The Trigger
Chapter 2
It had taken two seconds for the realization to hit.
"Oh God, I shot'm." Casino whipped around to face the other men. The light he was holding blinded them but they did not need to see his face. The pain and anguish was clear in his voice. Garrison sidestepped making sure he was not in the line of fire and headed for his safecracker. Casino's eyes went to him seeking, what? Absolution? Reassurance that it was not true?
"Put the rifle down, Casino."
It was only after the order was repeated that he realized that he was holding a loaded weapon on the man he needed, the man who could make it all better, the man he need to understand that he hadn't meant to kill him. "Oh, God," he whispered as he watched his hands lower the heavy weight, a weight that was getting heavier by the second.
Casino surrendered the weapon to the hands that appeared at his side as if he couldn't get rid of it fast enough. He looked back to Garrison hopefully. "He's not dead. There's blood but he's not there. He has to be still alive."
He turned and grabbed the ladder. "Chief? I'm sorry." He swung himself around and began stepping down the ladder. As his head cleared the ceiling he called out again. "Chief. Hey, man," he voice quavered. "I'm sorry. Are you all right? Where are you? Lemme help you. I didn't know it was you." He swung the flashlight around but the barn was empty. "Shit," he whispered under his breath. "Don't run, kid. Lemme make it up to you." He headed for the door as he heard more footsteps behind him. They had to find him fast.
"Give me the light, Casino." A hand gripped his arm.
Casino swung around. "No, I have to find him. It's my fault he's hurt."
"Yes, we have to find him and yes, it is your fault but you're too upset right now. Give me the light and we'll go find him." He wanted to object. He wanted to wrench his arm away and run out into the night and find him but the tone of that voice, the calm command got through. This search needed someone in control and he knew he was not him right now. He handed over the light and stepped back. Taking a deep breath, he leaned against the wall, looked up and closed his eyes. "Oh God," he whispered, "don't let him die. I've hurt a lot of good people but I've never killed anyone who wasn't, wasn't trying to kill me." He had killed enemy soldiers and he once shot a cop in the arm but he had never shot an unarmed man especially one who was supposed to be on his side. It didn't matter that he was trying to take his place on the team. You didn't kill someone for that. All he could do to redeem himself was to find him and tell him he was sorry.
"Listen up," said Garrison. "We know he left this way, there's blood on the door. Once we're outside, split up and look for blood. I know it's going to be hard in the dark, but we have to find his trail."
"I would suggest," started Actor, "that he would head for cover. If I am not mistaken there is a chicken coop off to the left. He would head there."
"Yes. That's good," said Garrison.
The light blinked off and the men fell back to the walls as the door was grasped and a lantern swung inside followed by a man. Garrison lowered his pistol when he recognized the farmer. His urgent question was answered by Garrison's calm voice. The farmer responded and nodded. He turned and stepped back out the door leaving them in the dark.
"Mr. Rzonca heard the shot," said Garrison. "He's going to have a look around. We'll wait."
"It might have been better if you went," suggested Actor. "I don't think Chief will show himself to a stranger. He might come to you."
"Mr. Rzonca is just going to look for blood. He was unsure if his neighbor would come in response to the shot. He can tell them he shot at a wolf."
Casino was not good at waiting when a job had to be done and knowing that the guy was out there possibly bleeding to death right now because of him while he stood in here doing nothing was more than he could stand. He headed for the door only to be stopped as it opened and the farmer entered. There was a hurried conversation then Garrison turned to the others. "There's blood by the chicken coop and more around the front of the farmhouse. He must be headed for the road."
"He didn't take the farmer's truck did he?" asked Casino. "If he did then we'll never find him."
Garrison turned back to the farmer and asked. Casino breathed a sigh of relief when the farmer shook his head.
"We'll all go to the front of the house and I want you to spread out looking. Head for the road."
"Lieutenant," said Actor. "Do you really think Chief would go to the road? I would think he would head for the woods and hide out there."
Casino watched as Garrison stared at their con man weighing his words. Not wanting to wait he blurted out, "I agree. I wanna head for the woods."
"If we start at the front of his house and fan out first one to spot blood or any other sign you know what to do."
Finally Casino had something to do. He charged out the door and ran then slowed. The moon was gone. Clouds had rolled in obscuring it or it had set. Whatever the reason, it was dark now. Shit, he thought. A low whistle brought him back to the barn.
"Why do ya think he ran?" asked Goniff quietly as he came up beside Casino.
"Cause I shot'm," he answered dejectedly.
"But you didn't mean to 'it 'im, ya just meant to scare 'im, right?"
"No," he said forcefully. "I didn't know it was him. I thought it was a wolf."
"A wolf, 'ere?" he said with trepidation as he edged closer to Casino and looked over his shoulder. "Blimey."
The farmer returned with a second lantern and they headed to the front of the house before splitting up. The farmer took the side closest to his neighbor, Garrison and Goniff headed down the driveway and Actor and Casino took the other side.
"He didn't come this way," said Casino in frustration. "We would have seen something by now." They both remembered the blood on the front wall of the house where the injured man must have leaned and on the ground. That was all they had to go on since the frozen ground held no tracks.
"We have to be sure. When we get to the road we will head back farther over maybe pick up something there," replied Actor calmly. They continued on.
It was Goniff who spotted the blood when they finally made their way back to the front of the house. Thinking of his stomach and what to fill it with he had gone to the henhouse to see if there were any eggs. As he came out with several in the hem of his coat he looked to the east where the sky was becoming lighter. He almost turned back to the others when he saw it. If he had not spent the last hours looking for blood, he would have ignored the dark spots that led off to the east. He moved over closer and carefully squatted down, making sure he did not crush any eggs, he touched the first spot. One look at his finger and he knew. He gave the low whistle and then stood looking out over the fields.
"It could have been when he was heading around the front," suggested Casino. He did not want to get his hopes up but he desperately wanted someone to disagree with him. No one spoke so he went for it. "We didn't find anything out front, we gotta try out there," he said gesturing to the field. "It's like Actor said, he wouldn't head for the road, he headed out there." Casino watched as Garrison squatted down by the spots then looked to the field.
"All right. We'll follow along the trees, there. Casino, you and I will walk just inside the trees and Actor and Goniff, you watch the field."
Before Goniff could take a step the farmer stepped in front of him and began to take the eggs. Goniff grinned sheepishly. "Just tryin' to 'elp. I like mine poached," he offered as the farmer headed for the house.
Walking as quickly as they could they covered about a half a kilometer when Goniff spotted the lump in the field. He ran closer stumbling on the furrows. Suddenly he slowed and waved furiously. He had found him.
"The cold may have saved his life."
"Wadda ya mean? I thought the cold would kill you."
"In this case it chilled him to the point his heart slowed and that slowed the bleeding."
Goniff reached out and gingerly touched Chief's hand ready to snatch it away the second it appeared the Guardian was awake. "'E's bloody cold. You sure 'e's still alive?"
"Yes, for now." The two larger men picked him up and carried him back to the house. The farmer met them in the yard and led them into the kitchen. Inside it was warm and smelled of frying bacon and eggs and wood smoke.
The two men carried their burden over to the table where the farmer had placed a blanket. He quickly stepped in and covered him with another blanket after opening his coat. It was obvious from the blood that he had been hit in the head. His hair was slick with blood and it was smeared on his face where he had obviously tried to wipe it out of his eyes. Both hands were bloody as well.
After covering the patient the farmer returned with a basin and Casino watched as he began wiping Chief's head with a cloth. He found the furrow along the side and began to clean it. Casino winced as blood began to ooze out. The Farmer barked out some orders and Actor and Garrison both jumped to obey. Actor brought bandages, which the farmer instructed him to hold in place as he wrapped gauze around the patient's head to hold in place. Casino looked over to watch Garrison as he placed a hot water bottle under the blanket in each of Chief's arm pits.
Yeah, thought Casino. They had to get him warm. Shrugging off his coat he placed it over Chief's chest. Goniff had seen his action and he placed his over the patient's thighs. Casino stood watching the man on the table. He lay there so still and so pale. With his coat over his chest he could not see if the man was breathing. He hoped he was. What if he died? What would Garrison do? Would he send him back? Probably. That was what he would do in his place, after he beat the living daylights out of him. He deserved to be beaten after what he had done. If Chief lived he would let him do it. "It's up to you now, kid," he whispered.
The food was dished up and the men sat on the chairs and ate. It smelled good but Casino couldn't eat. Here he was alive with a plate of food while Chief was lying there cold and maybe even dead now. Maybe if he didn't have to sit here looking at him… No he deserved to starve. He didn't deserve this good food while the kid lay there dying. He handed his plate to Goniff who gave him a strange look before taking it. He noticed that Goniff was not eating with his usual gusto either. At least he was still talking to him.
As the men finished eating they took their dishes to the sink and Goniff filled the kettle to heat water to do the dishes. Casino moved over to Chief's side. Did he look any better or was it wishful thinking? He looked to the bandage. "Warden, he's still bleeding." That could not be good.
Garrison, Actor and the farmer came over to see. A short discussion and the farmer moved over to a cupboard and retrieved a bundle. Casino watched him unwrap something and place it in a basin that he put on the stove. With furrowed brow he looked to Garrison. His leader's worried features did nothing to dispel his concern.
"He's going to try stitching it closed."
"Is he a doctor?" asked Casino.
"No, but as a farmer he has tended his share of animals," answered Actor.
"This is no cow here on the table," insisted Casino indignantly. "This is a human being."
"Thought you said he was a dog," put in Goniff in an attempt to break the tension.
"You shut up," said Casino shooting the Englishman an angry glare. "Warden?"
"He sounds like he's done this before. I haven't."
"What about you, Actor?" Casino asked hopefully.
"I have played the part but I have never had to actually performed surgery."
"You better tell him he better not mess up or he'll be dealing with me," said Casino angrily. How hard could putting in a few stitches be, he wondered. It couldn't be as bad as cutting someone open and risking having them bleed to death. He looked back to Chief's face. He wanted to see if he was warmer but he was afraid to touch him. There was another way. "Do those water bottles need to be refilled?"
He watched as the Officer lifted the blanket and checked. When he saw Garrison removing his he did the same on his side. He was surprised to see that Chief was not wearing a shirt under his coat and wondered briefly what had happened to it. Garrison took the bottles and began refilling them from the pot on the stove. Once filled, Casino took one and moved to Chief's side. He lifted the coat and blanket and pulled Chief's arm away from his body then put the bottle in place. It was as he brought the arm back against the bottle that he felt the tremors. "What's wrong with him, Warden? He's shaking."
"That is a good sign, Casino," said Actor. It means he is warming up."
"But he's shaking. You don't shake when you get warm. You shake when you get cold."
"He's shivering. When you get cold you shiver to get warm. If you get even colder you stop shivering and then you die. He apparently was cold enough to stop shivering. Now he's warming up," explained Garrison.
Casino took a deep breath and relaxed a bit until he saw the cow doctor approaching with his tools. "You better tell him not to mess up," warned Casino giving the farmer a steely glare.
"He knows, Casino, though if you continue to glare at him you might just make him nervous enough to make a mistake."
"Yeah," he said as he looked away. Besides he did not want to see someone sewing up a man's head like they were darning a sock.
Casino took a step back to give the man room to work, then even further as the farmer said something and Garrison stepped up to hold Chief's head still.
Suddenly Chief's hands came up trying to push the Officer away. Without thought Casino jumped in to grab his hands. That made it worse as Chief's whole body got into the act.
"No. Let go. Leave him." Even Garrison eased his hold then began to speak in a firm but gentle voice. "Chief, can you hear me? We're trying to help you here. You've got a cut on your head." The resistance eased. "We've got to clean it and put in a few stitches but you have to hold still. Do you hear me?" The hands fell back on the bed. "That's good, Chief. Now I need you to hold still while the doctor stitches you up. You understand?"
He must have nodded because Garrison continued. "Good. You're doing fine. Now instead of nodding just blink once for yes and twice for no. You got that? No, don't move your head, just blink once. Okay, good. You need to turn your head to the side and hold it still. You understand? Can you hold your head still or do you want me to help? The doctor needs you to be still. Can you do that? Okay, good." Garrison took a quick look back, grabbed a chair and pulled it up by the patients shoulder and sat down. He was now closer to his eye level. It also meant Casino could see Chief's face. "How about the rest of you? Any other pain, just blink." He paused as Chief did a slow blink once. "No other pain, that's good. Are you warm enough?" Again the slow blink.
"Doctor's going to pour a little alcohol on the cut so it might sting. Just hold on." Casino watched as the farmer poured something on the cut. His patient did not even flinch. When the farmer finished Casino held out his hand and the bottle was placed in it. He smelled it, wondering what it was. The fumes burned his nose. There was enough alcohol in there to preserve the dead or kill any infection in a bullet wound. He put the lid back on and placed it on the counter.
"Now, you may feel it when the doctor starts stitching the cut but stay with me. All right?"
Casino was surprised when Chief's hand came up and Garrison gripped it in both of his. Damn, he wanted to leave, get out and not have to watch this but it was his fault. He caused it and now he had to stand here and watch it. This was part of his penance. The rest would come later. He watched as the farmer/doctor pulled out a needle and thread. He wanted to turn away but forced himself to watch as Chief flinched as the hands touched his head. He was okay with the needle piercing the skin but seemed to be bothered by the hands on his head. He thought back to the time in the mess where Chief had explained that he hit Actor because he came up behind him. He had not thought too much about it at the time. Just don't come up behind him without being prepared but here he was reacting to someone just touching his head. Man, the kid really didn't like being touched. He wondered what that would be like. In his family, that would be the worst possible thing. All his family were huggers and kissers. That was how you greeted and said good bye to someone. You hugged and kissed them. Boy, would he be a mess if he ever met his family. Best never take him home. If he ever got to go home. Probably go straight to prison. Though, if the kid survived this then maybe Garrison wouldn't send him back.
The sound of Chief's breathing changed. He was panting now. Garrison must have heard it because he started talking again.
"How you doing, Chief? You OK? You still with me? He's almost done. Just a few more." Suddenly his voice changed, became urgent as Chief's eyes started to roll up. "No, Chief! Open your eyes. You have to stay here with me. Come on, open them." His eye lids fluttered then they opened. "That's better. Now keep watching me but listen. What can you hear? Can you hear the fire?"
"No, Chief, keep your eyes on me. Keep looking at me but listen. Can you hear it? Blink if you can hear the fire.
"Good. Now how about smell? Can you smell the smoke? Take a deep breath." Chief shuddered then inhaled. "That's good Chief. You're doing fine. Just relax. Doctor's all done now. He's just going to put a bandage on. I'll need to lift your head so he can wrap it." Garrison stood and reached out but Chief's hands came up to block him.
"You can do it? That's fine, Chief. Just lift a little higher. That's good." As Casino watched Chief's head began to lower almost immediately and Garrison slipped his hand under cradling his head but leaving room for the bandage being wound around. Finally it was over and Garrison lowered his head as Chief's eyes closed.
"Actor, Goniff, we need to get into our uniforms," said Garrison as he stepped back from the table."
"So we're still going?" asked Goniff, obviously disappointed. "I was 'oping we could get a little sleep first. We been up mosta the night. "
"I want to be there early, catch them off guard. It will be easier for you, Goniff, if the prisoners are still in their barracks." Goniff gave him a wry grin then nodded.
"Let's get Chief moved before we go." Actor stepped in and the two men lifted the patient. When they headed for the door Casino frowned and said, "You're taking him back to the barn? Why won't he let him stay here where it's warm? What kind of…"
"Casino. He's with the Resistance but his son is not. His son believes in siding with the current winner." Casino dropped the glare and moved ahead to hold the door.
"So he's hiding us under his son's nose." He grinned at that thought.
The others had brought Chief up to the loft and laid him in the straw in their hidden room. The other three quickly changed into their borrowed uniforms. Once they were ready they headed out with the farmer. He knew where they could get a suitable vehicle.
That left Casino and the sleeping Chief. He had asked Garrison what he should do if he woke up and was told keep him comfortable. Great, he thought, how do you keep a Guardian comfortable? Give him a bowl of water and a bowl of kibble? Already the guilt was receding. They had found him, alive, brought him back and tended to his injury. The dog was alive and going to live.
Casino stood in the loft window peering out toward the road. Nothing was happening so he wandered over to have a look at the sleeper. As he looked around the corner he saw that Chief was moving. He was awake and struggling to sit up. Once he had achieved that he looked around, saw his boots and reached for them. As he lined up his foot he stopped and pulled his pant leg up. There was a scrape down the front of his shin from half way up almost to his knee. Casino saw the look of concern. Hell he was concerned too. When had that happened? It had to have been when he took off. His thoughts were interrupted when Chief turned to eye him. He no longer looked concerned; he looked like he was accusing him. He had hurt him but he did not know anything about his leg. That was not his fault.
He watched as the Guardian shifted his weight and pushed himself to his feet. Normally agile it was unusual to see him tilt and throw his hand out to brace himself on a nearby bale. His hand came up to his head. He must be dizzy, thought Casino. Blood loss will do that. He better sit down before he falls. Too stuborn. His hand rose and the moment it encountered the bandage, his head snapped up pinning Casino with another glare, angrier than the first. He must know Casino was responsible.
He had not made any move to attack him or go for his knife so maybe he was not sure. He had to play along so when Chief started to try to pull the bandage off he said, "Doc said to keep it on for a few days."
Chief ignore him, just leaned back on the bales and continued pulling at the gauze. Finally it came free but the pad over the wound had stuck. If it was not so serious it might have been funny, the way Chief stood there with a square of white stuck to his head. Casino was not laughing, the look on Chief's face was too menacing.
The Guardian pushed off the bale and said, "Whadya do, wait until I was asleep?" He tried to take a step but stopped and leaned back again. "Ya shoulda finished the job, or couldn't ya. Did the Warden catch ya and stop ya? Or did he tell ya to do it? I see he's not here."
Casino knew it was his fault, he had pulled the trigger but from the look on the Guardian's face he was not going to accept an apology. On the other hand he knew he could not let Garrison take the blame. That was wrong. He did not know how to deal with this so he started with a general, "It was an accident."
Chief continued to glare then said, "An' it's gonna be a accident when my blade slips in b'tween yer ribs. You better sleep with one eye open." The slight slurring of the words only added to the malice.
In his mind Casino pictured the fight. They had fought before and it usually ended as a draw or Garrison ended up separating them. They fought to blow off steam using fists, never weapons. Now the dog was threatening to use his knife. That chilled him; he did not want to die with a knife in his gut. To counter the fear he decided that if the dog picked up his knife then he would have to kill him. Simple as that, the dog's knife against his pistol. What more could he do? He had apologized and if he couldn't accept that then it wasn't his fault. The fact that he had said he was sorry when the guy wasn't even there did not register. He pictured grabbing him and telling him that if he did not back off then he would finish him. It felt good to take back control.
Casino slipped back out into the loft and found a spot where he could watch the road as well as the entrance to the hidden room. As long as the Guardian stayed in there and away from him the better it would be. He waited until finally he spotted the car pass the driveway. He figured it had to be them; it was the only vehicle he had seen. Sure enough, half an hour later he saw the men moving carefully through the yard. They would have parked the car back out of sight and then returned. It would only be minutes before the farmer would be driving out to the train station to pick up his son who worked in Torun. When he returned they would not be able to go out in the yard or near the house. Casino hurried out to meet the rest of his team, meeting them by the fence.
"Warden, we got trouble." Seeing as he had everybody's attention he continued. "He's going to kill someone." Actor and Garrison both knew that Casino and Chief had threatened to kill the other on more than one occasion and no one took it seriously including them. This time Casino sounded worried.
"I take it he knows what you did," offered Actor.
"Shhh, not so loud." He could not help glancing behind him before turning back to Garrison. "He even accused you."
"What did he say?" he asked calmly but the look on his face said he was taking this seriously.
"He accused me of attacking him in his sleep and then suggested that maybe you told me to do it."
"Did he actually threaten you," asked Actor.
"Yeah, when I told him it was an accident he said it would be an accident when he stuck a knife in my ribs." There was a pause while this was considered then he added, "Ya gotta do something, Warden."
"Let's go inside." He led the way with Casino hanging back to tail in last. By the time he reached the loft Garrison was nowhere to be seen but he heard him call to the Guardian. By the time he entered Garrison was crouched beside the sleeping figure. He put his hand on Chief's shoulder and called his name softly. Seeing Chief asleep meant he was in trouble. Was he dead? Even if he was sleeping meant there was something very wrong. Chief was always alert, waking at the slightest sound. And Garrison had his hand on him. If everything was all right then Chief would explode pushing the hand away. He did not.
Chief's eyes fluttered open but he did not look awake. He looked confused, uncertain.
"Chief? How you doing?" Concern softened his voice.
He did not attempt to sit up; he even allowed Garrison's hand to remain. "My head hurts. Somebody musta hit me." He reached up and gently touched the area where the stitches were. The gauze had fallen off and was lying in the hay. "An' I don't feel too good."
"Would you like some water?" He looked over his shoulder then back and said, "Actor'll go get some water. There was a cloth around here," and he looked around finally finding the rag that the farmer had used to clean his head. "Here," and he handed it to Casino. "Get this wet."
Casino left gladly, hurrying to catch up to Actor. The farmer's truck had left but hopefully they had time to get to the well and back before his return. "You don't think he's conning the Warden, do you?" he asked.
"What do you mean?"
"He threatens to kill me then when Garrison shows up he pretends to be sleeping and all gentle and hurt."
The bullet left a deep graze. It is possible there is brain damage."
"Brain damage?" Casino repeated aghast. "You mean like retarded?"
"No," said the con man. "What I mean is the blow to the head could have caused, what is called, a concussion." He paused as he grasped the pump handle and began to work it, pumping until the water splashed into the bucket. "The injury can produce symptoms ranging from headache to dizziness to fatigue. A severe headache could cause Chief to become angry and say things he does not mean."
"Bet your life on it?" Actor turned a quizzical look at him. "I mean, if he had threatened you instead of me, would you trust that that was the only reason? Would you turn your back to him?"
Casino watched as Actor considered that question. That in itself gave him the answer. He would not. Casino did not get a chance to actually hear the answer. The farmer's truck was turning into the lane. Both men ran behind the hen house and from there to the barn.
As Casino entered the room he saw that Garrison was still sitting beside their scout. Actor had put the bucket down beside them so Casino handed over the cloth. Garrison looked up at him and instead of taking the cloth he motioned with his head. Remembering the threat he moved carefully over to the prone figure and faking a smile he said, "Here, I brought you a cold cloth. My Ma always put a cold cloth," and he gently placed the cloth "on my forehead. It always helped. Can I get you anything else?"
Chief's eyes had closed as he put the cloth in place. They remained closed but his head moved slightly side to side and his lips moved giving voice to a soft "thanks." Casino sat back confused. Such a short time ago this same person was threatening to stick him with a shiv. Now he was laying there so still looking so weak and thanking him for bringing him a cold rag. Which was the real Chief? Before this happened he had always stayed in the background, unassuming, not threatening, just there, though Casino had seen him in action knifing a Kraut, firing a pistol or a rifle, not even blinking. It was like there were two sides to him, the kid and the killer. Was that it? Was he two people in the same skin?
His thoughts drifted to Garrison. He was the same all the time. He was tough, he was all business. Maybe that was only when they were around. Was he like that when he was alone with a woman? Did he have a girl back home? Bet he was different when he was with a woman.
And Actor. Actor was in a class by himself. He was a whole range of people. Maybe it wasn't so unusual to have more than one side.
He looked back to the man in the hay. Did he have to be afraid of him? Only a fool would ignore a threat and he was no fool. He would be careful.
He stood and moved to where Actor was standing. "So how'd it go with you three?"
Actor indicated, with his head, that they should leave. Once out in the loft they moved over to where Goniff was watching the yard. "The prisoners are housed in an old fort where the majority of the living space is underground. We were able to access the fort and even the prisoners' quarters. Goniff pulled off his part…"
"With me usual flair," finished Goniff proudly.
Actor tipped his head in acknowledgement. "But there is a problem. We had assumed the usual fence and guard towers. Because it is an old fort, there is a wide dry moat as well. If anything should fall short it would be found. We need a better way to get them to the prisoners."
"You mean like a grenade launcher." Actor just looked at him so he added, "Only quieter." How could they launch those little packets? As he thought about it he saw Garrison come out from the hidden room and that brought thoughts of the man lying in there.
"Too bad the kid's hurt," he said it before he remembered that it he who had hurt him. He tried to ignore the guilt that brought. "We coulda got him to shoot them over with a bow and arrow." Three pairs of eyes turned his way but he could not read them. Were they remembering his responsibility in that injury or were they considering his suggestion?
To deflect the scrutiny he asked his boss, "You think he'll be all right?" It worked as all eyes turned to Garrison.
"I don't know. I'm hoping it's just a concussion and he'll be okay in a few days."
"And if it isn't?" Casino was glad it was Actor who had asked that. He wanted to know but did not want to be the one to ask.
"I don't know."
Four heads swung around in response to the thud. Three men ran to the source. By the time Casino got around the corner Garrison and Actor were helping Chief to his feet. He was unsteady allowing the two men to support him. After a few deep breaths he stood tall and pulled away from the support. His hand went to his head and he said, "Musta hit my head."
"It's all right, Chief. Just take it easy. You're going to be fine."
"Can we get you anything?" asked Actor. Neither man had moved away and it was a good thing they had stayed. As Chief started to lean he reached out a hand and grabbed Garrison's arm for a moment then let go. He was breathing deeply hoping to dispel the dizziness. Chief's hand that had hovered near Garrison's arm now moved across his stomach. He was not feeling good.
The others saw it and Actor said, "Here, let's get you sitting down. Casino, how about some water?"
As he handed him the cup he saw the Indian glance around. He took a sip then asked, "So how is everything?" Casino realized the kid had no idea where he was. He waited to see who was going to answer.
"We've run into a bit of a problem."
Chief looked round, concern on his face. "Is it Goniff? Where is he?"
"No," said Garrison with a smile. "He's got the watch. He's fine." The Indian's face relaxed. The problem is that we have to find a way to get the packets to the prisoners. It's too far to throw them."
Casino saw the confusion. The kid had no idea what he was talking about. The safecracker reached into the bag they had brought and pulled out one of the packets. Garrison moved over to Chief and said, "We have to get these over a fence and, what," he looked to Actor, "fifty, sixty feet?" He looked back to Chief. "If you had been feeling better, the thought was for you to use a bow and arrow." He said it in an off- hand way hoping?
"Why me?" A bit of his anger was returning.
"Well, you are …"
"Just cause … I ain't a Indian." The anger was back. The eyes flashed, his face contorted. "I'm a good fer nothin' half-breed." He sat tall, glaring at each one.
"Chief. It was just an idea. I can't and when I asked, none of the others know how to make a bow and arrow, much less shoot one accurately. It was just a hope that maybe you could. We didn't mean anything by it."
Casino was surprised. Garrison was lying to cover for him. He could have said it was Casino's idea. As he thought back he realized that Garrison had also given him the job of getting a cold cloth that he knew Chief would appreciate. He was giving him a chance to redeem himself in Chief's eyes. What kind of guy did that?
Chief's anger was fading. Not having forgiven Garrison completely he turned to Casino. "Gimme that." He held out his hand and leaned back against the wall. Once he had the packet he hefted it a few times, weighing it. "Kin you make it more a ball shape." His voice was weak.
Actor took the packet and began trying to shape it. Garrison asked, "You have an idea?"
"I'll need…" he trailed off as if he had forgotten. His eyes closed. They thought he had fallen asleep but he continued eyes still closed. "Down by the … door."
"Which door, Chief? What does it look like?" asked Garrison.
Chief lurched sideways clutching his stomach retching. They sat quietly waiting. Finally he sat back up and took several deep breaths. "Side door, a sling shot."
"A sling shot? That might work. Have you used one before?" Actor spoke slowly and quietly.
"Yeah." He remained still, eyes closed, rubbing his head.
"Can you make one?" asked Garrison.
"Maybe," he mumbled.
"What do you need?"
There was a long silence and Chief stopped moving. Garrison's face showed his concern. "Chief? What do you need to make a sling shot? Can you make one or did you see one here?" asked Garrison.
"There's one down by the side door," he opened his eyes, "hanging up in the rafters. If you kin get me a bicycle inner tube I can fix it."
"I'm on it," said Casino as he hurried out. Once down in the barn he moved to the side door. There was a coil of rope, a pair of suspenders and a piece of metal, probably a milk pail handle or something. There was no sling shot here. He began looking farther away. Hoping the kid had not imagined it he kept looking. Nothing. There was no sling shot here. He went back to the door for another look. It had to be here somewhere. He needed it to be here. All there was was this piece of metal. He grabbed it and pulled but it was caught. He pulled harder then lifted and pulled. It came down in his hand. It wasn't a sling shot but maybe if… He ran back up to the loft.
As he came into their room he saw Actor pouring water on the cloth they had been using. Chief was still leaning against the wall with his head back. "Here, this will help," he said as he leaned forward to put it on his forehead.
Chief's eyes snapped open and he growled, "I don't need yer help."
Surprised but covering quickly, Actor put the cloth on the injured man's knee. Chief's hand swept across his leg knocking it off into the straw. Less than a minute later he reached out and picked it up putting it over his eyes then on the side of his head where he was wounded.
Seeing his opening Casino said, "All I found was this," as he held up the metal tubing.
Chief frowned at it then reached out to take it. He grasped and missed it by a good inch.
Before anyone had a chance to comment Goniff arrived saying the farmer was on his way, with his son. It was now late in the afternoon and although dim it was not dark enough for the lantern so they flattened themselves against the hay. Chief caught the activity and froze. Garrison motioned for him to stay and be quiet. He remained still.
The men heard voices below but not words, the angry tone was enough. Whatever the son wanted the father objected. The voices became more heated. The guests wanted to help but could do nothing. They waited. There was a thud and then the barn door slammed. Casino was the closest to the entrance and he slid out to the window. Moments later he whispered that the son was on his way back to the house before he moved to the ladder and descended. He feared he would find the farmer injured or even dead on the floor. Instead he was standing by the back door. He turned and spoke but Casino did not understand.
Garrison arrived and spoke to their host. It was a disheartened farmer who answered. He had tears in his eyes as he explained what he son had demanded. Casino watched the three men trying to decipher how it might affect them. From Actor's face he knew it was not good. Finally the farmer shrugged and Actor placed his hand on the farmer's shoulder and spoke words of commiseration. With that the man walked down the center of the barn and out the door. Casino turned to Garrison. Instead of speaking he gestured up. They returned to the loft.
Once they were in the room Garrison said, "We're going to have to move. The son has informed the German Commandant that the barn is available for an ammo dump."
"An ammo dump?" asked Casino.
"Yeah," then reading his mind and glaring at him, "and there's nothing we can do about it."
"We could wait until they do and then blow it."
"Along with Mister Rzonca and his home and his barn," finished Actor.
"Yeah, well…"
Chief had been watching obviously not following the conversation even when Garrison spoke to him. "Is that what you were looking for?"
Chief looked blankly at him, then at the object in his hand when Garrison gestured. He considered it for a moment, turning it in his hand. He looked up and said, "I need a inner tire, inner tube from a tire, bicycle tire. That's what I need."
"Casino, you have the watch. Ask Goniff to see if there's an old bicycle around. We need the inner tube. Otherwise we will have to go into town."
Casino headed out, relayed the message to his team mate who looked happy to be scrounging and took up his place. He looked out to make sure the area was clear. The farmer must have returned to the house because there was smoke coming from the chimney. A good hot cooked meal would go down well right now; instead they had what Actor had picked up in Torun, bread, cold sausage and cheese. A nice thick steak like he used to get at the diner sure would taste good. Used to get a steak, mashed potatoes, gravy and peas with fresh homemade apple pie for desert. Those were the days. Would he ever get the chance to go in there sit in a booth and order whatever he wanted and be served by Sexy Sadie again? He missed those days.
A sound brought him back to the present. It was Goniff carrying a snake around his … no, it was the inner tube. Good. Now if Geronimo would fix up the slingshot… Or was it David and Goliath. He snorted at the picture that brought to mind. A Guardian up against the Nazi Army. An injured Guardian.
And he was injured bad too. He pictured how he had reached for that metal tubing thing and missed. It was right in front of him and … he must be seeing double. That was not good. Concussions went away after a time didn't they? He had been in prison about a year into his sentence when one of the cons in his cell block was hit on the head by a screw. He tried to break up a fight and Billy Watts got knocked cold. The next day when they brought him back he was fine, or as fine as he had been. The kid would be fine in a few days too. All they had to do was let him rest. That meant they were going to have to go to that Prison they had cased and use the sling shot. How hard could that be?
"We have a few hours until dark," said Garrison. We'll have to try it out." Goniff found a stone with the same heft as the packages and they began. It turned out to be harder than it looked. The two larger men had the strength but maintaining consistency was a little harder. They could not afford to miss.
Once back inside Garrison told Goniff and Casino that they would stay in the loft with Chief. Chief had other ideas. He stood and said he would be the one to use the slingshot. "It was my idea an' I'm the only one knows how to use it." The Officer opened his mouth but Chief said, "Don't say it."
"I was going to ask how's your head ache."
"It's fine. Now let's go before it's too dark."
The two older men exchanged looks before Garrison said, "Let's go."
They drove to the outskirts of the prison and walked around to their vantage point. Chief looked the area over very carefully. He looked to be back to normal. Good, thought Casino.
Once in position they waited for darkness. Garrison periodically scanned the area through his binoculars and checked his watch. Finally when the search lights came on he touched Chief's arm and they stood. The first shot was a stone. Moments later Chief took one of the packages, loaded it into the slingshot, pulled back and released. When the light swung past there was no sign of the package. Chief whispered that there were two men.
Once the packages were delivered they fell back to the car where Goniff had waited. They climbed in and Garrison drove them back to the place where they had stashed the car. Mr. Rzonca would return it to its rightful owner. From here they were on their own.
"Should take that traitorous son with us," muttered Casino.
"Mr. Rzonca loves him. He is his son," said Actor.
"Yeah, I know."
"Like your mother loves you."
"Leave my mother out of it. I said I know," he replied angrily.