21

Coney Island

Coney Island isn’t all just one big amusement park and resort community, but it could seem that way, even in the year 1919, especially for the many families visiting its attractions every day. Or if you were trying to puzzle out where a criminal might hide. The fact that most of the crowd gathered in the amusement area acted like a beacon to Agent Harris as she led the way across the bridge and onto the island.

“Claire,” she asked the reporter, “of all the places on Coney Island, which one receives the most visitors? Has the most attractions?”

“Oh, that’s easy,” Claire replied. “Steeplechase Park. But there’s also the Coney Island beach, a couple of smaller parks based around some carousels, a couple of coasters . . . but Steeplechase would be the most crowded. There’s the Pavilion of Fun, the parachute drop, the outdoor pool, the horse race‍—‍”

“I didn’t know they had horses on Coney Island,” Professor Stein interjected.

“Silly.” Claire smiled back. “Wooden horses on metal tracks. You ride them, kind of like a coaster. At any rate, there’d be any number of places that one could hide. Too many to count.”

“Then that’s where we head to,” Agent Harris decided.

“Agreed,” Agent Hessman stated. “Miss Hill, you’re far more familiar with this territory than any of us; lead on.”

Through the surging crowd she led them, Agent Harris a step behind to make sure Claire didn’t get too far ahead of anyone else, though the reporter seemed willing to keep to whatever pace Professor Stein decided to set. This earned a look between Agents Hessman and Harris but nothing more said. They saw the rides in the nearing distance, joyful crowds pushing along from one attraction to another, and any number of visual treats to greet them as they entered the park with the flow of bodies.

“I’ll admit,” Dr. Weiss said aside to Lieutenant Phelps, “even in 1919 this place is pretty spectacular.”

“I just keep my mind on business,” the lieutenant replied. “You should do the same.”

“Oh, of course, but that’s no reason why we can’t‍—what’s that over there?”

While Dr. Weiss scurried over to investigate a nearby booth, Agents Harris and Hessman conversed in low tones. “Just wish we could do some sort of facial-recognition scan through these crowds,” Agent Hessman said. “I have pictures of all potential Japanese and German team members.”

“I’ve seen the list,” Agent Harris replied. “And made a point of memorizing the pictures just in case . . . Over there, eleven o’clock. The guy in the blue fedora. I need a confirmation.”

Discreetly Agent Hessman pulled out his small pocket computer, Harris using her body to shield it from view as he scrolled through the stored pictures for a visual comparison. In only a few moments he gave a confirmation. “One of the Germans,” he stated. “Let’s keep this discreet. He may not have spotted us yet.”

They quickened their pace, and when the rest saw them do so, they likewise walked a bit faster. Seeing everyone starting to move off, Dr. Weiss jogged back over to rejoin them, a half-eaten hotdog in one hand. He came up to the other side of Professor Stein with a big grin on his face. “I just got a hotdog.” He beamed.

“Not into them much myself,” Professor Stein shrugged.

“A Nathan’s hotdog,” Dr. Weiss continued.

“I still don’t—”

“From Nathan.”

Professor Stein was about to verbally brush him off again, but then caught the meaning of what Weiss had said. He shot a glance over to the booth from where his friend had just come, and returned a wide-eyed look to Dr. Weiss. Dr. Weiss simply nodded and smiled in response, and took another bite of his hotdog.

“I don’t understand what the fuss is,” Claire remarked.

“You’d have to be there,” Professor Stein answered. “Which I guess we are.”

Harris and Hessman led them through tightly packed crowds, moving more rapidly across an open patch to catch up with the German. Suddenly Agent Harris led them into an abrupt change of course, cursing under her breath.

“What is it?” Agent Hessman asked as he, too, increased his pace.

“The guy spotted us. And he’s only one person making his way through this mess, while we’re seven.”

Seeing what Agent Harris was doing, Lieutenant Phelps ushered the others along more rapidly, sometimes with a look and other times with a hard palm to the shoulder if necessary. First Agent Harris led them through thickening crowds, struggling to keep the German within sight. But the task was not easy, considering the crowd and the general bedlam of the area. Twice they almost got caught in a line for one of the Ferris wheels, once nearly pushed in the direction of the Steeplechase horse ride, and were nearly to the beach itself when Agent Hessman pulled them all aside.

“All eyes alert,” he said to the rest. “Sue, where’d he go?”

Agent Harris gave another look around and admitted defeat. “Lost him. Too many faces around here.”

“What we need is a better vantage point,” Agent Hessman decided. He scanned his surroundings, and as his gaze alighted on one of the rides, he grinned. “Sue, think a Ferris wheel would do the trick?”

Agent Harris looked over to where he was indicating then answered with a nod. “That should do the trick, all right.”

“Then it’s you and Ben topside on that thing while the rest of us stay down here. David, on perimeter; Sam and Robert, stay close; Claire‍—‍”

“First, that’s the Wonder Wheel,” she explained, “and second, I’m going up there too. If Mister University Professor can go up in that thing, then I can too. Besides, I know the layout of this place better than you guys do. I might be able to spot something.”

“Okay, no time for argument,” Agent Hessman decided. “Sue, Ben, and Claire, get up on that thing. The rest of us will wait around the base.”

“If we spot anything, we’ll wave our arms or something,” Professor Stein said.

“No, that might alert the other guys,” Agent Hessman replied. “We’ll keep an eye on you, just nothing too overt. Sue, just pay for the tickets like anyone else; nothing to attract attention.”

“Barging up a Ferris wheel gets tricky anyway,” she replied.

“You know this from personal experience?” Claire asked.

Agent Harris said nothing, just motioned to the pair. “Okay, come on you two.”

While they got into the ticket line, Lieutenant Phelps kept an eye on their perimeter as the others stayed to one section of the observation railing, pretending to ooh and ahh along with the other spectators. When it came their turn, Agent Harris stuffed a couple of coins into the attendant’s hand, then, in response to the puzzled look he gave her and the other two passengers, spat out a quick explanation. “Takes his maid with him everywhere.”

Then, stepping in after her, Professor Stein added, “Hard to find good help, you know.”

The three were waved on while a confused attendant promptly shook his head and continued on about his job.

“Well,” Claire said once they were secured and slowly rotated up one position, “nice of you to take on the position of maid for the mission.”

“Who says I was talking about me?” Agent Harris replied. “I was referring to you. Not my fault the guy didn’t inquire any further.”

“Me as the maid? But that would mean that you and Ben have the roles of‍—how would that even work? No one would believe that‍—no, there’s just something not quite right about that.”

Agent Harris grinned.

“I think you broke her,” Professor Stein remarked.

“No, you just caught me by surprise,” Claire replied. “I’d never considered‍—are you?”

As the ride lifted up another position, Agent Harris couldn’t help but chuckle.

“She’s just joking, Claire,” Professor Stein told her. “It’s as I said before: I don’t have anyone. No matter what her race.”

“Yes, I . . . sorry, I thought I was open-minded and liberated, but you caught me short with that one.”

“Simply typical of the time period,” Professor Stein said with an eye to Agent Harris.

“Enough fun and games,” Agent Harris said after a moment. “Keep your eyes peeled. We were after a German, but that doesn’t mean the Japanese aren’t someplace around here as well.”

By degrees their bench made it to the top as the ride filled in, pausing long enough for a good look around, but also long enough for a recovered Claire to corner Professor Stein with a few more questions. “Since you can’t run out on me now, how about you tell me which university you teach out of. I might have some contacts there I could check up on you through. Unless of course you’re afraid I might discover something unusual.”

“You don’t believe I’m a professor?”

“Oh, you are. But I’ve noted that you’ve avoided stating which university you’re from, which in itself is a little unusual. Most people take a certain amount of pompous pride in stating which prestigious university they’re out of; in fact, you can’t shut them up about it. But you’ve said nothing, which as I said I find . . . curious. Or maybe you’d care to tell me where you grew up? Give me some good hometown stories for background on the article I’ll write.”

“Well I . . . it’s a little town I’m sure you’re never heard of.”

“Try me.”

“And as far as which university . . . for the same reason why we, uh, don’t use last names‍—you know, for security and all‍—that is, we‍—‍”

“There,” Agent Harris suddenly cut in.

“Oh, thank God,” Professor Stein breathed out.

“One of the Germans,” Agent Harris said. “Or at least he’s a close enough match to one of the dossiers. The one in the brown fedora trying painfully hard to look normal.”

“You’re right,” Claire agreed when she caught sight of the one Agent Harris was pointing at. “Who wears a hat standing in line for a ride like this? But what’s he doing?”

The ride started into full motion as the three peered closely, bringing them down from the aerial view just as the German was pushing his way through the crowd in the direction of the same Wonder Wheel they rode upon. When they passed by ground level on their first rotation, Agent Harris shouted out to Agent Hessman and the others, “Spotted one of the Germans!”

Agent Hessman’s response was lost to the winds as the wheel brought them around and back up into the sky, soon hovering briefly above it all once again.

“There.” Claire was the first to see. “But he’s stopped and taking something small out of his pocket. I can’t see what it is.”

“I don’t need to,” Agent Harris suddenly realized. “Anyone else in his line of sight?”

“Just . . . our people,” Professor Stein said.

After a brief exchange of looks, three voices shouted as the wheel brought them down through another rotation.

“Lou,” Professor Stein shouted, “the man has a gun.”

“He’s coming for you!” Claire exclaimed.

Agent Harris kept it more basic. She made a motion with her right hand as if working a pistol, while using her other hand to gesture desperately off into the crowd behind them. “Enemy!” she screamed.

The giant wheel was again passing by ground level when at least one of the others caught enough of what the riders were saying to act. Lieutenant Phelps spun around, eyes searching the crowd, then spotted the man holding up both hands tight around something small and gun-like. He performed a flying tackle, arms spread wide to include both Agent Hessman and Dr. Weiss, as a sharp snap of thunder sounded out.

The giant wheel once again brought the three back up into the air, away from the scene of sudden shouting and screaming. Up to the height for a new view, this time they saw one man running away from the scene while Lieutenant Phelps lay unmoving atop Hessman and Weiss.

“David!” Agent Harris shouted.

“Oh my God, I think he was shot,” Professor Stein said.

“I don’t know what type of gun that guy used, but it looks like the entire back half of David’s head just got blown off.” Claire’s voice wavered as she made the declaration.

Below them the surrounding people were screaming and working themselves up into a good stampede, while those on the Wonder Wheel were demanding to be let off before the shooter might take aim at their own helpless positions. The giant wheel stopped its stately turning and resumed its slow staccato rhythm as passengers disembarked one bench at a time.

By the time the three finally hit the ground running, it was all over but for the prayers. They were greeted by a hand each from Agent Hessman to Harris and Stein and some quiet words.

“Phelps is dead. Sue, did you see—”

“This way, and I got first dibs!” She ran off into the crowd, not waiting to see who was following. Agent Hessman was the first behind her, while Dr. Weiss stood over the fallen man and said a quick prayer. A stunned Professor Stein walked over to see for himself, then simply stood there looking. Captain Beck was squatting beside the body, searching for something in the man’s jacket.

“He saved me and Lou,” Dr. Weiss quietly stated.

“We . . . saw,” Professor Stein stammered. “I never thought that‍—‍”

With a hand still in the lieutenant’s jacket, Captain Beck looked up to address them. “You guys go on and get him. I’ll finish up here.”

“If . . . if I turn around,” Claire began, “you’re going to make him disappear just like the others.”

“This isn’t your story, Miss Hill,” Dr. Weiss gently told her, “save to say that a hero died protecting his charges and there was nothing that you or anyone else could do to change it at the time. Now I suggest we get moving before Lou and Sue lose us in the crowd.”

“Uh, right,” Professor Stein replied. “I saw where he ran to as well. I . . . Goodbye, David.”

After a last look and a quick breath, he turned and ran off, Claire and Dr. Weiss fast on his heels. Captain Beck waited until the reporter was out of sight, and no one else looking, before he activated the beacon and backed away. He stayed only long enough to witness the body dissolve into an implosion of sparks, then joined in with the chase.