"I think you understand the situation, Mayor Frade. I don't think we have to discuss the specifics."
"What about fuel?" Clete asked.
"That's been taken care of," Delgano said. "I'm suggesting that you and I drive to Santo Tome today. It's fifteen or sixteen hours from here..." "I have business in Buenos Aires today."
"The overnight train leaves Buenos Aires at ten p.m. and arrives in Santo Tome the next morning at nine. Can you finish your business in Buenos Aires in time to take the train?"
"Yes."
"Very well. I will drive to Santo Tome. Tonight. It's already morning, isn't it? When we finish here. I will meet your train at Santo Tome and take you out to the Second Cavalry. You and I will inspect the airstrip and ensure that the fuel is there. I will then take you to the ferry across the Rio Uruguay. I think I can pass you through Customs and Immigration without having your passport stamped, or any questions being asked. It would then be up to you to travel from Sao Borja to Porto Alegre. Would that pose any problem?"
"No," Clete said. "Wait. I'll need some Brazilian money."
"I'll have that for you in Santo Tome. I suggest you buy a ticket to Posadas and make the announcement you're bound for Estancia San Miguel, which is near Posadas, and then simply leave the train at Santo Tome."
"OK," Clete said. "I don't suppose this airstrip at Santo Tome is lighted?"
"The Brazilians, I gather, will not be aware of your flight? You have to cross the border in the hours of darkness?" Delgano asked.
Clete nodded.
"No, it's not lighted," Delgano said. "I will have a fire, in the shape of an arrow, burning during hours of darkness. When you overfly the arrow, I will have the gasoline lights ignited. We can go over this in detail together in Santo Tome."
"OK."
"Is that it for now?" Delgano said.
"I think so," Clete said.
"Anything you need me to do, Mr. Frade?" Chief Schultz asked.
"Send that radio we talked about," Clete said. "And make sure Ettinger stays here."
"Aye, aye, Sir."
[TWO]
1728 Avenida Coronel Diaz
Palermo, Buenos Aires
0815 14 April 1943
By coincidence, Clete happened to be about to descend the wide marble stair-case from the "first" floor-in the States, it would be the second-to the foyer of The Museum when he saw Antonio start to open the front door, apparently in response to a ringing in the kitchen, or someplace, that Clete had not heard.
Clete stopped to see who it was. If it was not Tony and Delojo, he was go-ing to turn and get out of sight.
It was Tony and Delojo, both in civilian clothing.
Tony looks pretty classy, Clete thought a little smugly.
In Washington, after he learned that Tony's idea of "dress-up" clothing was a two-tone jacket, pastel-colored trousers, and a colored shirt worn tieless, with its collar spread over the two-tone jacket collar, Clete took him to the Men's Store in Woodward & Lothrop and supervised the purchase of his wardrobe. Tony was now wearing a single-breasted gray flannel suit, a white, button-down-collar shirt, and a red-striped necktie.
His suit fits better than Delojo's.
"Up here," Clete called, adding to Antonio, "Bring us some coffee and rolls, will you, please?"
Tony came bounding up the stairs, taking them two at a time.