The Mediterranean Caper Read Online Free PDF

closely.
    â€œI couldn’t sleep.” As soon as he said it, Pitt felt foolish for not being more original. But what the hell, he thought, it’s the truth.
    â€œCan’t say as I blame you,” said the AP. “After all that’s happened today, I’d be real surprised if anyone on the base was sound asleep.” The mere thought of sleep triggered a reflex, and the AP yawned.
    â€œYou must get awfully bored, sitting out here alone all night,” said Pitt.
    â€œYeah, it gets pretty dull,” the AP said, hooking one hand in his Sam Browne belt and resting the other on the grip of a .45 Colt automatic, clinging to his hip. “If you’re going off base, you’d better let me see your pass.”
    â€œSorry, I don’t have one.” Pitt had forgotten to ask Colonel Lewis for a pass to get on and off Brady Field.
    A swaggering, tough look crossed the AP’s face. “Then you’ll have to go back to the barracks and get it.” He swatted at a moth that flapped by his face, toward a floodlight.
    â€œThat would be a waste of time. I don’t even own a pass,” said Pitt, smiling helplessly.
    â€œDon’t play dumb with me, buddy. Nobody gets in or out of the gate without a pass.”
    â€œI did.”
    The AP’s eyes became suspicious. “How did you manage that?”
    â€œI flew in.”
    A surprised look hit the AP. His eyes beamed in the brightness of the floods. Another passing moth lit on his white cap, but he did not notice it. Then it burst from him. “You’re the pilot of that Catalina flying boat!”
    â€œGuilty as charged,” said Pitt.
    â€œSay, I want to shake your hand.” The AP’s lips opened in a big tooth-displaying smile. “That was the greatest piece of flying I’ve ever seen.” He thrust out a massive hand.
    Pitt took the outstretched hand and winced. He had a strong grip of his own, but it seemed puny compared to the AP’s. “Thank you, but I’d have felt a lot better about it if my opponent had crashed.”
    â€œOh hell, he couldn’t have gone far. That old junk pile was smoking up a storm when it crossed over the hills.”
    â€œMaybe it crashed on the other side?”
    â€œNo chance. The colonel had the whole Air Police squadron chasing all over the island in jeeps, looking for it. He searched until dark, but didn’t spot a thing.” He appeared disgusted. “What really pissed me off was getting back to the base too late for the chow line.”
    Pitt grinned. “It must have gone down in the sea, or else made the mainland before falling.”
    The AP shrugged his shoulders. “Could be. But one thing’s for sure; it ain’t on Thasos. You have my personal guarantee on that.”
    Pitt laughed. “That’s good enough for me.” He swung the towel over his shoulder and pulled at his swim trunks. “Well it’s been nice talking to you…”
    â€œAirman Second Class Moody, sir.”
    â€œI’m Major Pitt.”
    The AP’s face went blank. “Oh, I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t know you were an officer. I thought you were one of those civilians with NUMA. I’ll let you out this time, Major, but I’d appreciate it if you got a base pass.”
    â€œI’ll see to it first thing after breakfast.”
    â€œMy replacement comes on at 0800. If you’re not back by then, I’ll leave word so he’ll let you in without any trouble.”
    â€œThank you, Moody. Perhaps I’ll see you later.” Pitt waved and then turned and walked down the road toward the beach.
    Pitt kept to the right side of the narrow paved road and in about a mile came to a small cove that was flanked by large craggy rocks. The moonlight showed him a path, and he took it until his feet crunched softly in the sandy beach. He dropped the towel and walked to the tide line. A wave broke, and the white of