Tiger Island: A World War II Novel (Sgt. Hawk Book 4) by Patrick Clay

Author:Patrick Clay [Clay, Patrick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rough Edges Press
Published: 2022-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

7

The rubber rafts slid off the sand of Rechnung with a grating slurp. The moon rose in the east over the tree-tops. The ocean was paved with calm and silver dimpled waves. Joe Canlon had already counted two extra people. He rambled on about it until Hawk told him to shut up. No one else had any comments about the additions. They figured the sergeant knew what he was doing.

An easy wind blew over the surface of the black water in a constant caress. It was cool, but Hawk was sweating as he paddled the little boat. His newly issued gas mask thumped against the bloated side of the raft. Verhangen Prison was visible against the gray night sky. Huge moonlit clouds floated over it in threatening silence. The sea was flat. The crossing should be simple. It was a placid stretch of sea. The Japanese had crossed it many times with their strange and deadly weapon. Perhaps they would be crossing it tonight.

Both the Americans and Japanese patrolled these waters. They were too vast for thorough vigilance. Hawk expected to cross without difficulty. Belva Cook huddled against him. “I’m glad I came,” she whispered. He didn’t answer. She would change her mind when he left her on the little island. He glanced over at the boat next to him. Cavell was in its prow, striking the water with sure strokes. “I feel safe with you,” Belva said.

Hawk waved to Hocker. He was in the boat behind Cavell. Hocker took the lead. Spence and Rackaby were with him. They were used to leading. Hocker’s job was to find the rocky little islet that would be their objective rallying point.

They paddled for an hour. At times they moved in astonishing silence. At other times, it seemed to Hawk as if the swishing paddles were vying to see which could be the loudest. Hocker skirted the northern shore of Verhangen. He then struck a southerly course. Another hour went by. Everyone suspected that he had missed the target, but no one said anything until another half hour passed by. Hawk finally waved Hocker over.

“We’ve gone plumb around the goddamn thing, Hocker. You missed it,” Hawk whispered angrily.

“Yes, Sergeant. We’ll have to go back.”

“All right. We’re too far out, kid. We gotta get in closer. It ain’t this far offshore, you know.” Hocker nodded in agreement and went back into the lead. He paddled directly for Verhangen. He didn’t want to get closer. There would be searchlights and patrol boats along the coast. But Hawk was right. He knew he had to go closer. Hocker blew his cheeks out. Hell, he was eventually going into Verhangen itself, he might as well get used to the idea.

Joe Canlon followed the convoy like a reluctant caboose. He cursed himself for not taking the opportunity Hawk had given him. He got himself into this just because his friends were doing it. He could easily get out of here and make some new friends that did nicer things.

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