Fevered Mind
Part 9
Garrison's fever abated, leaving the man weak, but disquieted. He was trying to figure out just what had gone wrong in his mind. That he could behave in such a manner to his men, and more specifically to Actor, was difficult for him to believe. The gentle reinforcement by his siblings eventually left him with no doubt the story was true. Now the fever had broken he had the time to lay there and try to figure it all out.
Slowly, one by one, the convicts started coming into his room to see how he was doing and see if he needed anything. All of them, that was, except Actor. His second, and sometimes confidant, was avoiding him. Late at night, Craig could hear the footsteps in the hall that did not pause in front of his room, and the closing of the door to the room next to his. Garrison wanted badly to speak to the older man and try to mend the fences that were not only broken, but seemed to be shattered. He just didn't know how. Craig knew he wasn't strong enough yet for any kind of confrontation, if it came to that. He could've easily called out when he heard the man passing his room, or asked someone to get the confidence man, but he just couldn't. The fact that Actor did not come of his own accord kept the young lieutenant from doing either.
Meanwhile, life went on at the Mansion. Terry and Chris seemed to live in the kitchen, what with the canning of spring vegetables and the feeding of eight mouths now. Terry had spoken on the telephone with Doc Kaiser, keeping him updated on her brother's progress. The major had in turn advised the powers that be Lt. Garrison needed some more time to recuperate or he would have a relapse, never telling them just how ill the young officer had been. It seemed to be keeping G-2 off their backs.
Kelly stayed on, taking a break from the war and enjoying his sisters' home-cooked meals. He and Casino had developed a relationship of baiting each other and calling each other derogatory names, to the amusement of Goniff and the relief of Chief. It was frequently loud and boisterous, so much so that Christine had remarked how it sounded like home before Craig had gone off to West Point. There were no fist fights mainly because Casino wasn't about to hit a fifteen year old, and especially Garrison's kid brother.
Actor kept to himself, withdrawn and quiet, though becoming more edgy as the noisiness of the youngster and the safecracker increased. His sleeping was fitful and he never felt rested. It showed in the downward curve of his mouth and the darkness of his eyes.
G
The kitchen was like an Indian sweat lodge, what with the fire from the wood part of the stove and the humidity from the pressure canner. The rattling of the weight on the lid did not drown out the carrying on in the common room between Kelly and Casino over a game of cards.
Both girls looked up when the swinging door between the kitchen and the dining room opened and Actor entered. The man never paused, just skirted around the table behind them and let himself out the back door. The sisters watched the door close behind him.
Crystal turned to Terry with an understanding look. "I've got this, if you want to take a break for awhile."
Terry nodded. "Thanks, Sis."
She untied her apron and hung it over the back of a chair. After washing her hands in the sink, Terry pushed a damp tendril of hair back behind her ear and let herself out into the relative coolness of the back garden. She hadn't realized how stifling it was until coming outside into the fresh crisp air. Glancing around, she headed for the gazebo.
Terry mounted the two steps to the entrance of the octagon structure, her hand holding the doorjamb, and stopped, going no further. In the dimness of the interior, she could see Actor sitting on the far seat, a lit cigarette in the fingers of the hand resting on his leg. The con man looked up at her and gave a small crooked smile. Terry took that as permission to enter, so she stepped inside and came to stand in front of him.
"You've been coming outside a lot lately," she said.
"I have a lot on my mind," acknowledged Actor.
"I know." Terry chewed on her lips. "You've had a very bad time lately. Especially from Craig. I know you won't tell me what is going through your head." She gave a little smile. "You do have one or two trust issues. But I am still a little afraid you're going to pull a runner. That's bothering me . . . a lot. I would miss you terribly. And I would worry about you constantly, because that's what I do . . . worry." She looked down at her feet, unable to meet his eyes.
Actor looked at her, feeling strangely humbled by that admission. "I promise you," he said slowly, "I am not contemplating 'pulling a runner'. At least not right now. And if I ever do, I will tell you." He watched her nod in acceptance of that. He motioned her to have a seat beside him. As she sat, he dropped the remains of his cigarette on the floor and crushed it out with his foot.
"Too noisy in there for you?" asked Terry with a soft smile.
"They are a bit boisterous," admitted the con man.
Actor turned his head to look at the young woman next to him. Even in the dim dappled light of the gazebo, he could see the dampness of her skin and pinkness of cheeks flushed by the heat of the kitchen. Used to women using rouge to fake the flush of color, he was surprised to find that hard work could achieve the same attractive effect. A tendril of auburn hair had escaped from the pins. It slipped from behind her ear and dangled along her face. He reached a long forefinger out to guide it back to captivity. Teresa's head turned and green eyes looked into his.
With a crooked smile, the Italian said, "It would appear more than just peas are being cooked in the kitchen."
"Yeah, I can't wait for summer," she replied in a tone that indicated just the opposite.
They sat in silence for awhile. Each relaxing.
Finally, Terry said, "I suppose I better go back in before Chris thinks I deserted her." She glanced at the tall man. "You coming?"
Actor shook his head. "No. I believe I will sit out here a bit longer and enjoy the silence of the birds in the trees, the chickens cackling, the crowing of the rooster."
"I guess it's better than Kelly and Casino cackling," said Terry with amusement.
A thought that had been fluttering in her mind for the past couple days, recurred. With it, she came to a decision. Terry rose from the seat and stood facing the Italian.
"You going to be here for a few minutes?" she asked.
"Yes." Actor wondered at the contemplative expression on the woman's face.
"Good."
She turned and walked out to stride across the yard. Terry went into the kitchen and right on out. She missed the raised eyebrows of her sister, pouring peas and hot water into jars. Without looking at the men in the common room, she went upstairs to her bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Terry opened the drawer on her nightstand and took out the spare set of keys that was there. The two keys on the chain opened the Fox and her flat. She removed one of the keys and put the chain back.
Craig had told her not to place her trust in Actor. But the confidence man had always been straight with her or at least she had never caught him not being straight with her. Besides that, there was something about the man that seemed to click with her. She could talk to him about anything without fear of derision. He seemed to be opening up more with her too. Oh, she still didn't know much of anything concrete about the man and his background, but he seemed more comfortable with her. Maybe it was a result of the time spent together when he had the concussion, or the time spent teaching her the trade. Craig had said he was a confidence man, had no scruples, and was mean. He was definitely a confidence man - extraordinaire. Scruples? Yes, they were lacking, but she detected a change slowly evolving in him. Mean? Yes, he was arrogant and could be mean to Goniff, but he could also be supportive and worried about Goniff and the others on the team. A mean man with no scruples would not have put up with the abuse he had just received from her brother and would not have tried so hard to complete the mission and bring Craig home.
Of the four men, Actor was the one who needed a peaceful place to escape to. Terry knew Chief was content to wander the estate and find solitude by the pond when he needed some privacy. Casino and Goniff only seemed to need a pub and each other – and a couple of willing girls, of course.
Terry contemplated the key in her hand, nodded to herself, and went back downstairs, through the kitchen and out the back door. Actor was still in the gazebo. Walking purposefully up to the big man, she laid hold of his wrist. He looked up at her in surprise. She was never this forceful. The face that looked down at him was as inscrutable as his own. Terry turned his hand over and placed hers atop his open palm. She squeezed and let go, curling his fingers up. Eyebrows furrowed in curiosity, Actor opened his hand and looked at the key resting there.
"You know where my flat is," said Terry. "You've picked me up there before. It's quiet. I don't have any Courvoisier . . .yet . . . but I have some fairly decent brandy in the upper cabinets of the kitchen. There's food in the icebox. There are books in the living room. I'm sorry. There are no sheets on the spare bed. If you want to sleep you can use my bed." She looked hard at him. "Actor. Alone."
That brought a grin of amusement to his face. His smile faded. "Cara, you do not have to do this."
"I know I don't have to do this," she answered. "The keys are in the ignition in my car. It's up to you if you want to go get some peace and quiet."
Actor closed his fingers over the key and stood up. He raised the first two fingers of his left hand to his lips and touched them to hers. She smiled softly at him, one hand going up to rub his chest and giving a quick pat before she turned and walked back to the house.
Christine looked at the thoughtful expression on her sister's face as Terry went back to heating more water on the hob for blanching. The older girl spoke no words of explanation for the trips through the kitchen. A minute later, Actor entered and walked through much the same as Terry had, without a word to either girl. A few seconds later they heard the front door close.
Terry turned and walked out to the common room. "You boys need anything?" she asked casually.
"Naw, we're good," said Casino, concentrating on the cards in his hand.
"He cheats," said Kelly with good humor.
"I coulda told you that," grinned Terry. "So cheat back."
"'E is," lamented Goniff, clearly on the losing end of the game.
Terry looked up at Chief who was sitting in the window looking out. "Chiefy? You want anything?"
The Indian shook his head and looked at her with questioning eyes. Terry gave a minute shake of her head. The Indian looked out the window and watched Actor get behind the wheel of the MG. It rolled slowly partway down the drive before quickly picking up speed.
GGG
Actor let himself in the silent flat. He had been here before, but never farther inside than the hall to pick Teresa up for a mission. A comfortable sofa faced the small fireplace with the marble mantel. There were pictures on it he would look at later. A six foot tall wooden bookcase graced the wall beside the door. A stuffed armchair was positioned in front of the bookcase with a floor lamp next to it. A wooden table and chairs were on the opposite wall.
The con man wandered through the doorway into the kitchen. It was small but efficient. Opening upper cabinet doors, he found dishes, a few canned goods and finally a small balloon glass beside a bottle of brandy and one of Jack Daniels. Making himself at home, he poured a healthy portion of brandy into the balloon and walked back out to the living room.
Curiosity had him going to the mantel. The pictures were of what he assumed was Montana. The sharp rugged peaks surrounding the wooded valley reminded him of the Alps. One of the pictures was of a dirt road winding through trees and meadows back into the valley. He was vaguely disappointed there were no pictures of the ranch itself. There were horses and fat cattle. It struck Actor as odd that the Lieutenant had come from this place; however he was learning their Warden was a man of many diverse facets, such as the ability to milk a dairy cow and to pull a good con.
He wandered over to the bookcase. There were books on a variety of topics. Jane Eyre was next to a book on herbs from the British Isles. A whole shelf was devoted to tourist books on almost every country in Europe and on some of the larger cities. That piqued the con man's interest. The Continent was not a place for holidays right now. Another shelf held what should have been coffee table books on the major artists, Rembrandt, Monet, Manet, Cezanne, Renaissance art, sculpture, and jewels. She was teaching herself, Actor decided in pleased surprise. Maybe it was time to teach her how to spot a copy.
He wondered what more information the apartment would yield about its tenant.
Making his way into the hall, sipping at his brandy, Actor took note of the location of things. Built-in cupboards lined both sides. They contained the usual towels, linens, tablecloths and cloth napkins, toilet paper and a box of facial tissues.
The bathroom was at the end of the short hall. Actor stepped inside, placing his glass on the sink. A toothbrush stuck its bristly head out of a glass on the opposite side of the sink. He used the back of one finger to part the curtains beneath the sink. On a shelf were a roll of toilet paper and a box of Kotex. He let the curtains fall back. The medicine cabinet held toothpaste, a brush, a small bottle of aspirin, a jar of Ponds Cold Cream, a dark pink lipstick and a tiny bottle of vanilla and lavender scent. Still curious as to the habits of the young woman, he looked behind the curtain to the bathtub. In the wire basket hanging on the far side of the tub were a well-used bar of Yardley English Lavender soap, a razor, shampoo and crème rinse. The lady didn't keep much in her bathroom. That surprised the confidence man, accustomed as he was to ladies' bathrooms full of all manner of beauty aids.
Picking up his brandy, he left the bathroom and went back into the hall. He opened the door on his left. It was the spare bedroom, sparsely furnished with a bare mattress on a metal bed, an armoire, and a rocking chair. He closed that door and opened the one on his right.
It was Teresa's room. Obviously the woman had not been planning on staying at the mansion. A pair of fuzzy mules lay on the rag rug beside the bed. A plain cotton nightgown was draped across the foot of the bed. The covers had been tossed back on one side and not made up before she had left. What struck him was the bed was large, but only one side had been slept in. If he was polite, he would sleep on the other half of the bed. If he was terribly polite, he would not sleep on the bed at all. He was not feeling at all polite. Besides, he was still curious. Actor set his glass on the night table beside a book and pulled the drawer open. He was surprised to find a small torch, a handgun and a switchblade. No foil packets. Apparently she did not entertain male guests in her bedroom, not that he really expected she would.
He moved to the low dresser and opened the top drawer. In neat rows were carefully rolled stockings, wool socks, a couple utilitarian brassieres, and white cotton panties. Suddenly, he felt uncomfortable, as though he should not be invading her privacy as much as he was. This was a new experience for him.
He turned back to the bed and slowly removed his clothes. His shoes went beside the mules and his clothing was hung on a hanger in the armoire beside a couple skirts and blouses and female trousers. Naked, he slipped into the bed and pulled the covers over himself. The cold sheets were plain white cotton, just like at the mansion. She deserved better, he thought. He rolled to face the middle of the bed, his head burrowing into her pillows. They held her scent and he breathed in the comfort with a sigh. An unbidden thought came to his mind. He wondered what it would be like to curl up in the bed with Teresa in his arms. Somehow he knew she would snuggle tight against him, no demands, no bartering her favors for expensive trinkets. A long arm reached up to take one of the other pillows and pull it under the covers. He curled up around the pillow, arm holding it to him. His eyes closed and the tension left him. Soon he drifted off to sleep unconsciously pulling the pillow tighter to him.
G
It was late. Terry went into Craig's office and shut the door. She knew the bar would be closed by now, so she called Kit's flat. The girl answered.
"It's Terry."
"How come you're here? I thought you'd be staying at the Mansion," said the girl in wonder.
"I am at the Mansion," said Terry. "Is my car still at the curb?"
Kit peered carefully around the blackout curtains. "Yeah." She frowned. "If your car's here and you're there, is someone staying in your flat?"
"Looks that way," said Terry with a chuckle. "Don't go over there."
"You going to tell me who's in there?"
"No. Good night, Kit."
The phone quietly disconnected.
"Good night yourself," said the red head in annoyance at being kept in the dark about the flat's visitor.
G
The mantel clock struck one in the morning. Terry was about to give it up and go to bed when the front door quietly opened. The book she had been reading dropped into her lap and she watched in curiosity.
Actor carefully shut the door behind him. He stepped into the common room, fully expecting Teresa to be there. She was watching him with a cocked head and an expectant look.
Though it was not in his nature to explain himself, he said with a small grin, "I overslept." At her raised eyebrows, he added defiantly, "Alone."
Terry grinned. The con man looked more relaxed and at ease than he had in a while. She set her book aside as he stepped up to her.
Actor's hand felt in his pants pocket and produced the key, holding it out to her. Terry looked at it and held her hand up, palm out indicating he should keep it. They exchanged a look before the con man flipped the key around his fingers and into his palm. The key went back in his pocket.
"You have a very nice flat," he said. "The brandy . . ." He made a so-so gesture.
Terry smiled. "I'll get a bottle of Courvoisier. And I'll be sure the spare bed has linen from now on."
"I can provide my own beverage," said the man. With a twinkle in his eye, he added, "And your bed is most comfortable. My feet don't hang off the end."
Terry giggled and rose from the chair. She remembered seeing the Italian sleeping on his stomach in his bed upstairs, his feet hanging off to the ankles. "Just remember my ground rules," she said.
"Ah, yes," he nodded. With an impudent smile, he asked, "And the spare bedroom?"
Terry cocked an eyebrow at him. "I don't want to know."
Actor chuckled. In an expansive and relaxed mood, he held his arm out and Terry slipped under it, sliding an arm around his waist. Together they headed for the stairs.
"Jane Eyre?" Actor asked dubiously.
Terry shook her head. "Kit gave it to me for my birthday. I didn't like it." She got a mischievous grin on her face the taller man could not see. "I prefer my men strong and virile. Even the silent ones." She squeezed his waist.
Actor paused and looked down at her, wondering if she had really said and done that. Trying very hard to keep a straight face, Terry looked up at him. The twinkle in her eyes betrayed her. His mouth turned up on the right into a cocky little half-grin. They continued up the stairs.
