Chapter 2
What if Goniff ….
A gentle knock on his door interrupted the American Officer's paperwork. Goniff sauntered into the room.
"'Allo Warden. 'And 'ow are you this fine day."
"I'm fine, Goniff." He put his pen down and waited.
The English thief sat down and crossed on ankle over his knee, looking relaxed. He smiled.
"What would you like, Goniff?"
"What do you mean? Can't a guy just drop by to see 'ow his best mate is doing?"
"Best mate?" he asked skeptically, one eyebrow raised.
"Sure. We're mates, right? And mates 'elp each other don't they?"
Garrison sat waiting. He knew how to use silence especially with Goniff.
The elevated foot came down and he sat forward. "I need a pass to go to London."
"To London."
"Yeah. I swear I'll come right back."
Again the American waited.
Goniff shifted in the chair. It was not the most comfortable chair but he was especially uncomfortable.
"Come on Warden. It's not like I ask for a lot, and besides, well, I said I would go on these missions and I've kept my word."
"Why?"
"Well like me ol' man said, If you don't keep yer word then it's worth nothing."
"Why London?"
"Oh, I got a friend 'oos sick. I just wanna pop in an' wish 'im well. Right there an' right back. Swear." and he raised his right hand. His look was all innocence.
"All right."
"Thanks Warden. I knew you'd understand."
Garrison rose and reached for his coat. Goniff paused. "Ey Warden?"
"I'll go with you. I have to go in anyway."
Goniff stopped. "You don't 'ave to do that. A ride to the station maybe but..."
"You have a reason you don't want me along?" He stood waiting.
"No," but he looked uncomfortable.
"Goniff. If you want me to trust you, then you have to trust me."
"I do, Warden."
"So who are you going to see?"
Flustered by the turn of event he blurted out the name. "Richard Dunsworth."
"I didn't know you knew one of the Dons at Oxford?" The look of shock on the pickpockets face was priceless and proof that there was more to this than Goniff was letting on. "You a close friend?"
"How do you know …?"
"Sit," ordered Garrison.
Goniff sat in shock. "How do you know who he is?" the cockney accent was gone.
"It was in the paper."
"You read the..."
"All right, let's have it. This is strictly confidential but if you want to go see ol' Dunsy then I want the whole story."
A deep breath and a loud sigh. "It was during our first term at Oxford that I and a few chums took a little trip to the East end. It was just a lark, a bit of fun. We met a few lads there, had a few drinks and got to talking. There was this one fellow who taught me how to lift a wallet. Turns out I was very good at it. Hicks and I had so much fun that we went back several more times.
Money was tight so to pay for these excursions I took to breaking and entering. When I got caught I faked the accent and gave a false name. First time offence and I gave the goods back so they let me go with a warning. I stopped doing it but when I ran out of money …
"How did you end up in Sing Sing?"
"I was seen leaving a house that was robbed so when I heard the constables were looking for me I stowed away on an ocean liner and ended up in America."
"What about your Mother? She followed you?"
"No. My Mother disowned me when I did not finish at Oxford. She had such unrealistic expectations."
"Then…?"
Goniff smiled. "Mom is a grand old lady. She's a friend to every street kid around. She took me in when I arrived, showed me around, gave me a place to sleep. She is a gem."
Garrison was intrigued but then a thought intruded. His face darkened. "The mission where you had to impersonate …"
"Oh yes." He smiled sheepishly. "Well I could not just drop the accent, could I? Then you and the others would know the truth. I don't want them to know."
"Why not?"
"They treat me like one of 'um." The cockney accent returned. "'ow do you think Casino or Chief would treat me if they knew? 'And Actor. They see me as 'armless, good for a bit a sport. That's 'ow I fit in 'ere.
"And now if you tell'm they'll never forgive me for conning them. You said this was confidential," the accent shifted again to upper crust, "and I am afraid I must hold you to that statement."
Garrison was in shock and a bit awed. Goniff had had him completely fooled and from the looks of it he had conned the others too. "You have my word. I will say nothing of this to anyone."
"Thanks gov'naw. So 'ow about that two day pass to London?" Goniff was back.
"You have six hours."
"Aw, Warden?"
"Take it or leave it."
Goniff reached over and took the paper. A quick glance showed it was only for eight hours but at least he would have a chance to see his old pal.
Garrison thought over this latest revelation about his men. They were full of surprises.