Secret Invasion

By Jack B Patton

A German agent in South America sends a detailed report of a plot that might have succeeded—if an American Special Agent hadn't been honeymooning in those parts

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pattonstones Digitals
• Release date: Sep 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223506591

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A German agent in South America sends a detailed report of a plot that might have succeeded—if an American Special Agent hadn’t been honeymooning in those parts

CHAPTER I

FEVER SPOT IN SAN RICO

––––––––

FROM: Otto Brant, Hotel Bolivar, Boca Vista, Republic of San Rico.

To: Korvettenkapitan Jan Von Lieter, sekretariat fur Sud Amerika, Geheime-Staats-Polizei.

Subject: Report of special Nid at Boca Vista.

June 12 1941 (8:20 P.M.) Exzellenz: I break off the general account of our activities here to explain in detail the crisis that has arisen.

American secret agents have become active again, and I have been forced to take drastic measures. As you will see, our fever spot must have erupted quickly.

The situation until yesterday was this: The President of San Rico, Phillipo Y Bara, though friendly to the United States, had practically agreed to permit the establishment of an air line between Boca Vista and Callao, Peru. I had, as you know, incorporated the air line as a San Rican business, and appealed to his national pride. He had no way of knowing that German funds and planes were to be used. He did not know the commercial airdrome would be a German air base for eventual air attack on the Panama Canal. He did know that the commercial planes could be quickly converted to bombers but I told him this was necessary for the defense of San Rico.

This morning I was summoned to the presidential palace. This was not unusual; as a supposed refugee from the Spanish Loyalist Army, I had, under the name of Juan Matista, become colonel-instructor of artillery in the San Rican army. I had cultivated the president, tried to gain his utter confidence.

But as I entered his presence I saw something was amiss. Ordinarily, he is a chubby, fat, laughing man; jealous of his power but susceptible to flattery. Now he scowled and looked furious.

Are you certain your name is Juan Matista? he said coldly.

It was not difficult to act the astonishment I felt. Who had been talking to him?

But you know I am, Your Excellency, I said, bewildered.

He ignored this. Is it true, he went on, that German capital promotes this airline you wish? Will German planes be used? German equipment on the airdrome ?

He had been talked to.

True, Your Excellency, I nodded. "But only because of the most favorable terms. Not a centimo of money do we put up. They take coffee and cotton in trade. The Yanquis ask for four million pesos in cash—and you have said the treasury is low."

His anger faded. He got up from his desk. Suddenly he was no longer subtle.

I have reason to believe you are a German agent, he suddenly shot at me.

How could he have learned this? And when?

Your Excellency, I cried, this is monstrous. A man who has shed his blood for democracy and freedom to be so accused—who has told you such lies?

Are they lies? he muttered.

"Senor President, I said, you have a complete record of my life. Cable to General Franco—and learn what price he has placed on my head. I led the Tarronga Wing of the Loyalist Air Force. It is only natural that I wish to fly again. I have taken out citizenship papers in San Rico. You have no more loyal citizen than I. Refuse permission to establish the airline if you will—but do not malign my honor. You are too great a gentleman for that."

He smiled, moved by the compliment.

It is, perhaps, that they are wrong, he finally said. But with German activity on this continent so persistent, one must not take risks.

Who has told you this? I asked.

He shook his head. That does not matter. Only I say this, amigo. For the time being, we will say no more about the airline. After this affair in Europe has righted itself—then we shall see.

He smiled and held out his hand. "My Coronel, if I have suspected you falsely, believe me I shall be the first to make amends."

I shook his hand. If you remain my friend, nothing else matters, I told him.

***

ON THE way out I encountered General Miguel Callimayo and signaled him I wished to see him immediately. Instant action is imperative. With matters in Europe as they are, and your memorandum to me from the General Staff control of San Rico is vital to our whole South American project.

General Callimayo came to the Plaza Obregon and we sat down in the Nationale for coffee. He is a thin, dark, restless man, eaten with ambition for power. He is our man because I promised he shall be the next president.

"What has happened to El Presidente?" I asked. ;

"The cursed Americanos, he rejoined. Last night, in his bedroom, he received an American agent. His name is Paul Bolton. He is presumably a tourist staying at the Hotel Bolivar. The Americanos intend to keep in power a regime friendly to them."

He paused, looked at me with slitted eyes. "You got rid of five other American agents. Waste no time in getting rid of this one. He knows a lot.