Chapter 10
It was brought to my attention by a well-informed reader that I had imprisoned Col. Yates in "The Set-Up." "Set-Up" is a stand-alone story and at the time was not meant to be a part of the series I am writing. If it does eventually work its way into the series, it will be much farther on in time. Col. Yates turned out to be such a good antagonist I had to bring him in to show how he tried to undermine the group. Sorry for any confusion.
Terry and Casino stepped off the train with the downcast heads of disheartened and weary peasants. They paused, seemingly hesitant, while they oriented themselves and noted the groups of German soldiers, mostly armed, that filled the depot. Joining the crowd, they walked with the prevailing normal gait toward the station gates. The soldiers on duty strolled around or stood in pairs, inspecting the crowd, and the French civilians hurried past them as quickly as they dared, hoping not to attract attention.
They had made it to Le Havre. Now if they could connect with their resistance contact, they might just make it back to England.
They joined the queue to present their forged papers to the officials manning the gate at the end of the platform. Casino's battered and roughly bandaged face attracted attention, but that helped instead of hindered them. Terry explained briefly, in a combination of French and sign language, he had been injured and they had come to seek medical help. They were nodded through by a surprisingly sympathetic Wehrmacht corporal. Once out on the street, they made their way through the station approach, across the Cours de la Republique and started down the Rue de la Perouse which would take them toward the hospital. They would walk to the hospital to allay any tail they may have picked up, then turn and go to the docks. Their confidence in their success grew as they moved farther away from the station with its concentration of German checks and officials.
"Halt! Hände hoch!"
From around a corner two Waffen-SS men suddenly appeared, their guns clearly pointed at the two. Terry and Casino froze while people scattered all around them. They shot a glance at each other and slowly raised their hands, adrenalin pumping through their veins as they struggled to stay in character. Forcing herself to remember her role of the peasant wife, Terry sidestepped towards Casino even as he moved to protect her with his body.
"Stillstehen!" shouted one of the Waffen-SS men, his rifle cocked and pointed at them.
"Don't say anything," hissed Terry under her breath.
The blond Aryan partner to the one who had given the order motioned with his rifle for the two to precede them. Casino nudged Terry forward and followed her, trying to keep himself between her and the weapons now trained on their backs.
The sidewalk in front of them was all but deserted as people moved swiftly away. They turned the corner and saw the sinister black Citroen parked at the curb. They watched as the passenger door opened and a leather-coated SS officer got slowly out and, with the aid of a silver-topped cane, hobbled forward to intercept them.
"What are you stopping us for?" demanded Terry in French indignation, with more than a hint of fear in her voice.. "We have papers. We have done nothing wrong."
"You are American spies," said the officer in German accented English. The corners of his mouth turned up in an evil smile. "And now you are my prisoners."
"I don't understand you," said Terry again in French, but allowing her terror to show through..
The SS officer motioned to the dark-haired soldier who stepped forward and took the dangling handcuffs that were held out to him. The fair SS man kept them covered while the other stepped behind them and roughly handcuffed their hands. Confident that his prey was now secured, the officer stepped up to the girl and lightly stroked her cheek with the tip of his cane. Terry gave him a malevolent glare and spat on his shiny boot. The officer's face took on a livid, bulging-eyed expression and his hand with the cane rose up to strike. For the briefest instant, the girl was afraid he really would hit her. Instead his hand slowly lowered and the evil smile returned.
"I shall enjoy interrogating you," he said in English.
The silver mount on the top of the walking cane brushed lightly across her breast. Terry jerked away and bumped into the blond SS man, almost unbalancing him.. He recovered quickly and pulled her toward the car. Casino was shoved along behind her. The two prisoners were stuffed into the backseat with the darker one to guard them. The blond held the front door for officer and ran around to get behind the wheel. The car sped out of the town.
The younger dark SS man immediately freed Terry, who in turn freed Casino with the handcuff key pressed into her hand. As the safecracker was rubbing his wrists he shot an angry look at the arrogant officer in the front seat.
"Yuh just had to do that didn't you?" Casino demanded.
"Yes! I had to make it look real," shot back Actor just as angrily. He had seen the brief flash of terror in the green eyes. Merde! "And you just had to do what you did," he blasted back at Terry.
"Believe me, I won't do it again," replied the girl, glad her voice was steady.
"Are you two all right?" Actor asked with concern this time.
"For the most part," said Terry.
"Some people are a little more all right than others," grumbled Casino, still getting over his anger at the con man.
"Some people tuck and roll better than others," said Terry, aware of his state of mind and trying to focus it on herself.
"Funny, Lady," he said sarcastically.
"Where are we going?" asked Terry.
"Safe house," replied Actor, calming down. "A fisherman's hut by the water."
Terry felt relief. "Sub coming for us?"
"No."
The girl looked at the back of the Italian's head with a frown. That single word was not at all reassuring. However, she did have a backup plan. She watched him examining the fancy lion's head silver mount on the cane with apparent approval.
"I suppose you're going to take that home with you," she cracked at him, trying to cover for the fear she knew he had seen.
Chief answered first. "The guy I took it off of ain't gonna need it anymore."
"Oh, Chief," Terry lamented. "Did you have to put a hole in that beautiful leather coat? It almost fits him."
Casino and Goniff burst out laughing.
"Funny, Teresa," parroted the con man. He sobered. "The agent we spoke to said you two had been injured." He had noted the odd head wrap on the safecracker and the dark growth of hair on the man's visible face.
"Just scrapes. Nothing too serious," replied Terry.
A snort came from the man beside her. Casino reached up to pull the scarf off, but Terry's hand stopped him.
"Don't take it off yet. It's probably stuck to you. I'll soak it off when we get to the safe house."
"Yeah? Well I probably look like somebody's granny," groused the man irritably.
Goniff glanced in the rearview mirror. "You make one ugly granny there, Mate. Never seen one with that much of a beard."
"Oh, come on, Goniff," said Terry, feeling much better now that she was in the combined safety of all the cons. "Haven't you ever been to the sideshow at the circus?"
Casino's head swung around to stare at her in umbrage at that remark. Terry laughed and put an arm around his neck, giving a squeeze and pressing her head briefly against his shoulder. "I'm sorry," she apologized.
"You're sorry," he grumbled. "I can see how sorry you are."
"At least he ain't wearin' a dress this time," teased Chief quietly, knowing Casino couldn't do anything but sputter at him.
Terry chortled. "I really wish I could have seen that one."
"Settle down," admonished the confidence man testily. "We are not safe yet.
Goniff drove down into the dock area. He pulled the black car around behind some warehouses in a deserted area that had been checked out by Chief earlier that day. A duffle bag was removed from the trunk of the car and the three SS men changed into regular clothing. It was done swiftly and silently and in less than five minutes they were on the move again, Chief driving this time.
They drove north of the industrial docks and ended up in a small cluster of wooden shacks and fishing docks. Chief let the others off in front of the far shack and continued on to hide the expensive car that was not in keeping with the area they were in.
Actor checked out the wooden structure that was theirs for now. Finding it clear, he motioned the others inside. It was when an oil lamp on the table was lit that Terry noted the Englishman favoring his right arm.
"Goniff?" she asked in concern, moving to his side. "What happened?"
"I got shot, Love," said the Cockney cockily.
Terry looked sharply at Actor.
"It was a clean through and through," assured the con man. "It is stitched. He has had worse injuries."
"Real sympathetic there, aren't yuh, Beautiful?" asked Casino
Actor ignored him, turning instead to Teresa. "And the two of you?"
"Bruises and abrasions," replied the woman. "Casino got it worse than me."
The safecracker was prying off the gauze that was wrapped around his head. Terry stepped up and caught his hand as he reached for the gauze pads covering his abrasions. She scrutinized the dressing, seeing it was still saturated with ointment, before carefully and slowly peeling it off. Actor inspected the mushy wounds over Teresa's shoulder.
"That needs to be left to open air," he said.
"Good," said Casino adamantly. "That gauze was drivin' me nuts."
"Short walk," muttered Actor for Teresa's ear only.
The woman managed to stifle a smile but gave the con man a raised eyebrow look. The look turned to a frown. "Okay, where's my brother?"
"He is not here. We need to talk," said Actor solemnly. "In private."
"I would say so," replied Terry, unsmiling.
Actor escorted her to the storage room which was the only private place they had. He looked back at the other men and focused on Casino. "I had better not catch anyone listening at the door."
Closing the door, he turned to find Teresa standing a few feet away, lighting a lamp. She turned and watched him. "What's going on?"
Actor eyed the young woman and tried to gauge how this conversation was going to affect her. He found it was getting harder to read Teresa if she did not want to be read.
"Where is my brother?" repeated Teresa. "Where's Craig?"
"England," replied Actor coming to stand in front of her. "He took the general to England."
"And left you all here?" asked the girl dubiously. She had expected her brother to continue on to England, but not leave the men behind.
"We were not going to leave you and Casino behind." Actor's face was inscrutable.
"Your idea or Craig's?" Terry asked, knowing by the slight tension in him that she would have to cautiously drag it out of him.
"It was discussed by the Lieutenant and I. This was the decision we reached."
"He went back to England without the rest of us," reiterated Terry. She looked up at the Italian. "You know what they'll do to him?"
"Obviously something serious by his demeanor," replied Actor. "I do not understand why."
Terry smiled with a shake of her head. "Craig can get himself in a pile of trouble, and has, even without you guys' help."
"It was his choice," said Actor with a tone of not liking the idea. "I could not reason with him." That thought bothered him too.
Terry smiled grimly. "I know. He really didn't have a choice. He had to take the general back."
"We could have kept the general on ice here," said Actor.
"And miss the sub?" said Terry shaking her head. "No."
"He could also have sent the general back with one of us." There was the faintest hint of reproach in the con man's voice.
"No he couldn't." Terry smiled up at the big man. "It may be a tad easier to get him out of the stockade than to get you out of Alcatraz again. And it would have been you, Actor. You're the only logical one to have done it. Craig will not do that to you, or any of the others."
Actor sighed and frowned. It was as the Warden had told him.
"So what is the plan?" Teresa's tone was softer.
"I was told we are not to return to England," admitted Actor.
Terry nodded. She knew her brother and the U.S. Army enough to understand. She stepped forward and placed her hands lightly on Actor's chest, feeling the tension in him. What she had to say next was going to make it worse.
"I have to go back," said Teresa, looking at her hands. "I have a chance of getting Craig out of this mess." Now she looked up at Actor's face. "You have to decide what you want to do. Come back to England or go to some neutral country for the duration. But it has to be unanimous. If you split up, the ones who go back to England will without a doubt go back to stir. If all of you come back, there might be a chance. Might be. And that chance will be pretty slim."
Actor looked down at her with troubled eyes. "Come with us."
Teresa shook her head. "I can't. I can't leave Craig hanging out to dry if there is a chance I can salvage the situation. If Craig and I can't talk him out of this mess, I do know who I can call for help." She rubbed his chest lightly for a second savoring the strength of the man she would have liked to depend on. The smile left her face. "Actor, I'm not going to ask you to come back with me. I want you to do what you think is going to be right for you." She dropped her hands away from him. "Go talk to the others. I will stay in here. I don't want in any way to influence the decision. There is a boat picking me up at one in the morning. I will be on it . . . with or without all of you."
"Teresa . . ." Actor's thoughts were in a turmoil.
"Actor . . . Vittorio," said Terry softly. "If you go to Switzerland, it will be all right with Craig. And it will be all right with me. I understand. And I know you can get them there safely. At least I know you will be safe for the rest of the war." She shrugged her eyebrows. "Well, fairly safe, considering the four of you."
Actor shook his head. "Teresa . . ."
"Go," she urged him. "Talk to the others. I'll wait here for your decision."
Terry turned away, so he couldn't see her face crumble. It was a moment before she heard Actor turn and go out, closing the door softly behind him. Sitting alone on a crate, Terry realized just how much she would miss Actor; miss all of them. Each was special to her in his own way. So she could not ask them to give up the tenuous freedom they would have in Switzerland. It seemed forever that she sat there in her own thoughts. She could hear Casino's voice raised in angry objection and hear him being shushed by the others. Minutes passed that seemed like hours.
The door opened and Actor filled the doorway. Terry rose to her feet and watched him silently, dreading the words she was sure she would hear.
"Switzerland is pretty much a sure thing," said the con man slowly.
Terry felt her heart sink, but kept her face neutral.
Actor watched her. "We are cons. That means we are gamblers. The challenge will be not in going to Switzerland, but in returning to England and trying to talk our way out of stir."
The girl stared at him. "England?" she asked with a glimmer of hope.
Actor's mouth turned up into his familiar crooked smile. "England."
Terry could not help herself. She ran forward and leapt up. He caught her to him as her arms encircled his neck and she hugged him. She felt a quick squeeze of his arms around her.
"Teresa," he admonished. "This is not dignified."
She pressed her cheek against his. "I guess you're right."
Terry loosened the hold on his neck and slid down him to her feet, mouth pressing a quick hidden kiss to the base of his throat at the open collar. "Sorry, Actor," she said.
The Italian did not have time to react to that gesture as she pushed around him and went into the front room. He continued to feel where her kiss had touched him, even after she was past him. Merde.
Terry looked at the other three men, one at a time. "All of you are all right with this?" she asked uncertainly.
There were nods and various words of assent. Terry turned first to Casino. "You sure?" she asked. At his nod, she gave him a hard kiss that he returned enthusiastically. She left him and looked at Goniff's grinning face. She kissed him next and got one back. She turned to Chief, who had returned to stand by the window. The young man took a step back. Terry smiled impishly at him and stepped forward. He watched her warily and stood stiffly as she placed a careful kiss on his cheek.
"So how're we leavin?" asked Goniff.
"Boat leaves at one," replied Terry.
GGG
Bread, cheese and smoked fish had been brought to them by the wife of one of the resistance men. Actor had no appetite and so he had relieved Chief of his position at the window so the younger man could eat. The light had been turned down very low and was at the far end of the table so the window was in shadow.
The Italian peeked out the window from behind the curtain. He could see the normal activity in equally dim light on the docks. Men loaded their gear into small dinghies in the same nightly routine they had followed for generations. War did not stop the need for food, even when floating mines made the oft times hazardous work even more dangerous.
Movement close to him made Actor look down at the girl who approached with a wedge of Camembert and an open switchblade. She sliced off a small piece.
"You're not eating," she said quietly.
Actor merely shook his head.
Teresa held the bit of cheese up to him. "Eat. You worry me."
I worry her, thought Actor ironically. He would have refused her, but the soft smile of affection made him indulge her. He opened his mouth and took the bite on his tongue. He watched her slice another bit off and eat it. The next slice was for him, but she handed it to him this time. They finished up the wedge and Terry cleaned the blade on the hem of her blouse before folding it closed and slipping it into a pocket.
"Are we safe here tonight until we leave?" said Terry in a voice barely above a whisper.
"I believe so," replied Actor just as quietly. He took another look out the window then looked down at her with a frown. "There is something else that concerns me and I would like to discuss it."
"What?" asked Teresa, not sure where his mind was going now.
"Back where we picked up you and Casino," he started, "There was a moment when you looked at me with pure terror. I know you were playing the con, but that one moment was not a con. You were afraid of me!"
Terry nodded. "Only for a moment."
Actor was even more upset by that admission. "But why, Cara? Surely by now you know I would never hurt you."
Terry looked up at him was a small smile. "I know that, Caro Mio." She shook her head. "Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror when you take on that particular expression?"
Actor shook his head. "I do not understand. You know it is a con. . . "
Terry smiled wider now and patted his arm with affection. "Yes, it is a con. And a very effective one. You would scare the swagger out of ole Adolf with that look. When we get back to England watch yourself do it."
Actor could not perceive how what was a known con could have such an effect on the girl. "Teresa, I don't ever want you to be afraid of me."
"I'm not, Caro," she said, "Except for that look. So just don't aim it at me if you can possibly help it."
With that, she turned and walked back to the table and the others.
Their departure time was rapidly approaching when a man carrying a large bundle walked toward the shack. Actor snapped his fingers and the room immediately became silent, guns ready. After a brief tap on the door, it opened and Philippe slipped inside. He seemed unperturbed by the weapons trained on him.
Holding the bundle out to Actor, Philippe said in French, "For the young lady. She needs to look like a young boy going out with the boat."
"Merci," said Actor, accepting the bundle.
"In fifteen minutes, go down to the dock directly in front of this building. There will be a dinghy with two of my men. They will take you out to a bigger boat which will take you across the Channel."
Actor nodded to the man. "Thank you for your assistance and your hospitality."
Philippe gave a dismissing wave of his hand and let himself out.
The con man walked over and handed the bundle to Teresa. "Here. Hurry and change."
Terry took the clothing and went into the supply room. A few minutes later, she reappeared wearing a heavy blue and white striped sweater under coveralls, knee high rubber boots on her feet and her hair tucked up into a dark fisherman's cap.
"The knockers give it away," drawled Casino.
Terry gave him a dirty look, then glanced at Actor, turning to face him. "Do I need to tie them down?"
"No," said Actor wearily, wondering if the children would ever grow up. "If we are caught by the Germans it will not make any difference. They will still know you are a woman."
"That is so reassuring, Actor," she shot at him.
Chief took her clothes and stuffed them into a duffle with the rest of their gear. The light was blown out and the five made their way down to the dock.
They were met by two men, one who manned the front of the dinghy and the other who manned the back with two oars. Terry found herself on the small boat, wedged between Actor and Casino. At least it was warm tucked between the two men. The bay was fairly calm, but the air was damp and cold. The oars made little noise as they moved farther from land.
After a bit, Terry turned her head and looked at the black water that occasionally sparkled with light from a moon that was playing hide and seek with the heavy cloud cover. A large metallic ball with spikes glided past them, almost close enough to touch. Terry's eyes widened in horror. She rapped Actor with her knuckles and turned her mouth to his ear.
"Is that what I think it is?" she asked with a slightly tremulous voice.
Actor's mind was filled with as much unease as the woman's, but his voice betrayed nothing. "Yes, Cara, it is a mine. We seem to be in the midst of a mine field," he whispered back into her ear. "Our escort appears to know his way through. We should be all right."
Terry didn't believe that one for a minute. She slipped her hand through his arm and gripped his forearm tightly.
Casino leaned into her and whispered in the other ear. "What?"
"I'm cold," Terry lied.
Casino's arm slipped around her other one and held her icy hand.
"Bloody 'ell!" squeaked the Cockney, who had just seen what Terry had seen on his side of the boat.
"Quiet!" hissed Actor sternly
"That a mine?" whispered Chief, trying to cover the fear in his voice.
"Well it ain't no soccer ball," shot back Casino.
"Will you be quiet," demanded Actor in a whisper. "Voices carry over water."
The guide at the front of the boat whispered back in French, "All is well."
"Sure it is," Terry whispered in Actor's ear, also in French.
The Italian covered her hand with his and rubbed it reassuringly. Her fingernails still dug into his forearm through the heavy sweater he was wearing.
Their guide was as good as his word. All went well and they reached the larger fishing boat that bobbed on anchor beyond the mine field. Terry looked up the hull of the boat that dwarfed their dinghy. In French she asked the guide, "How do you get that big thing through all that back there?"
"We don't," replied the man jovially. "We take the fish to the cannery. We are here tonight to pick you up. May the rest of your trip be just as safe."
Merci," said Terry.
Terry was helped partway up a rope ladder dangling down the hull of the fishing boat by Actor and Casino on either side of her. Hands reached down and pulled her the rest of the way up. Goniff was assisted up next, though he protested he didn't need no 'elp. The other three men followed. The five were shown to a room below deck for the journey across the Channel.