The White Ghost Read Free

death of a native scout. Apparently losing his boat wasn’t bad enough; now he’s got himself mixed up in a murder,” Joe said. “Father wants you to help him out.”
    â€œIn the South Pacific?” I said, not quite believing what I was hearing.
    â€œSure,” Kennedy said, reaching into his flight jacket for a thick manila envelope. “Here are your orders, signed by General George C. Marshall himself. Also there’s a file on what we know about the incident. The native was part of the Coastwatchers operation. You know, those Australians who stayed behind on Jap-occupied islands?”
    â€œWait a minute,” I said, not giving a hoot about Aussie Coastwatchers. “Why send me? The Boyles and the Kennedys aren’t exactly a mutual admiration society.”
    â€œYou’re right, Boyle, we aren’t. That’s why Father chose you.”
    â€œFor what exactly? I’m not navy. Don’t you have the shore patrol or something like that?”
    â€œLet me lay out some facts for you,” Kennedy said. “First, the shore patrol is only whoever the master-at-arms can lay his hands on. They get a baton and are sent ashore when swabbies get their leave to make sure they don’t burn down the town. They’re a joke, unless you’re a drunken sailor wising off to one of them. The Office of Naval Intelligence investigates crimes against US Navy personnel. But as I said, the victim here was a native. Jurisdiction is murky. The Solomons are a British protectorate, administered by the British and Australians in peacetime. Now it’s mostly Japs and Americans up and down the islands.”
    â€œAnd the Melanesians,” Kaz said.
    â€œYeah, the natives,” Kennedy said. “So there’s no one really in charge when it’s a crime against one of them. The Melanesians.”
    â€œIs Jack actually a suspect?” I asked. I wouldn’t admit it to Joe, but my curiosity was getting the better of me.
    â€œAt least one of the local brass contacted ONI asking for direction,” Kennedy said. “The navy doesn’t want to turn one of their own over to the Australians without sufficient evidence. And since we’re the only thing standing between Australia and a Japanese invasion, the Aussies are being careful not to ruffle any feathers. Father wants the record set straight now so there are no future repercussions.”
    â€œYou don’t mean he wants the truth?” I said.
    â€œJack’s not a killer,” Joe said. “Your job is to find out exactly what happened and put this behind him. We don’t know yet if the navy is going to court-martial Jack for losing his boat or make him their latest hero. Either way, he doesn’t need a murder charge hanging over his head. It would embarrass the family.”
    â€œYou still haven’t said why you want Billy on the case,” Kaz said. “I assume you are primarily interested in him.”
    â€œTwo reasons,” Kennedy said. “And you’re right. Boyle is the man we want on the case, with your assistance, of course, Baron.” He gave a polite smile, flashing pearly white teeth like a shark before he takes off your leg. “Father thinks that if you clear Jack of any potential charges, no one will question your judgment.”
    â€œBecause of our mutual past,” I said.
    â€œExactly,” Kennedy said, nodding as if to encourage a slow pupil. “You’d be more apt to convict him, based on family history.”
    â€œMaybe,” I said. “Although as an investigator I do have an interest in what the evidence tells me.”
    â€œSure, sure,” Kennedy said with a wave of his hand. “Look for all the evidence you want.”
    â€œI take it the other reason is the reverse of the one you stated,” Kaz said, drumming his fingers on his knee, his eyes narrowing as he took the measure of the man seated across from