After Hodges confirmed transition with Henley, he ordered a change in course for Biloxi, Mississippi. The only Caribbean party on this cruise was going to be one involving the Russian submarine — and Henley would be leading the band dancing the Texas two-step.
29
Captain Hodges was a smart man but didn’t consider himself to be proficient in national politics. He didn’t claim to know how politics worked but knew they often determined his next assignment and in all likelihood would ultimately define his career. It was early November, 1962, just after the president gave his ultimatum and the Soviet Union backed down from installing land-based missiles in Cuba.
The Cuban missiles sites were already being disassembled and the so called “humanitarian” Russian vessels headed for Cuba had turned around for other ports. Some tensions between the two super powers had cooled, but U.S. military was still on high alert believing the Russian’s might change their mind or try another tactic.
Life onboard the Prowfish had returned to normal as they headed back to Biloxi. Wade had been in the control room when most of the CNO orders came in and heard them read aloud as was Captain Hodges’ practice. He certainly didn’t know everything going on. The rest of the Prowfish crew knew even less. Wade was off-duty in his bunk reading when the intercom came on.
“This is the Captain. As most of you know, we have been ordered back to Biloxi. Key West is assuming operations for the area we just left. We will arrive in Biloxi in a couple of days. The New Orleans crew will be met at the dock with transportation back home. We will be in Biloxi for four days replenishing stores and refueling. All those in the crew who would like a couple of days in New Orleans will be given leave. From Biloxi we are headed back to Norfolk.”
“I also have some sad news to report. Unfortunately we have thus far lost five of our fellow crewmembers to the illness we had onboard. Their names are Harris, Mendleman, Ruiz, Newman and Laichek. Many more of our crew remain critical and still under hospital care.”
“The bodies of our lost shipmates have all been flown back to their homes for burial. The Navy is conducting a special memorial service for our lost crew while in Biloxi. Those wishing to attend the service, check with Mr. Wilks for times and transportation details. I and all of our officers will be attending the service. All of you are welcome to attend.”
“After Biloxi we have been ordered to Norfolk for an unspecified time, probably two months. The Prowfish will be receiving updated electronic equipment, and there will be a Medical Research team to scrub our hull and take samples of any biological material which may have adhered to the hull’s surface. Navy medical and biological teams are still investigating this illness, and we now believe it may have been released underwater by our Target.”
“Gentleman, you have all served with distinction on what was an extremely important and historical mission. I want to thank our New Orleans crew who served with special distinction. All of your efforts went above and beyond. I want to also remind you that our mission was and remains Classified and Top Secret. You are not to discuss the mission or any details with anyone. To do so is punishable as treason.”
“This mission’s details will not appear in any of your service records. Your time onboard will be logged in the usual manner, but your records will not indicate the nature of the mission or area of service other than ‘The Gulf of Mexico.”
“When we arrive in Norfolk, I will be flying to Washington to give briefings to the CNO and explain the data we collected during this last encounter. I will tell you that as part of my briefings, I will describe our crew’s exceptional performance and contribution to the mission, including the outstanding work of our New Orleans crew. Thank you all again for a job well done.”
Hanna said his goodbyes to all of the crew and proceeded to the dock and a waiting gray Navy bus for his trip back to New Orleans. The return ride home was quiet, with all the New Orleans crew reflecting on their unbelievable and dangerous experience — one that they could never tell anyone about.
After a good night’s sleep in New Orleans, Wade woke the next morning and read a phone message that Detective Pisano had called. He returned the call and Pisano told him he wanted to meet at the Old Grill at two o’clock that day.
They arrived at the same time and were ushered to the table in the corner that Pisano liked. Pisano asked, “I understand you just returned from active duty? Was it a cruise?”
“Kind of.”
“I’ll come right to the point. We lost Ed last week. His body was found at a dumpsite in Chalmette near the levee.”
Wade was stunned and said nothing as Pisano continued. “He was killed a few days before we found his body. His hands had been tied behind his back, and he had a piece of radiator hose in his mouth.”
Wade became noticeably affected.
“He was tortured before he died. His fingers were broken and he had burns all over his body. He must have gone through hell before they finally killed him.”
At this point Wade was in pale shock. He wasn’t processing the visual being described. He couldn’t speak. He barely managed to get out the word, “Who?”
“His body was brought to the dumpsite after he was killed. The site picked was on another gang’s turf to try to throw us off. The hose in his mouth is clearly a Coletta signature.” Pisano continued, “I have all of my informants on the street in full alert but we don’t have any information yet. His funeral was last week. I attended and spoke with Ed’s mother and father. Of course, they took it pretty hard.”
Wade said, “I’ll go see them.”
Pisano said, “Ok but be careful.”
Wade asked, “What about Linda?”
”She and her daughter are now fine and out of the area. She found a job, and Mindy is in school and has some new friends.”
“What about Jamie?”
“I had the salon watched for several weeks after the Linda incident. T.J.’s guys came around a couple of times at Linda’s scheduled appointment time on Thursdays. One time one of the guys came in and asked Jamie if she had seen Linda. Jamie stepped right into her old role and told them she hadn’t seen her for weeks. The fact that she had another customer in her chair at that time reinforced her story. No one from the Coletta organization has been by in weeks. I think Jamie is fine now. When I last spoke to her she asked about you and said she may be going to another salon.”
Wade nodded, thanking Pisano for the update.
Pisano asked, “Are you planning to do any more racing?”
“No, I sold my race car and parts to a guy in Texas before I went on active duty.”
“Good, we’re still following the racing parts connection.”
“I’m totally out of that now. I’m not going to any more races or car shows.”
Jake said, “Good. There was always that loose connection at the track between you, Ed, and the Colletta gang that I was never comfortable with. I want you to know that I’m personally handling the murder investigation of Ed. I consider him one of my people, and I’m going to get the bastards that did this.”
“I know you will.” Hanna replied almost sick with emotion that he hadn’t processed yet. He just felt numb. He was again vaguely aware that he had recently come off an undercover mission that could still get him killed, he had just almost lost his life in an undersea mission that he should never have been on, and his mother was dying. And now he had just lost his best friend.
Jake started to leave the table, but then turned back to Wade and said, “I almost forgot to mention. I had a meeting with a Mr. Walter Jenkins who called my office asking about you. I wasn’t going to say anything to him over the phone but I did agree to see him, and so we met. He’s from Naval Intelligence or one of the other Spook agencies. I’ve met enough of these guys; I can smell them a mile away. I know the names they give are never their real names. I agreed to meet with him because he came through the right channels of our department and because I wanted to know more about what he wanted to know. I wasn’t going to give him anything but I thought I might be able to get something out of him for you.”