part 2
"Alright, get those boats together. I'm going to take a look at the river." Moving out of the clearing Garrison headed down through the trees letting the sound guide him to water. He stood watching it roll quietly past him. It was broad and smooth, with a deep green color that spoke of it's depth, small swirling eddies telling of how fast it was moving as the water just beneath the surface ran away from the top layer causing it to turn back on itself . The bank where he stood sloped gently down to the waters edge, a perfect place for them to launch the boats. The reports assured him that there was a long stretch of river that ran like this before the hills moved in on it, causing it to turn and twist its way through them before it funneled into a canyon that sat just above the town. That was what the training had been for, negotiating that section. Turning he started back up through the trees. He'd better get them at it.
"Hey! I think that might a been the best one a those we ever done!" Goniff grinned at Casino tentatively as he worked. "Everything come down just where it was 'spose to. Maybe our lucks changin'"
"Aw, don't start with that 'the Curse is lifted' stuff again! As far as I'm concerned the curse is standin' right here!"
"Casino, lay off!" Garrison stepped into the open moving across to stand next to Goniff, watching as his nimble fingers tied knots in the cord that helped keep the wooden floor secure, stiffening the larger boat. "You have that one ready to go?" At the little mans nod he continued, "Good, go check on Chief then. Make sure everything's alright." and moving in close he dropped his voice, " I don't want to sink somewhere on that river just because a valve isn't closed." Goniff flashed him a grateful smile and headed over to Chief and the smaller boat. Turning Garrison crossed his arms on his chest and stalked across to Casino. "Everything secure here?"
Casino slapped the bundle he'd been working on. The explosives they might need had been double wrapped to keep them dry, he'd dropped the package down in a dry sack and strapped that on a board that would be tied into the floor of his boat. "Yeah, everything's just fine." standing he stared defiantly back at the Warden.
"Good." Garrison smiled and said quietly, "Because if those explosives get wet, and we can't use them for any reason I figure the hot air you generate will be enough to blow one of those guns, and I'll stuff you in the chamber myself." He stood, waiting as Casino continued to stare back at him, watching him struggle to control the wise cracking argument that fought to be let loose. Finally the other man gave a snort and a half smile flashed across his face before he nodded and turned away.
Actor stood, hoisting the parcel he'd made of the uniforms, supplies and papers they'd brought. The same method had been used to keep them safe and dry, this package would be secured in the bottom of the smaller boat, the one Garrison and Chief would be taking. Each man had a pistol on his belt that would be sacrificed to the river but also carried a water proof pouch with weapon, ammunition, first aid supplies and rations for three days. Anything else they needed they would find along the way.
Goniff and Actor moved the packs down to the rivers edge and went back to get the smaller raft while the others turned the larger boat on it's side and walked it through the trees towards the river, Chief carefully guiding them around any projecting rock or branch that might damage the rubber and cause a leak. They'd been assured that there was little chance of this, but no one was willing to take the slightest risk.
"Alright, get those packs secured in the boats and start the safety checks" Safety checks had always drawn groans of protest from the men, but now that they were here, about ready to go into a river they'd never seen before, they went quietly, efficiently about the business of making sure of their equipment. As soon as the boats had been checked the paddling 'teams' changed craft and started through again. Satisfied that everything was properly rigged they donned the life vests and after having those double checked by their partners prepared to launch the boats.
"Keep in the shade along the bank if you can and stay low. We don't have any reason to think we were observed coming in, or that any one knows we're here, but there's no reason to take chances" It was an unnecessary caution, they all knew how to stay out of sight and safe, but he was used to giving it and they were used to hearing it. "If you spot someone on shore DO NOT fire your weapon. We don't want anyone shooting at us."
Casino raised an amused eyebrow, "What if they start first?"
Garrison shrugged, "That'd be a different story. Go ahead and let 'em have it. Try and take them out before they can radio down stream. It's not likely anyone will be able to follow along and threaten us from the banks, but if we're spotted we'll have to be on the watch for people looking for us down river."
They launched the large boat first, Garrison and Chief steadying it, standing knee deep in the cold water as the others climbed in and settled into position. The river curved here, creating a quiet cove where the current wasn't as strong. Goniff turned them up stream and they easily kept station while Chief climbed into the bow of the smaller boat and Garrison shoved off from the bank, sending them into the current as he settled himself in the back on his knees.
They had come in early in the morning using the first quiet pearl gray hours to prepare, it was almost mid morning now. The sun sparkled off the deep green water as it found its way through the trees as they moved through dappled sunlight and deep shade getting used to the river, getting comfortable with the boats and making slight adjustments to the loads they carried. The river ran like this for several miles so they took the opportunity to practice and refine what they'd learned and get comfortable with the way the boats responded before they headed into rougher waters. There was no way of checking, but it seemed the river was running fast, carrying them quickly, quietly downstream. There was a barely discernable rumbling in the north, up river, so vague that each man thought he might not be hearing anything at all.
The terrain on either side of the river had gradually changed, moving in close and compressing the water into a narrower winding course. They spoke very little, and then quietly, a word to call attention to a feature in the river or on the bank, a quiet instruction to adjust the course of the boat. Shortly after noon Garrison waved them off the river. The boats were pulled up and secured on the bank, out of sight of the water. The men were gathered under the trees.
"Blimey! I thought we was never stoppin'. I'm famished!" Goniff tore into the ration pack, consuming it as if it were the most lovingly prepared home cooked food.
Casino looked across from his position leaning against the root of a large tree and shook his head, "You're always famished. How do you stay so scrawny the way you eat? I swear Warden, he's got worms or somethin'. You oughta get him checked out when we get back."
"Aw"! Hey now, I just got a good healthy appetite is all!"
"Goniff the only way that appetite would be healthy is if you was triplets" Chief observed quietly causing laughter to rise and fall within the group.
Garrison watched them. That was more like it. He let the joking and sparring continue for several more minutes while he checked their position on the maps. Folding everything away he got to his feet, "Come on you guys, we still have a long way to go."
The sound, the voice of the river had change, almost as if it was speaking a slightly different language. It was colder than Garrison remembered and the color had changed as well. It was slightly milky now. When they slid out into the current it seemed to push at them, impatiently raising the back of the raft slightly and hurrying them along, the sensation caused a prickle of unease across his shoulders. Chief sensed it too and he leaned to the side to stare down into the river. "What is it?"
The young man shifted his position and looked back, "Dunno. The river's startin' to change color. They do that at home when there's a storm."
They both looked up at the sky. What could be seen of it through the trees was clear and blue and benign but what was directly overhead might have little impact on the condition of the river. The watershed that fed into this course they were riding covered hundreds of square miles, the storm that might cause this could be too far away for them to be aware of in anything other than this sensation of being hurried along by the current. There was no other choice but to keep going.
***
It was getting too rough, they'd had too many close calls with the debris that was being swept down the river, Garrison waved them on to the bank. The larger raft turned and pulled toward shore, as soon as the bow slid onto the gravel Casino was out over the side and dragging it up out of the current. Further into the center of the river Garrison and Chief were having to work hard to move across the fast flowing water to safety. Actor and Goniff were out of the boat now pulling it up onto the security of the bank. The small raft had just nosed in downstream and Chief was stepping on shore when a log spun out of the main current and rammed into the back of the boat sending him onto his hands and knees on the rocks. It turned under the stern of the small craft, lifting it clear of the water, knocking the paddle from the Wardens hands and throwing him onto his back in the bottom of the raft. Chief pushed himself around and made grab for the lines that wrapped the bow but the current tore them from his hands and he watched as the boat was pulled back into the river out into the fast flowing water, turn sideways against a large rock and flip over. The force of the water caught at the side of the raft spinning as it carried it down stream. He had a fleeting glimpse of the back of a jacket and head before he lost the Warden in the boiling white foam of the river
***
Garrison turned, fighting to keep himself in position in the roiling waters, battling to keep his head up so he could breathe, so he could see what was coming. He looked towards the rapids and was shaken to see that down where the rumbling and roaring was at it's loudest the river disappeared from sight. Hair stood on end along the back of his neck and even in the frigid cold of the river a chill ran through him. As he was drawn closer a large sculptural shape became visible beyond the horizon created by the flat, sheet like plane of the water. Rearing up eighteen feet from the surface of the river, it stood motionless, its crest curling down it's upstream side, beckoning to him. He had no time to react before he was swept over the falls down into the hole at the base of the standing wave.
Chief had been pounding along the bank trying to follow, trying to keep Garrison in sight. He saw him drawn into the V-shaped chute of smooth water and lost sight of him as he was pulled over the edge. He kept going, past the falls, down where the river widened out a bit and the freight train roar of the current diminished. Scanning the water he held his breath as he waited for the Warden to surface, so intent on his search he didn't realized that Casino had skidded to a stop behind him until the man grabbed hold of his shoulder and pulled him around, shaking him hard.
"I said. Where is he? Can you see him?" Casino shouted to make himself heard over the waters roar.
Chief gulped for air and shook his head. "He went over the falls, he hadn't come up yet!" Swinging back around to face the water he stared at the fifteen foot drop that had taken Garrison and the huge fluid monster that stood guard over the spot. They watched the river, waiting, searching for any sign of him. Suddenly Casino was pounding him on the back, shouting again.
"There! There he is!"
Chief sighted along the arm Casino held out and saw a form in the water. Face down, floating towards another chute that ran between a jumble of rocks and another large boulder. Just before the current caught him again they saw him lift an arm from the water and turn, almost lazily, onto his back. In the split second before he started to run it registered in Chief's mind that Garrison was no long wearing his life jacket.
Chief and Casino ran side by side, a hundred yards down stream, pulling to a stop on the bank below the small falls they'd seen Garrison go over. Chiefs' sharp eyes spotted the figure clinging to a rock that sat just above water level below the large boulder that made up the near side of the chute. The water curved around this obstruction causing an eddy, a relatively calm spot in the river that Garrison had been lucky enough to be swept into. He was now struggling to get a more secure hold on the life saving rock before he could be pulled back into the main current.
Casino reached out and stopped Chief before he could wade into the water, "You can't get to him." he shouted, "It's runnin' too fast." He pulled the young man back from the rivers edge and they turned, searching for something they could use to rescue their stranded leader.
There was a yell from upstream and they looked up to see Goniff running towards them. He pulled up in front of them panting for breath and lifting a coil of rope off his shoulder. Casino grabbed it from him, running it through his hands until he found the free end. Pulling it loose he started to make it secure around his waist but was brought up short by a piercing whistle from the river. Garrison was up straddling the rock violently shaking his head. With a wave of his arm he ordered them to toss him the rope.
"Here, give it here." Goniff held a small, heavy, curved branch in his hands, he took the rope from Casino and quickly secured the end of it through a hole that had been worn through by weather, water and insects. "Have a go, mate. You've got the best eye." he tossed the wood to Chief and started to lay out several coils of the rope neatly on the bank before wrapping the end of it around his back and bracing his feet.
Chief tugged on the rope and then swung the wood up over and around his head with increasing force. On the fourth turn he let it go and they watched as it arched out over the river, dropping short by several feet. Casino pulled the line back, Goniff carefully coiling it onto the bank. They handed it back to Chief. He took time to set his feet and sent the rope thrumming around his head again, paying out a little more line with each revolution. Eyeing a spot in the river where the water dipped into the chute above Garrison he let go of the rope with his right hand but let it feed out through the fingers of his left. This time it dropped just where he'd sent it. The branch floated neatly down stream into the chute, catching the rope on the back side of the boulder just above the Wardens perch. Jerking the rope up over his head Chief worked it carefully up the backside of the large rock and dropped it down in the water within easy reach of the Wardens' outstretched hand.
Garrison cursed the numbness in his fingers and tried to work the rope into a knot again. Over, under, around and down. Damn! Once more. His brain seemed to be going numb too. He gave a tug and the rope held. Looking across the expanse of whitewater he gave the three waiting on the bank the high sign an slipped off his rock. The current took him immediately, trying to pull him out of the rope the same way it had torn first the life jacket and then the heavy wool sweater off his back. The water pounded him from upstream, boiling over his head and driving him down towards the rocky bottom. He could feel a pull from the rope around his waist and used all the strength left in his legs to push along in that direction. Just when he thought his lungs would burst his head broke the surface and he gulped in air and water before being forced down again.
***
He was laying on his side on the stones along the bank, gasping for air and coughing up river. Someone was slapping him firmly between the shoulders. It seemed like it had taken a long time to get here.
"Goniff, I swear, you gotta go get that toad!"
Garrison turned on his back on the rocks still gasping for breath. Finally opening his eyes, rolling his head back and forth he managed to rasp out "Wouldn't work." He looked up into Goniffs stricken face and swallowed, wetting his lips "I think I'd have to be the one to get it. And stuff like this needs a full moon." He smiled up at the little pick pocket and the other two standing over him, finally managing a deep breath, "that's not for another two weeks yet."
Actor had just dropped down on the stones next to the Warden and lifted him up to rest against his leg so that he could breath easier. The river had stripped him of his life vest and sweater and shredded the trousers and shirt it had left him, he was ice cold. "Chief see if you can find some sort of shelter, somewhere safe enough to make a fire."
Garrison gripped his arm, shaking his head, "The boat. You have to go after the boat. We can't afford for it to be found"
Chief caught the look Garrison flashed up at them and held it. Slapping Casino on the back he turned and started down river. "Come on Pappy!"
Goniff called to them as they started away downstream. "Here!" He'd gathered the rope up in a large coil again and tossed it to Casino, "You might need this... And stay outta that river, eh?"
Casino accepted the advice with a wave as he turned to follow Chief down stream.
The Warden had managed to pull himself away from the con mans support and up onto his knees but he was still weak from his battle with the river and the effort had winded him. Actor stood reaching a hand down to help him to his feet. "Come on, it will be warmer up in the trees."
Garrison groaned as they got him up and a look of surprise crossed his face when his knees buckled under him. Standing there, supported on either side he looked down, frowning, "I don't have any bones in my legs!"
"S'OK Warden they'll stiffen back up in a bit." Goniff advised brightly from his side as they helped him up into the trees. "I always feel like that after jumpin' outta one a you'r ruddy planes!"
They moved at a right angle, directly away from the river and up into the trees and found themselves in a jumble of rocks that lay at the base of the cliffs running along the east side of the canyon. Goniff scrambled through them and quickly discovered a chamber topped by a large slab that had fallen across the top of three huge rocks that made up it's walls. The final side was the cliff face itself, and it was reached by walking around to the right and along that face. It was a little tricky, the three of them side stepping along, but it was reached soon enough and the Warden settled gratefully down onto the thick layer of leaves blown in on the last few seasons winds. Actor firmly over ruled the order of 'no fire' and while he cleared a bare area on the ground at the base of one of the large rocks Goniff slipped out to find wood. He made a quick trip down to the river and left a pile of rocks pointing off in the direction of their shelter. It wasn't long before he was sidling back into the chamber, his arms full of dry twigs and branches.
"You look like you been through that big washer they got back there in the base laundry! How'r you doing Lieutenant?"
"I'm fine."
Goniff gave him a knowing grin. He bloody well didn't look fine!
"I just wish the ground would stop moving" As long as he kept his eyes open Garrison could convince his confused inner ear he was sitting quietly upright. It was when his eyes dropped closed the trouble started, and that was happening with annoying frequency. The river had beaten every ounce of strength out of him. He was keeping his eyes open by sheer will and felt even that gradually slipping away as he watched Actor start the small fire. The warmth that reached him, the soft rhythmic crackling and the hypnotic flicker of the flames as they licked up and around the wood were his undoing. His eyes closed and the world started to spin. He felt himself being tumbled over and over, the roar of water in his ears, the feel of the rocks gouging against his skin, his lungs burning for air he couldn't reach. When he opened his eyes again the fire had burned down, a small can was steaming gently from its place on the rocks at the side and Goniff was crouched next to the fire adding wood to the glowing coals. The collar of a wool jacket draped over his shoulders scratched at his jaw. He pushed himself up on an elbow. "Where are the others?"
Goniff looked over his shoulder "Chief's out keepin' watch," he picked up the can and moved over and placed it on the ground next to the Warden. "Casino and Actor went up after the explosives and stuff. Here Actor said you was to have some a this when you woke up."
Garrison eyed the steaming container suspiciously, "What is it?"
"Casino called it K ration stew!" Goniff laughed as he lifted the can up and took an appreciative sniff. "S'not bad really. Chief found some wild onions and things to kinda perk it up." He held it out until the Warden finally took it from him. "Go on, give it a try. You know what Actor'll be like if you don't do like he says."
Garrison took a sip, his eyebrows arched up in surprise. "Not bad!" He'd finished off a good portion of the concoction by the time the others returned. He watched as Casino shrugged his burden off his shoulder, letting it drop near the rocks furthest from the fire. "Any of that stuff get wet?"
"Hell no!" he snorted. "We landed our boat, remember?" Moving across the small chamber he settled on the ground next to Garrison. "And you oughta be glad you flipped out when you did. That boat of yours was trashed when we found it. There was a big pile up of trees and stuff and it was hung up there." Casino shook his head, remembering. "It's all calm on the other side a that though. Chief and me went a little way past that and found the end a this damn canyon."
Garrison looked up "Did you spot the town? It's supposed to be right below the mouth of the canyon."
"Yeah. We took a look at it." Casino leaned back against the rock. "We even scouted out a place for us to use. Looks like somebody built themselves a fishin' shack up here. It looks down on the town. Doesn't look like anybody's been in it for a couple a years. I don't think you'll wanna start a fire there, I think they might be able to see the smoke from the town."
"You guys just earned your pay for the month."
Casino laughed. "Babe, I earned my pay when I jumped outta that plane!."
The small cabin was perched on a bluff above the river and had a good view of the town below and the surrounding hills. They moved their supplies down and settled in. There would be a fly over tonight and they'd be able to spot the position of the guns from here. Tomorrow they'd move to those locations and decided the best way to destroy them. Two more commando teams were ready and waiting in England to drop in as back up if they needed it. The area contact would have to be found to send out that call if it was required.
***
They heard the rumble of planes in the distance and sirens down in the town warning the people into shelters. As the guns flashed from the hills around the town Garrison made note of their position on the map he'd laid out across his legs. The roar and flare of one caused him to frown and swear as he marked it's location.
"What's wrong?"
"That one's right down in the town." he turned to look at Actor. "We'll have to go down in there and find it." They listened as the planes moved out of range overhead and the guns fell silent. "Casino, Goniff you'll check the emplacement on the north side of town, Chief the south. You know what we're looking for. I want to know where the entrances are and what kind of security we'll have to get through to get inside. We might as well get this over with." Checking his watch as he got stiffly to his feet. "I want everyone back here by 0500, no matter what. If we have to go back to one of the spots to get more details we will. You've got seven hours. Take off... And be careful"
Chief moved off into the trees, following the contour of the hills around to the south. Working on his own didn't bother him, in fact, he preferred it. He knew he could get in and out of most places without being seen and without one of the others to look out for he could move fast. He figured he'd be the first one back at the cabin. That suited him too. It'd give him time to scout around the area and make sure it was safe for the others to head back in.
Casino and Goniff were making their way carefully down hill. Garrisons map showed a road winding away to the north and they'd use that to get around to the guns position. They figured it'd be above them, so a quick climb up through the trees would get them in position. Casino was in the lead. It wasn't that he didn't trust Goniff, most of the time he'd trust the guy with his life but there was no doubt about it, the little second story man sure seemed to be a magnet for bad luck lately. And it rubbed off! Casino cursed silently. He'd lost his shirt playin' poker with a guy that in Scotland. Chief and Actor tried to convince him the man had been a cheat, a card sharp. He didn't believe it. Nobody was slick enough to put one over on him . He knew all the moves! Hell, he invented some of 'em. Nope, had to have something' to do with Goniff, he'd been standin' right over his shoulder. Well, he'd just keep him back out of the way, out of trouble 'til whatever alignment of planets, or numbers, or whatever, shifted and things got back to normal. No sense takin' chances.
Actor turned and waited, Garrison was lagging behind and that certainly wasn't normal for him. He watched as the younger man moved up towards him, his normally fluid movement halting and stiff. "Are you sure about this? I can easily get the information we need and bring it back to you. There's no need...."
"It's alright" Actor could hear the smile in the Wardens voice acknowledging his concern, "I'm just stiff from bouncing off all those rocks in the river. Moving helps, I'll be fine." Garrison knew his body and his limits. He was stiff and sore and slow, but he was sure if an emergency came up the adrenaline rush would wash all of that away and he'd be ready. It'd take extra time to get in and out, but they had it.
***
Chief sat up on the rise to the side of the cabin. He'd made a search around the structure and assured himself there was no one laying in wait for them. He couldn't find any sign anyone had been around the cabin at all. That seemed strange to him. Set here close to the river, it's back to the trees and with a view out over the town that spread across the valley it was a nice spot. It was the right size too. Small, compact, just enough for a group their size. There was just one big room with a place for cookin' in one corner, the rest of the place given over to living. A large table set to one side looked like it served as a work bench, as well as a place to eat. There was a loft overhead for sleepin, and it had windows up at the peak of the roof on either end. He liked it. It reminded him a little of his grandfathers place. The door faced the wrong way though, opening onto the west. They'd had a fine view of the sunset, but the way the mountains came down behind the cabin sunrise was blocked. They probably wouldn't see the sun here until mid morning.
He stopped, listening for a moment before moving off towards the front of the building. He waited in the trees until the sound of the other two moved beyond him, letting them get several feet away before he stepped out of cover behind them. "You guy's are makin' enough noise for 'em to hear you down in town." Disgust was evident in his quiet voice. He watched as the other men turned, Goniff dropping into a crouch, his pistol already in his hand. Casino was clumsy, off balance, favoring his left leg. Chief moved up quickly and offered his hand for support. "What happened?"
"Aw, I tripped and twisted my ankle."
"Gettin' clumsy in your old age Pappy?" Chief slipped under the safe crackers arm, helping him towards the cabin.
Casino glared at Goniff, narrowing his eyes. "I had some help."
"Come on Casino" the little man pleaded. "You told me to stick close and that's what I was doin'"
"You didn't need to be right under my feet you little jinx!" Casino saw the quick look Chief gave them and felt the slight break in his stride. "Don't worry, everything went fine out at the gun. He walked up the back of my leg about ten minutes ago."
"Well you shouldn't a stopped short like that without givin' a bloke some kinda warning."
"There was something on the road..."
"It was a deer! I tried to tell ya that but you shushed me!"
Chief smiled and changed direction, heading down hill. "Come on, we better get down to the river. You can soak your ankle in it."
"Soak his head'd be more like it!"
***
Casino looked up as the door opened and Chief stepped back inside. "Any sign of them?" He'd spent thirty minutes soaking his foot in the ice cold water of the river, then they'd moved back up to the cabin and torn one of the curtains into strips wrapping the sore joint up before it could swell again He'd had it resting up on the table while they waited for Actor and the Warden to show up. They were more than an hour late.
'Nothin'" the young man crossed to the table, pulled one of the chairs out and sat down resting his arms in front of him. "I went all the way down to the edge a town. There's a trail that runs right down there along the river. Didn't' see anything of 'em."
Goniff came to stand at the end of the table. "What'd we do now?"
With both Garrison and Actor gone there was no clear-cut leader. Left on their own the three men would hammer out some kind of plan and whoever had the best idea would take over. Casino chewed at the inside of his cheek. "We gotta pack the stuff up and get it outta here in case we need to move."
Chief shoved his chair back and stood up. "There's a cave up in the trees behind the place. I checked it out while I was waitin' for you to get back. We can still see the cabin from there." There was no question in his mind that they would wait and find out what happened to Actor and Garrison and try and get them back if they could.
Goniff walked to the corner of the room, reaching down he hoisted one of the packs that they'd stored there and tossed it to Chief, shouldering the other one he turned and watched Casino slide his foot into his boot and start lacing it up. "You gonna be able to climb on that?"
"Yeah. I'll make it" He tried his weight on his foot, it was stiff and sore, but it would hold him. He looked up and caught Goniffs eye. "It's nothin'' he assured him. "just a little sore." Picking up the utility belts they'd slung onto the back of the chairs as they'd waited he cast a look around the cabin. They'd have to come back down and make sure they left no sign of their recent occupancy. No sense leaving clues layin' around for the Krauts to find if they'd picked the other two up. He'd taken a step towards the door when Chief flattened against the wall and brought his hand up, his blade sliding out of the harness and into position. Goniff dropped back into the shadow in the corner of the room his pistol in his hand, Casino crouched down behind the table. He hadn't heard anything but Chief had too good a track record for him to waste any time doubting him. Casino watched as the Indian tensed, listening, then take a deep breath and reach up to lock the knife back in the rig he wore on his wrist. Reaching out the young man grasp the door knob and jerked it open.
"'No matter what,' huh? You'r late."
Garrison and Actor move through the door, past the disapproving stare of the groups scout. Garrison took note of their stance, Goniffs weapon, the packs and belts that were close at hand, even Casinos slightly off balance posture as he approached the table. "What happened to you?"
"Me! What in the hell happed to you guys? You were 'spose to be back here almost two hours ago!" As always anxiety made the man short tempered, a condition that seemed to have infected all three of them as they shared irritated glances between them.
"We had some trouble on the road." Actors calm statement snapped all attention on the two new arrivals, and it quickly focused on the condition of the uniform the Warden had changed to after they'd brought the clothes up from the ruined raft the day before. The seam along the back of the right shoulder was torn out, several of the jackets buttons were missing and the fabric of the trouser leg hung in tatters. His hair was disheveled, his face smeared with dirt and a handkerchief was wrapped around his left hand.
"Bloody Hell! What's happened now?" Goniff pulled one of the chairs away from the table and turned it so Garrison could sit down. The little man shot Casino a triumphant glance. "I wasn't anywheres near him!" and pulled a chair out for himself and sat facing the Warden, his back firmly turned against the momentarily speechless east coast thief. "Are you OK Lieutenant?"
Amusement flashed in Garrisons eyes as he looked from Goniffs vindicated concern to Casinos open mouthed amazement. "I was just a little slow getting out of the way. I'm fine." He hoisted a sack up onto the table and looked around at his men before opening it revealing the bread and cheese they'd brought up from the early market in the town. "You guys get what you went after?"
Casino pulled a chair around and straddled it. "Oh no you don't! What in the hell happened?"
Garrison eased back in the chair and took a deep breath as Actor tore the bread in pieces and handed it around, Chief was setting to work slicing the cheese and Goniffs food related curiosity had discovered the fruit still in the bottom of the sack on the table. "We were on the road about a mile from here, car came around the curve too fast," he shrugged. "I had to jump for it."
"And it looks like you almost made it." Casino raised a sarcastic eyebrow and looked from one to the other. "What'r we doin' still sittin' here? Weren't you two spotted?"
Actor took up the story. "The car went off the road and hit a tree. The occupants didn't make it." he patted the bulge in his pocket. "We have their papers, and the car is hidden off the road."
Jeeze! It was like pullin' teeth! "AND?"
"And, we found the location of the gun in town. It's on a knoll that sits right in the middle of the grounds of a large hospital. And the man in the car was a specialist from Italy headed to the hospital. And he had a German officer with him in the car, some sort of liaison or assistant."
"So you blokes can just step into their uniforms and drive right through the gate."
"That's the idea."
"You'r kinda scuffed up there Warden. How'r you gonna explain that?"
Garrison laughed. "Well I have just been in a car accident. Wait'll you see the car, I'm a perfect match."
Actor set his food aside and reached down to retrieve the package of 'borrowed' supplies he'd brought in with him from the floor by his feet. "We'd best get you wrapped up. You've started some of those scrapes bleeding again, they'll add the perfect touch to the bandages."
An hour later he was nearly immobilized, incased in layers of gauze and tape. The mauling he'd taken in the river had left bruises and patches of missing skin over his shoulders, elbows, knees and back. The flying leap he'd made out of the path of the speeding car and into the ditch by the side of the road added a few new gouges and caused the crusty surface of some of the earlier injuries to crack and start to weep again but to make all the damage look like it was from the same accident he'd told Actor to scrub the scabs away from the day old injuries before wrapping them up. Garrison wasn't so sure that had been a good idea now that almost every part of him was throbbing and aching in protest. The other men had reported on what they'd found at the other gun emplacements and they'd discussed possible ways of destroying the sites as the con man worked, keeping his mind off the discomfort. He was leaning back in his chair now, watching Actor put the finishing touches on the bandage around Casinos ankle, just beginning to be glad of the aspirin Actor had stolen from the pharmacy when he'd broken into it after the accident.
'Casino, we'll be using you as the driver. That limp of yours fits right in with our story."
The safecracker nodded then turned a speculative eye on Actor, smiling. "what about Herr Doktor there? Shouldn't we mess him up a little?"
Actor turned and looked back at him. I am a physician Casino." Smiling smugly at the other mans puzzled look. "Finely tuned powers of observation and a logical mind."
"Huh?"
"I saw what was coming and braced myself."
Casino laughed, shaking his head. One of these days that con artist was gonna get his perfect self dirtied and wrinkled and he just hoped he'd be around to see it. "When do we have to be down there?"
"Not until tomorrow morning." Garrison raised his hand to pre-empt their questions, "We were able to find our contact. He's with a larger group now. They're setting our accident story over in the next village where they operate. They'll be handling the papers and uniforms we'll need. A message will be sent to the director of the hospital explaining the delay. Apparently, since I was unlucky enough to be thrown from the car, the local doctor decided to keep me at his place over night." He got stiffly to his feet, "That'll give me a chance to get a better look at those other two installations."
"So will the other blokes be helpin' us blow those guns up?" Goniff asked hopefully.
Garrison shook his head, "No, they aren't set up to go into the sites. That'll be up to us. They can offer support though, supplies, transportation, information about the immediate area, that sort of thing."
"Well, it's more than we thought we were gonna have comin' in." Chief stepped to the door taking it for granted that he'd be going with the Warden on his little fact finding mission.
Garrison spent the morning observing one facility and the afternoon staring down at the other. Watching the movement in and out of the sites, getting the pattern of patrols down, taking note of the size of the deployment at each location. He and Actor hadn't been able to do this for the installation on the hospital campus. They'd have to wait until tomorrow when they had a reason to be on the grounds. He had the beginnings of an idea. It would depend on what they were able to find out tomorrow, the underground groups' capabilities, and their ability to get a message back to England. He'd be able to check on the groups resources tonight when they met up in the town to the north. He, Actor and Casino had to be seen leaving the doctors home there in the morning