Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins Read Free Book Online

you?’ Carter enquired.
    Cusak smiled. ‘I must admit it feels that way some days. He won't be long, sir. He has General Patton with him.’
    Carter moved out on the terrace, wondering what it was Eisenhower wanted to see him about. A further discussion of the Sicilian situation perhaps and, yet, what more was there to say? It was all decided. Within the next few weeks, the big battalions would roll, the invasion would take place and, an unknown quantity of dead men later, Sicily would be in Allied hands. The Germans had lost the war, so much was obvious, so why didn't everyone simply get off at the next stop?
    The door to Eisenhower's office opened and General George Patton walked across the hall. He wore field cap and heavy military greatcoat, his hands pushed deep into its pockets as if cold.
    As Carter moved out of the shadows, Patton paused. ‘Are you Carter?’
    ‘That's right, sir.’
    Patton stood there loking him over, a slight frown on his face. For a moment, it was as if he was about to speak; then he thought better of it, turned, and walked out without another word.
    The telephone buzzed, Cusak picked it up. ‘Yes, General?’ He smiled briefly at Carter. ‘He'll see you now, Major.’
    The room was dark, the only light the table lamp on the desk where Eisenhower sat working on a file in a haze of cigarette smoke. He glanced up as Carter entered and put down his pen.
    ‘You know, one thing they omitted to tell us when I was a cadet at West Point was the amount of paperwork that went into being Commander-in-Chief.’
    ‘If they did, maybe nobody would want the job, General.’
    ‘Exactly,’ Eisenhower grinned briefly and was then all business. ‘There's a Flying Fortress leaving Bone Airfield two hours from now, destination Prestwick in Scotland. From there, you'll fly straight on to Washington by the first available plane, Priority One. You should be there, with any luck, by early evening tomorrow. Captain Cusak will give you your documentation on the way out.’
    ‘I'm afraid I don't understand, sir.’
    ‘Of course you don't,’ Eisenhower replied. ‘You don't know what the hell I'm talking about so I'll tell you. I liked what you said about the Sicilian situation. It made sense, particularly the bit about this man Antonia Luca and the effect he could have on the campaign if he was found and brought in on our side.’
    ‘I see, sir.’
    ‘I've spoken on the matter to the President during our phone call earlier this evening. He agrees that anything that can help save the lives of our boys is worth trying. To that end, I want you to proceed to this penitentiary at Great Meadow to discuss further with Luciano the whole question of Mafia involvement in the invasion.’ He passed a buff envelope across. ‘There's your authority, in my name, to act in any way you see fit in this matter. It makes you answerable only to me and requires all personnel, military or civil, without distinction of rank, to assist you in any way you see fit. There will be a similar document waiting for you in Washington countersigned by the President.’
    Carter stared down at the envelope, bewildered. ‘To do what, General?’
    ‘How in the hell do I know?’ Eisenhower said. ‘Talk to the man. See what he has to say. Yank him right out of that damn prison if you have to. You've got the power. Now, are you going to use it or aren't you?’
    Carter, filled with an excitement he had not known in years, slipped the envelope into one of his tunic pockets and buttoned it carefully.
    ‘Oh, yes, sir.’
    ‘Good.’ Eisenhower nodded. ‘Another thing. I've arranged a promotion to full colonel for you. Only temporary, of course, but it should give you some extra muscle along the way.’
    He turned before Carter could reply and switched on a lamp that illuminated the map of Sicily. He stood looking at it for a while and spoke without turning round. ‘Are you surprised that I'm willing to have dealings with people like