Ecuperating - Chapter 7

Carl took another sip of coffee, following it up with a huge bite of a donut.

Josh glanced at Jim.

“That’s it isn’t it!” Carl jumped at it. “He’s in one of those protection programs. You guys erased him from all databases. That’s why I couldn’t find out anything about him anywhere!”

“Apparently you found out enough to make certain inquiries,” Agent Perry commented.

“Inquiries that raised a red flag on our computers. We’d like to know where you found out about him and what it was. It’s important.”

“Don’t tell me! National security!” Carl laughed.

“You guys have been watching too many movies. Anyway, I made the inquiries on behalf of a client. And I can’t give you any name. Tell you what, though. I’ll get in touch with my client and if they say ok, I’ll give you their name. Sounds like a deal?”

Carl asked.

Jim smiled. “Hell! We can’t ask for more than that. We could probably get a court order, but that would take a lot of time. What’s your feeling? Do you think there will be any trouble getting permission to give us their name?”

“Naw! This client is only doing it for background for a novel. I expect to get permission with no problem at all. In fact, you may find this person hounding you for details!” Carl laughed. He glanced at his watch. “Why don’t you two go back out and have another cup of coffee with Shirley? I’ll call now. This person is an early riser, and on the West Coast, it’s only 730.”

Jayne had just gotten out of the shower when her phone rang. She hadn’t had her coffee yet, and was always a grouch without her regular infusion of caffeine. She grabbed for the phone. “Yes!” she answered crossly. “Shees, Jayne! Don’t bite my head off so early!” Carl said.

“Sorry, Carl. I haven’t had my coffee yet. What’s up?” “I have two MIB persons here in my office.

The Feds evidently have an inquiry about Eric Tanner and his connection with a group called Lodge 16 red lined. I just made an inquiry yesterday, and they appeared on my doorstep already this morning. They want the name of my client. What do you think?”

“I don’t care. It’s not as if I’m a spy or something. Give them my name. In fact, give me their names. I’d like to talk to them!” She told him.

Carl laughed out loud. “That’s just what I told them you’d want to do. Want to talk to one of them?” “Sure. Put him on.”

Carl called through the door. “Mr. Perry! My client would like to talk to you. Line one, Shirley.” “Hello? This is Agent Perry.”

“Mr. Perry, I understand you are interested in me as a client of McNabb’s? This is Jayne Rice.”

“The Author! I’ve read all your books! I didn’t know you were McNabb’s client! It’s a pleasure to talk to you!” Perry gushed.

“Well, thank you. But I have run across Eric Tanner’s name in connection with my interest in writing a new novel. I needed some background information on him and asked Carl to investigate for me. I haven’t gotten anything from him yet. It seems you have intercepted him before he could report to me anything of interest. Is there anything you could add to what he might be able to tell me?”

“I’m afraid I couldn’t give you any information concerning the man. I’m just doing my job here in finding out who was interested in him.” Jim seemed disappointed that he couldn’t help.

“Sorry.”

“That’s ok. There may not be a book in it anyway. Nice to talk to you. Put Carl back on, will you?” “Jayne, what’s up now?” Carl asked quietly. “I want you to keep up making waves there about this guy Eric Tanner. There’s a good reason these MIBs are in your office this morning. It looks like we have stirred up a bucket of something that smells bad. Let’s keep stirring and see what comes up. What kind of information did you go for to get them to send those two to your office anyway?” she asked.

“Well, I couldn’t get a thing from any database in the United States. I had to get my information from MI- 5 in England. All of the stuff from WWII has become declassified over there and I happened to get the name of Eric Tanner through. He’s somewhat of a hero, evidently.

He made more crossings with his ship than any one else during the war. In the process, he ran across a German sub in 1940 and rescued the entire crew just before the sub sank in rough water. Hitler himself sent a letter of commendation for the crew and a German Cross for Tanner.

“The after action report from MI-5 gave accolades to both Tanner and his crew for the humanitarian act of rescuing the German crew, even though they weren’t particularly crazy about the fact that Tanner transferred the crew to a German fuel ship before bringing them to England.

“Tanner quit and sold his ship early in 1944 and is reported to be quite well off in the States. He bought a lot of acreage in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and made a hunt club called Lodge 16. I think this is where I crossed swords with the FBI. I was making inquiries on the Internet about Lodge 16.

I don’t think the Feds liked that. I have an idea they are involved with that lodge. Maybe it’s a secret connection someplace. I’m not sure it would be very wise to piss off the FBI.”

“I agree with you there. It would be hardly worth it. But damn! I AM curious. I’d sure like to know more about it.” Jayne sighed.

“I’ll stay on it, Jayne. Maybe I can send someone in there to take a look-see.”

“Just don’t get into any trouble on my account, Carl. It isn’t worth it.” Jayne sighed again. “Butgo ahead! It’s beginning to sound more and more like a good book!”

They hung up and Carl came back to the outer office just as the two agents were leaving. He waved at them as they went out the door.

“Nice looking,” Shirley said. “Who?”

“James,” she said wistfully.

“Oh? You got the hots, Shirl?” Carl laughed. “Naw! Just making a comment. Dammit! He is cute! You gonna quit with the Eric Tanner inquiry?” Shirley asked him.

“Nope. Jayne wants more information. The only place I can get it is from England, and I think they’ve already given me everything they have.”

“Do you think they have wiped the records for some reason?” Shirley raised an eyebrow.

“Hell! I know they have. It makes no sense that England has a record and we don’t. The Feds may have more than they think they have at that. I just thought of something. Suppose I check into the crew of the Sea Princess? I might just find something there.”

“Want me to look into the records of the ship for you? I’m sure the English Maritime Commission will have a record of the ship and its crew.”

“Go ahead, Shirl. Let’s see what that turns up.”