Part 37 (1/2)
”It appears to have healed and knitted satisfactorily,” he said.
”The question, Doctor,” Jamison said, ”is, in your professional medical opinion, can the cast be safely removed? ”
”There's a difference, Jamison, between taking it off and declaring this officer fit for duty.”
”Can it be safely removed?” Jamison replied. ”If so, please remove it.”
”Jesus Christ,” the other doctor, a lieutenant, said disgustedly.
”Would you get me the cutter, Nurse?” the captain asked.
Janos didn't like what he saw when the cast was removed. The skin beneath, where it was not marked with angry red marks, was unhealthily white, and although he couldn't be sure without actually comparing it side-by-side with his good ankle, it looked to him to be much thinner.
Both doctors manipulated the ankle and the foot. There was no pain, but it was uncomfortable.
”Well?” Jamison asked.
”The fractures,” the captain said, ”seem to have knitted satisfactorily. There is no pain or impediment of movement that I can detect.”
”He can walk, in other words?” Jamison asked.
”Before he can be determined to be physically fit for duty,” the captain said, ”he will require therapy. Do you concur, Doctor?”
”Jamison,” the younger doctor said, ”there is muscle atrophy-”
”What kind of therapy?” Jamison asked.
”Walking, actually,” the captain said. ”Short walks, gradually extended. Manipulation of the foot and ankle to restore movement.”
”That'll be all, Janos,” Jamison said. ”Thank you.”
”You said you would tell me,” Janos protested.
”You're being considered for an operation,” Jamison said.
”When and if it is decided you're going, you'll be told about it.”
”When will that decision be made?”
”Tomorrow morning, probably,” Jamison said. ”Do you think you can manage without your crutches?”
”I don't know,” Janos said.
”Give it a try,” Jamison said. ”If you can, leave the crutches here. If you go back to the bar, go easy on the booze. I don't want you falling down and breaking it again.”
The lieutenant, shaking his head, chuckled.
The captain said, ”Jamison, I might as well tell you, the moment Major Canidy returns, I'm going to protest this.”
”Captain,” Jamison said, ”all I'm doing is obeying my orders. That's what you do when you put a uniform on, obey orders.”
He turned and walked out of the room.
The captain called after him. ”Jamison, in my capacity as the senior medical officer present, I absolutely forbid this officer to partic.i.p.ate in a parachute jump.”
”Your position has been noted, Doctor,” Jamison called, over his shoulder.
Janos got off the X-ray table and gingerly lowered his bare, sick, white foot to the floor.
”Any pain?” the captain asked.
”No,” Janos said.
”f.u.c.k him,” the captain said, ”You use the crutches, Janos. You start using that leg carefully. I'll deal with Jamison. ”
Janos hoisted himself back onto the X-ray table and removed his other shoe and sock.
”With the shoe off,” Janos said, ”I think I can manage.”
He lowered himself to the floor again, and then, awkwardly and carefully, walked very slowly out of the X-ray room.
2.
OSS WHITBEY HOUSE STATION KENT, ENGLAND 0600 HOURS 18 FEBRUARY 1943.
First Lieutenant Ferenc Janos marched into the office of the commanding officer, came to attention, and saluted. He was wearing a wool OD (olive drab) Ike jacket and trousers. Parachutist's wings were on the jacket, and his trousers were bloused over glistening Corcoran jump boots. His woolen ”overseas” cap was tucked in an epaulet of his jacket.
”Sir, Lieutenant Janos reporting as directed, Sir.”
Lt. Colonel Edmund T. Stevens returned the salute.
”Stand at ease, Lieutenant,” he said.
Janos was surprised to see the good-looking blond WAC lieutenant in the room. He wondered why. The story about her (which had quickly circulated through Whitbey House) was that she would work for Jamison, taking care of the women.
”How's your ankle, Janos? Straight answer, please,” Stevens said.
”With the boot on, sir,” Janos said, ”no problem.”
”How far do you think you could walk on it?” Stevens asked.
”As far as I have to,” Janos said.
”An overestimate of capability is dangerous, Janos,” Colonel Stevens said.