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Chapter 1
Almost Over
Captain Garrison was tired and looking forward to his leave. For two whole weeks he was going to do as he pleased with the people he cared most about, his family. Not that he did not care about his men, but there was no doing as he pleased when they were about. As the only responsible one he could never just relax. In a few days he would be on route to the United States and peace. The war was over and the six months would be soon too. After at least a week of doing nothing he would start to consider what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. There were hints of a promotion and a training position at one of the US bases. There were new Government Agencies opening that would want people with his background. He had enjoyed the challenge during the war plus the necessity of the work but did he want to keep doing this? Working alone would only escalate the risks since his team who had saved him many times was headed back to their civilian lives. Each had been assigned a Parole Officer and had accommodations set up. As much as he would want to continue working with them he could not ask them to give up their civilian lives. It was all they had talked about for the last six months and as the end got closer the talk had escalated. Could he ask them to give up this hard won freedom? They had worked for it, had earned it and deserved a chance to live it; as long as they didn't screw it up.
He headed to the bedroom where he had slept for so long. He looked around the large room with the ornate woodwork, the large windows, the canopy bed with curtains, the rug, the fireplace and he thought about his own bedroom back at his parents' house. His room was less than half the size, the bed was a twin rather than this double, the window, a quarter the size yet he couldn't wait to be there. It was not that he did not like it here, it certainly was preferable to some of the places he had slept, bombed out buildings, attics, fields and even a tree; though how Chief managed that he would never understand. This was very nice but it was where he bunked, the other back in his parents' place was home.
Actor closed the book, a leather bound first edition, with the reverence it deserved. It was a classic and he was pleased he was able to finish it before they were to leave. He leaned his head back and reviewed the story with its suspense, romance and wonderful settings and how faithfully the author had described them. Some of these places he was familiar with, others were places he would someday travel to and see for himself.
The saddest part was the description of parts of Italy where he had not been before the war. It sounded beautiful yet when they had been there the place was in ruins. Casino had been bombed and the historic Abbey destroyed. Like the Phoenix would they rise from the ashes? Could this destruction be erased? In a hundred, or two hundred years would the people look at the buildings and say 'these are bullet holes from the last great war'. He hoped he would live long enough to see it happen.
As the con man sat there relaxed with eyes closed he wondered what his future held in store for him. According to Craig they would probably be returning on the Queen Mary, a luxury ocean liner that had been converted to a troop carrier at the beginning of the war. Back in the United States each man had been assigned to a Parole Officer. Because they did not want them associating with each other they had been separated. He had requested Manhattan.
A room had been reserved for him in a, heaven forbid, a rooming house eight blocks away from his Parole Office. Actor the greatest con man in Europe was to live in a common rooming house. Oh how the mighty had fallen; from a palace to a rooming house. It is, he thought, a step up from prison. Craig must have seen the look of disgust or was it horror on his face because he explained that his Parole Officer required an address before he could be accepted so the Army had paid his first month's rent. Where he went from there was up to him and his Parole Officer.' Just keep it legal' was what he had been told. Yes he would keep it legal. He had worked long and hard to get this it was not make sense to throw it all away now.
He could feel sleep curling around the edges of his consciousness and unless he wanted to be caught napping in his chair he had better get up. He opened his eyes and sat up. This was his favorite room, the library filled with shelves of books. There were sections of fiction including America's Ernest Hemingway's books such as For Whom the Bell Tolls and England's James Hilton. Actor had spent wonderful hours hiding from the horrors of war in Shangri-La and with living with Mr. Chips. He had been disappointed that there were few Italian books but the French novels had pleased him.
He carefully replaced the book he had just finished reading and inhaled the scent that he was going to miss. The scent of a good library, the leather covers, the bindings, the smell of peace and quiet, the spell of adventure without the actual pain of injuries. Here you could swashbuckler with the best of them then go down to a proper English garden and have your tea. With his gypsy life he had never been able to accumulate a library. He was going to miss this.
The other thing he was going to miss was working with Garrison. He had heard, overheard really, the conversations he had had with strangers. He was being offered some position but he did not think it was with the Army. From the lost-in-thought looks he had seen the man was considering these offers.
With the war over there was no reason for him to remain in the Military. What were these other positions? Where would they take him? Was this to be more of the same, the intrigue, the plotting, and the cons? He was very good at this line. Spies were always needed even in peacetime or was he tired of the plotting, the scheming, and the cons? Where would he go? Actor had enjoyed working with him. He was good at the planning, the con and he definitely could think on his feet, all good traits in a con man.
If he turned his back on all this, where would he go? He tried to picture him somewhere else. Business man? He could be a salesman with his gift for the con but would he be happy? And Doctor did not fit. Maybe a lawyer. He had a mind like a steel trap, he was smart. He could do that as long as it was challenging.
And what about the others? He had enjoyed working with them. From such a diverse group had come all the requirements for a crack covert team. They had been good; their record had to put them at or near the top. He had tried to find out but no one would talk. It was worth a try.
It was a shame to break them up but one of the conditions of their parole was no contact with known felons. That meant they had to separate. They could contact Craig and he could relay but that was as close as they could keep contact. Too bad, he was going to miss them, each one of them.
On one of their trips to Italy Casino had found a set of bocce balls and had smuggled them home. Actor had been surprised that he knew the game but he had said it was a neighborhood favorite. From there it had taken some doing to convince Harold, the Estate Gardener, and a stubborn man, to allow them to play on the grass. It was funny to hear him grumble every time he walked past and they were out there playing.
It was later that he had found out that Chief had made the difference. He had found out that Harold was on a darts team. They were not accepting new members; they were an exclusive team, so after demonstrating his prowess he promised not to compete against their team if Harold left them alone. The word went out and though he had had a hand in its creation, Chief rarely played. He would watch on occasion.
Chief was an interesting man. He was quiet but he was not hard to read. All he wanted was to be accepted. He did not want to be the center of attention, just included. With his acceptance he had opened up and had taken part in their off-time adventures contributing to their fun. He was serious and a thinker but not above joining in, somewhat like himself.
He could not remember how it had started but somewhere along they had started on a theme.
"That was a tree't."
"Yeah, if you hadn't made an ash of yourself."
"Let's branch out to something else."
"You cannot leaf it yet."
"I wood if I could." Even Craig had joined in with Goniff and Casino.
"Leaf it be."
"If we had time we could twig this conversation into something better."
"I pine for better roommates."
"Cone't you do any better than that?"
"You're barking up the wrong tree."
"Yer not board are you?"
"There's a grain of truth in that."
"Must be a poplar subject."
"Shall I spruce it up for you?"
Up until then Chief had remained quiet, just watching the interplay. Finally as it died down he said, "You're all nut, pine nuts."
He looked a little embarrassed at the laughs he got from that. Yes the man was a thinker. He watched and he listened and he learned. He was going to miss seeing, with a little encouragement, how far he could go.
Life without Goniff was going to be dull. The man was a natural morale booster. His optimistic outlook had saved them many times when the realities of their job became too heavy. He usually involved Casino which tended to escalate the hi-jinx but even alone he could lift their spirits with a prank or even an anecdote or two. The man was fun personified.
Yes, in three days when their time was done he was going to miss being part of this group. He sighed and headed to the kitchen. Dinner should be ready soon.
Goniff looked around the room. Though he had spent longer stretches elsewhere this room seemed to hold more memories than anywhere else. Over there the leg of the cot was bent from the knock down brawl between Casino and Chief. Over on the side wall there was a dent where he had thrown a cup at Casino and missed. Casino had ducked. Down at the end the line they had strung to hang their laundry was empty. Someone was going to have to take that down tomorrow. At least Casino had driven the nails in the other side of the wall so you could not see them easily. Goniff wondered if the Army was going to hire someone to come in and fix all the damage they had done. It was not like they had done stuff on purpose just to damage it. They had to have somewhere to hang their laundry to dry and the wall? Accidents happen. Besides cooping up four healthy men for nigh on two years meant you had to expect something. They were not angels. Come to think of it, it was two years. Happy anniversary, you get to go home. Yeah.
It would be good to go home and see his Mum again. This time they would make it work. He would get a real job so he could help out. Mum had had a hard enough time keeping body and soul together with what she made at the news stand; he couldn't blame her for the book. You did what you had to do to survive. This time he would go straight and she would not have to worry about him. No more court dates, bail money, visits to jail…
Going home. Just a few days on a boat and though he cringed at the thought of being at sea, he knew that a few days being sea sick was worth it to be home, back in America and free. He finished folding the last of his laundry and headed for the door. Wonder what's for tea, I mean dinner.
Casino clutched the letter in his hands. Home, he was going home in three days. It was going to be so good to see the family again. He had been concerned how he was going to stay out of trouble and take back his place as the boss of the neighborhood. Mama had written that Rayman Ribeiro had taken over when he was arrested. Casino hated him; he reminded him of a rat and he was not the kind to just hand over the reins of power. This last letter had cleared that. She had told him that Rayman had been shamed into enlisting by the elder generation. She had even gotten in that her son was over fighting even though he had told her not to. Seems he had been wounded and recovered but died on his way back to the front. The way was clear for him to return.
His Mama was going to be disappointed that he had not had a chance to visit her birthplace. He had tried to explain that Spain was not involved in the fighting but she insisted that he was that close he could make the trip. Poor Mama, she had wanted to visit her parent's graves but they never had the money for the trip. He was supposed to do it for her. Too late now. Besides he had had enough of graves. He wanted life. His oldest sister had a baby boy now, born the day his father had died. Enough death, let's have life.
He shrugged as he looked around the salon. On the walls were portraits of people who were probably, from the looks of the clothes, long dead. He walked to the window and looked out. The gardens were beautiful but they weren't Brooklyn.
He couldn't wait to be going home. This time he was going legit. He knew it was wrong but somehow it had seemed not so bad to disappoint his parents when he had gotten into trouble again. Now he knew that he would not, could not disappoint Garrison. He was not the forgiving parent who loved him no matter what he did. He was the boss who would not hesitate to put him through the wringer if he messed this up. And besides there were the other guys to consider. They were not going to mess up so neither was he. Casino would not bring disgrace to the name of Garrison's Gorillas. He would do them proud.
Chief sat on the railing overlooking the courtyard. Funny how the most unlikely places could be the best. This rich guy's mansion had been just another place to squat when he had arrived. Now it was filled with memories, good memories of the guys and Garrison. They had all sat right down there on the bottom of the steps. Out there under the trees the four of them had lazed out of sight of the Sargent Major. Without looking he pictured the window where they had sawn through the bars to create their own escape route. They had all been surprised when they found out that Garrison knew about it and said nothing. He was like no screw he had ever known. Garrison was probably the first person in authority who didn't treat him like dirt. Guess that was why he respected him. He'd never respected anyone before even guys like the prison boss who could make his life good or hell. He respected Garrison.
Respect was not the only reason he tried to do as the guy asked. Long time ago they had wondered why he was still a Lieutenant. Casino suggested that it was because they were cons. Actor said that did not make sense but privately Chief had wondered if being put in charge of them and their foul-ups was a punishment for something. Maybe if he helped him and stayed out of trouble then it might help get him his promotion. Maybe it worked because he was a Captain now. Maybe he would get another promotion and finish the war as a Major. General Garrison had a nice ring to it.
He was saddened to be losing his best friends. They had stood with him through it all; never turning their backs on him even when he messed up. That was true friendship, not like in prison where your friend today sold you out tomorrow for a pack of cigarettes. Actor had answered his questions without looking down on him. Funny how that had started. There was not a chance in hell he would ask but Actor must have guessed and he had explained. It was the tone he used like he was talking to a friend and not to an ignorant piece of dirt. Actor never looked down on him. Even when he asked a question that turned out to be stupid he had just answered it like always. He had come to depend on him.
Casino was like a brother. They fought each other but he could count on him to watch his back and jump in to help even if he didn't want him to. He was a good guy to have on your team just like Goniff. He snorted at the thought. No one else would get away with calling him Chiefy. What a name, Chiefy, but he couldn't get mad at him. This was Goniff, the guy who taught him to have fun.
No, this time he was going straight. He had a reason to do it this time. Garrison had a parole officer lined up for him. He would be living in a rooming house in Queens. He had never been there but that didn't matter. If Garrison thought it was all right then he would go. He had also lined up three places that could use a mechanic. He would do this. No one knew him there so he would be starting fresh and Garrison said he would help him if he needed it. He was confident.
The biggest reason was that they had talked about all getting together when their parole was done. If Goniff could stay out of trouble so could he and if one of them did, it would not be him.
Captain Garrison received the call to go to London. Was this his promotion? Maybe he was to pick up their final travel documents and confirmation of their ocean passage. Finally it was over. They were going home.
Captain Craig Garrison hung up the phone and grabbed his jacket and his hat. He strode down the hall and poked his head into the kitchen.
"Go ahead and start without me. I have to go to London."
"Just keep in mind, Warden," said Casino, "no matter how high they promote you, we're still not going to salute you."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," he replied.
"Make sure I get a window seat," insisted Goniff brightly.
"What? I thought we were going on a ship?" said Casino unsure whether to believe Goniff.
Don't wait up and don't leave."
"Come on, Warden. Our last night. We gotta go say good bye to the regulars."
"Stay here." He glared at the two worst offenders.
"'Ey, you make it sound like we 'ave a mission. It's all over and we're going 'ome in a day or two."
They saw the look and said no more. Craig did not believe they would stay but he hoped that they would be back by the time he returned. Hopefully that would not give them enough time to get into trouble. One last shot. "If you leave and get into trouble you remain. I will not bail you out and the ship sails without you and your parole."
The smiles disappeared. He heard Goniff whisper as he left, "What's eating the Warden? You don't think…" He continued on his way and drove into London.
Captain Garrison drove back to their base. He knew not to get his hopes up. It was stupid but he felt disappointed and annoyed and worried. He was going to have to break the news to his men and they were not going to like it. Why was he worried about this? He knew his men. He knew they were loyal. All he had to tell them was the other option Johns had given him. Still he had a bad feeling about this.
When he pulled up to the building the sense of dread built. There were no lights showing but that was normal. The blackout curtains were still used. Inside was total darkness as well. Anger started to grow. They took off even when he told them not to. He had more than half a mind to tell the guards about the window and stop them from returning. Damn them. He headed for his office.
He pushed open his door and the light exploded, blinding him.
"Major Garrison!" yelled five voices. Then an English voice started and was joined in a rousing, "For he's a Jolly Good Fellow."
Craig was stunned. And Angry. And disappointed. The others must have seen the look on his face because the singing petered out and stopped.
"They wouldn't," exclaimed a shocked cultured voice.
"Bloody 'ell," said another.
"They can't do that! It's too late. We're done!"
Garrison said nothing. All the emotions and words were the same ones that he had thought but was too good a soldier to express. He waited for a minute then went and sat on the edge of the mission table. The projector and screen had been stored but this time he did not need them. He took out the photographs from his attaché case and placed them on the table and the case on the floor.
His men, who he had led, who had protected his back, who mostly followed his orders stood looking at him in stunned silence until Chief broke ranks followed closely by Actor. Casino shook his head and he and Goniff proceeded to their chairs. It was a sullen group that sat waiting.
"This mission was originally planned for another team but as of," he glanced at his watch, "twenty minutes ago Major Carter was taken into surgery. He is expected to recover but cannot lead his team."
"I take it he is necessary?" asked Actor.
"Yes."
"Wait just one minute," said Casino. "Major Carter? Why's he a Major and you're not? You've been in the fighting since the beginning. You tell them that you'll do it but you want the promotion. You were supposed to get it, why not now?"
Craig was not going to get into the reason for the rank disparity but he was pleased that no one suggested he lead the other team and leave them there. That had been the first plan but he had said he wanted his own men. He knew them and trusted them. The other men were unknowns.
"There's no time for that, Casino. We have to be at the airfield in half an hour."
"Are you going to brief us here or in the air?"
"The war's over why do we have to jump?"
Craig picked up the photographs and passed them to Actor who was closest. "This is Signore Pellitteri and we don't. He was a minor government official who claims he has information on Nazi collaborators but will only give it if he is granted immunity from prosecution."
"So we go steal it."
"Our job is to go in, meet with him, talk to others and find out what he is hiding from and…"
"Then we steal it."
"Get your gear. Let's go. One last mission and we all go home."
"Don't," said Casino with deadly calm. None of the other cons moved either.
Garrison stood looking at them. They weren't going to refuse to go, this close to the end were they?
"It's bad luck to talk like that just before you're to be released," said Chief quietly.
"More guys die in their last weeks than any other time," said Goniff in the same reverent tone.
"Let's just go." Craig hoped he had broken the spell these men were under. He was not superstitious but if they believed…
No more was said on the trip to the airfield or even in the air. He knew they were not worried about the mission. They were old hands at this sort of thing. After two years they had it down to a science so it was the jinx that they were worried about. He did not know how to take their minds off it until the first air pocket. It was small but it was enough to elicit a gasp from Casino. Goniff who was white knuckled himself could not help the laugh.
"It's all right Casino. We've been in worse." Then it got worse.
"'ey Casino, wanna jump?"
If he could get his fingers off the armrest Casino might have agreed.
By the time the pilot had escaped the turbulence they were all hanging on for dear life and Actor was silently reciting the rosary. Even Garrison had been unsure if they would land safely. The flight had just evened out when the pilot signaled that they would begin their descent. There were a few bumps but they finally landed. Around them one of the other three passengers suggested he was going to kiss the ground. No one scoffed.
From the airport the five men took the car that had been provided to Sesto Fiorentino. From there they headed north. Just over a kilometer later they passed a large building surrounded by a high stone wall. They continued on to the first place Chief could turn around and they retraced their steps back past and to the next place they could pull off the road.
Garrison and Actor set out toward the house and Casino and Goniff headed up hill to circle around the back. Chief put up the hood and loosened the distributor wire. If anyone came by he would just fume and point to the engine.
Casino and Goniff returned ten minutes after the other two but their reports were the same. The place was surrounded by the stone wall which was breech-able. Casino had done just that and had checked for a security system and found no sign. He did find a large pile of dog shit. They had to assume there were dogs patrolling at least at night.
The next step was to locate the source of the rumors of theft that had the Signore asking for immunity. Chief offered to stay and watch but Garrison declined. He did not want them split up just yet. This time Garrison drove back to the city where he had been provided with a safe house.
It was more a cottage but it would do as a base. Actor and Garrison went to talk to their contact. The others were to stay put but it was a fine day. The temperature was only in the fifties but the sun was shining and the sky was clear so they sat outside, smoked and talked about when they got home. Goniff was to stay with his Mom in New York City. Casino's family had been all too happy to have him home. They each talked about their families. Finally Goniff asked Chief about his plans. He explained that Garrison had got him a room at a boarding house and job interviews as a mechanic. That brought fresh stories about the crazy landlady that ran those places or the sex starved landlady. Both had them smiling though Chief preferred the crazy one. He had no desire to be hounded by a half dressed older woman who just wanted his body.
Hours later Garrison returned. Actor had remained in town. He had a friend there and hoped to gather more information as the evening wore on.
"A skirt?" asked Goniff, nudging Casino in the ribs.
Garrison ignored him so Casino laughed. "Of course a skirt." They then took to talking about Actor and his women. Casino suggested how he would get the information. Garrison was not surprised at their imaginations. They were not virgins and they did subscribe to 'kiss and tell'.
As evening descended Actor returned looking very relaxed. He had confirmation Signore Pellitteri had been involved in many art and jewelry thefts. They did not have proof but he seemed to have a lot more money than anyone else and he had been on good terms with the occupiers. It was time to have a look in his safe.
Once it was dark they climbed into the car again and headed for the fortified house. This time they were going in. That was the thought until they arrived. The place was packed. The sloping drive was filled with cars and it looked like every light in the place was on. It was too dangerous; they would get caught so they turned around and returned to their cottage with its two beds and a couch.
Next morning five grumpy men assembled for breakfast. They had to do it today.
"If there is any consolation, the Signore will be hung over and easier to con," suggested Actor.
"Let's hope."
This time when they arrived the place was quiet. The three inside men had been dropped off around the bend and would make their way on foot, scaling the wall at the rear and entering the back way.
Garrison rang the bell and they both heard the ferocious barking from inside. That was not good news. The other three needed to be able to move about the house to find the safe. When the door opened they saw an older man peer around the edge. Actor told him they were there to see Signore Pellitteri. The door opened and they were ushered in. The older man led them to a large sitting room as the man of the house came down the stairs.
"Signore," said Actor. "I have a request. My companion is uncomfortable with dogs."
"Not to worry," he said jovially. "I have locked them upstairs." He turned to his companion. "You have nothing to worry about."
"Could you put them in the cellar? I was once attacked by a dog that escaped from an upstairs room. I would feel more comfortable with them beneath me."
"How be I put them outside then they are…"
"No," he said anxiously. "I don't want to feel trapped in here," he smiled hoping to mollify his host, "as nice as it is in here." Seeing him hesitate he said, "I cannot relax if they are not in the cellar." He stepped back looking very uncomfortable.
That did the trick. Their host agreed and Garrison, playing the con said he would step outside so he did not have to see them and Actor remained so he knew it had been done. Garrison's appearance was the signal for the others to enter.
By the time Garrison was invited back in Actor had flattered their host with compliments on his choice of dogs and his fine home. The Signore took it from there and suggested he show them the grounds. It was cool for wandering around outside but it meant there were fewer ears in the house. They went.
Their host led them farther up the hillside so they could survey his domain.
"This is an incredible estate. You own all this?" and he spread his arms to encompass the orchards and vineyards. "How did you manage to keep the Germans from taking it and all the furnishings inside?"
"I knew they would take it if they saw it so as soon as they showed in the area I offered to let them use it. I pretended…"
"You tricked them," said Actor with admiration. "And when they left you moved back in. Ben fatto, eccellente."
"Thank you." He smiled then he turned angry. "Those fools in town do not understand. They think I worked for the Nazi. They call me a traitor. They don't understand," and his face eased, "not like you. You understand. You have to do what you can to survive. Besides if the Germans had won they still would think I was on their side and they would reward me so I could not lose. Right?"
Actor mentaly held his nose and agreed. They had gone along with them but they needed proof that he had actually aided the enmy. Hopefully that would be in the safe.
"Let's go back and we will have some of my very own wine and talk business."
They had only taken a few steps when the building bulged with a muffled boom then exploded blowing the sides off the one end of the building collapsing the roof and filling the air with dust and debris.