Mind Games

The pain dragged him up. He tried to fight it but it was relentless. He must have groaned because a gentle voice called to him.

"You're going to be all right. Just relax. You've been injured but you're going to be all right."

The voice was gentle and soft; a woman's voice. Who was she? He tried but could not seem to get his eyes open. It took a concerted effort to get his hand to move and when he did it was awfully heavy. He hurt too much to wonder why. Slowly his hand moved toward his head but it was stopped by something soft, and warm.

"Gently. You have a head injury." He felt the shape of fingers. Someone was holding his hand and guiding him. "The last time you tried to pull the bandages off." His hand was escorted to his head where he felt the bandages that covered his head and his eyes.

"There was a lot of dust and debris from the explosion so the Doctor had to flush your eyes several times. There may still be some irritation so he has wrapped them to let them rest. He did not think there was any permanent damage."

The patient's mind was sluggish; slow to respond so his hand had descended back onto the bed before the thought formed. Explosion? What explosion? His mouth remained still, unaware that it was required to move to get the answer. He sank back into oblivion.

Later he returned. It was all quiet. Where was he? Was he alone? Where was the woman? Was she real or had he imagined her? He turned his head to the side where he thought her voice had come from and wished he could see.

"I'm glad to see you're awake. How are you feeling?"

A woman's voice. Was it the same woman? His recollection was fuzzy but it might be. He knew he should answer but when he tried all that came out was a grunt.

"You're probably thirsty but with the IV I can't give you anything. I'll let the Doctor know you're awake." There was the sound of rustling fabric and then from farther away the voice said, "I'll be right back."

His hand was lighter this time but the bandages were just as thick. His body ached. How long had he been here? Where had she gone?

Finally footsteps approaching, one shoe squeaked and then a man's voice.

"I'm glad to see you're back with us. How are you feeling? Better I hope." Gentle hands touched his wrist and he felt the fingers on his pulse. "I'm going to take your temperature so if you'll open up and lift your tongue."

He felt the tube slide into place and he closed his mouth around it. More gentle hands slipped the blood pressure cuff into place. Minutes later the voice was satisfied.

"You've certainly made great improvements. We thought we'd lost you for a time." There were more adjustments and then he said, "I'm going to allow you to have fluids but we'll keep the IV in just in case. I'll send for water and some soup. The nurse will help you and if it's any consolation, she's a pretty young thing." He chuckled. "I'll let the Ophthalmologist know that you're awake. He'll want to check your eyes. Most of this is a precaution but there is always a chance of permanent damage in these cases. I'll check in on you later." Doctor Squeaky Shoe left.

Minutes later a rustle of starched uniform told him Nurse 'Pretty young thing' had returned.

"I've brought you a pitcher of water and a bowl of soup. Supper is over but I know the cook," she added in a conspiratorial whisper.

"I'll just raise the head of the bed a bit. Just let me know if you're uncomfortable, all right?"

The slight elevation felt good. Then she came around and after asking him to lift his head she added another pillow. That felt even better.

She started with the soup, barely warm, clear, probably beef broth. The moisture made his mouth and throat feel better but he tired quickly. She must have noticed because she stopped and lowered the head of the bed. He must have slept.

Again the pain dragged him back but it was the motion that brought him alert. He was moving or being moved. He reached out to brace himself.

"Oh, good morning" She was back.

"Good news. You're being moved to a private room out of the Surgical Ward. The Doctor says you're well enough. We're almost there and then I'll get you some breakfast."

The morning meal was liquid but that was all he could stomach. At least it was topped off with a cup of coffee, lukewarm so he did not burn himself but at least it was real coffee.

As she took the dishes away he thought about what had happened. What had happened? Nothing came to mind. Strange. All he remembered was jumbled flashes, faces, places but no names. He reached up to feel his head. His head still ached but it wasn't as bad as it had been. That was probably what was causing the amnesia. Once that healed his memory would come back.

"Your head still bothering you?" Nurse 'Pretty young thing' asked gently. "You still have the IV. I could ask the Doctor…"

"No. It's not as bad as it was." He lowered his hand and turned toward the voice. "What happened?"

There was a pause and then a tentative, "You don't remember?"

"No."

"You were in a building that was hit by a bomb."

"Was anyone else…? How many dead?"

"I don't know," she said sadly. "There were some. Fortunately most people had gotten to the shelters. You were lucky to survive.

"Were you with friends? Maybe some of your men were there with you? If you'll tell me their names I could see if they're here."

"My men?"

"Yes," and she laughed a happy laugh. "They thought you were a civilian because of your clothes."

"My clothes?"

"Yes. You were wearing civilian clothes but while you were unconscious, I guess delirious, you were talking or yelling. That's when they realized that you had to be military.

"That reminds me," she continued, "You didn't have any identification on you. What's your name? Oh, wait while I get a pencil and paper." There was a rustle of material that faded away and then returned.

"I feel like a secretary," and she laughed. "Your Commanding Officer is probably worried where you are so what's your name?"

He would have blinked if he could because he could not remember. What was it? He tried picturing someone calling him. Nothing. He pictured the owner of that happy laugh sitting beside him pencil poised. The Doctor said she was a pretty young thing. Did she have dark hair long but done up stylishly. Her eyes were… blue. Her uniform…

She was waiting for him. He had to tell her something. "Uh, I … don't know."

"Oh," she sounded disappointed. "Any names come to mind? Brother, sister, how about your Mother's name? And don't say Mom," she suggested with a laugh.

He tried picturing anyone but no one had a face. Surely he had parents but he had no memory. He shook his head slowly not wishing to stir up the pain.

"Oh well," she sighed. "It doesn't really matter. I hope you don't mind, we've been calling you John. You know, for John Doe. Hey wouldn't that be funny if your real name was John just like we've been calling you. Bet your last name isn't Doe, is it?" More rustling and she said, "I'll just leave the pencil and paper here so when it comes back to you I can write it down. I hope your family isn't too worried. You sound like you're from the States. Do you remember where you were born?"

Squeaky shoe was back. "Good morning," He sounded pleased. "How are you feeling? Any better?"

"Yes."

"How's your headache?"

"Not as bad. Still there but not like it was."

"Good. Open up, let's get your temperature."

He complied and then waited as his pulse and blood pressure were checked. After the thermometer was removed he was asked to sit up and he felt the cold touch of the stethoscope on his back and chest.

"Good, you're healing nicely. Your temperature is still a little elevated but no sounds of pneumonia."

"What about my eyes?"

"The Ophthalmologist hasn't been by? All right, let's have a look."

There was a sound of scraping and then he felt the bandages were being removed. When he finally felt the cool air on his eyes he tried to open them. The light, dim though it was burned his eyes and he closed them against the pain.

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to open your eyes. Tip your head back. I'm going to put drops in your eyes. It will help to flush and sooth them."

He complied and felt the hands on his face. He knew it had to be done but having someone mess with his eyes was hard especially when all he wanted to do as close them against the blinding glare and pain.

"There, all done. That should help. We'll just wrap them up again. Your eyes do look better than they did. Won't be long."

That reminded the patient of a question that had been pressing for an answer. "How long have I been here?"

"Let'see. You were brought in… It's been just over a week but you were in serious condition."

"Can I get out of bed?"

"You are a soldier, aren't you," he laughed jovially. "Can't keep you down. Eager to return to your troops." Then he turned serious. "I would like you to wait a few days. You are still very weak and your blood pressure is low. Bed rest, plenty of fluids, that's what you need. Sleep too. I'll see you tomorrow." With that Doctor Squeaky Shoe was gone.

"That's good news isn't it?" she stated.

"What's your name?"

"Oh," she said sounding flustered. "My name is Elizabeth or Lizzy for short." Her voice said she was smiling. She was embarrassed.

"I wish I could tell you mine."

"Oh, you will. Your memory'll come back and then you'll tell me. Right?"

There was something about the words that she used that chilled him. He replayed what he had just heard but it wasn't her voice, it was the words. Fortunately the bandages covered any frown that might have formed. He just nodded in case she was waiting for an answer.

"Do you like to play cards? Bridge…. Oh I am stupid. How are you going to see the cards? How about something else? Do you like baseball?

"I… I must have, I played as a kid, pitcher and first base." That part he remembered. Hot days out on the lot at the end of the street. The other kids… Who were they? Chucky. He remembered Chucky. Then sadly he remembered that Chucky had died. He no longer wanted to play this game.

"I think I'll just sleep for a bit."

"All right. The Doctor did say to get plenty of rest. I'll come back later. Maybe I'll bring your lunch," she suggest hopefully.

As he relaxed and released his control his mind began to try to figure out this confusing new reality with all its missing pieces. There were flashes of scenes and faces that he knew he should recognize but didn't. They did not go together.

A young woman, dark haired and pretty was scolding him saying 'You gave him too much'. In his dream he looked down and saw his plate piled with food but he was not hungry. Then she said, "He can't remember anything." What did she mean?

Before he could puzzle that out the scene shifted to a tall dark haired man with dark eyes wearing a German Officers uniform. He was sitting in a kitchen that he recognized. He did not know where he had seen it before but it was familiar. He had been there. Was it his kitchen? And why was a German Officer sitting in his kitchen smoking a pipe and telling him that 'they may try to con you'.

The scene shifted again. This time he was with Chucky, his best friend when he was a boy. The two of them were hiding. Chucky whispered, "Don't tell them anything." The two held their breath as a dark shape drew near. Suddenly Chucky bolted and he followed. Feet pounding, arms driving, lungs gasping for air, they ran as if their lives depended on it. It was after them. Then it all faded.

He woke tired and confused. The scenes from his dream lingered at the edges of his mind. They had to be a result of his damaged brain but they still worried him. Who were these people in his dream? Did he know them or had he made them up?

Chucky!

Chucky was real, or had been. Chucky had been his best friend when he was young. He had been killed by a car. What had they been hiding from in his dream? They had played Cops and Robbers and sometimes Cowboys and Indians but he could never remember being that scared. Sometimes the invisible Indians attacked their cattle drive but they always managed to drive them off. Even when they played Cops and Robbers, they were always the cops; they were the good guys and did not have to hide or run away.

As the only recognizable person his mind clung to his boyhood friend. Why had he said, 'Don't tell them anything'? It did not make sense. If they were hiding he would have said, 'Don't make a sound' but he had distinctly said, "Don't tell them anything". It was a warning. But why and who was he being warned about?

"You're awake and just in time too," said the woman's voice with a smile. "Dinner has just arrived." There was the sound of dishes being moved. "And even better; it isn't soup.

"Here, I raise the bed for you." The bed went up and she added the pillow like the last time. The food was bland and soft. He was not sure what it was other than the mashed potatoes but it took the hunger away. When he was finished he heard the dishes being removed and then she was back.

"John?" she said. He turned toward her. "Is that your name?" She was asking but she was not as hopeful as she was the last time. "Has anything come back to you?" She asked. "I was hoping to be able to tell the Doctor that you were getting better." She sounded sad, maybe a little disappointed.

She had been so good to him, sitting with him, feeding him, keeping him company. He wanted to make her happy. He was about to tell her about Chucky but his friend's words stepped into the way. "Don't tell them anything." He said nothing just shook his head. He felt bad about doing that to her but until he understood it was better this way.

"You're in the Army," she said. "Where all have you been? I arrived here from Des Moines. That's as far as I've been. Have you been to Paris?"

"I don't know."

"If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?" Her voice was dreamy as if she was imagining where she would go.

"Home?" he suggested.

"And where's that?" she asked casually. "You wouldn't happen to live near Des Moines would you?" she said coyly. "Maybe I could see you after the war." She waited expectantly.

He shook his head. This time it was not a lie. He did not know where home was. What he had meant was someplace other than in the Hospital. Come to think of it this did not seem like a Hospital. There were no other sounds. He would have expected noises from patients or carts being pushed past or bed pans rattling. There was nothing. How did he know about the sounds? He must have been in a Hospital before. Or maybe he was at the end of the hall.

"I'm going to ask you a question and I want you to blurt out the first thing that comes to mind." She sounded excited, like this was a game. "You ready?

"Your best friends name…"

He opened his mouth but nothing came out.

"We're going to change this a little. If you can't come up with one then make one up, all right." She seemed undeterred by his failure to answer. "And after each answer you get to ask me one. So, your best friend…"

"Uh, John. Uh, what color is your hair?"

"Oh, you are sweet." It sounded like she was blushing. "My hair is brown."

"Is that true or are you making that up?" he asked with a grin. She had been so good to him that he wanted to make her smile and to make it up to her for lying to her earlier.

"Oh, that was two questions," she admonished playfully. "You only get one but I'll answer anyway. It's true. My turn. What's your favorite color?"

He considered.

"You have to answer fast."

"Blue." He did not think it was true but it was the first one that came to mind. "What's your name?"

"I told you already. It's Elsa. My turn. Where was the first place you were stationed?"

"Uh," He could not think of one so he said, "Washington?"

"Is there a base in Washington?" she asked interested.

"I don't know. It was the first name that came to mind." Another lie, another twinge of guilt. Military bases were something you did not ask about. She was obviously not Army or she would have known that.

"My turn," he said but then could not think of a question. He smiled in embarrassment then asked, lamely, "What color is your dress?"

"You're not very good at this game are you," she said with a laugh. "I'm a nurse so I'm wearing a white uniform."

"You're right. I guess my brain is still scrambled." Something was not quite right. "Did the Doctor say how long this will last?"

"No. Everyone is different. All we can do is keep you rested and fed and hope nature takes it course and you get better," she added with a smile in her voice.

"Yeah. Thanks for staying with me, and helping me."

"You are welcome. It's the least I can do for one of our soldiers," then she leaned in closer and said, "Especially a good looking one like you."

He smiled and said, "Thank you." So he was good looking. That was nice to know. Or maybe she said that to all the injured service men.

Why was he so suspicious? It was because of the line of work he was in.

What?

What line of work was he in? Was he a spy for the German's? That was why he dreamed about the German Officer sitting in his kitchen. What had he said to him in his dream, "They may try to con you"? That did not make sense. Whose con was he to watch for? Were the Americans going to try to con him and he was to watch for it? He was an American so why would they con him? If it was the Germans who were going to try to con him then why was a German telling him to watch for it? It was all too confusing. His head was hurting and his eyes were too.

He wanted to rub his eyes or splash cool water on them, something. He started with just touching but that was not enough. No one said anything so he started pulling, trying to lift them enough that he could put his finger under. They were too tight so he felt around and found the tape. He pulled and the gauze began to unravel.

As the pressure disappeared he pulled the gauze pads off as she came running into the room. "No." She was frightened and then her voice softened as she grabbed the gauze and forced them back over his eyes. "You mustn't take that off. The Doctor said your eyes aren't healed. You could damage them farther."

He sat still as she put the wrappings back into place but it was too late. He had seen something. It had been very blurry and painful with the bright light after so long in the dark but he had seen that he was in a small room that looked out into a huge dark area. That was not a hospital hall, it was too dark. He was not in a Hospital and he was not alone with a woman. There were other dark shapes. He heard motion and sensed that someone had moved up on the other side of the bed. He pictured one of the men with a gun to his head. He reached out to the woman.

"Elizabeth." He allowed all his fear to come through in his voice. "Get the Doctor. My eyes! I'm blind! I can't see anything. Please. Do something." He did not have to fake the fear. Were they going to kill him? His only chance was to convince them that he did not see anything and that he still believed their con.

That was it, the con.

"Calm down. It's too soon. You should not have taken the bandages off," she admonishes sternly.

"I wanted to see you," he cried. "I wanted to show you that I was getting better but I'm not. What'm I going to do? I'm blind." He could feel the tension as his captors decided what to do now. How to sway them?

"Please don't leave me. I need you. Help me." They must have believed him because the other person moved away. Unless he had changed his shoes that meant there were at least two men and a woman.

Meanwhile

"It's been three days! How long you gonna wait?"

"I do not know what you are talking about."

"You lost'm," Casino said dejectedly. Then louder and with anger, "You fucking lost him." He wheeled on the other man, the older man on their team. "I fuckin' told you we should've …"

"Casino. Your language is offensive."

"I don't give a shit! They," and he pointed to the two Officers who also sat at the table, "screwed up. How the Hell are we going to find him?" He turned to glare at the ones he held responsible.

"Casino. Sit. Down." Actor watched as he obeyed reluctantly and only after glaring at the Officers. "Do you have any leads?" he asked conversationally.

There was a pause and then the older of the two, Major Addington, lifted his head and said, "We have heard rumors of goings on in…"

"Goings on," muttered the safecracker.

"A body was found floating in the harbor in Grimsby. We have to assume they are based there. We have people watching but so far…"

"You haven't found the Warden," finished Casino sarcastically.

"No, we have not." The Major's tone revealed how close he was to losing control of his stiff upper lip.

Actor glared at the safecracker willing him into silence. The English Major had initially refused to see them and this was why so if he hoped to get any information at all he was going to have to offer something. He looked to the man to his left. Goniff sat absolutely still, strange for the man who liked to wander about looking at things. He usually had something to say as well. Was he trying to hide his English origins or was there something else? His face, usually smiling, gave him his answer. Goniff looked lost, like he had been abandoned and he did not know what to do. In a sense they had all been abandoned. The Warden had been called to London but this time he was escorted. They had laughed at him when the MP's showed up. 'How's it feel?' they had taunted him. He had not returned.

Two days later they had snuck off to London to find out where he was. Eventually they had gotten in to see Major Addington of Allied Intelligence. He had told them that the body of one of their covert team leaders had been found in the Humber River. Fortunately the cold had prevented excessive decay so the Coroner had determined that he had several needle punctures on his arms. He had been drugged. The fear was that he was targeted. Of course they now suspected that Garrison might have suffered the same fate.

Actor looked a little farther down the table to the last member of the team. He did not look lost. Instead he looked watchful. The man was always alert, watching the people and his surroundings. He had a thought.

"Chief?"

"I ain't no tracker." He had not even turned his head but continued to watch the two soldiers.

""Yes, I understand that. I was going to ask if you had any thoughts as to how we should proceed." Only the watcher saw the ever so slight look of dismissal that crossed the Brit's face. They were lowly cons and only Actor's persistence and manner had gotten them this far.

Chief knew he was garbage in their eyes and he didn't care. What he did care about was the life of the missing man. He wanted him back and not just because finding him would rub it in their faces but because he liked the man. "You gotta map?"

This time it was a flash of disgust but the map was produced. When asked the location of the body it was pin pointed and they all examined the map.

"Look up river." They were calm confident words.

"We can't expand the search area. It is most likely they simple dumped the body in the harbor."

Ignoring the protests Actor asked, "And why do you suggest that?" He carefully watched for Chief's reaction.

The Indian knew he would never win their respect no matter what he did but there was something else he could win, their fear. "'Cause that's the best way to get rid of a body, float it down river." Then he looked directly at the haughty Major and said coldly, "Ain't got caught yet." Their reaction, slight though it was, pleased him.

"How long was the body in the water?" asked Actor.

"The Coroner thought he was dead two days, maybe three."

Chief thought back to the way the Mississippi flowed. He had spent warm afternoons watching leaves and bits of wood float down. He remembered how the water carried the bits and how the current swung around the bends. He pointed to the map. "Don't know how fast yer river is but that's where I'd start." He pointed to a spot upriver.

Actor watched their faces as well. They wanted to dismiss the comments as coming from an unreliable source but it made sense. Maybe his comment about not getting caught had done the trick. Had he done that before? Not that that was important right now.

"We need to go there. Can you…" started Actor.

"Absolutely not. We can not have you mucking about."

"Mucking…?" said Casino angrily.

"You will be returned to your base. Dismissed."

Casino jumped up about to blast but Actor grabbed his arm and threw him off balance. "Casino! NOT now." He was glared at but the safecracker backed down and followed the con man. Once they were outside they stopped forcing the two MP's of their escort to do the same. "Goniff, now would be the time to go, not when we are half way home", said Actor patiently like a parent to a small child.

There was silence for a moment then the Englishman said quietly to the closest MP. "Where's the latrine?" Not about to let him go off by himself he motioned with his head and the two stepped back into the building.

Actor stepped in closer to the remaining soldier and pulled out a cigarette case. He opened it and offered it to the other man. Once his attention was diverted Casino slugged him and Chief caught him before he hit the sidewalk. Within minutes Goniff appeared around the side of the building. They got into the jeep and Chief drove off. The unconscious soldier was propped up in the next jeep minus his weapon.

It was late in the day by the time they reached their destination. It had not been put into words but they knew that what they were looking for was a Fifth Column group that had to have a base where they could come and go at will where no one would question them. This could be someone's home but the traffic especially if they kidnapped someone would be too risky. They would have to have someplace else. Maybe an abandoned building but then the traffic would alert the authorities. Actor had never had any dealings with such people but it was human nature. They would need to find a place where they could be left alone. The four men would have to check the industrial part of the city but first they needed a vehicle that would not draw attention unlike the US Military Jeep they were driving.

Working methodically they noted all warehouses that looked to be not very busy. A total of eight warehouses fit the requirements. Apparently the war had put a real crimp in the industry. One was immediately ruled out because it had been gutted by a fire and half the roof was missing. That left seven more.

"I will have to wait until morning to go to city hall," said Actor.

"City Hall? For what? We don't have time. Why not just break in and see for ourselves."

"Not like we never done that before," added Goniff smugly.

"I hoped to find out if the owner of the building was involved."

"We find the Warden, then you find the owner."

"An' we," Chief paused when he saw the look on Actor's face, "turn'm over to the cops."

"All right," said Actor with finality. "We will start with the one closest to the water and work inland."

"Why not the one down river and work our way up?"

"Do you have to argue with everything I say? I do not know how the Warden puts up with you." He was exasperated.

"Cause he's got the brains to know I'm right," answered Casino with a satisfied grin. Actor had just made his day.

Actor muttered something in Italian as he looked skyward.

"Yeah, He knows I'm right too."

"Forgive him, he knows not what he says," said the tall Italian.

The first warehouse to be checked was one block from the water. The mid-sized brick building appeared to be deserted. Some of the windows were even boarded over. Were they broken or hiding something? A daylight break in was dangerous but they did not have a choice. Chief pulled their 'borrowed' car up as close as he could to the rear corner of the building. Goniff launched himself from the roof of the vehicle and was able to pull himself up to the ledge and then to the roof. He disappeared and the others waited anxiously.

Finally a familiar blonde head appeared. One shake and he turned and descended.

"Mostly empty but no one's there." They moved on to the next building. By the fourth they could see that the Englishman was getting tired. Climbing up and down these building was physically demanding. At the fifth one Casino offered to pick the padlock. It was now dark enough that he would not be easy to see.

"Be careful," said Actor automatically.

"Always am," he replied just as automatically.

"That's why you were in prison," put in Goniff with his usual grin.

"I was ratted out," the safe cracker retorted.

"By yer own mouth."

Casino swung around to face the taunter, a snarl on his lips but Actor stepped in.

"The Warden does not have time for this." Casino returned his attention to the lock. With a click the padlock released and Casino swung back the hasp. Grasping the handle he turned it and pushed but nothing happened. He tried again with a little more effort. It moved but was dragging on the floor so he lifted and shoved. This did not look promising. The inside was empty except for a few spiders and flies. From the dust it did not look as if anyone had been here for a while. They backed out and relocked the place.

On to number six. Like the others they scouted the exterior before they approached. This building was situated right on the water with nothing but a narrow road between it and the wharf. Along this side there were three loading doors and a personal door at the end. On the landward side there were three more loading doors but these were blocked by stacks of barrels and other debris. Was this deliberate? They exchanged looks.

Actor and Goniff climbed the barrels. Once on top Actor cupped his hands and gave Goniff a leg up. From there he was able to reach the roof. Just in case the others retreated across the street and down the alley. They waited and watched.

Several minutes later Goniff reappeared, slipped over the edge and dropped. After climbing down the barrels he ran across the road.

"I 'eard voices down the ventilation shaft. They got it blocked with steel bars welded in place so we can't get in but someone's in there. One of the voices sounded like a skirt." He waited before asking, "We going in?"

"We will have to come up with a con to draw them out. Going in not knowing the layout would be too dangerous."

"So whata we do? I guess fire would be too risky unless Big Chief 'Plays with Matches' could build us a smoky fire."

"In order to function this late, they would need the electricity for lights. If we could," he looked up to the wire that to was slung from the pole across the street to the corner of the building.

"Want me to knock the pole down with the car?" asked Chief.

"That would work but it would destroy the car. We are supposed to put it back. There is another way."

It turned into a scavenger hunt but they finally found what they needed. Minutes later they were all set and Chief gave the car some gas. There was a zap and a crack followed by sparking as the wire came down.

Actor saw the danger and yelled to their driver to stay in the car. Chief paused with his hand on the door handle, confused.

"Don't open the door! Stay where you are!"

"What's wrong?" he asked as the door latch released.

"No, Chief. The wire came down on the car. You cannot get out." Chief understood and he froze pulling his hands away from the door, holding them up in front of him. "As long as you stay in the car, you are fine. Just do not attempt to get out."

"We got company," whispered Goniff. Then in a louder voice he said, "Sure, we'll just steal the wire and sell it to the scrapper. You're gonna get us all killed. Do something!"

"It was supposed to break at the other end," said Actor haughtily, "If you had done your job right."

"I did exactly as you tol' me to."

"Guys? Get me outta here," said Chief shakily.

Back by the building there was a whack and a thud before the sound of a body being dragged.

"All right Chief. You are going to have to jump out of the car. You cannot touch the car and the ground at the same time. Do you understand?" By the light of the sparks they saw the car door open and Chief climb out to stand on the running board. "Now jump out of the car."

"How far?"

"As far as you can." He watched him jump then turn back to look. "Go help Casino." He and Goniff would have to get the wire off the car. They needed it for transport.

The four men moved over to the building, opened the door and slipped inside into the blackness. A voice called out in a loud whisper, "Ernest? What's going on? What happened to the lights?"

"Power's out," whispered Casino.

"What do we do? Can you fix it?"

"No. Let's just get outta here."

"Leon's not gonna like that." He was moving closer.

"Come outside where we can talk." The cons backed out and stood pressed against the building waiting. As soon as their victim stepped out he was grabbed and a knife pressed to his throat. Chief dragged him back as they moved away from the door.

In the light of the car's headlights, Actor started asking questions but received no answers. Seeing that was futile Actor told him that it did not really matter, that Leon had already told them all they needed to know. "I just wanted your side of the story but we will have to take his word. What you are going to do is call your friend out without warning her."

"And if I don't?" he asked.

"Do you see that wire?" He said casually. "If you refuse to cooperate I will take it and apply it to your body in certain tender places. I assure you, it is most painful. It is your choice but you must make it now."

"You won't hurt her will you?"

"Not if she cooperates." They walked him to the door then Actor put his hand on the traitor's shoulder and said coldly, "Do not do anything stupid. My friend, here," and he nodded in Chief's direction, "tends to act first and not even bother with questions later. Do you understand?" he asked as Chief released the blade of his knife and it locked into position. They watched as he swallowed hard.

"Elsa?" he called out after stepping inside the door. "Can you come out here for a minute?"

Her reply was muffled by the distance. "What for?"

"Please, it'll only take a minute."

She too had moved closer. "What about him?

"Bring'm," whispered Chief in his ear.

He shook his head and muttered "Too hard."

"Leave…" he choked off as he felt the knife press on his throat. Quietly he said, "It'll be too hard for her. He'll be all right there." The blade retreated enough for him to continue. He cleared his throat and started again, "Leave'm there. Tell'm you'll be right back." There was no response this time so Chief pulled their prisoner back outside.

Moments later she pushed open the door and said as she came out, "What did you want?" and then started to scream when she was grabbed. A hand over her mouth cut her off.

"Who else is in there?" asked Actor.

"No one. It was just us," said the man.

"We want your prisoner," demanded Actor.

"We don't have one. There's no one else here. It's just us."

Casino went to the door and yelled inside, "Hey, Warden. You in here?" There was no answer but from the lack of echo he could tell the place was not empty. Blundering around in a warehouse that could be booby trapped was not a smart move. There would not be a security system operating now that the power was out but there were all sorts of other ways to protect yourself and your illegal activities. They needed a light. Unwilling to give up he yelled one more time. "Hey, Lieutenant!"

In the far distance a voice answered, "Yes Sir."

"Sir?" said a very puzzled Casino.

Actor had come up behind him and heard the safecrackers comment. "Pardon?"

"He's in there. He answered, Yes sir."

"He has been drugged."

"Oh yeah. You think he's all right?"

"Not if he is calling you sir."

"Funny," he grumbled. "We gotta get in there and get'm but we need a light. There could be booby traps." Casino headed back out while Actor called to the Officer to let him know to stay where he was, that they would come to him.

A woman's shriek brought the tall Italian running. The scene he found in the light of the car's headlamps shocked and horrified him. Goniff had the MP's gun to the man's head. Casino was standing behind the terrified woman, a knife to her throat and Chief was kneeling in front of her cutting her skirt with another knife.