THE THIRD SPY

Helen and Ben are drawn into an amazing spy story dating back to 1941. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor a young sailor with vital information about enemy spies makes a drastic decision that impacts the rest of his life. Fifty some years later, he comes to Maui searching for the third spy.

...

    Ben’s reverie was ended by the sudden appearance of a flustered looking, red-faced Joe, who seemed to be muttering to himself. Without even saying Hello to Ben, he exclaimed: "He’s here! Here, I tell you! One minute I’m eating lunch at my hotel, enjoying the sunny day alone, and the next minute Dad and Uncle Sven are standing right in front of me. All I could say was, ‘Dad, Dad, is that really you? Uncle Sven! Oh my God!’"
"Wow, Joe that’s pretty unbelievable considering your Dad’s frail health. Why in the world didn’t he tell you he was planning to come to Maui?"
"Ben, you’ve just got to know my Dad. In some ways he is the same as he was when Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. He still makes major decisions like he was choosing a new shirt. But Sven! Sven has always been like a rock, leading a perfectly normal life. Granted, he has looked up to Dad and Uncle Willy since he was eleven years old, when he believed that catching Heinneman and Tonaki made them heroes, but he is a grown man now. I just know Dad conned Sven into coming here with him."
"How is your Dad’s health?"
"That old man is perfectly healthy. What ever ailed him a while back was psychosomatic - it had to be - no one could recover from a major health problem so fast and so completely. You should see him, he could be the poster boy for AARP!"
"Well, where is he? When can I meet him?"
"He is snorkeling at Black Rock as we speak. Snorkeling! What if he drowns? What if a rip tide carries him away? The man is making me crazy! I had to get away from him. I had to find a way to stop worrying before I have some kind of attack!"
"Calm down, Joe, I am sure he will be just fine, people snorkel all the time."
"People who are 76 years old? People from Nevada, where there is no place to snorkel? I was not even aware he knew how to swim, much less go in for water sports!"

    As Joe and Ben stood talking, the timber of Joe’s voice got higher and louder. People were beginning to stare. "Joe, let’s go over to Helen’s office and talk her into joining us for a cup of coffee. What you need to do is calm down. My volunteer is perfectly able to run the Center without me."

    Ben and Joe walked across the street to Helen’s office and then over to Pineapples, where Joe continued to vent as he told Helen about the arrival of his father and Uncle Sven.
"Helen, you would not believe him! Not only did he just pop up here unannounced, but he is out
snorkeling!"
"James is here? This is great! When can I meet him?"
"If he is through snorkeling, riding jet skis, para-sailing, or even possibly taking SCUBA lessons, I’ll ask him."
"Come on Joe, I doubt a 76 year old man would be doing those things. He just arrived, and after snorkeling for an hour or so, he must be exhausted."

    Just then, a Classy Cab pulled up to the curb. There was a burst of laughter, back slapping, and handshaking, as a slender gray-haired gentleman paid the driver and waved goodbye.
"Dad? How did you find me here?"

    The dapper gentleman approached with long strides, and a charming smile. Stopping to reach for Helen’s hand, he said: "Before I go into that, I just have to compliment you son, your description is perfect, Helen is indeed a lovely lady. Although you could have gone into more detail about her golden brown eyes and tousled dark blonde hair, and that . . ."
"Dad, please! You’re embarrassing Helen."
"No he’s not, Joe, she loves it!" Ben said, as he stood to greet James French with a handshake.
"You must be Ben. Pleased to meet you! Joe told me you were tall and witty and I can see you are also a man of good taste. Is that French Roast you are drinking?"
"Indeed it is sir, and with it fresh donuts, the best on Maui. Here comes Justin now with more supplies. Mr. French, I can’t tell you how pleased I am to meet you!"

    Justin brought a mug of coffee for James, and six more donuts. Helen did the introductions: "This is James French, Joe’s father. James, meet Justin Takamura, youngest son of the family that owns Pineapples - he’s the Manager."
"Nice to meet you, sir." Justin said as he shook James hand. "Are you here to stay, or just visiting? If you’re visiting, be sure to check out the O’Bon Festival on Friday night. There’s Bon dancing, good food, and I know you would be very welcome." After a few seconds of watching James and Justin laugh and talk, Helen could see this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

    Joe had been sitting quietly, sipping coffee and watching his father. After Justin left, he asked him: "Dad, how did you find me here?"
"I took a cab to the Visitor’s Information Center and introduced myself to Marjorie as FBI Inspector Dryfus. I knew by the twinkle in her eye that I had found a comrade in arms - she went right along with my little joke. Her first words were: Golly I have always wanted to meet a Government Agent. Well before long . . ."
"Marjorie who? Dad, please get to the point."
"Marjorie, the lovely lady who works at the Visitor’s Center. She said you were here at Pineapples with Ben and Helen so I had Harold bring me right over."
"I take it Harold is the cab driver? How can you meet more people in one day in Lahaina than I have met in two years of visiting?"
"I don’t know son."
"Where is Uncle Sven?"
"He was a little tuckered out after our swim, so he’s taking a nap. I never saw so many colorful fish! Can’t wait to get back out there! Helen and Ben, I would love to spend some time with you discussing Valdera. I hear from Joe that you have found information about him. How about we have breakfast tomorrow? Your place Helen?
Right now I’m off in search of an Aloha shirt to wear to the luau."
"Dad, we’re not going to a luau."
"Oh, I guess I forgot to mention that Marjorie is taking me to the Old Lahaina Luau tonight. Should I get her a flower lei?"
"Good Grief, Dad, what about the age factor?"
"Oh, don’t worry, I’ll get her a nice fresh one and keep it in the refrigerator. Remember, son, I spent some time in Hawaii - they had flower leis way back then too!"
"I was referring to the age difference between you and Ms. Bayview . . . Marjorie."
"She may be over fifty, son, but that does not mean she is over the hill. She’s a sweetheart."
"You are at least twenty five years older than her! You could be her father! And another thing; how can you know she is a sweetheart when you have only known her for a few minutes?"
"I’ve always been able to read people. You can tell by looking into their eyes. I’d best get going now I have lots to do. Would eight o’clock be too be early for breakfast, Helen? Sven and I can pick up Ben on the way. Can we bring something?"
Helen smiled, "Sure, James, eight is fine, and leave the food to me. See you then."

    After James took off on foot to the nearest shirt shop, Ben burst out laughing. "Joe, even after reading his story, I could never imagine James to be such an amazing character. Are you sure he was sick?"
"No, actually. That old con man could fool the Pope.
What am I in for if he decides to come and live with me? Will life ever be the same?"