Armageddon_ A Novel of Berlin - Leon Uris [280]
“The truth is that I met her once and well ... I was pretty damned crude. I’d like to make amends.”
Clinton Loveless had grave doubts about the sincerity of Scott Davidson. But what the hell ... trying to keep men away from Hilde was as ridiculous as ... trying to keep men away from Hilde. Furthermore, Clint flew with Scott and placed his life in the man’s hands too often to be uppity.
“Colonel, could I just happen to drop around your house, like for dinner ... or something?”
“Like maybe you’ve thought this over?”
“Well, sir, as a matter of fact, with me flying two runs a day to Berlin and all my paperwork, I’ve got limited time off.”
“Like when do you have in mind?”
“Like tonight ... Colonel?”
Clint was amused by Scott’s gall. “Cocktails are at six-thirty. I assume you’ve already cased my house and know how to find it.”
“Goddamn, Colonel, you’re a good troop.”
Judy thought Scott Davidson was adorable and just loved being part of the scheme. When Hilde served drinks in the living room she was introduced to the captain and matter-of-factly said she had met him. If she was uncomfortable about his sudden appearance, she did not show it.
“Won’t you join us for dinner, Captain?”
“Oh no, that would be putting you to too much trouble.”
“Nonsense.”
“Well ...”
“We insist, don’t we Clint.”
“We insist.”
“Hilde, set a place for Captain Davidson.” She nodded, went to the kitchen for her own dinner and to feed the children.
Scott waited until a reasonable time had passed in order to give proper attention to the hostess, then found a pretense to get into the kitchen.
Hilde was at the kitchen table joking with Tony and Lynn. Scott poured himself a glass of water, edged his way into the group, and quickly endeared himself to the children in the continuation of his outflanking her by having the family go crazy about him.
Tony and Lynn were sent off to put on their pajamas and study. Hilde flitted about the kitchen putting the final touches on the dinner as Judy and Clint discreetly remained in the living room with the martini mixer.
“Sure is a pleasant coincidence,” Scott said.
“I think not,” she answered.
“Look, I wanted to find you to tell you I’m sorry about the other night. We were tired and I just had too much to drink.”
“I don’t think you’re sorry.”
“I went to a lot of trouble to find you so I could show just how sorry I am.”
“What you are sorry about is that your ridiculous pride has been damaged. This trouble you are going to now is an attempt to redeem it.”
Hilde was neither amused, charmed, or swept up by him. The resistance was failing to melt on schedule for Scott Davidson.
“Can’t I have a clean slate?” he persisted.
Hilde set the bread knife down, wiped her hands on her apron. “This town is filled with easy girls who should be able to fill your appetite. You’re only going to damage your pride further if you attempt to see me.”
“You’re being too rough. I’m a lot of fun, Hilde.”
“Strange, Captain. I find you dull, spoiled, and immature.”
Nick Papas snapped his fingers together eagerly. It was the first bet he had ever collected from Scott. “Poop, Captain, poop.”
Scott peeled off five bills of ten-dollar military script.
“Fifty bucks.” Nick kissed the money with mock ecstasy. “Most beautiful bet I ever collected. Five O!”
“What’s up?” Stan Kitchek asked in amazement.
“I asked the captain to donate to buy candy bars for you to parachute to the kids in Berlin. Look what he did. He gave me fifty bucks.”
“Gee, Scott,” Stan Kitchek said with a catch in his throat, “that’s awful nice.”
Chapter Twenty-six
THE BERLINERS’ REJECTION OF Russian rations forced Marshal Popov to advance the timetable for the take-over of the city. They clamped down on the blockade runners, sending a half dozen of them to the firing squad. Harassment of Berliners at the checkpoints against the B marks reached a new high. And then an assault on the city government just short of all-out war!
Action Squads trained with military precision assembled in Marx/Engels Platz under the control of Russian officers in civilian