Chapter 30

Crooked. That’s how numerous senior officers spanning almost every service branch view Hutton. I hadn’t been working at MI9 a week before he informed me of this in a tone more boastful than offended. Apparently, his tendency to discard regulations and protocols ruffles the feathers of some, while a few have even denounced his initiative to use the guise of charities to send rigged packages to POWs, calling it ungentlemanly and “a scoundrel’s form of cheating.”

Personally, I’ve considered the latter opinion ridiculous and his bureaucratic infractions worthwhile. And yet, in his office come morning, I can’t help but review what I know of the man and his trickery.

As we stand at the toy table, he punctures one of my prototype tins and keeps time on his wristwatch. I could outright ask about his curious meeting, aware my impressions are likely absurd, but not without divulging my surveillance from the bushes.

Instead, throughout the can’s trickling, hissing, and bubbling, I steal glances at his desk. No new questionable parcels, just a pile of folders and manila envelopes holding varied documents. On the floor by his chair, his worn leather briefcase bulges with sample materials and notepads of ideas.

If I leafed through the pages, dug through the bag, would I find anything fishy?

“Well, well, would you look here.” Hutton is admiring the soup’s steam, having opened the outer and inner cans. He sips a spoonful, narrowing my attention to something sensible and known, and his face radiates with delight. “A bang-up job. Superb!”

I can’t help but smile. Although I expected him to approve, his validating words reinforce not only my pride but, more important, our collective mission.

“I should like an additional dozen,” he declares, “by this afternoon.”

As in hours from now? “Major, I’ll gladly put the order right in, but the cannery manager did say it will be days yet before they’re able to make more.”

“Days? No, no, no.” He waggles the spoon. “That won’t do. I shall handle the cannery. And you will plan to retrieve them the moment they are produced. Agreed?”

I’ve barely had time to answer when he sets down the can and charges on.