“The check-in booth, sir,” the shorter of the two mechanics said. “It’s close to two after one. You’d better step on it.”
Dave grinned and winked.
“Right,” he said. Then, arching one brow, “And after we’ve checked in?”
“You can remember something you left in the ship,” the tall mechanic said. “We’ll both be here wiping her off. Was it a quiet trip?”
“Not for two Waco pilots, it wasn’t,” Dave said grimly, and beckoned a finger at Freddy Farmer. “See you soon.”
“That’s the pair, right enough!” Freddy breathed softly as he and Dave headed over to the check-in booth. “And did you see how your news startled them?”
“As I remember, it startled us, too!” Dave said with a chuckle. “Come on, step on it! I want to get back and find out if those two have learned anything new.”
Freddy quickened his step to keep pace with Dave, and together they hurried over to the check-in hut and through the door. A young Air Corps lieutenant looked up from a desk and greeted them with a smile.
“Sign here, Captains,” he said, and pushed a loose-leaf book across the desk. “Passing through, or are you reporting for duty?”
“Passing through,” Dave said as he signed his name, and gave the pen to Freddy. “Have any orders come through while we’ve been in the air?”