Vendetta di Sangue
Chapter 1
Garrison answered the phone in his office. It was mid-morning and he was already tired of the mounds of paperwork he was trying to catch up on. Major Richards was on the other end. This did not bode well.
"Garrison? You have permission to go in and get Miss Harkness out of there. We agree with your logic. If she is concerned for her safety, chances are she will unintentionally make a mistake. A car will take you to the sub base at Norfolk. You leave there at 2000. The car will pick you up at 1500."
"Thank you, Major," said Craig, unable to keep a touch of the relief he felt out of his voice.
"Be careful." It was the first time the Major had cautioned him in regards to this.
"Yes, Sir."
Garrison hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair, taking a deep breath in and letting it slowly out in a sigh of relief. The waiting and worry would be over soon. Craig waited until lunch to let the others know he was going in again. As usual, he gave no indication of the nature of his mission. Being nothing new to the men, they did not ask. Neither did his sister.
GGGGG
Terry got up from the poker game to answer the phone. The usual argument over who was cheating was playing loudly in the background. She shook her head laughing as she picked up the phone. "Zoo, interim zookeeper here, how may I help you?"
"Lt. Garrison has been captured. He is being held in Gestapo headquarters in Oslo, pending deportation to Berlin for further interrogation. His partner was also captured. She was tortured and killed."
Terry turned and screamed, "Will you guys shut up!"
Terry turned back and listened to Major Richards' voice repeating what he had said and tried to comprehend what she had just been told. Her right hand rose to cover her mouth and she leaned her forehead on the banister. The four cons watched her from behind, silent and apprehensive. They knew it had to be bad and it had to be Garrison.
"Terry, are you there?" Major Richards voice had softened and was also concerned.
"Yes, Kevin, I'm here," Terry replied steadily in a monotone.
"I know you will just go in on your own anyway, so I am sending you and the team in to get Garrison back."
"I may have to bring my people in too." Terry's mind was already working on two levels.
"Whatever you have to do," said Richards. "And you will have to do whatever you have to do."
Terry's head snapped up and her voice took on an angry tone. "Major, I will not kill my own brother! We'll get him out!"
"I figured as much," replied Richards. "Come to Major Schaeffer's office in two hours and I will brief you."
"Yes, Sir," replied Terry.
She hung up the phone and listened to the cacophony of male voices behind her, which she ignored. Her eyes focused on Craig's second in command. "Actor, were you ever in Norway before the war?"
"Yes," replied the con man. "Many times."
"You speak it?"
"Very little," said Actor. "Just the basics of yes, no, where is the john."
"Where are the dames," added Casino.
"That was never a problem," assured Actor, haughtily. "Teresa? What is going on? What has happened?"
Terry turned away, dialed the phone and waited for an answer.
Christine picked up on the other end. "Blue Fox."
"Chris, drop whatever you're doing and get over here," said Terry, the strain evident in her voice. "But before you do, call Kelly and tell him to come." She paused. "Circle the wagons."
There was a brief pause on the line. "Craig?"
"Yes. Norway."
"Captured?"
"Yes."
"Jenny?"
"Dead." Terry's voice matched the word.
"Oh, God," breathed Christine. "Are we going to Norway?"
"Yeah," replied Terry with a bit more animation. "Clear to Berlin if we have to."
"Do you want me to find Dirk and Tinker?" asked the younger sister.
"No," said Terry. "Seven of us is too big of a team now, but we'll probably need Kelly and you to take care of Craig."
"Are you leading?" asked Chris.
"Me or Actor," replied Terry. "Probably Actor. I may not be rational enough. And he's the confidence man. It's going to take a big con."
"I'll be there in a bit," said Chris.
Terry hung up and turned back to the men. The cacophony started again with everybody asking what was going on.
"Quiet!" Actor's voice cut loudly and sternly through the noise. There was silence. "Now tell us what has happened," he said more quietly to the girl.
"Craig went in to Norway again. This time he was captured. Gestapo has him. We're being sent to get him out. I brief with Major Richards in Schaeffer's office in two hours. "
"And his lady? I assume it is she is who is dead?"
The three men stared at the con man. Nothing surprised Terry anymore.
She nodded. "She's dead."
"So we need to bring her body out," said Actor with certainty.
"If there is a body," said Terry. "Are you familiar with Oslo?"
Actor nodded. "It has been a long time though, I am afraid."
"So what was the Warden doin' in Oslo?" asked Casino.
"I don't know," replied Terry. "He wouldn't tell me." She looked at Actor. "He talked more to you . . ."
Actor shook his head. "He would not discuss Norway, or his lady for that matter."
"So 'ow did you know about 'er?" asked Goniff.
The con man looked at Teresa. "The WREN at the hospital that time you informed the staff I was your husband with multiple children?"
Terry nodded. "That was her."
The expected banter from the others over that story was not forthcoming. The men were too worried about the lieutenant to throw barbs at the Italian. It was a small relief to both Actor and Terry.
It was an hour before Christine arrived at the Mansion. She hugged her sister and took a seat at the game table.
"Kelly is on his way," she said. "He should be here in a couple hours."
Actor was not happy with this supposed plan of them all going in to get the Lieutenant. There were too many people and three of them might not be objective.
"Why do all three of you need to go?" he asked.
Chris looked at Terry.
The older girl responded. "Because Craig is going to need blood family there when you get him out. And it will probably take all of you to make this rescue happen."
"Are you not enough?" asked Actor.
Terry knew he was unhappy. She doubted her explanation would improve his frame of mind. "I don't know what I will be doing once we get him out. There are several different scenarios that I don't want to discuss until I talk to Major Richards."
"I will accompany you when you go for briefing," said Actor.
"Not this time," said Terry. "There are some things to be discussed you don't have clearance for."
Actor's eyes narrowed. "And since when has my lack of clearance stopped you or the Warden?"
"Since now." She looked askance at the older man. "I need you, Actor. But this is a whole different ball game. Besides, you've planned a mission on the fly more than once."
"Yes, and I do not appreciate that." Annoyance was in his voice.
Terry did not want to deal with the increasingly irate con man. She told Chris to make an early supper for the men. They probably would be leaving quickly after she returned from G-2. She left the mansion earlier than necessary and drove to Brandonshire.
Instead of going straight to G-2, she went to the Fox. Kit was surprised when she walked in and alone.
"What's going on?" asked the flame haired girl. "Chris was white as a sheet when she tore out of here."
"Craig's been captured. His partner is dead," said Terry briefly. "Is Shiv here?"
Kit nodded. "He's in the basement."
Terry strode into the backroom and her booted feet clattered loudly down the stairs to the basement. Madge looked up in surprise. When Chris had left, she never thought Terry would show up. Shiv was at the work table in the middle of the basement floor. He watched Terry approach.
"Do we have anybody around Oslo?" she asked.
"Yeah, there's a cell there. What's going on?"
"Craig has been going in on some deep cover thing for over a year now. He got tumbled and the Gestapo have him." Terry frowned.
"So isn't the army doing anything about it?" asked Shiv.
"Yes. We're going in to get him," replied Terry. "There's another problem. His partner, a woman, was killed. I want her body. If we wait until we get there, we'll probably never find her, if she isn't already buried or dumped somewhere. Can our people try to find her? And let me know how to contact them."
She gave him a description of the woman based on the time she had seen her in the hospital. It was all she had to go on, not knowing if she had changed her appearance for the mission. .
The underground leader studied the girl. "You're taking Chris with you?"
"And Kelly," said Terry. "Does Chris know about this?" She made a vague motion of her hand to take in the basement.
"So far we've kept her out. But she's worked with OSS and SOE. She probably knows something is going on down here."
"Do me a favor, and don't use her." If they lost Craig, the girl wasn't about to lose more of her family.
"Wasn't going to," said Shiv. "I'm not on her list of good guys."
"Nicky wasn't working for you when he was killed," said Terry. She made a face. "Sorry, Jake. I shouldn't have brought that up."
"It's okay. I've seen too many deaths. I guess I'm getting immune to it."
Terry looked askance at him. "Do you really get immune?"
"No," admitted the man.
Madge had not waited for an okay from their leader; she just went ahead and started to contact their cell in Oslo. It would take awhile to get a response. She got a squeeze of her shoulder as Terry walked past and went back upstairs.
Though it was early, Terry walked across the street and entered the G-2 building. After showing her papers, she went up the marble staircase to Major Schaeffer's office. Meg looked up with sympathy.
"Major Richards should be here in a few minutes," the British girl said. "Terry, I'm sorry."
Terry nodded and took a seat in the waiting area. She had no desire to spend any more time with Schaeffer than necessary. She almost wished Richards had come to the Mansion to do the briefing. There was one advantage to meeting here, and Terry used it.
"Meg, we have relations with the resistance in Norway, don't we?"
"Yes." She gave a halfhearted attempt at a smile. "They are already keeping tabs on the Lieutenant . . . and trying to find the woman's body." Meg eyed Terry. "Um, have you made use of some of your contacts?"
Terry's contacts were Jaguar. She nodded. "I don't care who finds her, I just want her back. She deserves to be buried on British soil."
The door from the hall opened and Major Richards strode in. He glanced at Terry and the girl rose and followed him as he pushed into Major Schaeffer's office without knocking. That did not make the officer happy.
"Major," greeted the commando officer brusquely. "Thank you for the use of your office."
"Major. I would be interested in knowing the reason for your briefing being done here," said Schaeffer haughtily.
"Because I want there to be more than one contact for them if they need it."
That took Terry by surprise.
Richards continued. "There will probably be two parts to this mission. They may have to come out two different ways."
That was interesting to Terry. Norway was north. The way out was by sub. That meant Norfolk no matter who many parts there were to the mission, and right now she could think of three. The third one was not up for discussion with the army, British or American.
Remaining standing, Richards opened his briefcase and removed papers. Terry and Schaeffer joined him. Richards handed a paper to Terry.
"This is a list of addresses. One is your safe house, one is the woman's flat, and one is her place of employment." He did not wait for any questions. "Lt. Garrison is being held at Gestapo headquarters. A Major Engel is coming from Berlin in two days to take Garrison to Berlin. So far the Lieutenant has not been cooperative. He is not even giving them rank and serial number from what we have heard. There is no information on the disposition of Jennifer Harkness' body. We would like her returned to British soil."
Terry nodded. "Who is our contact?"
"Knut. He will be meeting you at the drop off. "
"Speak English?" asked Terry.
"A little." Richards looked at her. "Password: glacier, countersign: fiord."
Terry nodded. "How do we get out, with and without the body?"
"Knut will arrange pickup for you."
Schaeffer eyed the Commando major. "And what is my part in this?"
Richards did not like the pompous Brit anymore than Garrison and his crew did. "You will be available to arrange alternative pick up if that becomes necessary."
Terry looked up. "Any plans for how we are to accomplish this?"
Richards shook his head. "However you and your second decide to."
"When do we leave?" asked Terry.
"A truck will pick you up at 1700. Best accommodations I could find for that many of you."
"Anything else, Major?" asked the girl.
"No."
Terry nodded. "Thank you, Sir." She gave a bare nod to Schaeffer. "Major."
The two officers watched as the young woman folded and tucked the paper inside her shirt, turned and walked away. Richards shook his head.
"I hope they are successful. The Gestapo will have had Garrison for much more than seventy-two hours by the time they get there."
Schaeffer did not like the lieutenant at all, but the thought of anyone in the hands of the Gestapo for that long was not good.
