Page 39 of Flight of Dreams

He opens his mouth to defend himself, but Max interrupts. “You know what? Don’t tell me. I have my own troubles.”

“There you are. I’ve been looking for you.”

Werner turns to find the American waiting patiently a few steps away, sober, showered, and dressed in a clean, pressed suit. It takes Werner a moment to realize that he isn’t speaking to Max.

“Might I have a word with you?” the American says.

Werner looks at Max for approval.

“Go on. You don’t need my permission.” Then he glances at the passenger and tips his hat. “Guten Morgen.”

The American gives a disinterested nod, barely shifting his gaze to Max in greeting. Werner can’t help but feel that it’s not an altogether friendly gaze.

THE AMERICAN

The American leads Werner into the dining room before he speaks. But it becomes immediately apparent that the young Doehner girl is a distraction. The cabin boy is watching her situate her brothers at the table nearest the observation windows. And she must know it because her chin is lifted at a coy angle and there is an exaggerated awareness in her movements. Women do learn early.

The American clears his throat. “What do you know about dogs?”

Werner tries to mask his confusion. “They stink.”

“Sometimes. But more to the point, do you like them?”

“Well enough. My grandfather breeds Doberman pinschers.”

“Are you afraid of them?”

“They can be nasty dogs if treated poorly. Or trained to guard.”

“Not pinschers. Dogs in general.”

Werner hesitates a moment too long. “No. I don’t suppose so.”

“You’re lying.”

“It depends on the dog. I was bitten once. Right here.” Werner rolls back the cuff of his jacket to reveal four pale scars on his forearm.

“You should be afraid of them. Dogs are animals after all.”

“Why are you asking me this, Herr…?”

The American doesn’t offer his surname, merely peers at the boy and waits for him to ask the obvious questions.

After an awkward silence the cabin boy continues. “Why do you want to know if I like dogs? And if they scare me?”

“Because there is a dog on this aircraft that I would like you to care for. I’ll pay you to do it. But if you’re lazy or a coward or cruel I need to know up front. I’d rather not waste my time or money.”

“I’m none of those things.”

“I didn’t think so.” He likes the boy. Werner is frank and bright and has just the right amount of confidence to accomplish this task.

“You don’t mean the acrobat’s dog, do you? Because I doubt he’d like me interfering.”

“No. Not that one. There’s another dog in the cargo hold that seems to have been forgotten about. I want you to feed it and change the papers in its crate twice a day. I’ll pay you ten American dollars to do the job. That way you’ll have spending money once we land. Maybe you could buy something for your mother?” The American looks over Werner’s shoulder at Irene as she pretends not to watch them. “Or maybe a trinket for Fräulein Doehner?”

Werner’s eyes narrow in suspicion. “How do you know what’s in the cargo hold? Passengers aren’t allowed outside of the passenger areas.”

Oh, he likes this kid very much. Werner cleanly ignored the bait and went straight for the jugular. “Neither are cabin boys, from what I hear.”