Missing
Chapter 7
"Actor? I need your help." Chief was sitting on one of the fold down bunks in the crew quarters below. The others had gone on deck to watch the approach.
"Certainly, Chief. Do you need assistance to get up?"
"Uh uh. When we get back. I don't wanna go to the hospital."
Actor remembered the last time Chief had been injured. He had not wanted to go then either so they had set up a con. It had worked. "They do not know you here so it will be all right, just like last time."
"Not with this," and he indicated his abdomen with a small motion of his hand as if he was afraid to draw attention to his injury.
"That could be serious. If you are bleeding internally you might need surgery."
"No." He shook his head in desperation. "They can't put me under." He was starting to panic. "They give me any drugs for the pain and I'll... Don't tell anyone… about this."
"Chief, you put me in a very awkward situation. If I do not mention it and you are bleeding then you could die. How do you think I would feel if this happened? Knowing that all I had to do was say something to the Warden and you could be saved? How do you expect me to live with that?"
"I'm sorry," and pain filled eyes met his. "You shouldn't a looked. It don't pay to look too close. Guardians don't live long. That's just the way it is. An' if you tell an' I hafta go through that again an' I don't make it, how you gonna feel knowin' I died like that cause you didn't let it go?
"Please, just say nothing. That way I'll just die in my sleep, the way it's supposed to be."
Actor turned away from the hurt and looked out to the small open space with its access to the upper deck. How he wished he had gone above with the others and he would not have had to have this conversation. He had had only one option, he had to tell a Doctor. Now after listening to the man who life it involved that option had lost its exclusivity. Chief had a valid point. So how was he to decide? A Doctor could save his life but the side effects could kill him, in agony. His silence would save him from those side effects but might kill him anyway.
"G-CAT has controlled my life," the Guardian said softly, "and will always control it. Let me at least control my death."
"I will not let you die," said Actor angrily. "What you are asking is not controlling your death but courting it." With that he walked out of the room and up on deck. He was fuming. Spotting the others near the rail he walked over to Casino who was at the end of the line.
He leaned in close and said, just loud enough to be heard over the wind and waves, "Say nothing about Chief's injuries." He received a puzzled look. "It is his wish." Casino gave him a hard look and the conman willed him to do as he asked. Or did he? Secretly he knew he would be pleased if Casino disregarded his request and went directly to Garrison with the news. That way he would be off the hook.
Unless Chief was admitted, operated on and then died from the drug withdrawal. Damned again.
The boat had docked, the crew had left and now the passengers were on their way. The Captain had radioed ahead and a transport was waiting for them. Goniff was down the gangway first, glad to be on dry land. Casino and Garrison were next. Casino had been dizzy as they had docked which was why they had waited. He was feeling a little better now but was taking things slowly. Actor helped Chief stand and then waited patiently as he slowly climbed the ladder to the deck. The Italian had a sneaking suspicion that Casino's bout was exaggerated to allow Chief time to get on deck. With all eyes on him there was only Actor to watch the shuffling steps of the Indian. As they crossed the dock, Actor saw Garrison heading for a General's car. He was on his way to London. Maybe he would get some answers. Meanwhile they got in the car that was waiting for them.
All was well until the driver turned off the main road that would take them to their base. They were now headed for the Naval Base Hospital. Actor, calm on the outside, began to worry. They were all escorted inside and seated in a waiting area. Eventually a Nurse arrived and beckoned to the two men. Casino stood and looked to Chief. Obviously he was not going alone. Chief glared at him.
"Captain said two injured men. Let's go," said Casino.
Chief stood stiffly and began to follow. Actor waited for any signal from the Indian but he simply walked away. The other two waited. And waited. How long does it take to check two men for concussions, fumed Actor?
Finally the door opened and Chief walked in. Their driver had come in with them and was sitting waiting so Actor had to remain calm, as if this was what he expected. It was not. He had feared it would be Chief that did not appear. Calmly he rose and asked, "Where is Casino?"
"Went for X-rays."
"What about you? Are you finished?"
"Doc said I was fine, just a bump on the head."
Actor was relieved. The Guardian had pulled it off. With the witness sitting there, no matter how disinterested he looked, Actor could not ask any farther. He waited until his team mate sat before he too sat back down. They waited though Actor would not admit that he was less tense. Concussions, which he was sure what Casino's diagnosis was, were still serious. And, what if his skull was fractured? No, they were not out of the woods yet.
Another half an hour and Casino returned looking aggravated. It eased a bit when he saw Chief. "Damn Doctors, turn this way, turn that way, up a little higher, hold still. Gees. Coulda at least given me a pretty nurse to look at. She had to be at least a hundred and miserable. I thought old ladies were supposed to be grandmother sweet. Can we get outta here?" He stood waiting.
"Let me check with the Doctor." He went out into the hall looking for answers. 'Let it be all right and we can leave now', was his silent prayer. All he saw was busy people. The Nurses' Station was unmanned, a man in a white coat disappeared down the aisle and around the corner, a patient was being pushed out of a room door by a civilian and a man on crutches were making his way across the hall.
"Can we please get out of here," complained Casino loudly as he came up behind him. Then in a quiet voice he said, "Chief don't look too good."
The two men returned to the waiting room. Making up his mind he said, "Everything is fine. We can go now."
The Driver believed him and stood. As their guard he would wait and follow them so Actor positioned himself blocking the man's view of the Indian. He hoped that Casino or Goniff would help him stand if necessary. He maintained his position as he heard footsteps heading out of the room. Now as long as no medical personnel saw them leave they would be clear.
Once they were outside Actor made sure he was walking beside Chief, pacing him. Two dawdlers did not look as bad as one. Goniff had gone ahead but sensing he was alone he stopped and waited. He said nothing about Chief's slow pace. They finally made it to the car.
"Hey Actor," started Casino. "Goniff and I have something we need to talk to you about. Let Chief sit up front so we can talk on the way."
Actor preferred the front seat; it came with his position as second in command. It also gave him more room for his long legs. His first inclination was to refuse and say they would talk at home but something in Casino's look stopped him. A flick of Casino's eyes toward Chief and he understood.
He stood holding the door and said, "Chief, if you would be so kind?" It meant a few more steps but he knew it would be easier to get in and out of the front door. Actor stepped back and got in the back seat after closing the other door.
"'Ome, James," said Goniff in his best stiff upper lip imitation.
Once they reached their base Actor climbed out and then opened the front car door. He offered his hand but it was refused. Once out of the car they all stood on the bottom step waiting. It had taken Chief longer than usual to climb the ladder up from below deck on the Motor Launch. Could he climb the steps here without revealing his injuries? To make matters worse the Sargent Major appeared at the door.
"All right, men, in you come. We'll have a good hot meal in a few hours for you. Give you some time to wash and rest up before tea." He saw Chief take the first step. "What's wrong with him?"
"Just a little tired. He will be fine." It pleased him that the other two moved in to distract their keeper. Once they were inside he suggested that Chief wash up in the kitchen. Climbing all those steps to the second floor and then back down was too much to ask. The injured man complied much to the annoyance of the kitchen staff. Actor explained that he had been injured and the trip up and down the stairs was going to be too difficult. That mollified them and he was able to complete his wash.
While Chief was washing, Casino called Actor out into the hall. "Me and my best friend here are going to take a little trip to the Doves. Wanna come?"
"I do not recommend that you drink, Casino."
"Why not? It'll help me relax and rest. That's what the Doctor ordered."
"You obviously were not listening when he said to abstain from alcohol."
"Hah, what does he know? I say let's go visit our favorite barmaid, eh Goniff?" He grinned and put his arm over his shoulders. Goniff grinned back. He was up for some fun.
"Do you have a headache, Casino? Because if you do, then drinking will only make it worse."
"So, I'll only have one."
"You will only have one here. There, you will drink until you are drunk."
"Hey, you hear that?" asked Casino as he looked at his buddy. "Actor just said we could have a drink here. So start pouring, Actor, and make sure it's the good stuff."
"I did not say I would…" he started, looking pained.
"Yes you did. I 'eard it, meself. Pour one for me too." Faced with the two of them he surrendered.
Garrison had gone straight to London for the debriefing. He was not expected for hours so he poured a shot for each one and then put the bottle away. "Please stay here in the house. I am concerned about Chief."
"But I thought…" He stopped as realization dawned. "You didn't talk to the Doc did you? That's why he came back with us. And they didn't admit him because he didn't see… "His anger flared. "He got away with it didn't he? Damn. Have you seen his belly lately? Is it any better?"
"No, I have not had the opportunity."
"I think you had better make one."
"Easier said than done."
"Yeah, I know Babe. But you're the best, you'll find a way," said the safecracker gently.
By unspoken agreement the men gathered in the salon where they began discussing the mission and its consequences.
"'Oo does the Warden usually debrief with?" asked Goniff fingering the inlaid table beside his chair.
"I do not know. I would think that it would be whoever sent him on the mission."
"It was Comber that sent 'im, that what 'e said wasn't it? Then 'e'll be able to ask 'm what this whole mess was about."
"If it was subterfuge then I assume he has a cover or a denial ready." Seeing the lack of comprehension he added, "He may claim that he knew nothing about what Hayden was up to; that Hayden lied to him.
"Unless," he said before stopping as the scope of this idea revealed itself. "Unless he is in with G-CAT and considers this a matter that should be investigated by the military. Remember that a lowly Lieutenant does not carry as much weight as a Colonel or even a Major." He looked over to the Guardian to judge his reaction. He had suggested that G-CAT was involved even back while they had been in Sicily and he had been right. Now they wanted to know how far G-CAT had infiltrated into the Military.
Chief was sitting back on the sofa. It was not a particularly comfortable piece but what caught his eye was how very uncomfortable Chief looked. Knowing that there were no outsiders within earshot he asked, "Do you wish to go lay down?"
All eyes went to the Indian and Goniff jumped up. "Sorry mate. We should all go upstairs. We can be more comfortable there and after all we been through we deserve some comfort, don't we mates? We could bring you a dinner tray if you don't feel like comin' down.
"'Ere you strong gentlemen," and the Englishman gestured to the other two, "would you give our mate an 'and?" He stood waiting with a big smile on his face, proud of what he had just orchestrated.
Chief made it to the bottom of the steps then stopped and looked up. The beautiful curved staircase had just gotten twice as long.
"Chief," said Actor quietly. "Can you put your arms over our shoulders? It would help us support you, make it easier." The Indian lifted his arms and the two stronger men moved into position. They got almost to the top when Chief's foot did not clear the step instead it caught, stopping his lower body. His two assistants continued forward. With the sudden lack of support under him his body lurched and if it was not for the support under his shoulders he would have fallen on his face. They managed to prevent his fall but knew the sudden motion would re-aggravate his abdominal injuries. They quickly hustled him to his cot and laid him down. He pulled himself over on to his side and curled, eyes closed. Goniff grabbed a blanket from the closest cot and put it over the injured man.
The men moved back to their cots unsure what to do. The Indian would want privacy but an injured man should not be left alone. What if he needed something? They needed to be there for him.
The men went about their business quietly cleaning up; each stealing furtive glances at the figure under the blanket. Tea time was called and they debated. Actor approached the bed eyeing the patient. He called his name and black eyes opened. "We are going for tea. Would you like me to bring you anything?" A slight shake of his head and his eyes closed."
Reluctantly he joined the others and went down to the dining room. They were almost finished when Garrison returned. He strode into the room and sat down in his chair.
"How's the head Casino?"
"Concussion. Doc said to take it easy for a few days."
Nothing more was said as Garrison helped himself to the food that was still left on the table. Unable to tolerate the lack of manners Actor said, "Chief is sleeping." The Indian had asked him not to say anything but for Chief to be sleeping now was unusual. Actor thought it would have alerted the Officer to a problem. It apparently had not because he proceeded to eat. In disgust Actor threw down his napkin, stood and left. Angrily he ascended the steps two at a time and strode into their room. Approaching the occupied cot he was too angry to notice until he started to turn away. He was lost. If anyone had asked how he knew this he could not have answered. He just knew.
Quickly he knelt down and placed his hands, one on his arm and one on his back. Gripping his arm and rubbing his back he began to call to him. He could not afford to get angry. Chief might not respond to an angry voice so he forced himself to be calm. It was not working and his frustration was allowing his anger to bleed through. Damn, he thought as he withdrew and headed for the door.
Racing down the stairs he strode into the Office where Garrison was sat calmly writing. He looked up in surprise pen poised.
"Your Guardian is upstairs and requires your attention," he said curtly.
Garrison frowned and capping his pen he laid it on his desk. He stood and headed for the door. Actor waited for him to pass then followed on his heels. They went up the stairs and down the hall to the con's room. Garrison stepped through the door and stopped.
"Well, go over to him," Actor said angrily coming up beside him. "He is not going to bite you." With a reluctance that was palatable the Lieutenant complied. Actor watched him sit and put his hand tentatively on the still figure's arm. The Italian turned and left in disgust.
Actor went downstairs to the library, selected his book but sat where he could see the hallway. He wanted to see how long he would persist.
Fifteen minutes later he heard the Officer coming down the hall. He glanced in and seeing Actor and the look on his face he said, "He's back."
Actor was shocked to see him walking away and blurted out as he launched himself from his chair heading for the door, "Where are you going?"
Without turning he said, "I have things to do."
"That is right you do. First, you go back up there and you tell that boy, who has been rejected all his life, that you do not want him either; that you have been trying to pawn him off on anyone who will take him. Go on." He made a shooing motion. "Go up there and you tell him or I will, so help me God!"
Garrison turned to him. Actor expected anger, an anger to match his own but what he got was sadness and its intensity shocked him.
"It's not like that."
Shocked or not he could not forget Chief. "No? That is what it looks like to me and that is what it looks like to him and it is his opinion that matters." Easing his anger just a little he asked, "Is it so bad? All he wants is to be accepted, to be accepted by you, to work with you. Tell me why that is so hard. Personally I would be honoured to be chosen by him so tell me what is so bad that you would shove him away and stomp on him?
"Is it that you think it is hero worship? You think he thinks you are a god? Climb down off your ego and look at him. Sure he needs you, when you want something from him, his abilities. The rest of the time he just wants to be included, to be treated decently, to be treated the same.
"You have two injured men here. Who have you spent more time checking on? Who have you been more concerned about? He let the question hang hoping for a response because this time it was not rhetorical.
"Come into my office." Once there they both sat and Garrison sighed.
"When I was with Hayden watching over the plaza I had a lot of time to think and watch." He sounded tired. "I saw people coming and going, children playing. I thought about my life and yours." Traces of enthusiasm and pride appeared as he said, "I thought about how you guys had come together to form one of the best teams. Goniff, Casino and you working towards your parole. You have a future. After the war, if you stay out of trouble, you can go on to bigger and better things. You can make something of your lives. You`d be free.
His voice fell and the enthusiasm died. "Chief. What about him? You were given a choice, stay in prison and finish your sentence or work for the Army in exchange for your parole. What choice was he given? His is a life sentence, with no chance of parole, ever. Shit, he didn't even have a choice of working here. He was not given the choice of working for me. He was handed over like a piece of furniture to be used and then handed down to the next user. That's not a life. That's not something I want to be a part of."
Actor thought about the Lieutenant's argument. It had a lot of truth in it but there was one serious flaw that he had to point out. "So you want to get rid of him so you don't have to look at him and be reminded. Out of sight, out of mind?" he tacked on sarcastically.
That got a reaction, an angry one. "No!" He stood and walked to the window reminiscent of another. Turning he said, "I wanted him to be able to choose. I want to give him options so he can make the choice. Maybe he doesn't want to be here. As bad as G-CAT sounds maybe it's better than here." Seeing Actor's frown and the look of disgust as he opened his mouth to argue he asked quickly, "Have you asked him? Neither have I.
"And here with us, would he rather be with another team? He and Casino have fought enough times. Maybe there's another team where he would fit in better?
"And me," he continued as he returned to his desk. "He didn't get a choice there either. He was forced on me; or rather I was forced on him." He stopped to gather his thoughts reassured that Actor's anger had abated.
"I thought if I backed off and gave him the option of working with one of you…" With a wry smile he said, "But then when I heard you were able to…" He turned away embarrassed, "Deep down I was jealous. Sad isn't it? A grown man, my age, jealous." He snorted in self-contempt.
There was a long silence. Finally Actor said quietly, "I think you have to tell Chief this. I think you need to explain so he can make his decision based on the knowledge that… you are offering him his freedom and that you will support his decision rather than on a feeling of rejection.
"There is another thing you must keep in mind. It may have been a while since he was given a choice and if he is feeling rejected then he might make,"
"The decision to reject me to pay me back?" he suggested with a sad smile. He knew what Actor was hinting at.
"There is always that possibility." Actor returned the smile. "Make sure he understands that if he wants to try another team that he will be welcomed back, no hard feelings if it does not work out." He lowered his brow and said seriously, "If that is what you want."
Garrison took a deep breath and released it. "I want him free but I want him here; here because he wants to be here not because he was forced to be here. And you're right. I need to tell him.
"He was sleeping when I left. Let me know when he wakes up."
Actor smiled softly as he rose to leave. "Go and sit with him. Take a book, take your reports but be there when he wakes."
Minutes later the conman saw Garrison heading for their room carrying a book, his file folder a pen and a cup of coffee. He was planning a long stay.
