Chapter 74

But ... before the arrest ... Alice flew away with Bud.

Colonel Joe said, “You sure you don’t want to gift us this nifty plane.”

“I’m sure I don’t want to give you my plane. The deal was you can use it at display and airshows. I want it back ... in the condition I lent it to you.”

“Can’t.”

“Can’t?”

“Nope ... the guns were loaded.”

“I thought they might be.”

“Wasn’t no might be about it ... they aren’t loaded now, and you can’t reload them.”

“Why not?”

“Because the Federal Tax wasn’t paid before 1968.”

“What does that have to do with me? I’m not in the USA ... you aren’t either.”

“This Princessapality stuff gets me every time. Let me see if I can find 800 rounds of 20mm.”

He called Del Valle Airfield (Bergstrom Army AirBase). The military had a presence there. An operator answered.

“Austin International.”

“Armory?”

“That would be Sergeant O’Roily. One moment, please.”

“Sergeant O’Roily.”

“Colonel Joe here ... San Marcos.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“O’Roily ... where can I get 800 rounds for an AN/M3.”

“Sky Raider, Sir?”

“Yes, Sergeant.”

“There’s a locked door to the rear left in your hangar?”

“Yes, Sergeant. Combination lock.”

“Got a pencil?”

“Hold on. Tyche? I need a pencil.” “Thank you.”

“20 Left-19 Right-22 Left- Right past 22 to 6.”

“20 Left-19 Right-22 Left- Right past 22 to 6.”

“Correct, Sir. Sir?”

“Yes?”

“Is that Tyche Selene Flintkote?”

“I don’t know about the Selene, but, the Tyche Flintkote is correct.”

“Ask her her mother’s name.”

“Tyche ... what’s your mother’s name?”

“Zoe.”

“Yup ... that’s her. Good luck, Col. Joe.”

“Wait ... what’s the deal?”

“I knew her grandmother. Sir? Sultry Wench Shingle was the hottest girl in western Virginia.”

“Thank you, Sergeant.”

He hung up. “Tyche? Was Sultry Wench Shingle your grandmother?”

“Why?”

“That’s a yes.” Col Joe said, “Sergeant O’Roily knew her.”

“Ooo ... there’s a story there.”

“Probably. Lets go find you some 20 mil.”

The closet ... armory ... was chock-a-block full of sealed cans of 20 mil.

And those nice fiberglass barrel covers. The covers are more rare than the airplane.

When I got back to Bud and had the Sky Raider situated, I called Mr. Anderson.

“This is a private number ... who are you and how did you get it?”

“I bought one of your Spads.”

“Tyche!”

“Yes.”

“How you doin’ kid?”

“In College.”

“Fifteen?”

“Sixteen and one sixth.”

“Need anything?”

“Nope ... I found about a hundred of those gun barrel covers for the Spad. Gimmie your address and I’ll send you some.”

“1671 South Shore Drive, Holland, MI.”

“Today.”

“Thank you, Tyche.”

“Bye ... class.”