ok out a lemon, sliced it into thirds, and handed one of the thirds to Peter.
“If you eat the whole thing, skin and all, it will probably mask the fumes of the cognac,” Frade said.
Oh, shit!
“Apologies are in order. I extend them. And I thank you,” Peter said, and put the piece of lemon in his mouth, chewed it, and swallowed it.
“I cannot ask an apology from you for doing exactly what I have been doing,” Frade said. Peter looked at him in surprise. “I required the same liquid courage,” Frade went on. “If I had not arranged for the Ministry of Defense to approve my nephew’s idiot notion to go to Germany, neither of us would be here.”
What an astonishing thing to say!
“Oh damn you, Jorge, you promised!” a very striking middle-aged woman said, mingled anger and resignation in her voice. “And don’t try to tell me that lemon is for tea.”
“That is exactly what it’s for,” Frade said. “El Capitán von Wachtstein and I are about to have a cup of tea. And then I thought I would offer the Capitán a little liquid courage to help him through this…this obscene ceremony.”
“Jorge!”
“Capitán, may I present Señora Carzino-Cormano, who has the odd notion that she is entitled to treat me like a child.”
“Encantado, Señora,” Peter said, and clicked his heels and bowed again.
“If you are visibly drunk, I will never forgive you,” Claudia said to Frade, ignoring Peter.
“I am never visibly drunk.”
“Cletus just arrived,” Claudia said. “Just as you came in here.”
“The Señora, Capitán,” Frade said, “refers to my son, late Teniente of the U.S. Corps of Marines aviation service. He served with great distinction at Guadalcanal. Presumably, you have heard of Guadalcanal?”
“Jorge, my God!” Claudia protested, and turned to Peter. “You must excuse el Coronel, Capitán. He mourns the death of his nephew more than he is willing to admit.”
Alicia Carzino-Cormano walked up to them.
Remarkably beautiful young woman!
“Cletus is here,” Alicia said to her mother, then turned to Frade: “I think he’s looking for you.”
“Captain, this is my daughter, Alicia,” Claudia Carzino-Cormano said.
“Hauptmann Freiherr von Wachtstein at your service, Señorita.”
Isabela Carzino-Cormano walked up and smiled dazzlingly at Peter.
“I don’t believe I have the privilege of this gentleman’s acquaintance,” she said.
Frade, ignoring her, took Peter’s arm.
“Perhaps you would like to meet my son,” he said.
“Jorge, damn you!” Claudia said. “How much have you had?” Then she turned and smiled at Peter. “And my other daughter, Capitán, Isabela,” Claudia said.
“Encantado, Señorita,” Peter said.
Not nearly as beautiful as the sister.
Frade tugged at his arm.
“I have the privilege of the Herr Lieutenant Frade’s acquaintance, mi Coronel.”