A Little Warmth
Chapter 1 : Just a taste
By the time Actor had dressed and reached the kitchen table the other cons were there but not Garrison. Seeing Chief looking showered and dressed told him they had both returned from their early morning run. He hoped that the Officer was not on the phone.
No such luck. Lieutenant Garrison stepped into the kitchen, grabbed a slice of buttered toast from the plate on the table and said, "Stay Put," before turning and taking a bite as he headed for the door. London had called.
Instead of returning to brief his cons he had been placed on a plane and flown deep into enemy territory. The drop was miles from his target but he knew he would be able to get there. He was a resourceful man and accustomed to travelling. Having forged documents and money helped.
Dressed in the black uniform of the Panzer troops, he stepped down from the train at the Stuttgart station and looked around. He had seen a picture of his contact but had been told not to expect to meet there. To the east of the station was a park. This was where the meet was set but checking his watch he saw he has missed the first window. The train had been delayed several times so he was going to have to find a place to stay until the next scheduled time. In keeping with his cover he left the station and headed for the closest restaurant. When he entered he saw there were only a few late diners left so he sat and ordered. War time rationing meant the fare was limited but he was hungry so it did not matter. He ate.
When he finished he paid and left. The daylight was receding and he was tired but the night was pleasant, the temperature perfect for walking so after looking about to establish his next move as random he set off for the park.
He returned to the station, nodding politely to the few people who were taking advantage of the warm evening. As he headed down the road beside of the station he was accosted by an old man who smelled strongly of alcohol. The old soldier wanted to reminisce about the last war. Garrison gentle evaded his clutches and continued on his way. Dusk was settling as he entered the gardens. The wide paths were occupied by a few lovers and an elderly man with a dog. Curfew would be soon, he would have to be careful. As he walked slowly to his destination he watched but he also wondered about the rest of his team. They would have been told by now but would they obey? The guys knew right from wrong and he knew they would not deliberately do something stupid but they did have a penchant for getting into trouble. Usually all he had to do was go bail them out but this time he would not be there. Would they take this into consideration? Probably not. Chances were he would not have a team when he returned but there was nothing he could do about it now. A noise off to the right brought his attention back to the here and now. Just an animal but he had to be vigilant. He needed to know where possible ambush sites were and any possible escape routes. This was the most dangerous part of the mission. If he or his contact were being followed then they both would be caught. Garrison could not afford to let that happen. He walked past the meeting place watching carefully but unobtrusively. Next stop was a hotel and sleep. Tomorrow was another day and another chance.
The cons had finished their evening meal and were now sitting around the table relaxing.
"'Ey Actor, if the Warden doesn't come back, what'll you do?"
The con man blew out a cloud of smoke as he considered his reply. In reality he had already decided but it never hurt to look thoughtful. "That would depend on who I was teamed up with."
"It would be us. We're a team."
"I was referring to the Officer. He would have to be someone I could work with. That is essential to my role."
"What about you?" he asked the safecracker.
"I don't know. The work we do's not so bad but I don't want to work with a guy that such a Boy Scout."
"Go on, admit it, you like the guy," teased Goniff.
"I didn't say I didn't. I'd just like it if he wasn't so…"
"Military?" offered Actor.
"Bossy," he said. "Always telling us what to do."
"You mean always telling us what we can't do?" offered Goniff.
Casino grinned. "Yeah."
"Maybe you should consider what he lets us get away with instead of what he does not allow."
With a snort the safecracker turned to the Englishman and asked what he would do.
"Oh I don't know. I thought about scarpering but I'd miss me mates. 'oo would I 'ave to bet with to earn money?"
"That reminds me…"
"Oh no. I don't owe you. We're even since you lost the bet on whether the Warden was coming back from London."
Casino grunted. He was right. "What about you, Chief?"
"I dono." He knew Casino had asked just to include him in the conversation. They knew what he would say. Without Garrison, he feared being sent back to G-CAT and he feared being drugged again. All he could hope for was enough time for Actor to check out whoever was to lead them. If it did not look good then he was gone.
"Don't worry, mate," said Goniff confidently, "Warden'll be back."
The next morning as Garrison headed for the park and the hoped for rendezvous there was little activity back at their base. The men had eaten a leisurely breakfast and then lounged in the courtyard. Casino brought out a soccer ball and they had kicked that around for a bit. They were considering their options. Casino thought they should head to the pub but Actor was dragging his feet. The Warden had said 'stay put' but that might have just meant for the afternoon and his expected return. They had stayed but he had not returned. They did not need Actor's permission but it was more fun when they all went. Chief had been watching the interplay but suddenly he stopped and turned to look to the side of the building. No one noticed until he spoke, announcing they had company.
"Is it the Warden?" asked Goniff hopefully.
"Probably got a mission for us," grumbled Casino. He had been hoping for some alcohol and someone soft and willing to help him drink it.
"Ain't the Warden," said Chief as he turned to face the back door. Whoever had arrived was now in the building.
As Chief predicted it was not the Warden but the Sargent Major who stepped out the door and called them to come in. Four curious and slightly worried men headed for the steps. What if it was bad news about Garrison? Had he been injured or captured? What if he was dead?
When they entered their room they were surprised by who was standing by the window. Their first thoughts were, had he seen the bars. They watched for his reaction. The disgust that had shaped his features the first time he had come here was gone. Instead there was interest. After how they had saved the mission to rescue the German General he had changed his opinion of them. After joining them for a drink they had almost forgiven him for throwing them to the wolves.
"Major Richards," said Actor.
"I am glad to see you all here."
"What's 'appened to the Warden?"
"I have no knowledge of that."
"Is that usual or is there trouble?" asked Actor with concern. Agents were known to disappear, either killed or captured, never to be seen again.
"That is usual. Your 'Warden' reports to someone else."
Casino's grumbled, "Bullshit", was loud enough for all to hear. "Why don't you just tell us the truth and say you can't tell us." That earned him a glare but no verbal response.
"If you are not here to inform us of the Lieutenant's status then why are you here?" asked the unofficial leader of the cons.
"I have a mission," the major looked to the Guardian, "for Chief."
Back in Stuttgart Garrison was walking down the path to the meet. He had already circled around and checked from the back after making sure he was not being tailed. The contact was alone and waiting.
"Guten morgen, Liebling," he said with a warm smile. She was pretty, sitting on the bench in her pale blue frock with a little white collar. The white cardigan was open revealing the fitted waist which emphasized her trim shape. Her light brown hair was pinned back from her face but her curls bounced about her shoulders.
"Ich habe dich vermisst Schatzchen," she replied warmly, rising to step into his arms. As they embraced she whispered, "Wir mussen uns beeilen."
Craig gave her a kiss on the cheek and took her hand. They walked calmly back the way he had come chatting all the way of inane things that lovers talked about. Her travel papers listed her as his wife, Ava Adler, married to Dirk Adler, a Panzer Officer.
The Officer's papers were in order so they boarded the train quickly and found an empty compartment. Garrison then briefed his 'wife' on the detail she needed to know.
When he finished she held out her hand, palm down, and said, "Good thing I brought my own ring." She was smiling as she added coyly, "Did we have a good wedding?"
She had a sense of humour.
Ava was silent for a time and sat looking about. Her mind was not silent though. She worried. All her life she had gone out of her way to make friends; that was just her way. Now she was going to be travelling with an unknown man who was acting as her husband. Was he acting? He had every right to dislike her and she accepted that but she would like to know how he really felt. If he did not hate her then they might even be friends. If he hated her then she had better watch for a betrayal. Did she want to know his disgust? No, but she needed to know if she could trust him. She had to know. It would be better to wait and maybe pick up some clues from his behaviour but the door opened and a family man peeked in and then withdrew. She realized that they might not be alone much longer. She had to ask now.
"Do you think less of me because of what I have done?" she asked quietly.
Garrison knew she was uncomfortable and had expected something but this threw him. Even worse, he had to wait as several people walked past. "I don't understand. Because of what?"
"If I were selfless then I would have passed on the information. Instead I… I insisted that I be brought out before I will divulge what I have learned. Is that not black mail?"
"Using information to your advantage is not unheard of." He was hedging and they both knew it.
"But do you think less of me for doing it?"
Her tone and the look on her face told him that his opinion mattered. She did not appear to be conniving in the least but how could he answer without all the facts. He knew agents from both sides bought, sold and bartered information.
Sensing his quandary she knew she would have to open herself to him. It was dangerous and she would probably regret it but… No, she could not. All she could say was, "My life is in danger. This was the only way I could see to save myself. I do regret having to do it this way but I had no other choice. I want you to understand. I am not an evil person."
Garrison knew she was telling him something. Why would she be in danger? Was she wanted by the police? Was she with a Resistance group or was there something else? He had to put her at ease to help with their cover. They were supposed to be newlyweds. "It does not matter the reason. I am here to get you out and that is what I will do."
He wanted to ask about the danger but he had to respect her privacy. There was a way to minimize the risk, though. "Is this danger something that will affect our leaving?" The flash of fear might have gone un-noticed if he hadn't learned from watching Chief. He too was quick to hide such emotions that left him vulnerable to attack.
If she said nothing and they did not meet anyone who knew her then there would not be any way to prove who she was. Before heading to the park she had been meticulous about removing any sign of her secret. She had even stolen other clothes. She gave her answer with a shake of her head. She dared not voice her lie to her savior.
Back in England the cons stunned silence allowed the Major to continue. "Pack what you need. I'll brief you on the way."
"You can't just walk in here and take him," insisted Casino. As expected the cons closed ranks around the Guardian, verbally and physically
"Yes I can. He, like you, is under contract to the Allied Army," replied the Officer.
"But 'e only works for the Warden, I mean, the Lieutenant," put in Goniff.
"He is a Guardian. He works for any Handler." The Officer thought that would end the questions. They were a distraction but it pleased him that the Guardian had fit in so well that his team mates had become protective of him.
"It's not someone from G-CAT is it? Those guys are …"
Chief was too scared to follow the conversation. What was he to do? What could he do? Nothing. He had to go along with it. Or did he? Should he run? Again, running was an option but where would that get him? He would lose everything, his friends and even his Hearth. No, he had to do as the Major said. He turned to his cot to get his jacket. The days were warm but the nights were still cool.
Casino followed the Guardian and whispered, "Don't kill'm. They'll hunt you down if you do."
Chief acknowledged the comment with a quick look and then he headed for the door where the Major was waiting. As he passed his team mates he saw they were worried the same as he was. Did Richards know Chief was not on the drugs? What would he do and what about whoever he was going with?
The Officer turned and headed down the hall. Actor's quiet, "Look after yourself," told him the guys were on his side. He left and followed the Officer. As they descended the stairs he continued to worry. Then another thought arose. He needed his knives. He had one that he kept but Garrison had the others in his office. If he asked for them then Richards might remember about the drugs. No he wasn't going to take the chance. He would have to be real careful with this knife and make sure he didn't lose it.
Upstairs Goniff asked the question that scared them all. "You don't think 'ughes' 'ad anything to do with this do you?"
"Youse? Oh, you mean Hughes?"
"Yeah. The bloke 'oo set up that last phony mission to test Chief?"
"Oh my lord, I hope not." They all looked shocked especially since there was nothing they could do about it. Chief was on his own.
"'E isn't coming back is 'e?" No one had to answer Goniff's question. They all pictured what was going to happen. Come nightfall, someone was going to try to inject him with the drugs. Chief was not going to submit. He would run but would he have to kill to escape? Would the Army just let him go? G-CAT would not. Where would Chief go? Garrison was going to be pissed off.
After he had been briefed a Corporal drove Chief to the airfield. He was going to be dropped with another operative into Norway where they were to watch for the arrival of the Tirpitz, a German battleship that threatened the Allied convoys bound for Russia. Armed with a radio they were to signal when she arrived.
Back in Germany the train began to move. They were on their way but not out of danger. An elderly couple joined them. Ava and the other woman, Gerda, began talking filling the compartment with happy chatter about children and cooking with prewar ingredients. From the way they got along you would have thought they were friends for years not strangers on a train. Ava even managed to include her husband in the conversation asking him for confirmation of a certain dish she had made. Garrison was impressed. She was a natural. When the couple left for their stop she fell silent for a minute.
"Do you like children?" she asked. "Oh, I am sorry. That is personal." She smiled shyly. "It is just that you remind me of someone. I suppose you have a sweetheart back home." Her smile slipped. "I was in love once. He was killed in November 'in 38. It was a terrible night."
The door rattled open and four soldiers looked into the compartment. Seeing Garrison's rank the one in front hesitated for a split second before being pushed in by the second man who had not seen him. By then it was too late so he sat down. Ava moved closer to her 'husband' to make room for the fourth man. It had been a long time since Craig had sat this close to a woman but as they sat gently swaying to the motion of the car her presence against his shoulder felt good. She also smelled good. In an effort to make her more comfortable he shifted slightly and she turned her head and gave him a smile of gratitude. He could not help the smile that softened his face. If he blocked out the uniforms on the opposite bench he could be happy. He had sat like this with a girl, Beth, in High School and several times at dances when he was at West Point. He missed this. How he missed this. He sighed.
She must have heard him or felt the breath because she turned and taking his hand she asked him if he was all right. How could he answer that the way he was feeling, so lonely. All he could do was paste a reassuring smile on his face and tell her yes, just tired.
"Of course you are," she said smiling sweetly. "That is why we are on our way to Paris. One week in the city of love with the man I love."
Garrison's heart twisted. How did she do that? Her hand gently squeezed his hand and she turned her face up to his. Without thought he leaned down and kissed her ever so gently on the lips. He wanted to kiss her deeper but dared not. As it was he was just keeping up appearances, for the con. That was all he was doing. That was all. Nothing else. He had to, to keep them alive.
A sound drew his eye across the compartment. The two soldiers were exchanging looks. They were trying not to watch but he could see they were wishing they were in his shoes. With his rank he could have rebuked them but why? They were lonely just like he was. He said nothing.
Minutes past in the compartment, quiet minutes, peaceful minutes but it could not last. The train was slowing. Garrison checked the window but saw only countryside. Something was wrong. One of the soldiers got up and left. He felt his wife's fear through the pressure on his hand. It was not overt but it was enough to tell him she was worried. He turned to her and gave her a smile which she returned. The pressure eased a little.
The wait was long. The soldier returned with the news that the train would be delayed so the bridge over the River Rhine could be checked for damage before the train could cross. All they could do was wait.
Hours later they pulled into Strasbourg. The train had to be resupplied so they had time to get something to eat but they hurried back and took their seats. Finally at dusk just after the solders returned, they were under way again.
Back in England Chief was introduced to his partner just before they boarded. No words were spoken though they each nodded an acknowledgement. The plane was too noisy for conversation so they sat on opposite sides and waited. The signal came and they jumped. As he floated down Chief recalled the pictures he had been shown. The ship they were to watch for, at almost eight hundred feet long, was an impressive sight with its main battery of eight 15 inch guns in four twin turrets. She also had anti-aircraft guns and even torpedo tubes. No wonder the Allies wanted her sunk. He watched the approaching trees and hoped he would not get hung up or blown out to sea. The second chute was just above so he could not see it.
Luck was with him and he was almost on the ground before the corner of the silk caught on a tree limb. The abrupt stop jerked him off his feet and he fell but at least he was on the ground. He triggered the harness release and struggled to get the harness off over the heavy coat he had been given. He switched the pack he had been given from his chest to his back and began rolling up the cords and material. All around him there were tall evergreen trees standing dark and thick. He had managed to land in the clearing. The other agent was not as lucky. Off to the left, in the thick stand of evergreen trees, he could hear the sound of breaking branches.
Chief gathered the last of his chute into his arms and headed for the trees, stepping carefully over the rocky terrain. Pushing his way between the stiff branches he stepped into the interior where the lower branches had from the lack of light. The day was overcast with thick cloud cover so in here where the upper branches blocked most of the light it was dim. He waited for his eyes to adjust. There within twenty feet was his team mate suspended and hopelessly tangled. As he approached he assessed the best way to get her down. As he watched she tried to reach her boot where undoubtedly she had a knife but the way she was tangled restricted her movement. If he tried to throw his knife to her and she missed then he might lose it. He was going to have to climb up and cut her lose. The problem there was not only getting there but where to cut that would release her without causing her to drop awkwardly.
Selecting a tree he stuffed the chute at the base, dropped the pack and began to climb but the coat restricted his movements so he took it off. Up he went, wishing Goniff was here. He was good at this. Finally he reached the first line. If he cut this she would be able to move but cutting the farther one first would be better. She was not pleased with his choice and she told him so. Ignoring her threats he moved into position and began cutting the cords. It was slow going; his knife was a stiletto used for stabbing not sawing. Each completed cut freed her a little more until she was able to twist around to free herself and drop down. He climbed down.
His hands were sticky from the sap and bits of bark and tiny twigs clung to his hands. He wanted to clean his hands but there was only a thick bed of needles on the ground. The constant tree cover prevented even the grass from growing here. As she unslung the radio from her chest he picked up his coat, balled his hand and stuck his arm in the sleeve. Then he did the same with the other arm as she checked the transmitter. Satisfied, she slung the radio onto her back and began to walk. He grabbed his pack and followed.
Once they were in the open she looked around to get her bearings then set off. He rubbed his hands relatively clean on the lichens on the rocks and followed. Her pace was good, even and steady through the trees and over the rough ground until she came to a steep hill. Carefully she picked her footing, sometimes using her hands to steady herself. Always confident, Chief wondered if this was where she was from since she seemed to know where she was going. It was hard to tell what she looked like with her heavy coat, mitts and rabbit fur hat. The words she spoke when he cut her loose were foreign so maybe she was Norse. Norse? Was that the right word? No time to wonder; he had to watch his footing too. On they travelled.
It was getting even darker when she finally slowed at the edge of a rocky meadow. When she reached for his pack he slung it down and opened it. This was where they would spend the night. While she gathered wood and cleared a space for a fire he pulled out the rations and the shelter that had been provided. When he checked to make sure he had everything he found the little metal case. On the front was a Red Cross. It was their medical kit. Out of curiosity he pried it open. There were bandages and sulfa packets but there was also a needle and a tiny bottle; the Compliance Drug. She was going to try to drug him!
Where was she? Without turning he listened. Fifteen feet away behind him, there was a rustling sound. Good, she would not see what he was about to do as he slipped the kit into his coat pocket. At some point he would hide it away from the camp. He would not be drugged again.
Quickly he set up the shelter and added some improvements. By the time he was done she had the fire going so he brought the tins of rations.
They ate in silence with only the light of the fire. He did not mind the silence, in fact he suspected that she did not speak English. It would be nice to know her name at least. Chief would have liked to remain sitting by the fire but he knew there was danger out there so he slipped into the dark and circled their camp. It would also give him an opportunity to hide the kit. A silhouette against the stars was probably an owl and the sound of movement in the distance, a wolf pack. There was no immediate danger.
Directly behind the shelter was a tree that had fallen against its neighbor. He placed the kit under the lowest branches where they lay on the ground. He would return in the morning to fetch it.
What was she going to do when he got back? Was she looking for the drug right now? What would he say if she asked about it? What was he worried about? He couldn't understand her if she did. He would just say he didn't understand. She was not big enough to try to force him. It was going to be all right.
He froze. What if that was just morphine and she had the drug with her? His stomach clenched and he suddenly went cold. Without thought he turned back to where he had put the kit. If he could only read then he might be able to read what was on the bottle but he Couldn't Read! How was he going to know? Maybe he could just stay out here and patrol. He'd done that before; stayed out in the cold. He could do that. It was too cold to fall asleep. He could also die of the cold too. They always took the night in shifts, never one person all night.
What choice did he have? Maybe if he got his blanket and wrapped it around himself then that would keep him a bit warmer. That was what he would do. Maybe she was asleep in the shelter. He would go back and get his blanket.
As he approached the camp he did not see her until he entered the clearing. She was sitting in the shelter watching for him, her look questioning. He just shook his head and she relaxed. The fire had burned down to a bed of embers as he looked for his blanket.
"Kommer hit," she said and then beckoned to him.
He tried to see her hands. Did she have the needle? Was she going to try to inject him? He could not get too close. He was stronger than her if she tried to grab him but he did not want to hurt her. The same with his knife. He could threaten her but he did not open his knife unless he planned to use it and this time he would not be using it.
She repeated her words and gesture only this time she pulled the top blanket back. She was inviting him in to sleep. Watching very carefully for any false move, he stepped closer. He started to crawl in but panicked when she reached for his coat buttons.
He pulled back and she said, "Ikke vær dum." Pulling back the top blanket some more she showed him how she had spread her coat out under her. She wanted his coat to put on top of them. Chief was not entirely convinced. He had been fooled before. Looking closely in the dark he tried to see if there was anything hidden. Not finding anything he undid his coat and took it off. Lying down beside her he spread it over her. He needed to stay way over to the side. It was not right for them to be this close.
The young woman had other ideas. As soon as he was still she snuggled over closer bringing the coat with her. Her arm pulled the edge of the coat over him but then remained lying over his chest. Her head lay against his shoulder.
Chief knew he had to get some sleep. They were not at their destination and he had no idea how much farther they had to go but they probably should get an early start. He closed his eyes and tried to relax but his mind refused. All he could think of was the woman lying tight against his side with her arm across his chest.
They were still dressed but it did not take long for her warmth to soak through his sweater. He knew this was wrong, the Guardian knew this was wrong but the man relished the feeling. Reluctantly the Guardian admitted that this felt good. Having a woman in his arms again felt good. This was something he dared not hope for, it was only to be dreamed of and here it was real. He meant to stay awake so as not to miss a moment but with the peace and warmth he drifted off.
The German train chugged into the night. Garrison knew he could rest, not sleep but at least rest. Ava had to be tired so he leaned farther into the corner and pulled her closer to lean on him. She moved turning slightly to get more comfortable and laid her cheek on his shoulder. This time she was the one to sigh and he smiled. Here he was a man trained to kill with his bare hands providing comfort to a woman. His Mother would be pleased that he had not lost that side of his nature, the gentle protector. As he sat there he felt the heat of her body against his chest, her hair tickled his neck. He tried to keep his mind on serious matters but he could not help that it wandered back to the woman lying against him. What would it be like to have someone like this with him always? Images came unbidden to his mind; pictures of the two of them sitting before a fire, a glass of wine in hand or walking down a country lane hand in hand. Damn this war that would bring him this taste of heaven but then deny them any future; because they could have no future. She would go her way and he would go back to fighting this war. If he survived then maybe he could look her up but war time romance did not mean peacetime romance. Desperation made you do many things.
He fell back on his West Point training. Harden your heart and do your duty. Do nothing that would bring disgrace to your name or to the name of the United States of America. On the outside, the Officer kept his oath. He would not shame himself or her but inside the man was relishing the moment. He would commit to memory and keep it always.
Dawn was breaking when the train pulled into the station. Ava woke and sat up, stretching with lady like dignity. It was time for some breakfast.
Chief's internal alarm woke him before dawn. That was normal for him but the presence of a warm body beside him was not. He knew he should get up and check for danger but he could not force himself to leave. Minutes later she moved, pulling away from him. The warmth lingered for a moment but the lack of presence destroyed the reason to stay. He moved to the side and slipped out from under the coats as she sat up. Pulling his coat out from under the blanket he crawled out and pulled it on. Still crouched he looked and listened. He could not go deep without fear of getting lost but he could extend a bit. The air was cold and clear, sharp in his nostrils, smelling of pine and damp. His breath appeared in puffs of mist that quickly dissipated. There were no unusual sounds, no other heartbeats so he stood. It was too dark to see other than shapes but he slipped out and patrolled around the perimeter of their campsite. The first aid kit went into his pocket. There was nothing unusual to be seen or heard. By the time he returned she was out stirring up the fire and the cloudy sky was lightening. They would eat then continue on to their destination.
As the fraudulent Panzer officer opened the compartment door he was surprised to see the conductor coming down the aisle. He brought bad news. All leaves had been cancelled and he was to go directly to Nazi Headquarters for his new orders.
