4
STRANGE BEDFELLOWSThe Second World War brought a swift change to traffic on Route 66. With gas rationing on, there were fewer cars and more trucks. Military trucks. Contractor trucks. Those working for the military. The Mother Road became a major thruway for the American war machine as well as a getaway for one certain individual who had plans to sell what he had stolen.
WICHITA, KANSAS — JANUARY, 1945A MAN IN AN EXPENSIVE DOUBLE-BREASTED SUIT hurried across the floor of the giant factory. He meandered in and out of the line of silver bombers and busy technicians, heading to the far corner, where the stairs led to the second-level meeting rooms. In every direction, the activity continued on first thing in the morning. Hammering, drilling, shouts from supervisors. It was here that Boein
