Chapter 4

Later the next morning, Terry was back at the hospital sitting with her husband, Col. Baum. She explained to the doctor that they wished to return home and they were waiting for his assistant, Major Erlich, to arrive with an ambulance. A half hour later, the tall, arrogant major arrived with two ambulance attendants and a stretcher. Terry had a medical report from the doctor and watched as her husband was placed on a stretcher and loaded into the back of a purloined ambulance. Terry climbed into the back and Actor went to the front.

They traveled for two hours. The bumping along in the back of the ambulance was not improving Craig's headache or dizziness any. Terry sat up by his head, periodically dampening a cloth from a canteen and laying it across his forehead. Goniff sat beside her and Casino on the other bench closer to the doors. The ambulance slowed and came to a stop. Craig opened his eyes and listened. The others in the back sat quiet and tense.

They could hear Actor get out of the vehicle. There was a conversation in German that got more intense as it went on. It seemed to be a roadblock. The German Lieutenant was asking Actor for their papers. The papers they had were not going to cover this. Actor was attempting to bluff their way through using his rank. It wasn't working.

"I thought he was so good at this?" whispered Terry to her brother in German.

"He is when he's SS," replied Craig in German. "He's not dressed as SS."

The lieutenant was arguing and Actor was cajoling. Casino and Goniff exchanged looks and checked their weapons. Terry looked back down at Garrison and started speaking in low rapid German. Garrison nodded and made some hurried comments back. He looked at his two men and said, "Let her out."

"Actor's gonna kill her," warned Casino.

"He won't be able to if he's dead," said Craig. "Let her out."

Casino opened the back door. Terry stepped over Goniff and climbed down. She took a deep breath, shook her hair back and proceeded to stomp around the corner of the ambulance. Actor was haughtily trying to intimidate the Lieutenant, while standing with his back to the driver's door. Chief was watching warily.

Terry spouted off angrily in German. "Major Erlich! What is the meaning of this delay? We must get my husband to the base hospital as soon as possible. He is getting worse."

Actor played into her con as though he knew it was coming. "I am sorry Mrs. Baum. We are having trouble getting through this roadblock."

"Your major here does not seem to have papers," said the Lieutenant with a sneer

"Well of course we don't have papers! Are you some kind of idiot? My husband was injured at Wehrmacht headquarters. We are trying to get him back home to our specialist. I demand you let us pass!"

Merde, thought Actor. The crazy woman was going to get them all killed.

"I am afraid I cannot do that," said the Lieutenant.

Terry turned on her heel and went to the corner of the ambulance. She whirled and gestured sharply down with her finger. Lieutenant, you will come here and speak to my husband, Colonel Baum." When he made no move, Terry ordered, "Sofort!" She slapped the flat of her hand on the door to the back. Casino opened it.

The lieutenant and Actor came to the back of the vehicle. Terry stepped behind the Wehrmacht officer to stand beside Actor. She stealthily slipped her open switchblade into his hand. He took it without looking at her.

Craig had raised his head up to speak to the lieutenant. There were beads of water on his forehead and the dressing on his temple had fresh bright blood on it. He apologized for his wife's outburst, saying she was just terribly worried. They were trying to get to the base hospital on the outskirts of Paris, where they were from.

The lieutenant nodded. He was still unsure of the situation, but decided to allow them through. He apologized to the Colonel for the delay, turned and walked away.

Actor helped Terry into the back of the ambulance. As she made her way back to her seat, her brother called to Major Erlich. When Actor looked at him, Craig grinned snidely and winked. Actor rolled his eyes. As he stabbed the switchblade into the wooden floor of the ambulance, he gave Terry a sharp glare. She returned it. He shut the door and went to get in the front seat. The vehicle started forward.

Casino pried the knife out of the floor. He closed it up and tossed it back to Terry.

"I think ole Actor's a little 'ot under the collar," remarked Goniff with a grin.

"He'll get over it," said Craig, closing his eyes.

"I doubt it," said Terry. She looked at the dressing. "When did you start bleeding again?"

"When he hit himself in the head to make it bleed," said Casino in a voice indicating that he didn't think much of that notion.

Terry stared at Craig. He shrugged. "It looked more convincing that way."

"Craig," said Terry shaking her head, "sometimes I don't think all your porch lights are on."

They traveled on toward the coast and the last safe house. As the journey progressed Garrison became more lethargic and less responsive. Terry felt his forehead and cheeks and frowned.

"He's not looking too good," remarked Casino. "The concussion?"

"That too," said Terry. "He's hot. He's running a fever."

"Just from getting 'it in the 'ead?" asked Goniff.

"No." replied Terry. "I think it's something he picked up in North Africa. He was getting them periodically there and afterward. He hasn't had any since you guys have been with him?"

"He had one a couple months ago," said the safecracker. "We thought it was from him gettin' shot."