“He was mixed up with a spy ring years ago and probably was doing espionage work at the time of his death. That was the main reason I held off about selling him the parachute. I liked Povy personally but I never trusted him.”
“I wonder what government employed him?”
“I never learned. Povy was very cautious in his dealings. He revealed nothing about himself. All he ever told me was that he represented a firm which would pay well for my invention, providing the tests were successful.”
A waitress came to take orders and Flash gave his. Bailey Brooks said that he would wait for a man with whom he had a dinner appointment.
“You say several other persons are after your invention now?”
“Several is an exaggeration,” Brooks admitted with a grin. “One private party and the United States Army.”
“So that’s why you’re here!”
Brooks nodded. “The ’chute is to be given exhaustive tests out at Melveredge Field. If it comes through okay, I’ll be sitting pretty.”
“When will the tests be made?”
“All week. There’s an endless amount of red tape.”