Chapter 18

The Delivery

 

The following day at Avenger Field, Mrs. Deaton handed Emily a locked briefcase containing some files that Jackie Cochran required immediately. Emily was to fly them to the Odlum Ranch in Palm Springs, California right away. Emily was more than happy to get out of the office and into an airplane once again. Mrs. Deaton told her to take the AT-6 Texan, as it was the only aircraft available to them at this time. Emily was surprised when she noticed that the AT-6 Texan had a radio was installed in it.

Emily was familiar with the route to the ranch as she had been there once before with some of the other pilots of the WASP for a dinner with Jackie.

Jackie was at the ranch convalescing after surgery at a nearby hospital.

Emily landed the aircraft near the hangar of the landing strip of the enormous property. A car with a chauffeur was waiting for her, who drove her to the gracious home of Jackie Cochran and Floyd Odlum.

 

AT-6 Texan

 

Emily knocked on the large front door of the impressive home. The housekeeper greeted Emily and escorted her into a beautifully decorated sitting room in shades of pale green with dusty rose accents.

Emily could not believe her eyes when she saw Moira sitting in a pale green wingback chair engaged in conversation with Jackie Cochran. Emily actually felt her jaw drop, but quickly recovered so no one would notice. Emily had not seen Moira in over a year. The last she heard, Moira was towing targets for the anti-aircraft firing practice in Ohio.

Jackie smiled at Emily as she asked her to sit down. Emily handed the briefcase to Jackie, who thanked her for delivering it to her on such short notice. Emily nodded at Moira saying hello as she sat on identical wingback chair across from her.

Jackie seemed as though she was recovering nicely from her operation. She looked immaculate as always in a perfectly fitted dark magenta dress and jacket with black medium-heeled shoes.

They all enjoyed refreshments as they chatted about topics in general and of course the war. All the time they chatted, Emily could not help wondering why Moira was there at the ranch. It never came up during the course of the conversation.

Finally, Jackie turned to Emily saying, “I would like you to fly Moira to Washington tomorrow; she had already informed Mrs. Deaton that Emily would not return to base for several days. I would do it myself, but I am not quite up to flying yet.”

“Of course,” replied Emily. Now things were really getting interesting. Why was Moira going to Washington? Jackie did not say why, and Emily knew better than to ask any questions.

Jackie continued, “We will all have dinner here tonight and then tomorrow morning you will leave for Washington.”

That was all she said, no explanation at all. It all sounded very mysterious to Emily, she was dying to find out what was going on.

They enjoyed a wonderful roast beef dinner with a glass of wine as they carried on polite mealtime conversation, but nothing interesting such as why Moira was going to Washington.

They retired to their rooms where they found all the necessary items such as towels, soap, shampoo, and nightclothes supplied for them. Emily had a difficult time falling asleep as her curiosity was getting the best of her. She thought about knocking on Moira’s door to ask some questions about her trip to Washington, but she decided to wait until they were alone in the airplane the next day. It seemed very secretive to Emily, but at the same time, Jackie was making it sound unimportant.

Jackie took Emily aside before Moira came down for breakfast saying, “Emily, I am a good judge of character, so I know I can trust you to keep quiet about this flight to Washington with Moira.”

Emily replied, “You can count on me not to mention a word about it.”

After a delicious breakfast and a farewell to Jackie, the chauffeur drove Emily and Moira out to the runway. They boarded the aircraft and took off toward Washington DC.

Moira climbed in the rear seat of the AT-6 Texan and Emily climbed into the pilot’s seat. She hooked up the two-way radio so they could talk on the way to Washington. Emily tried to think of a subtle way to ask Moira why she was going to Washington, but she gave up and just blurted out the question. “So, what is your visit to Washington all about?”

Moira sat in silence, looking straight ahead, not knowing how to respond. She trusted Emily; she was a good friend during training at Avenger Field. She was the only person in their bay who took an interest in Moira and talked to her on a personal level. She also spent time helping Moira on Saturday afternoons about mechanical problems with an engine, when everyone else had gone to the lake for a picnic. Moira felt that she would not have passed that part of the course without Emily’s help.

Finally, she answered, “I am needed as a translator because I am fluent in German.”

Oh, thought Emily now we are getting somewhere, but she wanted to know more.

“So, you will be working in the Pentagon?” asked Emily nonchalantly as though she was not interested at all.

“Well,” replied Moira reluctantly, I am actually going to England to work with an organization there.

Right away, Emily’s brain went into overdrive. The words field agent, spy, espionage flashed through her mind. She tried not to sound too excited or interested. No, she thought, that is ridiculous, Moira was not a spy, but then she thought again. Moira was fluent in German and she remembered Moira told her that she could also speak French as well as a few other languages that Emily could not remember. Moira would blend in with the people in the cities of Germany; she was a perfect candidate for espionage. Emily now began to worry about the safety of Moira; spying was a very dangerous occupation. She hoped that she was just fantasizing about the whole thing, blowing it out of proportion.

“That sounds exciting,” said Emily trying to sound more enthused than worried, which was how she really felt.

“No not really,” replied Moira modestly. I am just doing what I can to help win the war. Germany has changed for the worst, thanks to that lunatic Hitler. I would like to see my country return to the way it was before he took over.

Emily did not say anything, but she doubted that it was possible for Germany to return to the way it was before Hitler brainwashed everyone into his way of thinking. Too much damage had occurred; he had poisoned the minds of the people with hatred for the Jews.

“It is very dangerous in England right now,” said Emily. “Hitler is launching unmanned small aircraft that drop and explode like a bomb on innocent people all over England. The newspaper referred to them as ‘Buzz Bombs’.”

“Yes,” replied Moira. It is dangerous everywhere. We all have to do what we can to put a stop to it.”

Emily asked nervously, “Moira, will your life be in danger on this assignment?”

“No more than anyone else’s life, such as the pilots or soldiers who put their lives on the line every day.”

Now Emily was certain what Moira was going to do. Emily asked, “Moira, you don’t have to answer, but will you be going into enemy territory for a secret mission?”

Moira stared straight ahead with a look of determination on her face. She was committed and focused on doing what was required of her. Emily was sure that Moira would not answer any more questions. Moira had probably told her too much already.

Emily felt excitement for Moira, but at the same time, she feared for her life. The only worse scenario was if the Nazis captured and tortured her. It sent a shudder through Emily’s body.

Emily tried to re-assure herself that Moira was a perfect spy. Who would suspect such a quiet ordinary looking woman who spoke perfect German?

It was a long flight from Palm Springs to Washington at 210 mph in the AT-6. They would RON at the halfway point; the aircraft would also need re-fueling several times along the way.

Finally, they approached Washington; the tower cleared Emily to land. As Moira climbed down from the aircraft, Emily said, “Moira, I hope we can get together after this war is over. The pilots from our bay made a promise to organize a WASP reunion for our graduating class; I’d like to see you there.”

Moira turned to look at Emily, nodded, smiled, and walked toward a black automobile that awaited her. She turned to Emily before she slid inside the back seat, smiled and waved.

Emily waved back as she said a silent prayer for Moira, she wondered if she would ever see her again.