*
Within hours Gus was given new orders and a
travel warrant for a flight leaving for Port Moresby the following
afternoon. By late morning he had his work up to date and was ready
to go. The office staff asked him to join them for a farewell lunch
but he declined and they went off to the canteen without him.
Gus tapped on Hunter’s door and told him he
was leaving for the airport. Hunter was busy wading though a pile
of paperwork which had accumulated during his absence overseas. He
just mumbled something but didn’t look up from his desk. Gus turned
on his heel and left. As he walked out the main office door, a
middle-aged civilian in a drab grey business suit was just coming
in.
‘My name is Phelps,’ the civilian
announced in a loud officious voice. ‘I’m with the Commonwealth
Immigration Department. Please direct me to Major Hunter. He
is
expecting me.’
Gus led the visitor back inside and pointed
to Hunter’s open door, then turned to leave again.
‘Major Hunter, how good of you to see me
concerning Captain Rivers on such short notice,’ Phelps said as he
entered the major’s office.
Gus stopped in his tracks as Phelp's loud
voice carried across the general office. He turned, and seeing
Hunter’s door had been left slightly ajar, quietly walked back to
his desk and pretended to be doing something. From where he stood
he could plainly hear what was being said in the private
office.
‘Normally, in the case of a serviceman, we
discuss the applicant’s general suitability and his service record
with his commanding officer,’ Phelps said. ‘However, in Captain
Rivers’ case, that hasn’t been possible because he’s no longer
attached to a specific unit. So we spoke to Army Air Corps
Personnel and they suggested we contact this office because you
supplied all the captain’s personal details and background when he
was hospitalized. We’ve been waiting for you to return from
overseas so we can finalize his file.’
Gus took a couple of steps closer to Hunter’s
door.
‘You’ve come to the right place, Mr Phelps,’
he heard Hunter say. ‘Captain Rivers’ is well known here. Now what
exactly can I do for you?’
‘My visit is just a formality, Major. The
Commonwealth Government is now making plans to relax it’s stringent
immigration policy and throw Australia’s doors wide open to massive
migration after the war. We are particularly interested in skilled
and professional people. Now, Captain Rivers has stated on his
application that he wishes to start a construction business here
eventually. As a graduate engineer, it seems that he is
exceptionally well qualified. He also states that he intends
marrying an Australian citizen. We consider his type of application
to be the cream of the crop. We understand he is to be discharged
from the service very soon. All we need to finalize his application
is written confirmation from yourself that he has an exemplary
service record.’
‘Captain Rivers has served with distinction,
Mr Phelps,’ Hunter said generously, then added surreptitiously, ‘he
has been a credit to his people.’
‘How do you mean, Major? A credit to his
people.’
‘Captain Rivers was selected to take part in
United States Government assimilation initiative which gave
indigenous people the opportunity to obtain a tertiary
education.’
‘Indigenous people, Major?’ Gus heard a
distinct change in Phelps’ tone of voice.
‘He’s an Indian, Mr Phelps. A North American
Aborigine.’
For what seemed like a long time, no one
spoke inside Hunter’s office. Gus knew the Major had dealt Dan a
death blow. He edged a few steps closer to the door.
‘Captain Rivers stated his nationality as a
non-Afro-American on his application,’ Phelps said at last. ‘Being
a commissioned officer in the United States Armed Forces, it never
occurred to us that he wasn’t of European stock. I’m afraid this
changes everything. Under the White Australia Policy, his entry as
a permanent resident of this country is out of the question.’
Gus drew a deep breath, shook his head and
quietly slipped away.
*
‘Can I offer you a ride into town Ma’am?’
Faith turned her head quickly in the
direction of the familiar voice as she climbed down from her plane
at Archerfield airfield. Lyle Hunter stood on the tarmac smiling in
the late afternoon sun.
‘Lyle. What on earth are you doing back in
Australia so soon?’
He grinned, took her suitcase and kissed her
lightly on the cheek. ‘Couldn’t stay away from you, that’s
why.’
She smiled. ‘How did you know to meet me
here?
‘Welenski told me,’ Hunter said and steered
her in the direction of his car.
Faith’s smile faded. ‘Lyle, it’s all right
isn’t it? I mean about the warrants. He’s not in any trouble is
he?’
‘Heaven’s no. I’m glad he looked after you.
In fact, I thanked him personally before he left for New Guinea
yesterday.’
‘New Guinea?’
‘MacArthur’s advance HQ was after staff in
Port Moresby. I mentioned it to Gus. He jumped at the chance. His
replacement started today, a guy called Peterson. He looks like he
knows what he’s doing.’
‘He’ll have to,’ Faith said somberly. ‘He’s
got big shoes to fill.’
‘I thought you’d be away much longer,’ Faith
said when they reached the car. ‘When did you get back?’
‘Just a couple of days ago.’
‘How did it all go?’
‘Marvelous. The Pentagon is truly an amazing
place. It’s enormous, a city unto itself, with over twenty-thousand
people under one roof. I spent most of my time there but I was able
to get up to Albany for a few days to see my family.’
‘How are they?’
‘Everyone’s well. I told them all about
you.’
Faith turned to Lyle in surprise. Before she
could say anything, he reached and took her hand. ‘I missed you
terribly, Faith. Being away from you made me realize how much you
mean to me. That's why I came back as soon as I could.’
Faith took a deep breath. ‘Lyle we have to
talk…’
‘Yes, I know. I have so much to tell you.’ He
took his hand from hers and glanced at his wrist watch. ‘I’ve made
reservation at Lennon’s for dinner. It’s early yet, so we’ll have
time to have a couple of drinks first in the bar.’
It was still early when they entered the
restaurant at Lennon’s but already it was almost filled with
American officers. The maître d’ greeted Lyle warmly and personally
showed them to a secluded candle-lit table. A tall crystal vase
filled with red roses sat in the centre. Soft music from a
five-piece band filtered across the room
‘This is just lovely,’ Faith whispered into
Lyle’s ear as they sat down. She was always appreciative of his
thoughtfulness and attentiveness but on this occasion he seemed to
have excelled himself. ‘Are we to celebrate something special, this
evening?’
‘I hope so, Faith. I really hope so.’
She looked at him quizzically across the
table. He smiled back at her through the candle light but didn’t
elaborate.’
‘Tell me all about you’re trip,’ she said
‘It really was an eye-opener. I’ve only been
away eighteen months but the changes in the States are incredible.
At the start of our involvement in the war, we were caught
flat-footed, with an untrained Army and our Pacific fleet in
tatters. Winning this war is only a matter of time now. The
American war machine cannot be stopped. It’s as if a sleeping giant
has been awakened. Our factories are now producing literally
thousands of aircraft and tanks, hundreds of ships and scores of
aircraft carriers, while the enemy, with it’s limited natural
resources, is incapable of even replacing the military hardware
it's losing in battle.’
Lyle paused for a few moments while a waiter
set down drinks. ‘In Washington,’ he continued, ‘I saw the whole
picture. Here, we tend to think the main game is in the Pacific. Of
course it isn’t, we’re just one front in a worldwide war which
increasingly is being directed from the Pentagon. And it’s plain to
see that when it’s all over, there will be a new world order. The
United States will replace Great Britain as the world’s major
power.’
Lyle paused and took a swallow of
bourbon.
Faith said, ‘You’re beginning to sound like a
politician, not a soldier, Lyle.’
‘That’s what my father said when I was in
Albany. He was quite serious. He figures the best place for a good
public relations man is on Capitol Hill.’
‘My father always said the best place for
politicians was in the cemetery,’ Faith said.
Lyle laughed. ‘And he may well have been
right. But I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. I think I may
give it a try. My father has influential friends in New York and
Washington that could help pave the way for me.’
Faith smiled and took the swizzle-stick from
her gin and tonic. She held it towards Lyle like an interviewer
with a microphone ‘And when would you start this political career
of yours, Mr Hunter?’
‘
Right away, madam,’ he said into the
microphone in a deep pretentious voice.
Faith laughed and laid the swizzle-stick
down. Another waiter came to their table with menus and a wine
list.
‘How are you going to campaign when your
still in the Army and twelve-thousand miles away from Washington?’
Faith asked Lyle after he had ordered.
‘Being in the Army is all part of the plan.
I’m just in the wrong place.’ He glanced around the restaurant.
‘All the powerful high-ranking officers you see here are merely
doing the bidding of the Pentagon. That’s where the real power is.
When I was there, I saw ambitious young officers jockeying for a
piece of that power. I intend to join them. My tour of duty in
Australia ends in a few months. I’ve already applied for a
transfer.’
‘To the Pentagon?’
Lyle nodded his head enthusiastically. ‘When
America assumes world leadership after the war, a grateful nation
will look to the Army for leadership at the highest level. I fully
expect General MacArthur or General Eisenhower will become
president of the United States. And I’m sure well-connected and
politically-minded, young Ivy-Leaguers who have served their
country overseas and in the Pentagon, will be shoo-ins at the
polls.’ He smiled confidently. ‘The changeover from the military to
politics would be easy. After all, it’s only three miles from the
Pentagon to Capitol Hill.’
‘You seem to have everything worked out,
Lyle. Do you think you’ll get your transfer?’
‘I’m sure of it. With any luck I’ll be in
Washington in just a few months.’
‘Then that’s what we’re celebrating here
tonight, is it—your plans for the future?’
‘The Pentagon, Capitol Hill, that’s only part
of it Faith.’ He reached out and took her hand in his. None of it
would mean much without you. I want you to marry me. Will you?’
For a moment Faith was too surprised to say
anything.
‘I’ll look after you, Faith. I promise you’ll
never want for anything.’
‘Lyle…’ She struggled to find words ‘ I… I
didn’t expect this. I don’t know what to say.’
‘Then don’t say anything just now. Take all
the time you need. After all, marriage is forever and there’s so
much to consider. Moving to a new country, leaving everyone you
know behind and starting a new life.’
‘Lyle, I should tell you I went to Victoria
to see Dan Rivers.’
‘Yes, I suspected that. But you didn’t make
any commitments, did you?’
‘No. None were asked for and none were given.
That wasn’t the purpose of my trip. I went to Melbourne to visit an
old friend in hospital. ’
‘How is he?’
‘He’s made a good recovery and he’s looking
well. He’s being discharged soon, but he’ll need ongoing medical
attention.’
‘
Then he’ll be going home
soon?’
‘Yes, although he said he may stay in
Australia if he gets a clean bill of health from the hospital.’
‘And if he doesn’t?’
‘Then he’ll go back to New Mexico, I suppose.
Either way he said he’ll come up to Brisbane over Christmas.’
*
The veil of gloom which had hung over
the Sharkey household since the tragedy of the
Centaur
, seemed to lift a little when Faith
broached the subject of Dan staying at New Farm over the holiday
season. To Faith’s delight, Dick and Helen’s spirits were lifted at
the prospect of having a young man in the house again, if only for
a short time, and in the days that followed some of the atmosphere
reminiscent of when Mike had been alive returned to the family
home.
Dan had told Faith in a recent letter
that he would arrive a day or two before Christmas. Now, with the
holiday just a few days away and still with a hundred and one
things to do, Helen was up early, preparing to spend a full day in
the kitchen, baking. She was rolling pastry when Faith came into
the kitchen for breakfast before going off to work.
‘You’ll be able to have a few extra days off
when Dan’s here, won’t you?’ Helen said. She popped some toast
under the grill and poured Faith a cup of tea. ‘Even Dick’s getting
a extra day or two this year.’
‘I don’t think so, Aunt Helen.’ Faith said.
‘I’m going to be so busy at work. The other two girls in the office
are off for ten days from Christmas Eve and this Sergeant Peterson
who replaced Gus, spends more time chatting up females than
working. Anyway, he’s going to be off for a few days too.’
Helen laid a square of rolled pastry over the
pie dish and began trimming the edges. ‘What about Major Hunter?’
she asked without looking up. ‘How’s it going to be with him, you
know, having Dan here?’
Faith glanced cautiously at her aunt. Helen
avoided her eyes. Faith had told Helen how she had left things with
Dan in Melbourne and also about Lyle’s proposal of marriage. Even
though Helen didn’t much like Lyle Hunter, Faith knew her aunt
thought she had been unfair not giving him an answer one way or the
other. But the simple truth was that with so many variables in
Faith’s relationship with Dan she just wasn’t sure of what she
wanted herself. And Lyle wasn’t pressing her anyway. For some
reason he seemed confident she would come around in the end.