My Friend Amelia

Amelia Earhart Part 1

"You're leaving again for Australia? Would you mind some company on your trip?" Jane asked as they walked together on the white Bahama beach outside of Jane's home.

"Of course, you can join me. It would be fabulous."

"I have an ulterior motive—could we plan a side trip to New Zealand?"

"New Zealand, those islands are beautiful," Sue Lee said as she stooped to pick up a shell. "Why there?"

"I want to gather information on Amelia Earhart's flight in 1937 in her attempt to circumnavigate the globe."

"I noticed all the old photos back in your room in England. You must have been an admirer of the first lady of aviation for some time? Or is there something more you want to tell me?"

"Yeah, I know. It obsessed me when I was young. Jonathan refers to her as, 'My friend Amelia.' Ever since I went to one of her lectures when I was a kid, I've been a fan. My practical side tells me she's gone, killed in the crash, but things keep popping up. Such as a letter Captain Bowen sent me. He's been corresponding with a Dr. Hemsley living in New Zealand, who served time in a Japanese prisoner of war camp with a former Flying Tiger, Carl Arden, a deceased friend of Captain Bowen. It's a strange story."

"You've aroused my curiosity. Please tell me more." Sue Lee stood still to listen while the gentle surf washed over her feet.

"The doctor claims to have seen her during the war in the prison camp he was in. He was unaware of who she was at that time. You see, President Hoover in 1932 presented Amelia Earhart with a medal in the shape of a coin for her solo plane flight across the Atlantic. In the camp where Helmsley was a prisoner, a Japanese soldier traded his patient, Carl Arden, a medal for his Red Cross cigarettes. They gave the doctor the medal after Carl died of his wounds. It wasn't until recently that Dr. Hemsley read an article in the New Zealand Herald featuring Amelia Earhart's biography that described the medal he kept all these years. He's now sure she was the one he saw through a fence walking across the compound reserved for women prisoners."

"Perhaps that was Amelia Earhart back then, but do you believe she's still alive?"

"There's more. Another doctor working on the island of Malolo was flying out a small child in need of surgery. Amelia Earhart was standing by the jungle near the edge of the runway looking at them before takeoff, dressed like the newspaper pictures with a leather jacket and an old-fashioned flyer's helmet."

"This sounds crazy but interesting."

"I know. Also, I have a second letter sent by Dr. Hemsley. He's retiring, selling his plane, and going fishing. I'm interested in the plane. It's a Catalina PBY. Captain Bowen did some checking for me talked to the mechanic. He was told it's in excellent condition the doctor was very meticulous about the care. He calls it Niu; I'm not sure what it means?"

"The English translation is coconut palm. The Pacific Islanders consider coconut oil to be the cure for all illnesses. My mother kept it on our ship to cure sailors with stomach problems, mostly due to too much drinking while on shore leave." Sue Lee smiled at the memory. "Well, thanks to Sebastian, we both have twin-engine hours on his PBY, which is good after that incident in Spain, but I think you have something else up your fancy sleeve?"

"Okay, Dr. Hemsley is retired in New Zealand. The other doc, his colleague, is looking for a qualified flyer and a doctor. That position will take some time to fill."

Sue Lee interrupted. "You just happened to know a flying doctor and copilot who, for a short time, will fill in during the transition."

"At the same time, try out the PBY for a future purchase. What say you, old thing? Up for an adventure in the South Seas?"

"Only if I can buy half of the Catalin. I'm also sure I can swing a deal shipping it back here to the Bahamas. Do you want to shake on it, partner?" Sue Lee held out her hand, knowing the plane wouldn't be a financial burden for either of them since she was a part-owner of Walker & Ono Shipping Line and Dr. Jane was part owner of Island Art Inquiries.

"Boy, you bet I'll shake. You're my best friend, but I wasn't sure you'd go with me on this nutty quest."

Sue Lee smiled. "Nutty is an understatement, but let's go find your other friend, Amelia."