A Little Warmth
Chapter 2: And Then It Is Gone
Ava was behind him and heard the news. Playing the petulant wife she complained, "But we were to see Paris together."
"I know my dear, but I must go."
"I won't get to see Paris. I'll have to go home."
"No, sweetheart," he said warmly. "You go ahead. Go to Paris. At least one of us will see it." He pulled her tight to his chest as he whispered. "I'll be there as fast as I can."
Pulling her head away from him she glared at the conductor and said rudely, "Can't you at least give us a minute?" The poor man had the grace to look embarrassed and he stepped back but did not leave.
Change of plans, thought Garrison. Seeing as the conductor had acknowledged their right to privacy he ushered his 'wife' back into the compartment for a proper farewell. He pulled her in close and whispered in her ear. She was to go to the hotel. Arrangements had been made for a room. Go there and wait. He would come as quickly as he could.
When he released her she wiped her eyes and said in a normal voice. "I understand. It's just I have been looking forward to spending this time with you." She pulled herself up tall and said, "But duty calls and you must go to fight for the Fatherland." As he stepped out into the aisle she added sadly, "It won't be the same without you." Then she added, "Dirk? Be careful and come back safely." He kissed her and he meant it. No acting was required.
Unfortunately the bearer of bad tidings was still there waiting. As Garrison followed him to the exit part of his mind was amazed at how well Ava had played that scene. She was about to be abandoned in the heart of a city she had never been in but she showed no outward signs of fear. She was good.
Another part of his mind was busy planning his escape and return. He had to get back on this train. To make it look good he stopped at the doorway and asked directions to the Headquarters. Finally clear, he was about to slip away to change clothes and re-board when he was spotted by a senior Panzer Officer. He beckoned and Garrison had no choice but to obey. He was on his way to the Nazi Headquarters.
As they walked through the crowd Garrison began considering the situation. A recall of personnel meant something was or had happened. If he played along and his papers passed scrutiny then he might learn something useful. Advanced notice of troop movement, including tanks, was always important. Unfortunately staying here would leave Ava unprotected. Protecting her was the mission he had been given.
Ava was on a train travelling on his papers. This far along there was no reason for the authorities to bother her. She was safe for now. As long as he got back to her to get her to the coast she was safe.
On the other hand, she was carrying information that Allied Command considered valuable enough to send an operative in to get her out. That meant she was valuable but she was more than that. He pictured her smile, the sound of her voice. He remembering the feel of her lying against him and how that had made him feel. She had become valuable to him. He would protect her.
Another fact to consider was his papers. They were good enough to convince a Railway Inspector but what about a German HQ? If he was spotted then he was dead. In the past that would not have bothered him as much. With his team backing him up there was always the possibility of a rescue. This time he was on his own and responsible for another. That was too much of a risk. He was going to have to cut and run.
While she packed the cooking utensils Chief dismantled the lean-to shelter and stowed it and the aid kit in the pack. They each shouldered their burdens and she took the lead. After crossing a wide gully and climbing the long gentle slope on the other side they reached a wide open area at the top. As he turned to survey the sights he could see the water off to the north. From their vantage point they could see any passing ships. Off to the north east he could see flashes of roads and buildings between the trees. That had to be the town of Trondheim. When he turned back she was setting up the radio in the shelter of one of the surrounding trees. That was his cue. Taking his pack to a spot near the radio he left it and headed into the forest. He wanted some boughs but did not want to leave signs that anyone had been there. Carefully selecting one from here and one farther on he was able to gather enough. Returning he laid them on the ground and set up the shelter. Not knowing how long they would be there he wanted her to be comfortable. He wanted to lie beside her again and feel her touch, her warmth.
They sat side by side, facing the water. She pointed to a bird that had flown into the tree and said something, probably what it was called. It looked like a crow but it had white underneath. A Norwegian Crow maybe? It looked about then flew off. He listened to other birds that were returning now that they were sitting still. It was spring but this far north it was still cold and sitting still was going to be even colder. Out of the corner of his eye he watched her. She was young, probably not twenty years old. Stray strands of blonde hair had escaped from under her hat and now blew about her face. With a swipe of a gloved hand they were tucked behind her ear. She was pretty in a kid sister kind of way.
Chief forced his mind back to the reason they were there. They were to watch for the ship's arrival and then she would radio it in. He wondered if they were in any danger of falling bombs when the planes came to blow up the ship. Unfortunately there would be nowhere safe when that happened. It was inevitable that some were dropped wide of the target. Maybe he could convince her to leave right after she sent the signal.
It was only a short walk of a couple of blocks to the two and a half story grey stone building. It was an impressive building with its tall arched double doorways with stained glass at the top. The Nazi flags hanging out front declared its new function. Once inside they were directed down a hall and up the stairs. When they reached the top Garrison saw the sign for the washrooms. That was a possible exit but if his luck held he might learn more. He kept walking, hoping he was not making a mistake.
Several uniformed Officers were standing around a table that had been set up in the hall. A clerk was checking papers against his list. No matter how good his papers were Garrison knew his name would not be on that list. He had to run now. The Major who had accompanied him was talking to a fellow Officer so Garrison stepped back and headed for the washroom. No one noticed. With any luck there would be a window he could climb out.
He was in luck with the window but there were three other men in the room. He would have to wait in the stall.
And wait.
And wait.
Finally the last two men washed up and headed for the door but one spoke as they left. What he said was worth the wait. He had a clue to what was going on. As soon as the door closed Garrison was out of the stall and at the window.
It was locked!
No, just stuck. He heaved again and it moved with painful stiffness. Again he strained to raise it enough that he could climb out. He got it as far as it would go and looked out. Down below was an empty alleyway. He leaned out, hopped up onto the sill and by folding up as tight as he could he managed to pull his legs out. He turned and gripped the sill as he lowered himself down. Finally he let go and dropped.
For some reason the ground seemed lower than he thought and he landed hard falling to the pavement. He got to his feet as fast as he could and started walking with two thoughts on his mind; get as far away as possible and find civilian clothes. Several blocks away, when he had almost given up hope, he saw a men's clothing store. Keeping what he hoped was enough to get him to Paris if need be, he bought pants and a sweater for 'his brother' who had been wounded. The French shop keeper buried his resentment at the sight of cash and offered to sell him a cane as well. He took it. With his new disguise in hand Garrison left the shop.
Once he was changed Garrison headed back to the train station again but he was too late. The train and Ava were gone.
Back in Norway the two figures sat in silence. Finally Chief got up the courage to speak. "My name's" and he touched his chest, "Rainy. What's yours?"
She turned and smiled at him as the sun peaked through a cloud. Chief would never forget that moment with her smile, the sun bringing colour to her face and hair, the warmth of the sun on his face and the sound of her voice as she said, "Marika." Chief's smile was automatic and bigger than he had smiled in a long time. He could die a happy man right now but he would rather spend time here with her. What else could he say? They had no words in common but she understood and she blushed and looked away. She gave a little wiggle and lifted the binoculars to her face but Chief could see she was still smiling.
It was a long day with nothing to do but sit. Every so often one or the other got up and walked around to keep from getting too cold or stiff from the sitting. While she was close he tried a deeper search using her scent to lead him back. He did not go too far just in case but it worked and he was able to return.
This time he built the fire to heat their meal and then after watching for a while they retired, sleeping as they had the night before. She had not mentioned the drugs so he had left the kit in the bag.
Another day passed with Chief and Marika sitting watching for the ship and Garrison waiting for a train. He used the method he had been taught to hop the train and he was finally on his way to Paris and Ava. He had spent the night alone but his mind and his dreams had been filled with thoughts of Ava.
The following day promise good things. The weather was mild and the sky was a clear blue. Life was good.
It did not stay that way.
In Paris Garrison hopped off the train. He had been able to elude the conductor all the way. Now he was here. Using his cane to excuse his non-military dress he headed for the hotel and Ava. As he neared the entrance he slowed. There was a pair of soldiers at the door. Leaning heavily on the cane to appear nonthreatening he approached. They gave him a good hard stare but he kept going as if he knew where he was going and this was where he was supposed to be. The trouble was in the Lobby. Four more soldiers were escorting someone but he could not see who it was until he heard a voice speaking German.
"My husband had to go back. His leave was cancelled. That is why he is not here."
Ava. The soldiers were taking her somewhere. He had to do something. He had his papers but he could not go up to them while dressed as he was and he no longer had his uniform. If he presented his papers they would think he had deserted. Damn! All he could do was follow and look for an opportunity to get her away. As they left the lobby, the soldiers outside joined the throng as they headed for their vehicles.
She refused to get in, insisting that her husband would see them all demoted for harassing her. She had to be terrified but she was acting terribly indignant, the picture of an Officer's wife. In the melee he could not see what happened but there was a scuffle a soldier slipped and a gun went off. The tableau froze for a moment then a German voice grumbled that he had been hit in the arm.
Garrison's heart started beating again. She was safe but when they shifted positions he saw she was still being held by a soldier. He would have to follow and rescue her from where ever they were taking her.
She was not fighting them anymore. That was good. He did not want her getting hurt. Why was she not getting in? Why were they lifting…? His breath caught. She was not moving. Two steps closer and he saw why. She was now lying across the seat staring up at the sky, unmoving. A dark blotch in the middle of her chest marred the pretty blue dress she was wearing.
She was dead.
The shot had hit the soldiers arm but it had killed her.
Garrison stood, open mouthed, stunned on the sidewalk. Ava was dead. The woman who had cared about his opinion of her, the woman who had sat with him, the woman who had warmed him, who had let him kiss her. She was dead. He would never feel her warmth again.
The soldier spotted him standing there and gave him a very unhealthy look. Garrison closed his mouth, crossed himself and turned away. He started walking but he did not care where. All he could think of was that she was dead and if he had been able to get back faster she might still be alive.
Chief was relaxed. The day was pleasant and Marika had just brought him a can of something. Funny how much better these rations tasted sitting here with her. As he finished the can he looked down the channel. Something moved. Going deeper he saw it.
"It's there. The ship, it's coming."
She picked up her binoculars and looked but said nothing.
"Down just around that bend." He pointed but knew that was useless. She could not see it yet. It was minutes before she spoke. Her tone said she saw it too. She kept watching until she was sure and then went to the radio.
The coded message was sent but they had to wait for confirmation. Chief hoped that would be soon so they could be far away before the planes came. That was his hope. Besides they had a long way to go for their pick up point. If they travelled fast at first then slowed then maybe two more nights with Marika. Even her name was warm. They waited, still watching.
Finally in late afternoon the word came back. As much as he wanted to leave and get away it would soon be too dark to travel safely. The rations came out and he lit the fire. All was quiet except the occasional crackle from the fire which is why he heard the sound of footsteps. Someone was coming. He called to Marika and mimed footsteps. She apparently understood and turned to watch for their approach. He had to grab her arm and indicate they should hide.
They were safely hidden in the trees when an older man bundled up against the cold and puffing from the exertion stepped into the clearing.
He yelled out, "Lunde" and then stood waiting.
Before he could call again Marika ran into the clearing, yelling, "Farfar."
The man stood stalk-still but she ran to him and hugged him. Chief stepped into the clearing. Farfar pulled her away and held her at arms' length. From his tone he was not expecting her. That shock was enough but when he saw Chief he flew into a rage and strode in his direction yelling angrily. Marika tried to intervene but he would have none of it. When she grabbed his arm to stop him he grabbed her wrist and pulled. Chief saw the look of pain on her face and he ran in to help. No one was going to hurt her if he had anything to do with it. When he got there Farfar had let go and he was ready for Chief, fist cocked. A fist flew and Chief dodged. He might have been able to defend himself and maybe even explain that he had not touched her but Marika stepped in. Farfar's next swing missed Chief and hit her. Her cry of pain spurred him on and he struck back. He had to stop him and see to her. He had to make sure she was all right. His blow connected and the old man staggered back. Chief went to her, crouching down beside her. She was holding her face.
"Are you all right?"
"Farfar, nei! Nei! Ikke skyt!
Chief looked up in time to see the flash as the gun went off. Farfar was about to pull the trigger again so he dodged. The gun went off again and he was up and running. He had to get to the trees.
He was into the trees when the next shot was fired. The bullet struck a tree nearby. He moved farther into the trees and then began to circle around. He would swing around and come in behind him. Another shot but he did not hear it hit. Careful not to stumble on the rocky ground, he continued on.
When he figured he was safe he edged closer to the campsite. The two were standing by the fire talking. As he watched the older man put his arm around her and steered her back in the direction he had come from. She started walking then stopped to look over her shoulder. She was looking for him. Gramps shook his gun in his direction and they continued walking.
Chief felt bereft. She was gone. Her warmth, her smile, they were gone. It was like he could feel the cold seeping into his soul. He stood wondering what he was supposed to do. The ship was spotted and the signal sent. The plan was for the other agent to go into Trondheim and arrange a ride to the next town where a boat would pick him up. That was gone now. He was on his own. Normally that would not faze him. He would wait until dark, go in and steal a car and go but right now he felt lost, lost and alone. Up here on the top of the hill he looked around. It felt like he was all alone in the whole world. Somewhere off to the southwest the rest of the guys were hopefully safe, maybe sitting in the room they shared. He shivered as the temperature began to fall. The sun was setting and breeze had picked up. It smelled like rain.
That thought brought back a memory. It was after one of their training sessions when he had mentioned to Garrison that it smelled like rain. Goniff had made fun of him; going on about how could he smell rain and that rain had no smell. It had clouded over and rained less than an hour later. The Englishman had changed his tune and asked if it was an Indian thing or a Guardian thing.
It was too early to go into the town and he had no idea where Marika and the old man had gone. He did not want to run into them. Best he wait. There was also a chance the old guy would return to finish him off so he had better move which was a good idea if it was going to rain anyway. Carefully he packed up the shelter and returned everything to the pack. Next he grabbed the radio and prepared it for travel. Both packs were moved off into the trees before he went back and removed all trace of their presence. He even put out the last of the fire and scattered the ashes. When he was sure, he returned to the trees, hefted the packs and headed down the slope. If he kept to the south east then he should run into a road and eventually a town. Getting a vehicle was the next step.
As he walked he considered what had happened. Why had the old man been so angry? He knew they were there, that was why he had come. So why was he yelling at her? Then it dawned on him. He knew someone was there just not her. He had called someone else's name and was stunned when she appeared. She was not the one who was supposed to have come with him. That's why she didn't know about the drugs. But she knew what the mission was. Was she a last minute replacement and they forgot to tell her? Guess they forgot to tell Gramps too. When he thought about it he understood the man's anger. She was young and pretty and female and he was a man, or at least that is what he looked like. He snorted at the thought of what he would have done if he knew he was not a man but a dog. Sorry Actor but the old man would have said even worse if he knew.
Carefully he made his way down the rough slope. Occasionally the way was impassable due to a cliff so he had to back track but he was making progress. The promised rain came but he pushed on until he reached the road. The rain was coming heavier now. He knew if he got too wet that he would never get dry so he crawled under a thickly branched tree. Deciding to wait it out, he set up the shelter as best he could and crawled inside. It was a cold wet miserable night. Tomorrow he would get a vehicle and head for the pickup point.
Lieutenant Garrison, aka French civilian, had headed for the hotel. Ava had information for the Allies. Had she already given it and her escort out was her payment or was she waiting to get there before telling? He did not know. If she was waiting then where was the information? Was it in her head? Then it was truly lost. If not then maybe she wrote it down, but where. It could be on her person and if so it was lost. He could not think of a con to get in to see the body and go through her clothes. If he said he was a relative he might be suspect. He did not know why she had been picked up. The only place he could look was in the hotel room. She had had a purse when he met her and he was sure she did not have when she was taken. He had to go to her room and look.
Thanks to Casino's instructions he was able to get the door open but it took him a while and there were signs that it had been tampered with. Casino would have shaken his head at him. There was no help for it. In he went. Half an hour later he had looked everywhere he could think of. All he could hope was that she had already told London because there was nothing here that could possibly be important. A quick look at the bed and he was tempted but it was too dangerous. He would have to leave. One last thought. He had not checked the bed. He lifted the bedspread, the sheets and the pillows but there was nothing there out of the ordinary. He even tipped up the mattress but there was nothing underneath. It was as he was putting the bed back that he smelled her perfume on the pillow. It was almost his undoing. Standing there clutching the pillow he imagined it was her he was holding. He had never felt this way about someone he had known for such a short time. Oh, he had fallen in love with a girl in High School and had become very close to two girls while he was at The Point but not like this. He missed her. With a heavy heart he brought the pillow to his face, pressed it to his cheek and inhaled her scent. Not only that but he felt the sharp point of something in the pillow.
A feather? He probed it with his fingers. No, it was the wrong shape for a feather. Pulling back the pillow case he checked the fabric and then the seam. It had been repaired. Taking the pillow closer to the light he was sure. He was going to have to open it. Too bad he did not have one of Chief's blades. What else? He looked around. In the end he used a curtain hook to pry out one of the stitches. Keeping the hole as small as he could he maneuvered the folded slip of paper out and opened it. There were marks on it but what it meant he did not know. He finished making the bed and slipped out of the room. Next stop, the coast and England. Someone there would be able to figure it out.