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Category:
Historical Fiction
Publisher: KDP
ISBN-10: B0DRRJ8S9C
Type: Fiction
Pages: 237
Copyright: dec 27, 2024
ISBN-13: 9798865681779
Price: $2.99 (eBook)
THINK: HIS GIRL FRIDAY MEETS THE RIGHT STUFF
Two powerful, enigmatical males vie for the affections of a beautiful redhead during the turbulent war years. Amid the creation of the Manhattan Project, a news radio station discovers the story of the decade.
J.D. McGinnis has known Grace Morgan all her life, it seems. Since she was a knob-kneed, skinny kid with an incurable crush on him. He is an enigmatical, deeply troubled, dishonorably discharged Fighter Pilot. The government now utilizes his unique abilities for Covert missions.
Grace Morgan’s spirit, determination and guile has always seen her through difficult situations. Her beauty and that fiery red moppet of hair hasn’t hurt either.
Grace, J.D. and an investigative reporter, who work for a news radio station... unearth startling truths which promise to exploit the story of the decade under the code name: The Manhattan Project.
An obstacle stands in their way. The powerful, enigmatic military genius Brig. General Thomas J. Ellis fell under Grace Morgan’s spell at first sight. He admired her spirit, determination and guile, not to mention her beauty and that glorious red hair.
But, he could not allow his pet project to become endangered even by such a seductive temptress. The very course of history would be changed by the decisions entrusted to him. He could not...he would not, allow it.
Excerpt
Even though Charles Edwards and J.D. McGinnis were out of the Service now for a while, granted...both men found themselves standing, coming to almost full military attention at the sight of the huge man strolling so arrogantly through the rolls and rolls of typing desks situated on the second-floor layout of the WCL Radio Enterprises building.
The two ex-servicemen exchanged oblique looks, one thought passing between them. This could not be a good thing.
Women’s heads turned, and all activity came to a slow but definite halt, the constant clatter of the hundreds of typewriters often deafening. The sudden silence was somewhat unnerving.
Edwards found himself tensing as the totally recognizable figure came directly before their position, pulling up his purposeful strides.
The clear blue eyes observed the reporter and his companion-like insect specimens under glass for a very long beat.
“So, you are the two troublemakers that have my Security Staff in such an uproar.” Brigadier General Thomas J. Ellis glanced about the crowded room, noting Grace Morgan across the way. “And ‘Baby’ makes three...” he crooked his beefy finger at the woman who smiled prettily for him and made her way saucily between the desks, instantly obeying his summons.
The General waited patiently for once, his Attaché close beside his large bulk.
The young Major was the strong, silent type. He never said much, but when he did...the General listened.
Edwards had made a study of the pair.
This was not the first time he had seen Brig. General Thomas J. Ellis. Or the young man who seemed permanently attached to the big man’s side.
Edwards had made a nuisance of himself of late, trying in vain to get a handle on some Intel coming out of the secretive arena with which Ellis surrounded himself.
“Ahh, Miss Morgan.” A faux smile was fixed on the ruggedly handsome face as Grace approached. “Our little Mata Hari arrives on the scene. And whom have you seduced today, one could wonder.”
The question seemed rhetorical, for Ellis didn’t wait for a reply before returning his attention to Edwards and McGinnis.
“Why, General...” Grace feigned confusion. “I’m sure I don’t know what you...”
“You know exactly what I mean and save it...” he shifted a no-nonsense gaze. “Your powers of supposed rectitude are lost on me, I assure you. I am not Enrico Fermi.”
“More’s the pity, General.” Grace smiled pleasantly.
Ellis let that one go.
“After your visit to 270 Broadway, I thought I should return the favor and come see for myself just why you guys are so interested, all of a sudden... in my business.”
“We’re a little confused, General,” Edwards spoke up. “There seems to be an inordinate amount of a substance referred to as Uranium 235 being systematically purchased by the United States Government. We were wondering ...why.”
“Why not.” Ellis shrugged his massive shoulders. “What business is it of yours? Or your Radio Station?”
“That’s what we are trying to ascertain.” McGinnis shrugged right back.
“You think your government is up to something sinister?” Ellis kept his tone low but not especially private, although, at this point, he did turn about, taking in the slack-jawed faces staring at the small gathering of folks surrounding him.
“...Ladies.” He smiled rather chillingly. “If you have work to attend to...please, do not let us keep you from it.” The typing commenced immediately.
Ellis turned back to the men...and Grace Morgan. He lifted noble brows.
Edwards knew the gesture well, reacting accordingly. “If you would care to find a more private spot?”
The General lifted his hand as if to say...lead the way, asshole. I don’t have all day to stand here and waste my valuable time.
The short trip ended in Edwards’ office. A small venue, to be sure, but Charles didn’t think Ellis would be staying all that long.
“What will it take for you boy-scouts to stop your invasive snooping?” The General wasted no time once inside the confides of the office. “I won’t insult you by offering a bribe. Such sterling types would scoff at such tactics, I’m given to understand.”
He glanced at the silent Major, who had followed along like an obedient puppy. “So... let’s cut to the chase. You are interfering in something that has unprecedented, world-wide significance. And... you shouldn’t be.”
“Tell us what’s going on,” Edwards stated quietly. “If it’s truly detrimental to the security of the country...we’ll back off.”
Ellis chuckled sarcastically. “Sure, you will.” He clearly doubted such veracity. “I could make your life very difficult, gentleman...do you believe that statement?”
Edwards shrugged. “Yeah.” He did. “But if there is something you’re holding back from the public of which they need to be made aware? One way or another...we will bring it to light.”
Ellis shifted a heavy sigh to his Second-In-Command. “Crusading Do-Gooders.” He shook his head sardonically. “God, spare me, hey, Major?”
“Yes, Sir.” the ‘Major’ concurred, his direct stare kind of off-putting to Edward’s way of thinking.
“We just want the truth.” The reporter stated his point of view.
“The truth, huh.” Ellis nodded amiably. “What about you, Miss Morgan...is that what you’re after as well? The truth?”
“Oh, no... General.” Grace batted her emerald eyes at the man. “I’m just in it for the raise a good story will get me.”
“At least, that motive, I can stomach,” Ellis said. “Major Hendricks here tells me you men are hard-headed, obstinate pragmatists whom he likens to a dog with a bone. He advises taking you into my confidence. I disagree with his optimism.
“I give you my word, General...if whatever is going on is averse to the safety and well-fair of John Q. Public, we will let them know, but if it somehow hurts the guys fighting over on the Lines...then...” Charles sought J.D. McGinnis’ approval, receiving it in the light grey-green eyes. “We will refrain from reporting until such a time...you deem it advisable we do so.”
“What about your contemporary here...Miss ‘I will do anything for a raise’?” Ellis hooked his thumb to Grace Morgan. Who stepped very close to the General, eyeing the array of medals on his broad chest.
“What is this big one for, General?” she lifted innocent eyes, having pointed out the selection.
“The size of my balls, Lady.” The man answered brusquely, which seemed to amuse the woman, who dimpled accordingly.
“That aside...” she demurred. “Whatever my boss tells me to do. I do it.”
“And... Elliot Learner. Will he agree to abide by whatever decision you Lug heads make?”
“He will if he doesn’t know about it.” McGinnis pointed out.
Ellis studied the two for an icy moment, his stare penetrating and imposing. “I’ll be in touch.”
He moved his large frame fluidly, maneuvering about the desk and chair in his way. “Morgan...with me.” He commanded.
Grace blinked, checking with the guys who discretely motioned to ‘obey’.
The Major preceded the General and, surprisingly...continued on down the long corridor while Ellis pulled up short, just out of hearing distance of the office he had just vacated.
“We need to chat.” The steely blue gaze sought Grace out.
“I love chats, General.” Grace seemed most happy to have the opportunity.
“You may not enjoy this one. You’ve been bothering my wife...and kids.”
“I wouldn’t say...bothering.” Grace was ‘bothered’ by such an accusation. “I interviewed them, yes.” She nodded. “Your son is a little charmer, by the way. Your daughter takes after her father. She is a very suspicious young lady, General.”
“She has cause to be.” He spoke. “Leave them alone. You have questions...come to the source.”
“You refused to see me.”
“I’m here now.” He motioned.
“So, you are.” Grace laced her fingers together, sighing happily. “Would you like some coffee?”
“Fuck the coffee...how did you find out about Operation Alsos?” his tone had sharpened.
“Oh...” Grace drew in a cleansing breath. “Well, it wasn’t easy, I can tell you. I was worn out after that rather trying day. I am given to understand that we still have little Intel on whether the Axis powers atomic research is progressing. Is that true?”
Ellis stared at her stonily.
“What do all those projects you have in the works have to do with Professor Fermi’s Chicago Lab?” she continued cheerfully. “Hanford and Oak Ridge...Los Alamos. California...Berkley, right?” Grace shook those long red locks, puzzling it all out. “So much construction and secrecy, General...why, it makes a girl wonder all sorts of odd things.”
“Fermi might have been fooled by your little Southern act, but...not me, Sweetheart.”
“He wasn’t fooled in the least; he was just sweeter about it.” Grace pooh-poohed the statement. “You’re not being sweet at all.” She pouted.
“Not known for my tact...” she was assured.
“No, you are not.” Grace pursed her full lips thoughtfully. “A ‘doer’, a ‘Driver’, a stickler for duty...demanding, critical, abrasive, sarcastic...extremely intelligent and has the guts to make difficult decisions. The most egotistical man alive...a real S.O.B.” Grace smiled ingratiatingly up at the enigmatical face. ”That...is what you are known for, Sir.”
“You forgot my charismatic good looks.”
She smiled sweetly for him alone. “That goes without saying, surely.”
He...smiled...finally. “You’re one hell of a liar, Grace.” He lifted impressed brows. “I may call you ‘Grace’...?”
“It’s your wife’s name.”
The smile disappeared.
“A gentle reminder that I am married?” He held up his finger, showing her the gold band. “This actually means something to me...although granted, my ‘wife’ might not answer the same way any longer.” He allowed his hand to drop to his side.
The blue eyes suddenly seemed a bit sad, suddenly. “Vows said for ‘better or worse.’ Didn’t promise a bed of roses, and God knows Grace hasn’t had it easy...I know that.”
“But you love her. Shame on you, General...for such a heartless thing.”
“We lost that commodity about ten years back.” He was brutally honest. “But she stands by me, and I stand by her.”
“When the going gets rough.” Grace understood such principles. She shared them with J.D. McGinnis.
“Yes...when the world shits on one of us...the other is there to wipe it off.”
“That’s nice, General.” Grace seemed sincere. “And a little romantic...even for you.” She was surprised.
He moved her further down the way, his hand on her arm. “Don’t get me wrong. I haven’t been celibate, neither has she, which is fine.” He stated matter-of-factly. “A woman is no different than a man in that aspect.”
“And you are telling me this...why?” Grace was mildly curious.
The man stared at her intently. “Why...do you think?”
“Because you don’t want to discuss the other stuff?” she took a shot.
“Stop fishing.” He suggested...strongly. “I’m attracted to you, as you well know. Despite your naïve attempts to convince me otherwise. Which has been your intent from the get-go.”
“How you paint me, General.” Grace managed a sad face.
“Consenting adults and all that shit...” he waved the issue aside. “I’m old enough to be your...discretely older brother.” He grinned down at her. “And if you’re in it simply for the information, so be it. I can live with that. I wanted to come by today and meet you...in the flesh, so to speak.”
His eyes wandered her form freely, but there wasn’t too much wrong with how he went about it. “I admire tenacity. You’ve shown it in spades. That you are one hell of a beautiful woman doesn’t hurt a man’s sense of propriety, either.”
“Have you been taking lessons from Professor Fermi?”
“That little Italian S.O.B. is the bane of my existence.” Ellis disdained.
Grace smiled. “He speaks so highly of you, Sir.”
“That’s a bunch of shit.” Ellis chuckled. “Not worried about what he thinks of me...” he reminded. “I’m going to fly out to Los Alamos. I’ll have the Major send for your little reporter buddies.” He crooked his head to the office behind them. “Come too, Grace. I want to show you my world. Think you might be interested?”
“I would, General.” She found it to be true. “I most certainly...would.”
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