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ALEX MOVED QUIETLY through the water weaving his way around the moorings.
His objective was the boat named Vladimir attached to the last buoy with all the lights on and speakers blasting out songs— Frank Sinatra & Tommy Dorsey.
“Good songs, I wonder what the people in the village thought of this loud Russian boat vagrant.” Alex mused as he continued unheard and undetected in his black wetsuit. However, the noise caused another problem. It prevented listening to their conversations. He dove under the water swimming towards the aft deck; when he surfaced by the hull, a voice shouted! He froze, ready to dive deep when he realized one of the men was yelling in Italian to turn the music down. Alex could hear a female laughing after the needle screech across the record abruptly ending the song.
"I do not understand, Kolya why would the party need my farm for their meetings after we had such a successful march in Milan last month? We are sure to win the election!" The voice said in Italian.
Alex knew he was referring to the riot where fifteen thousand Communists broke through police barricades and charged through the heart of Milan to Loreto Square. It was a demonstration against the government's ban on post-election rallies.
This year's election was turning into a bloody battle to control Italy. The CIA was involved using large sums of money to influence the outcome for the Christian party to keep communism out of Italy. Alex was instructed to watch and mingle.
That's when he discovered the Russian. According to Meg's information, he was a Russian killer, with a scam to entice fleeing war criminals in Paris to use his services to exit the country.
Alex had lost the trail of the German priest who was responsible for setting up the Vatican ratline. He had fled Rome, and if Alex's hunches were correct, the priest would surface, knowing an alternative source of transportation could be used to get him out of the country.
Other methods were closed due to the success of the international dragnet and the Nuremberg trials under the jurisdiction of the Allied-occupied powers.
However, the one that scared the shit out of the Nazi bastards was the Dachau tribunals. That was held exclusively by the United States Military inside the prison camp itself, to emphasize the moral depravity of the Nazi regime.
Nobody wanted to go back to that hellhole and face the facts of what they did.
He was pulled out from his thoughts when Kolya apparently accepted more drinks from one of the girls. He then shooed her away so he and his Italian guests could talk privately, while Alex listened from the water below.
* * *
TOMMASO HAD BEEN UP since early this morning and delivered a baby girl. Mother and daughter were doing well, and he needed a cafe and something to eat before opening his office for the day. He was starving. Usually, he would enjoy breakfasting with his wife Molly, but she and their son were visiting her parents in Scotland and wouldn't return until next week. It was hectic since she too was a doctor, and he was covering for her.
He walked across the Plaza from his office to a cafe where he could watch the front door if a patient showed up early. He was about to sit down when he smelled the Cappuccino and saw the Cannoli Crepes on the next table. The man who was about to enjoy them looked familiar.
"Charlie, is it, you, what are you doing here, fishing? Tommy said with surprise!"Alex paused when he looked up, racking his brains to remember everything.
"Tommy isn't it?" He said slipping into his Irish accent. “It's so good to see you, please join me now.” He said standing and offering his hand.
Alex remembered the doctor. The last time they were together was during the war in Ireland both staying at the White Horse Inn.
He knew now that Tommy was also Sue Lee's lover during her years at the University he came over from Italy to attend medical school in San Francisco. Nevertheless, Alex considered him a friend but continued using his undercover persona. Perhaps, the Doctor's knowledge about the area could be useful?
His covert underwater operation last night didn't yield as much information as he hoped for. He needed to know the location of their headquarters.
"What brings you to our village, Charlie? The last time we were together was at the Inn, and you heroically removed an obnoxious person. Kathleen, I'm sure, was euphoric to see him limp out. If you decided to do that again, my surgery is right across the plaza.” Tommy said, laughing as he sat down.
"It was a lucky break for me! Alex said, laughing with him!"
"I don't think so. That kick to the back of the knee was precisely placed by a very well trained individual, wouldn't you agree Alex?"
Alex's eyebrows furrowed as he looked across the table with distrust.
"Hold on now, let me explain. Tommy said, showing his empty hands. John Okada from Bodega and Dr. Danny Mc Gregor and I exchange letters. I was the attending surgeon on the Hospital Ship Elsie, helping Danny. Both men have met you, and John was very impressed with your artistic talents. You attended a birthday party for Sue Lee and brought her a portrait you painted of her. I'm so glad she has found someone, but knowing her; I bet it's on her terms," Tommy said laughing again!
Alex smiled—he liked this man. He was so honest and straightforward. That thought made him pause, perhaps, he shouldn't use him. It could backfire and put the kind doctor in danger.
"I know your wife also worked as a doctor on the same ship. Is she still in the medical profession?" Alex asked needing time to think.
"Yes, we share the surgery. Tommy said, looking across the plaza. Right now, I'm running it alone. Molly is on Holiday with our son in Scotland to meet his grandparents. Oh, blast. It's Signora Marino. She's my wife's patient, a terrible hypochondriac. Her husband is our miller. They used to live on the farm, close to the grain mill, but now have a home in town by the harbor so she can see to her fantasy illnesses. Maybe if I duck, she won't see me!" Tommy said as he squished down in his chair.
Alex laughed and asked, how far away was the farm? It was a small city, and he was sure it was the grain miller, who was on the boat being entertained by the hookers provided by the Russian.
"It is not far, uphill on the main route, leaving town, first turn to the right past the grain mill. Too costly to maintain both after the war, but I heard they have leased it. Oh, she saw me.” The well-dressed madam was waving her hand at the doctor. “Please excuse me Alex, or if you prefer, Charlie, he said softly. I must go, but if you are staying over, I'm free for dinner and eating out. I can't stand my own cooking. If you can, meet me at Franco's at Seven, it's around the corner on your left." He said, pointing before turning and waving back to Signora Marino.
"I'll be there Tommy, top of the morning to you old son!"
Tommy waved a good-bye shouting, "See you then Charlie!"
Alex sat back watching as he crossed the Plaza, congratulating himself on his luck. He changed his thoughts and recalled what he knew about Tommaso. He was not only an excellent doctor but one hell of a brave one.
According to Danny Mc Gregor, Tommy boarded a German Submarine to save the Captain's life. There were no official records of this or of him serving on the ship Elsie.
His friend Danny needed another surgeon and smuggled him onto the hospital ship.
He quickly became a favorite on the ship, and the captain and crew protected his identity.
Tommy had a practice here in Genoa when Mussolini ordered doctors into the military. He refused to serve under the Mussolini regime and left Italy. Tommy was considered a deserter by a fascist mayor who took up with his wife and added a bounty for his capture. Alex smiled, “Divorce Italian style.”
He signaled his waiter and order another Cappuccino and a platter of Cannoli Crepes to be sent over to Dr. Donati's office before leaving to drive up the hill.