part 2
�I�m afraid there�s very little we can do from inside this cell.� The confidence artist glanced down as he moved past the man sitting on the floor. There had to be some way he could get them out of this. But he�d already tried getting the Captain of the guards to believe he was Gestapo working undercover, and that had met with no success. Demanding the officer summon his superior had fallen on deaf ears, and when he�d threatened him with what would happen when the interrogator finally arrived and found out about his error, the man had actually laughed in his face. The guards had been instructed to ignore his ultimatums now.
�Where d�you think they took that other guy?� Chief watched their second in command pace. He could usually bluff or bully his way through in spots like this, the young man thought their current situation was probably eatin� at the big man.
�Toma? They have him down the corridor.� Actor stopped near the bars and gestured. �The guards have been taunting him with their stories of the interrogator.� Then he started pacing again. �There�s another man down there too. I can hear a different voice.�
�The guy we were s�pose t�be after?�
�Iagar? I believe so.�
�Too bad they didn�t put us all in the same cell.�
When first brought in each man had been shoved in a different cell, kept in solitary, until the initial interview with the camp commandant. They'd been herded into the hallway a bare half hour ago and sorted into the cells they waited in now. The show was about to start but there was no way for them to know how it would end.
�Sure! That�d make it easier.� Casino snorted. �That way when we pulled somethin� and the Kraut�s started shootin� they�d get all of us at once. Save �em a little time and effort!�
�Casino, why don�t you shut up?� Chief smiled to himself. Casino�d hit the bait just like he knew he would.
�You shut up, Indian!� The east coast thief shot a grateful, irritated look at their scout. If they were arguin� at least he didn�t have to worry about what was gonna to happen next.
�Quiet! Both of you!� Actor leaned into the bars and strained to hear the man who�d just picked up the phone.
�What�s up?�
�The interrogator, a Major Todeskopf, has finally arrived. He�s being taken to the commandant now.� It wouldn�t be long now, he thought as he followed the path he�d set himself around the cell.
After a delay of nearly two days the German officers would meet, the man would present his papers and then he would set to work. Actor knew they would be questioned, the captain had promised as much after his session with the commandant, told him they were saving the pleasure of it for the specialist, but he had no way of knowing when it would happen. If he were running this operation he would save the main target, the resistance leader, for last, using the questioning of the other prisoners to intimidate him. Assembling them here where Iagar would know when each man was removed from the cell block seemed to follow that pattern. He didn�t have much time to come up with something. If he couldn�t convince Todeskopf he was part of the secret German intelligence service then he�d have to get him to believe that they were important enough as prisoners to take back with him when he left to return to Berlin. That would probably mean they would each have to face an interrogation, and it could get rough...but they would certainly have a better chance of getting away somewhere out on the road.
�What d�you think happened to �em?� Chief settled in a corner of the cell where he could see through the bars and keep an eye on the activity in the corridor.
�Well, if they�d been caught they would have been brought here.� Actor had finally given up pacing and leaned against the wall. �They are probably out there somewhere developing a plan to get inside to us.�
Casino just stared at the man, there was no need for him to say it, they were all thinking that if the Warden had been alright he�d have already found a way inside to them. The fact that he hadn�t, and that he and the limey weren't sittin' in their own cell probably just meant they�d been killed out there somewhere and left to rot. He turned and watched as three of the guards gathered together and started whispering again. �What�n the hell�s that all about, anyway?�
The con man moved to the bars and watched the group, straining to catch what he could of the conversation. �They seem to be worried about the officer that is on his way.�
�That interrogator guy?� Chief got to his feet and moved to the front of the cell. �Why?�
�They appear to be frightened of him. They are trading rumors about him.�
The safe cracker came and stood with the other two. �What kind a rumors?� and waited as Actor listened again.
The big Italian shook his head a moment later and smiled. �The same sort of thing you teased Goniff with... They say he�s a ghoul,,, the local word is strigoi,,, a vampire.� And after another pause he gave a short laugh. �The sergeant has just told them he heard that the man eats his subjects. That�s how he gets them to talk.�
�Oh, swell! Sounds like somethin� I'm really gonna look forward to.� Casino walked back into the back of the cell and slid down the wall to sit on the floor again.
Actor shrugged as he followed the explosives expert into the back of the cell. �It might help us.�
�Yeah? How?�
�If they are really as nervous about him as they appear it could distract them....�
�Oh come on! You don�t believe that anymore than I do.� Casino scoffed.
Actor considered it. �It�s certainly a slim chance, but look at them.� The men in the cell turned to watch the guards, they seemed nervous, tense. �Even the man�s name feeds into their rumors and fears.� To the other�s questioning looks he explained. �Todeskopf, it means �death head��
�Quiet� Chief hissed. �You hear that?�
Something was moving along the corridor towards them, the sound echoed off the stone walls. It sounded like someone was shoving a box or sack along the floor, taking a step and then shoving it on ahead. Actor watched the reaction of the soldiers in the corridor. They�d come to attention around the desk but seemed to be shrinking back a bit as the sound grew louder. Actor stepped close to the bars of the cell and peered down the hallway, the way the guards were staring. His poise was shaken by the sight that greeted him and he moved back to stand with his fellows as the figure moved past.
�Jeeze!� Casino turned wide eyes on the other two. �D�you see that!?�
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�What�n the Hell was that!�
Actor put his hand up for silence and moved back up to the bars and tried to catch the conversation at the desk. Major Todeskopf, he was aptly named the con man thought with a shudder, was giving his orders in a strangled whisper but with the amplification of the stone his sibilant tones easily reached them in their cell. The others watched as he turned back to them. The color had drained from the elegant con artists face.
�What d�you hear, man?�
Casino prodded him when he hesitated. �C�mon, give.�
�He�s going to question us first.�
�Yeah? Go on.�
�We are to be given one chance to cooperate with him. If we don�t answer his questions, if we don�t give him something he believes, we are to be shot.�
�We got anything to give him?�
Actor shook his head. �Only the location of the group we met with.�
�But some of 'em got away.� Chief stared at the other men. �I ain�t given nobody up.� Besides, he thought, the Warden and Goniff might be with them.., if they were still alive.
A sharp rap on the bars stopped any further conversation. The three of them turned to stare at the man who waited on the other side of the cell door. He pointed at Actor. �Dieser Gefangene.� and then lurched back to let the guard unlock the door. The guard gave him a wide berth, trying to avoiding even the touch of the Major�s uniform. The two soldiers that flanked Todeskopf trained their weapons on the captives as the door swung open. The guard leaned and reached in and grabbed a handful of Actor�s jacket, jerking him out into the corridor, slamming the door before the others had a chance to move.
They watched as his hands were cuffed in front of him and cord looped around his ankle and handed to the Major. Actor was turned roughly and prodded into motion by the larger guard�s rifle barrel. He only had a moment to turn and look at his friends before they�d shoved him again and started him moving down the corridor.
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Casino moved to the bars, gripping them tightly in his hands he shouted after his teammate. �Tell �em to go to Hell!� and got a solid rap on his knuckles for his trouble. Chief caught him and pulled him back into the back of the cell, pulling his handkerchief out of his pocket to dress the bleeding knuckles.
�Your fingers? They broken?�
The safe cracker watched the blood seep into the cloth Chief had twisted around his hand. He flexed the fingers and glanced up. �Nah. They�re alright... but I don�t think it matters much now.�
�What�s wrong with that guy?" Chief asked quietly "Why�s he look like that?� There wasn�t much that could shake the young man, not after all the stuff they�d seen and heard over here, but one look at that Major�d done it.
�I don�t know. Probably got caught in a fire somewhere.� Casino�s mouth had gone dry. �Maybe acid.... I worked with a guy that got himself splashed with some acid. He had scars like that on his arms.�
Chief closed his eyes a moment and the vision of the man standing outside the bars came back to haunt him. His left shoulder was hunched up and rolled forward, his arm hung useless by his side. His head had twisted down so the side of it almost laid on that raised hump of a shoulder, the ruined face turned so he could try and see out of what was left of his eyes. The glare that had turned on them as the man picked out his victim was blood red. The mouth, twisted into a cruel line, barely moved as he whispered his orders.
The hand Chief rubbed across his forehead trembled slightly as he opened his eyes, and he had to take a long slow breath and swallow hard to get the bile to stop its climb up into his throat. �Didn�t think anyone�d live through somethin� like that.�
Casino shared a long look with him. �Probably wishes he hadn�t.�
The sharp report of a rifle shot reached them through the window that sat high on the back wall of the cell. It seemed to take a long time for the echoes to die away.
�Guess he told �em�
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They sat silently together, their backs against the back wall of the cell. They hadn�t uttered a word, either of them. There wasn�t anything to say. It took a quarter hour before they heard the sound again, and knew the monster was on his way back for one of them. Both of them got slowly to their feet. They weren�t gonna meet that creep sittin� on their backsides. The sound as the Major pulled his ruined leg after him down the hall got closer and closer...
�Listen, kid...�
�Yeah, Pappy, I know.�
They could hear the wheeze and rattle of breath as the man came into view and turned to stare in the door of their cell. Casino moved forward a step, shrugging Chief�s hand off when he tried to stop him. He�d give the kid a little more time, even if it was only a handful of minutes. The man on the other side of the bars considered him, if his face had worked right Casino thought he might have been smilin� at him. The guard slipped the key in the lock and turned it.
Casino didn�t wait to be hauled out. He gave the group in the corridor a defiant glare and stepped out, turning his back on the Major as the guard cuffed him and tied the cord around his ankle. His tough act slipped a little when he looked down and saw blood on the cuffs, but he recovered and straightened his shoulders. When the order to move came he stepped out with his head held high and swung his leg forward with enough speed that he felt the cord jerk in the Major�s hand. �This won�t take long�, he thought.... �I can hold it together for another five or ten minutes.�
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Chief press his face against the bars and strained to keep the procession in sight as long as he could. He moved over against the back wall when he couldn�t see them any longer and stretched his ears to catch the sound of them as they made their way outside. The dull thump of a heavy wooden door closing reached him, and then the almost imperceptible crunch of gravel as the party paced along a path. That didn�t last long. Hard as he tired he couldn�t hear any more, and didn�t know if they�d left the path somewhere, or stopped.
The guards in the corridor gathered in a knot and started whispering again. The young man started pacing back and forth along the back wall. �Well�, he thought, �it�ll be fast.� He stopped and looked around him, reached out and ran his hand down the stone of the wall. �And it�ll be outside.�
It wouldn't take long this time. �Actor probably tried to talk the guy into believin� that story he�d cooked up about bein� with the Gestapo. Too bad,� Chief thought, �that one usually worked.� Casino wouldn�t have anything like that goin� for him, and he wouldn�t turn stool pigeon. �He�ll probably spit in the guy�s eye,,, if he can find it.�
The sound of gunfire still caused him to jump, even though he thought he was ready for it.
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�You come up with this plan all by yourself, did ya?�
�Blimey, no!� The little man thought a minute, then grinned. �Not all of it anyway.�
It was going to be a grand tale when he finally got a chance to tell it and his mind raced back through all that had happened.....
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�This will work?� Luca had gone from gazing at him with absolute confidence to looking at him like he was completely balmy.
Goniff tried to sound like he was sure of himself. �It always does, mate.� Then he stepped out across the street and tripped, falling into a man as he turned away from his shop door. Goniff raised his cap in apology as the businessman moved off, grumbling to himself about the fool�s clumsiness. As soon as he�d disappeared into the caf� across the road Goniff pulled the keys from his pocket and turned to open the shop. He locked the door behind him and started sorting through the uniforms. �Cleaners,� he thought happily, �cleaners was the best places to pick up a new set a clothes� .... And there was a shoemaker just down the street... and he�d checked in his window and the old man looked like he was finishing up his morning and getting ready to set off to lunch. This might not be so hard after all.
He�d found regular soldier�s uniforms for Jon and Luca. They both spoke some German and they told him there were Romanian soldiers in the German forces too so it wouldn�t be any trouble for them to play their parts. They needed an officer for this scam though so he found a captain�s get up that was the Warden�s size, and he�d pick out a pair of boots for him too, but he really didn�t figure on the Warden being much help... No he�d need an outfit for himself, and there just wasn�t anything on the racks. They�d have to waylay some bloke, roll him for his clothes and papers.
Goniff told the brothers what they were to do and they settled into an alley to wait. They could see the street from their position and watched as soldiers and civilians moved about their business. There just didn�t seem to be anyone the little thief�s size and he started to worry that he wouldn�t be able to pull this off. They�d been away a long time too and he wanted to get back to the Warden. They�d left the fires burning low and the largest pots filled with water, bubbling away on them. Goniff figured if the fires went out the pots�d stay hot and keep the cave warm enough. He�d pulled all the splinters he could out of the Warden, and got him dressed up in dry clothes again, and left him wrapped in the wool blankets. He�d left a note next to him too, telling him where they were and that they�d be back for him.
He was just beginning to believe they�d have to go, that he�d have to get back into the cleaners again and find something that would almost fit him, almost do, when he spotted the man strutting out of the caf� down the street. Goniff prodded Luca in the ribs and jerked a thumb at the officer that was striding towards them. He nodded encouragingly as the brothers set off and then stepped back out of sight.
He was getting a case of nerves. He didn�t know how he was going to take the man out. He didn�t think he could use his knife like Chief did, besides he didn�t want to spoil the uniform. Goniff chewed on his lip as he considered his hands. He held the fingers of his right hand out straight, stiffening them into a board. He looked at the hand a moment and brought it down in a sharp chop through the air. Then he tried it again, slamming it into the palm of his left hand. Sucking in a sharp breath and shaking his hands in the air he danced about on his toes a moment. No, that never worked for him anyway. He sent his mind racing through all the training moves the Sergeant Major�d made them practice and wished with all his heart he�d paid more attention to what the man had tried to teach him.
Goniff could hear the brothers talking to the officer as they came closer. He�d told them to tell him a collaborator had some secret information on the men that had been captured that morning... He figured any bloke would want to get a piece of that, make a good showing to his superiors, and he must�ve figured right because the guy was going along with it. They�d be in the mouth of the alley any second now.... He had to come up with something. An image of the Warden flashed in his mind just as the mark stepped into view.
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Goniff smiled at the officer that stood there and tried to look as slimy as he could as he sidled up to the man and opened his mouth to speak... His hands shot out and caught the officer�s shoulders. Jerking down he brought his knee up hard against the man�s chin as he fell forward, and his stomach turned at the sound as the man�s neck broke. The officer dropped at Goniff�s feet but it took him a moment longer to die. Jon and Luca stepped back onto the street to keep anyone from coming into the alley so there was no one there to see when the little cat burglar leaned against the side of the building and threw up. He turned back to the business at hand and pulled the officer down the alley where he could strip him of his uniform and papers. He did it quickly without looking at the man or the uniform. He�d brought a cleaners sack along with him and bundled his prize into it before calling out for help in hiding the body. Jon joined him and they lifted the dead man into a large trash barrel and secured the lid before they left, the two brothers going first, Goniff following a minute later.
Now all they needed was a vehicle. The brothers didn�t know how to hot wire a car and Goniff certainly had never learned... but he didn�t have to did he? He lounged against the wall of the caf� enjoying the sun�s warmth as it radiated from the stones at his back. The place must be good, it drew a lot of business and soon the car he wanted pulled into view. They parked just where he hoped they would too, far enough away that they wouldn�t be able to see the car from the window even if Goniff was unlucky and the proprietor seated the men there. It was just a couple of regular soldiers. Goniff smiled to himself. They must�ve left their officer off at a better place and come round here to get their own lunch.
The little thief watched the driver pocket the keys and then moved in on him, stumbling just as he came to him. The young man put a hand out to stop him from falling but Goniff�s feet tied themselves in a knot and he clutched at the soldier as he slid down the front of him to land on the sidewalk. The fellow laughed and made a comment to his comrade as he reached a hand down to haul the pickpocket to his feet. He even brushed some of the dust off him, and patted him on the shoulder before he left. Goniff was almost sorry for the trouble the bloke would get in when he didn�t get back to pick up the officer who belonged to the car...almost sorry.., but only almost.
It had taken most of the day to get the Lieutenant out of the tree, up into the cave and then get into town and get all the stuff they needed to pull off the job. Goniff had the brothers drive the car out and leave it with him outside town, but he sent them back to find out how the repairs were going on the bridge. It hadn�t taken long before they�d come back. Repairs were moving along and they expected it to be back in operation at first light. As they made their way back to the cave he knew they�d have to be out on the road at dawn if they were going to stop the man from reaching the castle.
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When they got back to the cave the air was warm and heavy with steam. The pots had just boiled dry and Goniff sent the brothers off for more water as he went to check on the Warden. He turned the blankets back and slid his hand inside the sweater and rested it against his commander�s skin. It was warmer, softer, and felt a little more like flesh, a little less like stone. Garrison frowned and tried to move away from Goniff�s hand, it was a bit colder than he was. The little man smiled and fired off a quick prayer of thanks... he moved, all on his own... �Warden? You in there yet?� He didn�t get a response, not yet anyway.
Goniff looked around the cave. He needed to get the Lieutenant warmer, he thought... His eyes rested on the rest of the wool blankets that were still stacked along the back wall. He hummed to himself a moment and turned to look at the fire ring. There wasn�t anything like a hot water bottle in the place, but maybe if he rolled one a them stones up in one a those blankets... There was a nice long one, he could sorta pull the Warden up so he rested back against that for a while... Better see how hot the thing was, and how heavy. He might not even be able to get it all wrapped up.
The long stone hadn�t worked quite like he�d wanted. He couldn�t get it wrapped up and then move it over where the Warden was and then pull the bloke up while he moved it into place. Goniff settled on just rolling it up close to Garrison�s side, and then he wrapped up a few other stones and set them along his other side. He did manage to get a kind a smallish flat stone shoved under the bedroll, under the Warden�s knees. He covered everything over with the blankets he had left just as Jon and Luca came back in with the water and refilled the pots, sending steam hissing into the air..... It was getting like a sauna in the cave, but the little man breathed the steam down deep. It felt good, warm, and it looked like it might finally be thawing the Warden out.
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When the Warden started to come around after nightfall the little man�s spirits rose. It wouldn�t be long now and he could hand this whole job off to someone who knew what he was doing! But the Warden was slow in pulling his wits together.
It seemed backwards to Goniff but the Lieutenant started shaking with cold as he warmed up, and couldn�t seem to stop. His teeth chattered together, and when he tried to talk his words slurred like he was drunk, and he didn�t make much sense. They�d found some tea and there was a jar half filled with honey. Goniff made up a mug and Jon pulled the Lieutenant up so they could try and pour a little into him, but faltered when he heard the Warden mumble.
"Wo sind wir? Was ist dieses?"
"Blimey, not now Warden!" Goniff shot a worried look at his new-found mate. "Come on! You speak English, that don't make you an Englishman, does it?" The little man sighed with relief when after only a moments consideration Jon leaned back in to help.
Garrison�d tried to handle the cup for himself, but he couldn�t quite coordinate things to get it to his mouth. Goniff peered into the Warden�s eyes and wondered what in the hell Actor looked for when he proclaimed one of �em had a concussion. He�d have to pay more attention the next time the big toff tried to teach them some first aid.
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He was too nervous to sleep. Goniff sat just outside the cave and watched the eastern sky turn a little green at the horizon. He cursed under his breath and wished he knew some magic that would stop time until the Warden was fit and on his feet. He�d brought a uniform back for him, but he wasn�t in any shape to put it on and go out into the cold, sit in a freezing car, and wait for some Jerrie to drive down a bleedin� road. The man couldn�t even stand on his feet... he�d tried it, claiming to be �fine�. He�d lasted all of three minutes before his knees folded. And he was shaking with cold again, the heat just didn�t seem to stay with him if he got any distance from the fire. Garrison was developing a rattling cough too, and wheezed when he breathed... At least they weren�t going to walk off and leave him on his own again though.
Luca had left word with the last member of the group and the girl had arrived around two in the morning. Jon introduce her as Toma�s wife, Estera. She was a full member in the band too, and they�d had a hard time convincing her that there was no place for her out on the road as they waited for the interrogator. It was going to be hard enough to keep the Warden from rolling out of his blankets when he woke up and come staggering after them. It had taken all three of them to talk her into staying there to watch him. Goniff had his suspicions that if the Warden did manage to get himself upright she�d probably prop him up and use him as an excuse to get down where the action was. He heaved a sigh as he gazed off to the east again... time didn�t stop, it was definitely getting lighter over there. He had to get ready.
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When he unrolled the uniform and smoothed it out he�d nearly gone giddy with delight and relief. He hadn�t taken the time to really notice it. After he�d killed the man that�s all he had in his minds eye, he couldn�t see anything else. He slipped the trousers on and then the soft white shirt, they both fit like they�d been made just for him. He pulled the long boots on and gave them a quick buffing with a cloth he�d snagged from the cobblers shop. Luca held the jacket out for him and Goniff grinned when he slipped his arm into the sleeve. The jacket was toasty warm where the young man had held it near the fire. The little pick pocket slid his other arm in and wiggled his shoulders to settle the garment in place as he started doing up the buttons. He twisted the top button in place and pulled at the corners of the high collar. Estera lifted the ribbon over his head, then handed him the cap and he took a moment to shine the deaths head symbol that was affixed to the center of the band on the front.
A cough drew Goniff back over between the fires. He crouched down next to Garrison and helped him struggle to sit up. The Warden reached a shaky hand out and tapped a finger on the patch on the collar. �A full SS Colonel.� he rasped out, barely above a whisper. �Actor�ll be jealous.� The Lieutenant straightened the Iron Cross that hung between the collar tabs. �Be careful.�
Goniff nodded. �We�ll get the bastard, Warden.�
Garrison studied the little man a moment, then his mouth quirked up in a smile. �You bet you will.�
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Garrison watched them leave and cursed himself under his breath. �Great time to be out of commission,� he thought. He wanted to get up and go after them. He should at least be in the car with Goniff, even if he couldn�t actually be out on the road. But there was no point, he wouldn�t have been able to do more than interpret the German for his pick pocket and both Jon and Luca could do that. He�d be a liability out there if it came to a fight, or if they had to run for it... and he knew it.
He tried to rest after the others left but every time he closed his eyes his imagination kicked in and visions of everything that could go wrong played out across the inside of his eyelids. He still thought it all when his eyes were open.., but at least he didn�t have to see it. After a few frustrating minutes he gave up and struggled to his feet. Hoping to work some of the stiffness out and generate a little body heat he tried to pace. That didn�t last long either. He must have really done some damage when he landed in that tree. The branches had torn into his clothes and impaled his legs and back, one of them gouging along the front of him from his hip to the underside of his ribs. He didn�t remember any of it. He�d gotten out of the plane and that�s the last he knew... Goniff said the lines had pulled tight around his arm and across his throat. That explained why it was so hard to talk, and why he didn�t have any strength when he tried to make a fist or pick anything up in his left hand. Just great!
Dropping heavily down on the pallet Goniff had made for him between the fires Garrison pulled the blanket close around his shoulders. Damn! He was still so cold. Glancing across the cave he nodded and smiled at the woman who glared back at him. Now that they were alone she was keeping her distance, though she�d been nice enough at first. He remembered coming around as she helped the little pick pocket used his sensitive fingers to find and prise the splinters out of his flesh. Judging from the throbbing in his back and along his knee there was still work to be done on that, but that was the least of their problems.
He let his eyes range over the cave and its contents. They had a small stockpile of weapons and enough food for a small group to hole up here for several days. Jon said there�d only been six of them. Four, he corrected himself, two of them had been killed when the Germans caught the others. And if they couldn�t make this work there�d only be three, and the young woman would be a widow. He winced as he turned his hand to check his watch, then sat staring at the shattered crystal. Shit! This was going to be a long day.
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Goniff slouched further down in the back seat of the car then thought better of it and straightened up again. He was dressed for it he might as well start acting the part and he didn�t want to wrinkle his uniform. He remembered the haughty look Actor always got when he was playing an officer... The little man stuck his chin up and tried looking down his nose only to sway a moment later as he got dizzy when his eyes crossed... He�d have to come up with something else. Maybe the snobby way the con man held and smoked his cigarette. Yeah! That�d do it! He smiled to himself and started patting down the pockets. That guy even had a little thingy to hold the fag, he�d seen it somewhere when they�d searched through the contents of the pockets. Goniff had just gotten it all set up and taken his first drag when the brothers waved the their first car to a stop.
He�d gone over it with them in the car as they drove out to this spot. They were set up on the road that the brothers said the man would have to use, the only one into the area they�d said. Goniff hoped they were right on that. They were going to stop cars out there and the brothers were to tell �em they were checking everyone�s papers on account a the resistance impersonating Germans. If it was regular soldiers they would let �em through, but if it was officers they was to ask their business and just point over to him in the car if they got any back talk. He�d tip �em the nod to let the car through after he got a sign from Luca... He was to step up to the car along with Jon and just take a step back if it wasn�t the fella they wanted. It was simple enough it ought a work, he figured, less they stopped a bloke that was a higher mucky than he was.... Even then, if they saw he was SS they�d get away with it. They�d managed to con that column commander that time hadn�t they, and he�d been a bleedin� general!
He watched as the brothers went into their act, Jon leaning into the window and doing the talking while Luca stood looking on. He heard as the angry voices drifting out the window of the vehicle fell silent as Jon waved towards him. The big man straightened and called out, reading from the papers he held in his hand. Goniff watched as Luca stepped back to the edge of the roadway. He gave what he hoped was a regal nod of his head and tried to work up enough spit to swallow as the car pulled past him. Taking a deep breath he let it whistle out between his teeth and grinned back at the two standing in the road. One down, and they weren�t dead yet.
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Goniff almost missed the signal. He�d gotten comfortable in the car and grown used to casually waving the vehicles through. Just to change things up he�d let some of them wait, fixing a steely gaze on the windscreen before finally letting them get on their way. He listened as Jon read off the papers and he had his hand up and almost gave the sign to the driver to move forward before he realized that Luca was still standing next to his brother. Knocking the ash from the end of the fag he pretended that�s what he�d meant to do all along as Jon played out the next scene.
The occupants were ordered from the vehicle. Jon told them they had orders to search the car. There was no way for them to know they�d been the only ones to get that treatment this morning. Luca motioned the driver around to open the trunk while Jon waved the passenger over to him. Goniff tried not to shake as he brought the cigarette holder to his lips and took a deep drag, he let the smoke curl up out of his mouth as he stared forward. The little thief�s right hand grasped the pistol that lay on the seat next to him and he watched from the corner of his eye as the officer struggled across the road towards him. The bloke was kind a twisted and walked with a cane, but as he was pretending to ignore him the cat burglar wouldn�t be able to get a good look at him until everything was over... if their luck held out. There was just two of 'em, that was good, just the driver and this fella that was dragging himself closer to the car.
The sound of a struggle caused the German officer to twist back around to look towards his car. He stared down the barrel of the rifle Jon held but took instant advantage when that wavered, knocking the weapon from the big man�s hands with his cane. Goniff thought he was ready when the Jerrie turned back to assault him the same way. He managed to keep the gun on him and croaked out a warning for him to stop where he was as Jon collected himself and threw an arm around the mark�s throat. The sound of a muffled shot pulled the little burglar�s attention from the apparition that struggled in Jon�s grip in front of him. The driver hadn�t followed Luca�s instructions to stand still, instead making a try for the rifle. His body was being pulled off into the bushes. When he�d finished that job Luca trotted across the road to help his brother, stuffing his handkerchief in the mark�s mouth and throwing the sack Goniff tossed him over the German officer�s head, pinning his arms down while Jon whipped a cord around the man�s neck and pulled it tight... that finally convinced him to stand still. They soon had him trussed up like a Christmas goose and bundled into the trunk of the car... Goniff hadn�t gotten out to help, he didn�t trust his knees to hold him up.
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It�d taken both brothers to carry their prize back up to the cave. Goniff figured even if the bloke had wanted to cooperated with them, which he definitely didn�t, he wouldn�t�ve been able to make the climb up from where they left the cars. They decided against taking the bag off his head, just seemed all of them could concentrate better that way. When they arrived at their refuge the man was dumped into the far corner of the cave, back out of the light. Goniff took a deep breath before he unwrapped him, and didn�t waste much time on the job of patting him down for his orders, turning his back on him as soon as he had them, and moving back over the settle down next to the Warden.
Garrison checked the papers over, looked up and smiled at him. �Good?� the little man asked.
�Great!� The Warden had to take a minute to recover from the cough his comment caused him. That lashing and then hanging out in the cold rain left him with a raw, sore throat that closed up on him if he tried to talk much above a whisper. Goniff leaned in closer so he could hear.
�Looks like these papers give him rights to all the prisoners.�
�That mean you�ll be able to get in to talk to �em�
�Better. It means I�ll be able to order them all released to me.�
Goniff sat back and grinned at his commander. �We�re gonna need more uniforms, boots, rifles... and a truck.�
�You got it!�
�I know just where to go.� He got up, eager to get back to town and get what they needed so they could get in and get the rest of the fellas out of that castle.
Garrison caught his arm and pulled him back around to face him. �Goniff, don�t you think an SS Colonel�s going to be a little too conspicuous for the job?�
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It hadn�t taken long to collect up the extra supplies they were going to need. Jon and Luca had quickly gotten comfortable playing the part of Germans and showed a natural talent for blending in with the local soldiers. It was lunchtime again and Luca had gone into the caf� while Goniff and Jon hit the cleaners and the cobbler for the second time. They�d come up with a plan... Goniff only lifted a few things. He found uniforms for Actor and Casino. Chief would be herded into the back of the truck with the guys from the resistance. Simple, ought a work just fine.
When they arrived back at the cave they shared around the food Luca�d bought at the caf�. It was a sight more filling than the stale bread they�d been living on for the last two days. Goniff and Jon had just finished the disagreeable task of stripping their guest out of his uniform tunic and shirt, Garrison had a better use for them. They�d all gathered together around the fire as they went over the plans again. Luca confirming that, according to what he could find out, Major Todeskopf had never been in the area before, and relating some of the stories that were being told about him in the town, and Estera providing details on the grounds and floor plan of the castle the Germans were using as their base of operations... she�d worked as a servant there when she was just a girl.
The Warden sent the others off to get some rest and Goniff sat watching him as he continued to turn the plan over and over in his head... The little man knew what was coming next.
�Look, Goniff, I�m not going to be much good to you for anything other than a diversion if it comes to a fight.�
He laughed and looked at his commander. �Don�t waste your breath, Warden. I ain�t fallen for it.�
Garrison caught him by the wrist. �Listen to me! If it comes down to a choice you�ve got to get Enric Iagar out of there. It�s what we came for.� He frowned and continued to stare into the second story man�s face. �He�s too important to the Allies. We need him out where he can organize the resistance and sabotage efforts in this area.� Even at a whisper his voice held a note of command. �They�ve just started making an impact, delaying delivery of fuel and oil from the refineries here, blowing the wellheads in the oil fields themselves. ...He�s just started getting information out to us.� Garrison watched as the look on Goniff�s face grew serious. �It�d be worth the price, Goniff. If it comes down to it you have to get him the hell out of there. Understand?�
�Sure, Warden. I understand.� And he did, and he�d do it too,,, if he had to, but he didn�t know if he�d be able to explain it to the other blokes.
Garrison nodded, accepting the statement as the pick pocket�s promise. He turned and studied the major as he sat in his corner.
�Don�t worry Warden, with a little drop a makeup you�ll be a perfect match.�
Garrison laughed and choked on it. He matched up alright, except for the scars. Todeskopf walked with a cane and his shoulder was frozen, his arm almost useless. His papers said he�d been caught in a bombing raid and fire.. Garrison didn�t think anyone but the base commandant would have the nerve to ask for the man�s papers, but at least they would explain away his own injuries.
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Goniff smiled up at Estera as she handed him one of the mugs of sweet, hot tea, then frowned around at the Warden when she set his down in the dirt just out of his reach. �What�d you do t�her, then?�
The Warden nodded his thanks as the little man shoved the steaming cup closer where he could get to it. �She doesn�t think much of me, I�m afraid.�
�You didn�t try and get fresh, now, did ya?� Goniff teased.
Garrison snorted into his tea and shook his head.
�What�s wrong with her then?� The little man watched as the young woman settled in across the cave to talk to Luca.
�Garrison shrugged his good shoulder up. �Her husband got picked up by the Germans. He might be dead for all we know... And I�m the reason. He was coming to meet me.�
�But that ain�t logical!�
The reply was quiet, �Logic has nothing to do with it, Goniff.�
Goniff watched as Luca slipped his arm around Estera�s shoulder and pulled her against him as she cried. She was a pretty woman, he thought, she had a square face and soft brown hair, greenish brown eyes flecked with gold that reminded him of pebbles in a stream when the sunlight hit them. She was kind too. She�d been nice to him and concerned about the Warden, at least when she first got there...The pick pocket wished he had someone like that to worry over him. �You got a girl back home, Warden?�
�No.�
There was something in the way that came out that wasn�t exactly �no�. Goniff turned and studied the Lieutenant a moment. �What �appened?�
Garrison hesitated before he answered. �I didn�t ask her to wait.� Then he glanced over at the little cockney and shrugged. �She didn�t.� Before Goniff could ask his next question he cut him off. �You sure you know how to do this?�
�Warden! How �ard could it be?� He picked up a jar. �A little dab a this stuff.� and then lifted a box out of Actor�s bag. �And a puff a this is all it�ll take. I watched �im a million times.� Goniff nudged Garrison�s arm with his elbow. �It�s a piece a cake! Just lean back against your rock there and I�ll �ave you done up in a �alf a mo.�
The Lieutenant let the blanket he held around him drop and leaned back against the rock that had been heated in the fire and wrapped in wool to keep him warm while Goniff worked. He hoped he could hold still, that the cold that still seemed to seep out of his bones wouldn�t start him shaking too badly. The little cockney�s cheerful confidence set alarms going in his head. Seemed to him that disaster always followed close on the heels of Goniff�s claims that something was going to be �a piece a cake.�
Garrison took a deep breath and closed his eyes, they didn�t have any other choice. The lid made a grating sound as it twisted free... A moment later he�d jerked himself away from the stone and was wiping frantically at the glop that had covered his face and was oozing down his neck and onto his chest.
�Blimey! Aw, Warden! I�m sorry, mate... Here, �ere, now keep your hands down out of it. You�r gettin� it everywhere!� Goniff reached into the bag and snatched out a bottle but as he turned back to the Lieutenant it slipped from his fingers and broke on the ground between them. �Oooops!�
�Goniff! What was that?� Garrison couldn�t see. He was wiping at his burning eyes but the lids seemed to be glued shut.
�S�nuffin,� the clumsy little cockney stuttered as he watched the liquid Actor used to remove his makeup soak into the dirt. �s�nuffin!��
�Goniff?!� he growled as he reached his good hand out, groping the empty space where the little menace had been just before he�d gone blind.
They started at the sound of wood clattering to the ground and turned to see, at least Goniff turned to see, Jon staring in shock in the entrance to the cave. He was pointing and crossing himself, and looked as if he�d had his wits frightened out of him again. Goniff twisted back around and looked at the Warden, seeing him a little better in the light that streamed in behind the man that still stood frozen in the door. Bloody Hell! The overall effect was that of a bust made of wax that had spent too much time under a hot light and had started to melt, folding in on itself.
�Warden! Blimey! You�r beautiful!� But the little man couldn�t really understand the garbled response he got. The Lieutenant�s lips seemed to have gotten themselves glued together somehow.
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