains of the Albatros?” asked Pitt.
    Lewis rubbed a hand across his sweaty forehead. “If that old crate crashed into the sea, it left no trace; not even a small oil slick. It and its pilot must have vanished into thin air.”
    â€œMaybe it reached the mainland,” said Giordino.
    â€œNegative,” replied Lewis. “We can’t find a soul over there who saw it going or coming.”
    Giordino nodded in agreement. “An old plane painted bright yellow with a top speed of only one hundred and three miles an hour couldn’t help but be noticed if it crossed over the strait into Macedonia.”
    Lewis took out a package of cigarettes. “What really confuses me is the fact that the attack was well planned and executed. Whoever raided the field knew no aircraft were scheduled to land or take off during his strafing runs.”
    Pitt buttoned his shirt and adjusted the gold oak leaves on his shoulders. “Obtaining information would be easy since everyone on Thasos probably knows that Brady Field becomes a ghost town on Sundays. Actually this whole affair is very similar in strategy to the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese down to the detail of sneaking in through a pass in the island mountain range.”
    Lewis lit his cigarette, being careful not to singe his moustache. “You’re right, of course but there’s no doubt that your unexpected arrival in the flying boat caught our attacker, as well as ourselves, off guard. Our own radar failed to track your Catalina because you flew the last two hundred miles on the deck.” He exhaled a cloud of smoke. “I can’t begin to tell you what a welcome surprise it was to see your old bird come thundering down out of the sun.”
    â€œIt must have surprised our friend in the Albatros too.” Giordino grinned. “You should have seen his jaw drop when he turned and saw us for the first time.”
    Pitt finished knotting his tie. “No one expected us because my flight plan did not include Brady Field. I originally planned to set down in the sea next to the First Attempt . That’s why our flying ghost and Brady Control were both unaware of our ETA.” He paused, reflecting as he looked down at Lewis. “I strongly suggest, Colonel, that you take extreme defensive measures. I’ve a feeling we haven’t seen the last of the yellow Albatros.”
    Lewis stared up at Pitt curiously. “What makes you so certain he’ll return?”
    Pitt’s eyes glinted. “He had a definite purpose for attacking the field, and it wasn’t to kill men or destroy aircraft belonging to the United States. His plan was simply to throw you into a panic.”
    â€œWhat would he gain by that?” asked Giordino.
    â€œStop and think about it for a moment.” Pitt glanced at his watch, then to Lewis. “If this situation looked truly threatening and perilous, Colonel, you’d have to evacuate all American civilians to the mainland.”
    â€œYes, that’s true,” admitted Lewis. “But at the moment I see no reason to take such steps. The Greek government has assured me they’re offering their complete cooperation in finding the pilot and plane.”
    â€œBut if you thought you had reason,” pressed Pitt. “Wouldn’t you also order Commander Gunn to remove the First Attempt from the Thasos area?”
    Lewis’ eyes narrowed. “As a safety precaution, of course. That white ship makes one hell