Read Online Istanbul Express by T. Davis Bunn - Free Book Online

major said you won the Silver Star and the Croix de Guerre, had that one pinned on by DeGaulle himself, I guess that’s true too, sir?”
    Jake started to brush off the admiration, then found himself staring into those clear gray eyes and wondering if perhaps he had found himself an unexpected ally. “Do you know this Mrs. Ecevit personally?”
    â€œOh yes, sir.” The Marine bounced to full attention at the chance to offer more than polite chitchat. “I’ve been here almost a year now. I guess I know everybody, at least enough to say hello.”
    â€œWhat can you tell me about her?”
    â€œShe’s a real firecracker, sir.” The grin was hard to keep trapped, even at attention. “Sharp as a tack, too. I’ve seen her lay into that Ahmet fellow right back there in the corridor, peel skin from bone better than my drill sergeant back on Parris Island.”
    â€œShe did?” The woman’s stock just shot up. “You know why?”
    â€œNo, but I can guess. She doesn’t have time for pencil pushers and official sneaks, sir.”
    â€œShe doesn’t.”
    â€œNot a second.” A glance around the empty hall, then, “A guy who keeps his eyes open can see a lot from here, sir. That Ahmet’s always scampering around, sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong, sucking up to the guys with perks and power.”
    â€œI’ve noticed.”
    â€œSure, I mean, yessir. Anyway, I imagine he tried it once too often with the lady, and she proceeded to blister his hide.” A flicker of movement out of the corner, and the Marine snapped to rigid alert, finished with a crisp, “Sir.”
    A deeper voice said, “Can I help you with anything, Colonel?”
    Jake turned to face the guard sergeant, a stern-faced leatherneck with four rows of campaign ribbons. Jake nodded a greeting. “Just getting to know one of your men a little. Hope that’s all right.”
    â€œLong as he sticks to his duty, I suppose it’s okay, sir.”
    â€œThank you,” Jake said, playing at ease. “What’s your name, Sergeant?”
    â€œAdams, sir.” A half-made salute, just enough in the gesture and the eyes to let Jake know he was not going to curry favor with anyone. He was far beyond either the need or the desire.
    Jake decided it was worth meeting the man head on. He glanced down at the ribbons, found two he recognized. “You were at Anzio?”
    â€œThat’s right.” The gaze sharpened. “What about you?”
    Jake shook his head. “Came ashore at Syracuse. Met some of your group outside Naples. Tough assignment.”
    â€œYeah, ain’t they all?” The rigid reserve relaxed a notch. “There’s been a French officer around here this morning, you catch his name, Bailey?”
    â€œMajor Servais, sir.” The young Marine officer bit off the words.
    â€œThat’s the one. He had some pretty interesting tales to tell, Colonel. Any of ’em true?”
    â€œOld war stories grow like fish caught yesterday,” Jake replied. “They get bigger with each telling.”
    The measuring gaze granted him a hint of approval. “Now, ain’t that the truth.”
    Jake decided it was time to plant a seed. He leaned over the guardpost barrier, said quietly, “You soldiers know what it means to be a duck out of water?”
    Within the sergeant’s steely gaze appeared a glinting blade of humor. “We’re here, ain’t we?”
    â€œI’ve been pulled from garrison duty at Badenburg, given a grand total of three weeks’ training,” Jake said, stretching the truth a mite, “then thrown out here and told to do the impossible.”
    The sergeant glanced at the Marine. “Sounds just like the corps, don’t it, Bailey?”
    â€œSure does, Sarge.”
    â€œWhat’s your first name, Corporal?” Jake demanded.
    â€œSamuel. Samuel