Treason in the Secret City Read online

  Maybe I could get clearance to give a progress report to the chemists. Those defeatist attitudes I’d seen in the lab this week would vanish in the bright light of positive numbers. I’d probably be smacked down for even suggesting it, but I had to try.

  As usual when he wasn’t in a meeting, Charlie Morton, the head of the Analytic Chemistry department, left his office door wide open. I rapped my knuckles on the glass pane before stepping across the threshold.

  Charlie looked up from his desk, his smile contradicting the furrows on his brow. ‘Good news? Or another problem?’

  ‘Good news,’ I said, returning his smile.

  ‘I think I heard some hesitation in your response, Libby. I guess it’s not unadulterated good news.’

  Charlie and I had reached a fragile peace after his refusal to stand up for me earlier this year. After events turned in my favor, he seemed to want to decipher my thoughts and uncover my unspoken words. The way he studied me was unnerving at times. And he was usually right, just like he was now. Frankly, I wish I weren’t so easy to read.

  ‘Yes, Charlie, I do have two related concerns.’

  ‘Give me the good news first.’

  ‘My analysis of two recent samples put us at sixty and sixty-five percent respectively. And the quantity of product seems to be rising at the same rate as the quality.’

  ‘Excellent, Libby. But what’s bothering you?’

  ‘The first thing is a question I don’t believe you can answer but I will trust you enough to ask.’ I saw a look of protest on his face over my obvious doubts about his reaction but waved them away as if they were irrelevant. ‘I don’t know if the goal of ninety percent is a figure the military pulled out of a hat or if it is an essential quantity based on scientific research.’

  ‘You’re right, Libby, I can’t tell where the number originated, either. Even if I knew the answer to your question, I probably couldn’t tell you. But this time, I have no idea. But no one but the two of us will know that you asked. What’s your other concern?’

  ‘Morale, Charlie. There’s a negative mood in the lab – a sense of futility.’

  ‘Who’s the instigator?’

  ‘Charlie!’

  ‘Sorry I asked.’

  ‘We’re scientists, Charlie. It’s natural for all of us to want to find answers, but we’re working in a vacuum. We are betraying our basic character as scientists. We can’t evaluate data we don’t have. I want to tell the chemists about our progress. I’m certain it would restore hope.’

  Charlie was shaking his head before I finished the last sentence. ‘We can’t be totally open. You know that. We do that today, we’re gone tomorrow. And we might take some of the others with us.’

  My shoulders slumped and I turned away.

  ‘Wait, Libby. I’m not saying that you can tell them nothing.’

  I faced him again. ‘What are you telling me then?’

  ‘Let me think a minute …’

  ‘You want me to come back later?’

  ‘No. Just a minute,’ Charlie said as he closed his eyes and lowered his head.

  It seemed to me, at that moment, Charlie was trying to find a way to tell me not to say a thing to anyone without getting me angry. When he spoke, it wasn’t what I’d been expecting.

  ‘Okay, Libby, tell the chemists that we have had a substantial improvement in quality and quantity – just don’t give them any numbers. And tell them it’s not to be repeated outside of the lab. We don’t have any creeps in there, do we?’

  ‘Oh. I don’t think so, Charlie. But, although I can vouch with certainty for some of them, I can’t for everyone. Honestly, I think it’s worth the risk.’

  ‘Will that satisfy you?’

  ‘You know those guys. Most of them trust numbers more than words. Without precise information some of them won’t be happy, but hopefully enough of them will to make a difference to the overall attitude.’

  ‘If anyone is credible with that bunch out there, Libby, it’s you. Since Thanksgiving, you’ve been surprising them all in one way or another. Lieutenant Colonel Crenshaw might have ordered silence but some news spreads organically despite admonitions to the contrary.’

  It wasn’t exactly what I’d wanted, but I’d accept it. With the matter of Frannie Snowden hanging over my head, I needed all the friends I could get.

  SEVEN

  Tonight was our regular meeting of the Walking Molecules at Joe’s. I decided to unleash my news about our progress to the group first and then to the rest of the chemists the next day. I was also going to bring up the issue of exchanging our private information about next-of-kin, as well as the Frannie Snowden dilemma; it was this which required good moods all round.

  When I arrived in the back room, Teddy, Joe and Marvin had already placed an order for three pitchers of Barbarossa beer and ten glasses. The waitress returned with Rudy, Gregg, Gary, Stephen, Dennis and Tom right on her heels. Everyone passed around the pitchers and filled their glasses.

  Gregg called the meeting to order and said, ‘Libby gave me three items for our agenda tonight but I haven’t heard from anyone else. Is there something I need to add?’

  ‘Three?’ Tom sniped. ‘Is she in charge?’

  ‘Tom, you can add anything you want and we’ll discuss it,’ Gregg said.

  ‘With a full schedule already, I imagine anything I suggest could be tabled for the next meeting,’ Tom grumbled.

  Gregg looked as if he were getting rather annoyed with Mr Negativity so I jumped into the fray. ‘Tom, two of my items should be short and sweet – one is just an announcement and the other is the exchange of information that you suggested I bring up.’

  Tom rolled his eyes, slouched back in his seat and, in a voice dripping with sarcasm, said, ‘I yield the floor, Madame Chairwoman.’

  I ignored his dig and moved straight to the next-of-kin name and phone number exchange first. After summarizing the need to inform our families in the event of a traumatic event, I asked if anyone had any questions.

  ‘What idiot would have questions?’ Tom asked.

  Gary, Tom’s little disciple piped in, ‘Yeah, you’re the woman. This is family stuff. You’re supposed to know best about that.’

  I ignored their snide attitudes and let Gregg take the lead. ‘If there are questions, ask them. Otherwise, let’s vote.’ He looked around the table. ‘Hearing no discussion, raise your hands if you’re in favor.’ Nine hands went up in the air immediately. Gary shot his upward after making sure Tom’s was already in the air.

  ‘That settles it,’ Gregg said. ‘Who will be the keeper of the document? I don’t think Teddy or Libby should since they are the two individuals in the group who have come to the attention of the military and civilian authorities.’

  There was a dead silence in the room as everyone looked down into their glasses or on the table. I was beginning to understand the military policy of ordering a soldier to volunteer. ‘Guys, this is not a huge responsibility,’ Tom pleaded.

  Joe spoke first. ‘I think it should go to one person who is responsible for making a copy and giving it to you, Gregg, as a precaution.’

  ‘Built-in redundancy?’ Tom mocked. ‘Joe, you really think it’s something someone would want to steal?’

  ‘No, Tom,’ Joe said. ‘I for one care about my family and want them to know if anything untoward happens to me. But what if the keeper of the document was the one with relatives that need to be contacted, what then?’

  Tom shrugged his shoulders and said, ‘Are you offering to do it?’

  ‘Yes,’ Joe said, ‘I am.’

  ‘Well, that’s settled,’ Gregg said. He’d obviously anticipated that outcome because he produced and passed around a piece of paper divided into four columns with headings for name, relative’s name, phone number and address. He filled in the top line with a flourish and passed it along to the next guy. ‘Libby, are you ready for item number two?’

  ‘Yes,’ I said with a nod. ‘Gentlemen, I am proud t
o announce that we have made excellent progress in producing vast improvements in quality and quantity of the product.’

  ‘What does that mean?’ Dennis asked.

  ‘It means that since March our purity is higher and our quantity is greater.’

  ‘How much higher?’ Teddy asked.

  ‘How much more?’ Gregg added.

  If I could tell anyone in the group, Teddy and Gregg were the first two I’d pick. But I couldn’t say anything about the numbers. I looked down at the table, took a swallow of beer and saw nine faces staring at me, waiting for answers. ‘I’m very sorry but I don’t have clearance to say anything but that the increases are significant.’

  ‘Have we hit the goals – whatever they might be?’ Tom asked.

  I wasn’t sure if I was crossing a line but I answered anyway. ‘Not yet.’

  ‘Can we believe you, based on that vague response?’ Tom pushed.

  I closed my eyes trying to think of some assurance I could make but before anything came to mind, Teddy spoke. ‘Tom, when Libby was in a lot of trouble, she didn’t spread the blame around. She kept your name – everyone’s name – to herself. If you can trust her to stand up to the powers that be, you can trust her for anything.’

  God bless, Teddy, I thought. He’s been so persistent and I’ve been so prickly. I refused to go out with him more than once a month and still he stands up for me. I told him I wasn’t certain that I was ready for a serious relationship and yet, he’s always there when I need him. I knew I wouldn’t have his patience if the shoe was on the other foot. I valued my friendship with him and I was attracted to him, but I had to feel confident that he wouldn’t want to stifle my independence or interfere with my career before I’d make any commitment to him. He’d passed every test I’d thrown his way but still, I wasn’t there yet. After his little speech, the room went quiet.

  Then Gregg brought the issue to an end. ‘Well, it is good news. Excellent news. We probably won’t know how good it is until after the war and we’re going to have to live with that and keep pushing to improve. Libby, you have something else?’

  I glanced at Marvin who looked like he might be sick at any moment. He gave me a pleading look and I began. I explained the story of Marvin’s cousin Frannie from beginning to end with Marvin nodding his head every time I glanced in his direction. I wrapped up by saying, ‘What I am asking from all of you is help to get to the bottom of this situation. If Frannie is as innocent as I believe – and Marvin believes – if she is, we need to help to prove it. We need to learn everything possible about Dr Hansrote and anyone else that might appear in his orbit. We need to unmask him for the security of the project and for justice for Frannie. Will you help?’

  Tom snickered, ‘What are you, Libby? The patron saint of lost causes?’

  ‘That would be Saint Jude, Tom,’ Joe chimed in.

  Tom rewarded him with an overly dramatic eye roll. ‘You have an answer for everything, don’t you, Joe?’

  ‘Not really, Tom. In fact, right now, I have a question.’

  ‘What’s that, Joe?’ I asked.

  ‘Actually, I wanted to ask Marvin. Do you know your cousin well?’

  ‘We lived in the same block growing up, so yes.’

  ‘As an adult, Marvin. Do you know her now?’

  ‘I’m not sure if I’d consider her an adult yet, Joe. She’s just twenty years old and a very immature twenty at that. But yes I do.’

  ‘Do you have any doubts about her story?’

  ‘No,’ Marvin said, shaking his head.

  ‘Libby, how about you?’ Joe said, turning in my direction.

  ‘You know me, Joe. I’m a scientist just like the rest of you. I doubt everything I cannot run through a mass spectrometer and weigh on the balance beam. I can’t do that with Frannie Snowden. So, yes, I have some doubts and I analyzed them seriously before presenting this problem to all of you. But know this: whatever the group’s decision, I will accept it. Without your assistance, it will be more difficult, but Marvin and I still plan to work on verifying her claim and clearing her name.’

  ‘That’s good enough for me. I’m in,’ Joe said.

  ‘Me, too,’ Teddy echoed.

  ‘Are we ready to vote then?’ Gregg asked.

  Positive murmurs went around the table.

  ‘I’ll go first,’ Gregg said. ‘I propose that we help Libby and Marvin gather the facts and pursue this matter. All in favor raise your hands. Eight hands shot up without hesitation. Eight pairs of eyes turned toward the two hold-outs. ‘Tom, Gary, are you opposed?’

  ‘I abstain,’ Tom said.

  ‘Yeah, me, too,’ Gary echoed.

  ‘Abstain?’ Gregg asked.

  ‘Why not,’ Tom said. ‘If this all blows to smithereens in our hands, I don’t want to go on record voting for this plan. You don’t need our votes to pass this, so what’s the problem? And for that matter, what’s the plan?’

  ‘No problem at all, Tom,’ Gregg said. ‘What is the plan, Libby?’

  Oh dear, I wasn’t as prepared as I should have been. Stalling was my only option. ‘I was hoping to get the group’s input on formulating a course of action.’

  ‘It seems pretty obvious to me,’ Teddy said. ‘We need to find out anything we can about Hansrote. Who he works with, who he works for, where he comes from, who he eats with, who he drinks with, if he’s married, if he has a girlfriend, everything.’

  ‘We’re not supposed to ask questions about scientists – particularly not those up higher in the chain of command than we are,’ Tom objected.

  ‘Be subtle, Tom,’ Gregg said. ‘I know that’s asking a lot of you, but try.’

  ‘And remember,’ I added, ‘you’re not asking about a scientist, you’re asking about a spy.’

  ‘Easy to say until you get caught,’ Tom objected.

  Angry, I said, ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, Tom. Don’t do a thing if you don’t want to help. Just remember that, if they come for you next.’

  ‘That’s why we keep a lady in the group. We need some dramatic element to make us complete,’ Tom sneered.

  ‘Oh, put a lid on it,’ Teddy snapped.

  ‘I’ll tell you what I plan to do, Tom,’ Rudy said. ‘I’m going to say that Hansrote asked a friend of my sister for a date and I was checking to make sure he wasn’t married or trouble.’

  ‘What if they ask for the girl’s name?’ Tom asked.

  ‘I shrug my shoulders and say, “How do I know? It’s my sister’s friend. They all look like pests to me.” And if you don’t have a sister, say a cousin or say somebody you met at a dance, anything.’

  The room fell to silence again. After two minutes, Gregg said, ‘Okay. How about another round so we can drink a toast to our newly improved product?’

  The boys all cheered while I fretted. I hoped I hadn’t dragged them into a situation that would prove the undoing of us all.

  EIGHT

  I spent the following morning bent over the desk running equations and working out calculations trying to find a solution to maximize the quality of the production. When I finally pushed away from the desk, the lab was nearly empty. I looked at my watch and realized it was lunch time. Just knowing that made me feel instantly hungry.

  Dashing into the restroom, I saw an envelope taped to the mirror over the sink. It was addressed to me and covered with Xs and Os. For a moment, I just stared at it, blinking my eyes, waiting for it to disappear. Then I tore it down, ripped it open and started to read.

  I hope the envelope didn’t embarrass you too much. I figured if I said it was a love letter, it would be easier and safer to convince a secretary to leave it for you. The reason I thought this was necessary is that I am concerned about Marvin. He hasn’t been in the lab this morning. No one seems to know where he is. Maybe he’s sick today and I’m just being paranoid. But the coincidence of our talk last night and him not showing up this morning is making me nervous. Would you ask around and see if anyone in your area knows where he i
s?

  It was signed ‘Teddy’.

  Oh, heavens. Maybe he is senselessly paranoid but that now makes two of us. I hope we’re both being silly. In the cafeteria, I picked up my food and headed straight for Gregg’s table. Sliding my tray into the one empty spot, I smiled at Gregg who responded with a quizzical look. I raised my eyebrows and I think he got the message. I was certain of that when he finished his lunch and just sat there as the others got up and left. He moved over to the seat directly across from me.

  ‘Do you have something on your mind, Miss Clark?’

  I grinned at him. ‘I certainly do.’

  ‘Tell me,’ he said, planting his elbow on the table and resting his chin on his palm.

  ‘Have you seen or heard from Marvin today?’

  ‘No,’ Gregg said, ‘but why would I? He’s in the other lab.’

  ‘Teddy’s over there, too. He said that Marvin didn’t come to work today.’

  ‘Is he sick?’ Gregg asked.

  I shrugged my shoulders. ‘Do you know who he rooms with? All I know is that his first name is Jubal.’

  ‘No. Maybe we should have gotten that information from everyone last night when we got the family contacts.’

  ‘Teddy is concerned about the timing of his absence. Frankly, so am I.’

  ‘It’s probably too soon to panic but I’ll ask around. The coincidence does not sit well with me, either.’

  Returning to the lab, I shifted between working on solutions to our problems with the product and asking around about Marvin. Between me, Teddy and Gregg, we probably talked to every non-managerial chemist in Y-12. It was Gregg who found his roommate, Jubal Cain, a South Carolina boy with an accent so thick it made me sound like a Yankee. I imagine if he ever met a girl from Maine, they would need a translator.

  Gregg introduced us and said, ‘Jubal said that Marvin never slept in the room last night.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Marvin said he was going to meet some of his pals at Joe’s. When he didn’t return, I figured he got ta drinkin’ and couldn’t get hisself back to the room or he coulda gone all out and met a girl at the bar for an excellent night.’