“My grandfather died in a concentration camp, Sir.”
“What’s that, an attempt to invoke my sympathy?” Clete snapped, and was immediately ashamed of himself. “Sorry, Ettinger. Colonel Graham told me about your family. I was out of line.”
Ettinger met his eyes. After a moment, he said, “So, apparently, was I. What happens now?”
“I don’t know what the hell to do about this, frankly.”
“If it would make it any easier for you, I’ll report my…indiscretion to the people from the Country Club tomorrow.”
“‘Indiscretion’?” Clete snapped. “I’d call it stupidity. Incredible stupidity.”
“Yes, Sir. I can see from your standpoint that it would be.”
“And from your standpoint?”
“I had to tell her something, Lieutenant. That was the best I could come up with.”
“Incredible stupidity,” Clete repeated.
Ettinger stood up.
“Where are you going?” Clete demanded.
“Back to the hotel, Sir. Under the circumstances, it would be awkward with your grandfather. I’ll make a report…”
“If a report is made, Sergeant, I’ll make it,” Clete thought aloud, and then added, “The damage, if any, has already been done.”
“Sir, I don’t think there will be any damage. I made the point to my mother that this assignment, including our destination, was classified. She won’t say anything to anybody.”
“We don’t know that, do we?”
“No, Sir. We don’t.”
If I turn him in for this, it will really screw things up. Colonel Graham feels that getting us down there as soon as possible is damned important. If they have to scrounge around for a replacement for Ettinger—and that would obviously be difficult—God only knows how long a delay there would be.
Or this fellow Pelosi and I will get sent down there by ourselves.
I need him. It’s as simple as that.
“We never had this conversation, Ettinger,” Clete said. “You understand me?”
“Yes, Sir. Thank you.”
“Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not being a nice guy. I just think turning you in would do more damage to this mission than taking you with us.”
“I understand.”
“I wonder if you do,” Clete said. “But the subject is closed. The conversation never occurred. Clear?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Besides,” Clete said, smiling. It took more than a little effort. “If you were missing when my grandfather finishes his piss call, I would have to explain your absence. My grandfather, as you may have noticed, is a difficult man.”
“I repeat, Lieutenant, thank you. I really want to go on this mission. It’s much more important than what I’ve been doing.”
“Try to keep that in mind,” Clete said. “Now let’s change the subject.”
Ettinger nodded, then smiled.