“Hazel doesn’t think he is—quite the contrary. And it wouldn’t be very likely. A man who’s been in the service ten or twelve years.”
“Did Hazel tell you why she’s been learning to play chess? I was very curious but didn’t dare ask.”
To Kitty’s surprise her father laughed heartily. “Hazel’s keen, and certainly has done a grand job as detective since she’s been here, but I doubt if she’ll make a go of the chess racket.”
“She has a theory that Lieutenant Cary engages Krome in a chess game every time Punaro wants to get away with something in the galley.”
Something clicked in Kitty’s mind. “And there’s every reason to believe she’s right!”
“Huh, so you’re backing her up in the far-fetched idea!”
“Not far-fetched at all, and I’ll tell you why. The other night when Brad and I ran into Punaro down at the dock, we told him we were looking for Chief Krome. Right away he said, ‘He’s upstairs in the recreation room, playing chess with Dr. Cary.’ Note he said Dr. Cary, not Lieutenant.”
There was a slightly quizzical expression on Chief Carter’s face as he asked, “Well, is that significant?”
“Very. A man who had known Cary before he went into the service would call him doctor under excitement, and Punaro was not only excited, but furious at us.”
“Kitten, I become more certain every day that you should give up your Canteen work and join the FBI.”
“No, indeed! I have more pleasant ambitions for service to my country,” she retorted.
“So Punaro knew just where his Chief was the other night?”
“Just like that!” said Kitty, snapping her fingers. “It certainly looks as though Hazel’s got the right idea—that Lieutenant Cary keeps Krome occupied while Punaro has a free hand below.”
“Does sound plausible,” her father conceded.
“But you haven’t told me Hazel’s idea in learning to play chess herself.”
“Oh, I think she hopes to engage Cary sometimes in a chess game, when he would prefer to have Krome as a partner.”
Kitty laughed. “She thinks then that Krome may go below and find Punaro at his dirty work.”
“She said if that could happen it would be worth the discomfort of sitting opposite Cary for a game of chess.”
On Friday evening over a cup of coffee and a doughnut at the Snack Bar Kitty and Brad made plans to go to Terrapin Island the following afternoon, as Brad would have the afternoon off.