LOSS OF FAITH 9
They had spent hours at the police station , luckily having Constable Yates and his partner with them had eased the situation a great deal.
Jamie's parents had picked him up and had been so grateful to Chief for saving their son that he actually blushed,
He had tried to tell them that all he had done was pull him through a window, that it had been Goniff that had done all the hard work,
but they were just so relieved to get Jamie back , they just thanked anyone involved in the rescue and weren't really listening.
Things quietened down once they had left.
Mickey and his group of thugs had been locked away and would be spending a long time in prison.
Craig called the estate to let the Sgt Major know what was going on and was told he had better get back as soon as he could as Major Reynolds was arriving
and wanted to hear the whole story before he decided what to do .
Craig sighed ,this was the last thing he needed right now, but being late would only make matters worse than they already were.
`Right , we have to move`, he said
`How much trouble are we in? asked Actor.
`You know that big hole we fall into now and then the one that's way over our heads? He asked `Well someone just pulled out the ladder.
`That bad baby huh? Asked Casino
`You'd better believe it Casino` said Craig
`Well best go and get it over with then`, said Chief, as he headed for the door.
`Oh what the hell, they can only throw us back inside`, said Casino as he followed Chief.
Actor looked at Craig.
`Suppose we'd better tag along`, he said.
Craig looked at him and smiled.
`Yeah suppose we better had.`
…
Angel turned as she heard someone enter the kitchen.
`Major Reynolds `, she said
`Angel` he said smiling at her.
`You plan on getting here early or is it just luck? She asked`
`Everything I do is planned to keep them on their toes, works with everyone, except this bunch`, he laughed.
`They're not back yet, you want some coffee? She asked.
`Would be good`, he said.
She handed him a mug and a piece of the apple pie she had just made.
`Goniff's favourite` she said.
The Major looked at her.
`I can have you arrested for bribery ` he said `after taking the first bite` She laughed
`But you won't ,can't make pies in prison you know` she said
`So how are things ? he asked seriously.
`That sort of depends on you Major`, she answered.
`Ah I see`, he said
`Is there any way we can get out of this mess and still keep the team together ? She asked.
`You're asking a lot` he said
`I know`, she sighed.
`They have been involved in a robbery , a kidnapping ,desertion, and a killing, anyone of which they should be sent back inside for` he said,
`I know`, she said again.
`But you still think that they deserve a second chance don't you? He asked her,
She nodded
`They've done so well, they try so hard, and they're not soldiers, they're going to go off the rails sometimes, admittedly this time they took the whole damn train with them,
but they never actually mean any harm, they just get carried away sometimes that's all.` she said
He laughed
`You don't ever lose faith in them do you ? He asked.
`Someone has to believe in them, might as well be me`, she said
He finished his coffee, and put the cup on the table.
`Well where's the invalid then, I think I'd like to talk to him before the others get back`, he said.
`He's upstairs, I brought him back from the hospital this morning.` she said.
`How is he really? He asked
`He's scared, if Actor hadn't fired through that window, he might be dead now, thank God that Jack focused his attention on Craig for a split second and turned the gun.
He's also embarrassed that he fell and hit his head and knocked himself out cold, and trust me Casino is not going to let that one go for a while,
He knows that he's in trouble, that he's caused the others trouble too, and he believes that they're not going to have enough faith in him to want to let him stay
even if you allow him too. He's scared that your going to make good you're threat to put him back inside, but he's also brave enough to come back and face all of you and let you decide his fate.
He's learnt a lesson these passed few days. I think they all have.` she said
`Even your Lt. he asked.
She laughed.
`I think he's realised just how important they are to him, and what he's prepared to give up for them, and I think it surprised even him`. She said
`Well I'll go and see Goniff, and if they get back, you keep them here, I want to give that young man a good talking too without interruptions, all right?
`Yes Sir Major ,she said , giving him a mock salute.
`He smiled at her
`Forgot you're a civilian`, he said .
`Let you off this once Sir ` she said,
He laughed and headed for the stairs.
`I'll have fresh coffee waiting when you get back`, she shouted after him.
He smiled to himself, and kept going.
As he reached the door he adjusted his uniform and assumed his most serious face. He entered and looked at Goniff who was sitting facing the door waiting for him to arrive.
`Well young man I think it's time we had a serious talk , don't you? He asked.
Yes Sir, said Goniff dejectedly.
The Major took the seat opposite Goniff,
`Right then , where do you suggest we start? He asked.
…
Angel heard the door slam and the raised voices , she put her head round the kitchen door
`In here , all of you, and no arguments`, she said. `I mean now ` she shouted,
They all trouped in.
`What's up? Asked Casino.
`Sit down and listen, don't talk Casino, just listen.` ok she said
Craig stood in the doorway.
`The Major here? He asked.
`Yes he's with Goniff, `
Casino stood up.
`If you go stampeding up there you'll ruin everything Casino, now just sit down and listen, this is important, You too Craig, ` she said pointedly.
`I've been talking to Goniff since we got back this morning, he knows he's screwed up, and that he might get sent back to finish his sentence, and although that scares him,
it's not what worries him most.` she said
`Well it damn well ought to `, said Casino.
`He's more concerned that he's let all of you down, that he betrayed your trust, that what he did could have got you all sent back to prison,
he's under the impression that you may not want him on the team anymore`, she said.
`That's crazy, we can't work without Goniff.
`Ain't gonna do it`, said Chief.`
`Well as much as he drives me crazy sometimes, he's always been there when we've needed him, wouldn't be the same without him`, said Actor.
`If that's what you all think then I suggest that you all go upstairs and tell him just that`, said a voice from the doorway,
`You mean you ain't gonna split us up? Asked Casino
`Against my better judgement, no, but this is the last time gentlemen , any more screw ups and I'll have you all sent back so fast your feet won't touch the ground`, he said
`Do I make myself clear gentlemen?
`Yes Sir Major, said Casino as he headed for the door.
`Thanks`, said Chief , as he followed Casino.
`We won't let you down Major` said Actor,
`So I have been reliably informed Actor, `` he said looking at Angel.
`Make sure you don't, for all our sakes , all right?
`Actor looked at Angel.
`Thank you `, he said
`All I did was feed him apple pie`, she said smiling.
`I find that hard to believe` he said. `
`You'd better go and see Goniff`, she said
`Now Lt Garrison I think you and I had better adjourn to your office , we have a lot to talk about` he said
`Yes Sir, said Craig not sure for the moment what was going on, just sure that Angel was a part of it.
`Coffee will be ready in a minute or two`, said Angel
`Thanks Honey`, said Craig as he headed out of the kitchen towards his office
`You're welcome ` she shouted after him
`Yes it's liable to be a long session` said the Major `coffee would be most welcome,
`Right you are Major`. She said
He watched Craig enter his office and then poked his head back round the kitchen door
`Oh and Angel ` he said `Don't forget the pie , will you? He asked giving her a wink.
He could still hear her laughing as he entered Garrison's office.
