by Dale Harsh
Garrison looked up from the papers on his desk. "What's the occasion Casino? You aren't usually that willing to part with your money." Leaning his elbows on the desk he smiled at the irritated look that crossed the east coast thief's face. Casino could be generous to a fault when he wanted to be, but when it came to drinking he usually found a way to sit back with his hands in his pockets when the bill came around.
Sticking his head in the door Goniff warned him in a pleading tone. "Blimey Lieutenant! This might be a one off, we gotta take advantage while we can, so don't piss him off, eh, he might change his mind."
"Not a chance, buddy." Casino grinned at the Englishman and then turned back to Garrison. "It's on account a how Goniff and Chief here pulled my butt outta the fire over there." The safecracker landed a heavy hand on each man's shoulder and pulled them into the doorway for the Warden's inspection. "It's on account a finally getting through one a your 'simple' missions without somebody endin' up in bandages..." He couldn't help himself, if there was an opportunity to make a snide remark about the jobs they pulled he had to take it. "And it's on account a me wantin' a beer and not wantin' to drink it by myself, and these guys being too damn cheap to go down there and buy me one."
Garrison laughed. "Afraid I'll have to miss out this time. The report on that 'simple' mission still needs to be written."
"Come on down when you finish, mate. We'll see to it Casino 'ere honors his promise to buy everyone a pint!" Goniff cringed and put a hand up to ward off the mock threat from his teammate's raised fist.
"Alright, get out of here if you're going..." The Warden waved them off, calling out a warning, "And stay out of trouble."
"Trouble?" Chief smiled at him as Casino pulled him out by the arm. "Us?"
g
Sliding the finished reports into his briefcase Garrison checked his watch, it took less time to write one of these things when he didn't have to detail injuries, or explain away the little side trips his cons occasionally took. Locking the case he decided he'd go down to the Doves after all and cash in on that free drink. It wasn't often he got to relax with his men, and they spent a good deal of time in the pub, he wanted to see just what kind of friends they�d been making down there.
He sat the briefcase under his desk and hit the intercom, letting the Sergeant Major know where he was going and asking for his jeep to be brought around to the front for him. Twenty minutes later he was walking down the stairs of the smoky little local, searching the tables for his group. They were nowhere to be seen and that raised a warning flag in his head, Garrison walked up to the bar to see if they�d been there at all, it wouldn�t be the first time they�d told him one thing and then gone off and done another.
"Yes, sir, the boys was 'oping you�d come along. They�re in the back room, right round to your left. Mind your 'ead on the steps, lad. You're a bit over tall for the beams down there."
The barman was right, he had to take his cap off and duck to get through. If he hadn't had a warning he'd probably have laid himself out cold on the stairs. The light was dimmer down here, only three or four tables, and as he came through into the room he noticed the door. This looked like a secure spot for a little after hours drinking and gambling. And gambling was just what was going on over at the table in the corner.
"Hey! Ya made it after all. Come on over and sit down Warden. I already got as much money outta these guys as I'm gonna get. I could use another pigeon."
Chief shoved a chair back with his foot and Garrison settled into it. Casino turned over a glass and filled it from one of the pitchers sitting on the table, expertly putting a head on it with a flourish. Taking a sip of ale he checked the table out� no sign of a fifth glass, or the overflowing ashtray that usually was a sign that Goniff had spent some time in a particular location. He let his gaze wander over the three men sitting around the table�they were just a little too interested in their cards at the moment. "Where is he?"
They all continued to concentrate on their cards as he watched them, Actor finally looking up with an innocent smile. "Who?" Garrison cocked an eyebrow up as he took another sip of his ale. "Oh! Goniff? He needed a breath of fresh air. I believe he's gone for a walk around the village."
"How long ago did he leave for this little walk?"
"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't notice, and we have been preoccupied with the card game." The group's con man told him pleasantly before turning on the others. "Did either one of you notice the time when Goniff excused himself?"
Chief read the look on the Warden's face and knew it for what it was� "He's been gone 'bout ninety minutes. Didn't say where he was goin', just got up and left."
"And none of you know why? And none of you had anything to do with it?" They weren't really questions. The group worked well together on the ground in Europe and they would fight back to back if threatened there, or here for that matter, but sometimes they could razz each other unmercifully. They'd all been the target at one time or another. Actor had such a command of language and information he could deflect almost any wisecrack thrown his way. Casino and Chief would put an end to it with their fists if the verbal sparring went on too long, but easygoing Goniff was more likely to just take off.
"Lieutenant! We didn't have anything to do with it." Actor's offended tone changed to one of puzzlement as he continued. "It was strange, really. He seemed to take exception to the local minister and left right after the man came over to the table to have a word with us."
"Yeah. It was kind a weird. You know that little Limey's usually the one to buddy up to anyone that comes along�"
"What'd the minister want? Why'd he come over to you?"
"He's just new in town." Chief offered. "Just gettin' around to introduce himself."
Garrison frowned. "If all the guy did was come up and introduce himself there'd be no reason for Goniff to take offense." He studied the group sitting at the table for a moment. "What really happened?"
"Jeeze! We told ya." Casino slapped the cards down on the table and picked up a pitcher, sloshing a little onto the table he refilled his own glass and took a pull. "This old guy in a collar come up to the table, said his how'd-you-do's and left. Goniff got all quiet and fidgety and about five minutes later he popped up outta his chair and took off. He didn't say why, and we ain't seen him since. We figured he might come back after he got over whatever got into him, so we come down here to play a little poker and wait him out." The group's safecracker turned an irritated glare on their leader. "Now, you in 'r out a this game, Lieutenant?"
That certainly had the ring of truth to it. "Out." Garrison took another swallow of ale and sat the glass back on the table before pushing up onto his feet again. "I'm going to go take a look around." Waving the others back into their seats when they made to get up he continued. "No. Stay where you are, no sense you guys missing out on the free beer. I'll look around for a little while and see if I can find him. I'll bring him back here if I do." He turned and headed for the stairs, calling over his shoulder as he went. "Back to the estate when the place closes� I don't want you picked up for being found down here drinking after hours."
"Wouldn't be a problem Warden." Casino waved a the three pitches on the table in front of him. "They let ya finish if ya already bought the stuff!"
g
Ninety minutes. The little cat burglar could be anywhere. And it was certainly enough time for the normally outgoing Englishman to get over whatever fit of temper had been triggered and get back to the group. Garrison took a chance and fired up the jeep. He made a cursory tour of the main streets of the town before turning back towards the mansion and cashed in on his private bet just before he made the turn that led to the estate's guarded gates. Pulling over to the side of the road ahead of the pick pocket he turned in his seat and watched the man approach.
"Nice night for a walk Goniff, but I think it'll be easier to get in the gate if you're with me."
"Blimey, what'd ya take me for, Warden, some kind a idiot? I wasn't goin' through the gate, was I? I was gonna cut through and go over the wall." Goniff slouched into the seat as the Lieutenant pulled back onto the road. He wasn't worried about giving anything away, the Warden knew almost all of their routes off the grounds now.
They rode in silence, out of character for Goniff, Garrison thought. The sentry saluted as he drove onto the grounds, not questioning the Lieutenant having to haul one of the inmates back again, it wasn't the first time. They pulled to a stop in front of the stairs and Garrison cut the motor. Goniff just sat there staring ahead, seemingly lost in thought.
Garrison watched him for a moment, but he didn�t seem to realize they�d arrived at their destination. "Something on your mind Goniff?"
He jumped and looked around him, "Uh,,," and when he turned he looked like he might have something he wanted to say, but then the grin spread across his face and he stepped out of the jeep. "You know me, Warden,,, ain't never anything on my mind�" Giving a self depreciating shrug he turned away, calling over his shoulder with a laugh. "Why, some folks don't even think I �ave one."
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The others made it back about an hour after closing. Casino took the stairs two at a time to reach the room they shared together, pushing the door to the room open with a thud.
"Where'd you take off to, you dope?" was his growled greeting. "Your disappearin' act almost got us in trouble with the Warden."
"Can it Casino. You know the Warden wasn't gonna take nothin' out on us." Chief entered the room right behind the safecracker, closely followed by Actor. "You OK Goniff?"
Goniff grinned up at the three of them. "Sure, mate. Ain't nothin' wrong with me but a muddled sense a direction. I got turned around out there in the dark and found m'self headed back here." he gave a little shrug. "So I just kept comin'."
Casino snorted a laugh. The Lieutenant's jeep was still parked down by the front steps "Bet the Warden was a little ticked off. He looks all over town for you, only to find you sittin' right here when he gets back."
"Nah! Wasn't like that. He picked me up on the road. He was headed back here too."
"So god's in his heaven, and all's right with the world." Actor was hanging away his jacket and turned to get ready for bed. He was still tired from the last mission, and now that they knew their second story man was all right the beer he'd had at the pub was taking over, relaxing him.
Chief watched Casino frown a moment before speaking up. "Everybody's where they're s'pose t'be and it's OK to hit the sack." Alcohol might speed up Casino's temper, but it slowed down everything else� He was shot too and took Actor's cue, starting to get ready to sack out. Goniff was already curled up in his blankets, if Casino didn't take the hint he'd be sittin' in the dark talkin' to himself.
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When Garrison heard the door open and steps on the stairs he thought it would be Chief and was surprised when he looked up. "What's up Goniff? You're never out of the sack this early."
"Oh, I, uh�I just thought I'd, uh�take a little run round with you this morning." The pick pocket took a few running in place steps and then dropped over in a boneless stretch.
"You?!" The men ran, on the obstacle course, but only under the Sergeant Major's threats of dire bodily harm if they didn't. Chief was the only one who did it with any enthusiasm, and even he balked at the regimented routine, preferring to run solo, or with him early in the mornings.
"Well sure. I can run, can't I?" he asked, squinting up at the Warden from his folded over position.
"Yeah. But you generally don't do it voluntarily." Garrison crossed his arms on his chest and smiled down at his second story man. "Someone usually has to be shooting, or chasing you to get you started."
Goniff plastered a look of wounded pride on his face as he straightened up again. "Warden!" But it was true, and the next moment he shrugged and laughed. "I just sorta thought the next time some bloke did decide to come after me and I had ta run, I'd like to be able to do it a little faster�"
"Makes sense." The fact that the little burglar was being logical this early in the morning... Heck the fact that he was being anything other than asleep, this early in the morning, and offering to engage in physical activity voluntarily was totally out of character. Garrison thought about trying to dig what was wrong out of him, but decided to take advantage of his apparent eagerness to go for a run� It certainly wouldn't do him any harm.
"Alright, let's go."
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Twenty minutes later they were back where they'd started. He'd nearly had to carry Goniff the last leg and the little man was sitting red faced and sweating on the bottom step with an incredulous look on his face as he gazed up at him. "Blimey, Warden! Why'd you and Chiefy want ta do that t'yerselves everyday?!"
Garrison dropped onto the steps next to his cockney burglar. "It's good for you� It clears your head, helps you think straight."
"Bloody Hell�" Wiping at the sweat on his face with his sleeve he turned to stare at his commander. "The only thing I could think about was not dyin' young."
The Warden laughed, he'd kept the pace slow and used the path around the perimeter of the formal gardens behind the house. Goniff started to stagger halfway though the third lap, but waved off his offer to cut it short and head back, gamely trying to keep going, keep up. Goniff was good for a quick sprint but Garrison had watched him when the men were on a longer conditioning run on the estate. His version of long distance running usually included baiting Casino, or springing onto his back, anything to start a wrestling match and cut the run short so he lacked staying power. Today was actually a big improvement but he still wondered why the guy put out the effort.
"You did pretty good for your first time out, but you better not just sit here, you'll stiffen up." Pushing back onto his feet he reached back and hauled Goniff up beside him. "Keep walking til you cool off, then go in and hit the showers."
The cockney rubbed at the stitch in his side and watched the Warden start away from him, back towards the gardens and took a step to follow. "Where'r you off to, then?"
Garrison turned and called over his shoulder. "That was just the warm up. I'm going to finish my run." He caught a look of indecision flash in Goniff's eyes. If he tried to follow him now he would end up carrying him back slung over his shoulders�"Move Goniff� and tell Casino you had my permission to use all the hot water."
ggg
"What is it now, Goniff?" Every time he turned around he seemed to be tripping over the pick pocket. For the last few days he'd be �keeping him company' on his morning runs ,,,at least the first part, and trailing him all over the mansion. He'd have to have a talk with Actor, there must be something going on with the others to keep the little guy sticking close to him for protection. Garrison laughed to himself, probably had something to do with that pair of loaded dice Casino was always going on about.
"Oh, uh�" Wishing he was quick with his tongue like Actor, he stammered around while Goniff searched for a good reason to be in the Warden's office. "I, uh� I just like it in here�. Kind a cozy, isn't it?"
Garrison turned to survey the room filled with metal filing cabinets and serviceable painted gray desk, bookcase and chair. The only thing �cozy' might be the old sofa. Shaking his head he fixed his gaze back on the man who was currently trying to look comfortable and �cozy' as he sat on the hard backed chair on the other side of the desk. "Right."
"You got anything you need me ta do for ya, Warden?"
He could think of a hundred things� they all involved the Englishman's being sent on some errand at least five miles away. But the question had been posed with such hopeful eagerness he found himself racking his brain for some useful thing the guy could do for him�.that he wouldn't mess up too badly,,, but he�d already sharpened all the pencils in the building. "Why don't you take a stab at reorganizing the map room?" That should take up and hour or two, and it was just next door.
"Sure! Be glad to, mate." Jumping off the chair Goniff headed for the door to the next room, turning back he asked with innocent enthusiasm. "You want all them maps ordered up by size, or color?"
Garrison rested his jaw on his fist and stared at the guy and thought, By country would be good, but said. "Either way Goniff, you decide." He'd have to get the Sergeant Major to straighten it out again after Goniff finished�. That was certainly going to please him.
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"What are you doing here? I thought you'd be in town with the others." He'd given them leave to go in to eat in town and there was a new movie playing at the theater. They jumped at the chance, two trips off the grounds in less than two weeks.... Actually he was hoping for a little break from the clinging cat burglar.
Goniff leaned in the office door and shrugged. "I, uh... well, I sorta figgered it wouldn't do no good to get, you know, all conditioned an everything and then go and ruin it with beer.
"Beer? They are going to the moives... aren't they?" If they were headed to the pub then it made even less sense for Goniff to be standing right in front of him.
"Well, sure they are." Grinning at the Lieutenant's frown he pushed off the door frame and wandered over to the chair, settling in, he tried to look comfortable and relaxed. "Eventually."
Garrison tossed his pen on the table and rocked back in his chair and eyed the little man. The paperwork for this outfit was never ending, but it could wait. He watched the group's second story man try and sit still. Goniff was a self proclaimed 'lay about' and enjoyed being idle, but he was never completely still, and the more nervous he was the more he fidgeted around. He was almost dancing in the chair now, shifting from one hip to the other, crossing and uncrossing his legs, staring all around the room searching for something to concentrate on that would keep him from meeting his gaze. That was another thing with Goniff, all you had to do with him was stare at him long enough and he usually broke out in a sweat and started stammering excuses, even on the rare occasion that he hadn't done anything wrong.
"Alright Goniff, spill it, what's wrong? Why didn't you want to go with the others, you guys have some kind of fight?" The Warden crossed his arms on his chest and waited. When he talked to Actor the con man hadn't been able to shed any light on what was going on, just confirmed that Goniff seemed jumpier than usual and commiserated with him over the fact that the he'd suddenly acquired a second shadow. They agreed something must have spooked the pick pocket but couldn't figure out what.
Goniff looked up and caught the Lieutenant's eye briefly before looking away. Giving a nervous laugh he got up out of the chair and headed for the window. "Aw, Warden, ain't nothin' like that." After a moment or two studying the grounds outside the window he turned and slouched against the wall, shrugging he looked up, letting his eyes skip across the Warden's as he searched for something else to fix on. "It's just like I said... I, uh,,, I been workin' real hard to, uh,, to get in better shape, see and I, uh...."
"You're right. You have been working hard, and you've made good progress with the running." While they were still going at a slower pace for the last two days Goniff had made it through the whole length of the warm up laps before heading off to the showers. His new interest in exercise had drawn quiet praise from Chief, out right amazement from Rawlins and sarcastic needling from Casino. Garrison had heard a 'teacher's pet' thrown at him a time or two. "But, Goniff, you've never turned down a chance to get to a mug of beer since I've known you. So, come on, what's up?"
He watched as his cat burglar laid against the wall and seemed to have a debate with himself. He'd gone a little paler than normal and sweat was beaded across his forehead. Shoving his fists down in his pockets he studied the carpet at his feet for a while before pulling his hands free and crossing them across his belly. When he brought his hand up and started worrying a thumbnail with his teeth Garrison thought they might be getting somewhere. A moment later the little cockney rolled his eyes and shoved off the wall and headed back towards the chair. After another few moments of carpet studying he finally heaved a sigh, looked up and opened his mouth......... The intercom going off on the desk caused them both to jump.
"Lieutenant Garrison?"
"Yes, Sergeant. What is it?"
"Colonel Reynolds on the phone for you, sir."
Garrison leaned forward and shot a look across at Goniff as he reached for the phone. "I guess you better go into town after all. Round them up Goniff I think we're about to take a trip."
ggg
"Gather round gentlemen and I'll explain what we have to do." As soon as he had them grouped around the table he started the briefing. "This should be a short one..."
"Simple too, right Warden?" Chief offered, causing a round of laughter from the men.
"Yeah, and easy." Casino cut in, "Just like all the others."
Garrison glared around at them. "Do you want to hear this, or not?" and was mollified somewhat by their silence. "That's better. Now, all we have to do is go in and pick up some information and bring it out."
"You mean some bloke's already done the hard part?" Goniff grinned up at their leader. He'd be happy to act as a mule for a change. Not having to sneak into some Jerry stronghold sounded pretty good to him.
"That's right."
"And just why are they sending us if all they really need is a courier to make the run?" There had to be more to it than that and the con man knew it.
Garrison shrugged as the others turned to stare at him and Goniff's grin melted off his face. "Because the guy with the information is being watched."
"I knew it!" Casino threw his hands up in disgust and turned from the table. "It's never as simple as it seems is it?"
"So instead a takin it away from the Krauts, we gotta take it away from our own guy?"
Garrison nodded. "And make it look like he's being set up as a double agent by the underground�"
"Why'd we want ta do that for, then?" Goniff asked from his position glued to the Warden's right elbow.
"Because it will secure the agents position with the Germans, take the heat off him." Actor turned from the pick pocket to their commander. "Just how have you planned to accomplish this?"
The Warden laughed across at him. "I thought you might have a suggestion."
"Jeeze! This is gonna be a good one."
"Alright," Garrison checked his watch. "We have four hours before we have to be at the field. Get your gear together and then I suggest you get a little sleep if you can." Watching the men turn to leave he called out. "Goniff, stay a minute."
Casino turned and gave him a smirk as he passed. "In trouble again, eh Goniff." and then continued out the door pushing it closed in the English burglars face.
Goniff turned and leaned on the door, his hands behind him gripping the knob. "What can I do for you Lieutenant?"
"We have some time, Goniff... What we were talking about before...?."
Goniff cut him off with a laugh and a grin. "Wasn't nothin' Warden, nothin' at all." And he cracked the door open and slipped through into the hall, closing it before the Warden could say another word.
g
They'd gotten on the ground and into their target in almost record time. Garrison passed Manheim in the street and let the crowd jostle him into a collision with the young man so he could deliver the coded phrase that let the agent know he had confederates in the area. They kept watch on him for two days and spotted the tail he'd picked up� there were only two, each man spending twelve hours on the job before being relieved by his partner. Manheim kept to his routine during the observation period so they knew where he lived and worked, his favorite places to eat and relax. The young man was good, Garrison thought, never appearing to check around him for their presence, just calmly going about his daily business. They decided to have dinner at his favorite caf� and see if they could make contact.
He stayed clear of them at the caf�, but made his approach when they followed him into a bar after the meal. It was crowed enough to give them a plausible reason for literally running into each other. Manheim spilled his drink down the front of Garrison's uniform and was profuse in his apologies and meticulous in his drunken efforts to sop the ale out of the wool tunic. By the time Garrison managed to get away from him he smelled like a brewery and had a detailed coded note in his pocket. All the information was there� what the man had, and where he'd hidden it.
g
"Lemme get this straight." Casino thought somebody might need to cut orders for these two to go on a nice quiet vacation in the country, 'cause this was one of their crazier ideas. "You guys are gonna let the Krauts know you pulled a switch?"
Actor answered, defending their plan. "It's the only way we have of convincing them Manheim's still on their side."
"I hate to bring this up Warden but a guy could get dead real fast doin' somethin' like that."
"That's why you, Goniff and Chief will be on the outside watching out for us." Garrison stared back at the cynical east coast thief until Casino cocked an eyebrow, shook his head, and turned away. "If things get too hot for us, you guys get to come to the rescue. That ought to cause a big enough diversion to let us get out, and then we all take off."
"So who's gonna be around to speak up for Manheim if we shoot up all the bad guys, Warden?"
"Simple, Chief. You don't shoot up all the bad guys if you have to start shooting �" he shrugged. "Or if you do, you don't shoot them bad enough to kill them."
Casino turned back on them "Swell! You do realize that all that 'shoot to wound' crap only happens in the movies, right?"
Garrison's mouth quirked up in a smile. "I have confidence in your marksmanship Casino. I get the reports from the Sergeant Major, remember?"
"Oh really? Well I guess he forgot to mention that the targets he's so proud a getting us ta shoot at are standin still, not runnin around like Kraut soldiers do�And ya know, it's amazing but the damn things never shoot back!"
g
They'd work out the timing, made the call to the local Gestapo themselves so they'd be sure someone would be in attendance, and then made their move on Manheim's apartment. Garrison got word to the young man that they'd come up with a plan that would take the heat off him and allow him to stay in position, but he left out all the details. He and Actor decided that since the agent was being observed his reactions would be better if what they were going to do came as a surprise to him. He was surprised alright, surprised into unconsciousness by Garrison's fist when he came upon them rifling through the desk in his apartment.
They needed to work fast now. Garrison took the documents Manheim had copied for the Allies from their hiding place in his desk and shoved a poorly forged replacement in it's place, leaving it plainly visible in the drawer. Then he dropped down next to the young man on the floor and stuffed a wad of bills in his pocket along with a coded note on a crumpled piece of paper.
The Germans would have to be pretty desperate for a scapegoat to believe that a skilled agent capable of infiltrating their command at Manheim�s level could also be foolish enough to get caught this way. And the documents were an obvious forgery, a good enough rendering of Manheim's handwriting to pass a quick check, but bad enough to be revealed for what they were on further inspection. And then there was the money�.why would a double agent have the money and still have the documents? Actor was right, it should play right into the Gestapo's arrogant need to feel superior to the local resistance group active in the area.
Steps in the hall and shots outside the building let them know they should have taken just a little less time. Apparently the Gestapo wasn�t going to content themselves with watching them set this guy up, they were determined to catch them in the act.
"Damn it! Let's get out of here!" he didn't have to issue the order twice, Actor was already headed towards the window. Garrison followed him, turning just as the soldiers broke down Manheim's door. He insured someone would be left 'to speak up for' the agent by shooting over their heads, close enough to drop them on their bellies on the floor. He let his aim follow them down, convincing them it would be best if they didn't raise their heads to take a shot in his direction. He bought enough time for he and Actor to get away into the alley, then signaled the fire-at-will free for all by giving the three outside men the thumbs up and taking the next two guards that crossed his path down.
g
They were in a running battle now, maybe it hadn't been such a great idea to invite the Gestapo to the party, they'd turned around and invited their own guests in the form of three carloads of soldiers. It was only Chief's driving skills that got them out of town with only one car on their tail. The young man lost the others in his winding flight through the back alleys. Garrison ordered him off the road where he thought they stood their best chance of ambushing their pursuers. Would have worked out fine too, if one of those lost cars hadn't come around the corner on the other side of them...