Missing
Chapter 10
There were a few select smells that he associated with peace and, dare he say, happiness. This was one of them. He inhaled again wrapping the scent of Actor's pipe tobacco around him as he stepped back. This motion brought an awareness of his arm restriction and he looked at it. The IV. That part was real. He looked to the dark form in front of him and saw Actor's concerned face. That part was real too. Where?
He remembered Actor showing up to take Garrison's place. He shouldn't have come but he did. He had not wanted his Hearth to leave but asking him to sit there on the bed all night was wrong. He had told him to go. He had smelled Actor's distinctive scent when he had sat down. That was probably why he had fallen asleep.
Sleep. That was all a dream; a nightmare, a remembering. It had happened but this time it was just a nightmare. He inhaled again needing the scent of calm to drive away the remnants of the nightmare. The heaviness, the restriction on his arm was part of that and he wanted it gone.
"Let me in there." A woman's voice, urgent.
"Chief? The nurse would like to check the IV." Actor's voice was calm, soothing.
"I want it off a me," he said as he leaned against the bed. His gut hurt so he panted against the pain.
"I need to check to make sure..." Again that voice but it was becoming more demanding.
"Let me help you back on to the bed," he said as he stepped closer his hand out palm up, non-threatening. "Then I must let the nurse in to check before she climbs up my back, over my shoulder and rappels down my chest."
He said it so seriously that Chief could not help visualizing. His eyes darted to the tall con man's shoulders as if expecting to see the starched white cap rising up followed by the reddened face of the nurse grimacing under the strain of her monumental climb. It was so incongruous that he snorted to prevent the smile that threatened. He shifted his weight and eased his hip up onto the bed. In spite of the restriction on his arm he made it back onto the bed unassisted. Once he was settled Actor stepped sideways allowing the nurse to pass by. Chief pulled back his sense of smell losing the tobacco but avoiding the G-CAT smell.
The young nurse replaced some of the tape he had managed to pull away and then declared the set-up to be fine. Now that the patient was secured she turned on the next threat.
"What are you doing here?" she whispered. "You are not supposed to be here. You have to leave." She was quite insistent.
Actor was enjoying this. This tiny little thing was trying to boss him around. At six foot four he towered over the young girl who might have been five foot two in her sensible shoes. Even her threat of calling the MP's did not faze him.
"Signorina, that would not be a good idea. I have been charged by the Ambassador himself to ensure his son is protected at all times."
"His son? Protected?" This was not what she had expected. "From what?"
"The Ambassador has enemies who would like nothing better than to embarrass the Unites States," he said in a voice suitable for imparting a secret.
She copied his whisper. "Why not have an MP?"
This was almost too easy and he knew Chief would enjoy this. "Because an MP would suggest he was a prisoner, that he is a criminal, where in fact he is an honored guest." She nodded in understanding.
"I have let you in on the secret because you needed to know but you must promise not to tell anyone else. At this time even his doctor does not know, only you. His identity must remain a secret if I am to keep him safe. In a few hours another man will take my place. He is also charged as I am. You must promise or I will have to have you replaced." The serious look on her face told him the con was set. They would not have any more trouble.
She was half way down the center aisle and Actor had returned to his chair when he heard Chief's whisper.
"I never met a man so full of shit."
"I prefer to call it 'creativity'."
Chris awoke to the sounds of the pre-breakfast bustle. The nurses were waking the soldiers to have their vitals taken and recorded. Breakfast carts would soon make the rounds. He rubbed his face and ran his fingers through his red hair. It was getting long enough on top to start to curl. He would have to get a haircut soon. His Sargent insisted they keep the military look. His motto was 'Look like soldiers, act like soldiers'. So far it had worked. They were a good bunch of guys, soldiers. No one had been hurt or killed in the six weeks he had been with them. Appendicitis did not count as a battle injury; a small scar, no Purple Heart.
The nurses would not get to him for a bit so he got out of bed and grabbed his house coat. As he put it on he looked to his new neighbor. There was a different man there with him. First there was a blonde Lieutenant and last night he had been woken up by a noise and there was a tall dark haired man. Now unless the man last night shrunk there was a different man, this one not in uniform.
"What's with you guys? He afraid to be alone or something?"
Casino rounded on the intruder. "Mind your own business, pal." The threat was clear.
"Sorry." He backed off, still wondering but unwilling to challenge. He left to use the can.
The nurse arrived and began her routine. When she checked the thermometer Casino saw the slight frown. That did not look good. When she finished hanging the new IV bag she asked if he wanted a bedpan. Chief shook his head and the frown returned. Another not good, thought Casino.
The Doctor arrived, frowned at the chart and asked Chief to lie down flat so he could check his abdomen. The frown remained. Speaking to the patient he mentioned about exploratory surgery.
"Not without talking to the War… the Lieutenant. You don't bring a scalpel within ten feet of the kid without his say so." Casino was not big but he knew how to project an air of danger that was hard to miss. The Doctor was a perceptive man. He was also committed to his patients.
"I am his doctor and if I have to operate to save his life then that is what I will do."
Casino respected the tough old bird. "You just make sure you get his permission."
Dr. Wazny was tough on the outside. Inside he was concerned. When a patient went into shock due to internal bleeding, there was no time to phone around looking for Commanding Officers. The Doctor made the decision to operate then and there.
"You see, Doc, the Lieutenant is not only his Commanding Officer but also his legal Guardian."
That and the patient's snort surprised him.
Casino had just sat back down when he saw Goniff walking down the aisle. Casino got up to meet him.
"'Ey Chiefy. 'Ow you feeling?" Without waiting for a reply he continued in a quieter voice. "I tried to bring you… one of your… friends but the Warden stopped me." Then in a tone of indignation he said, "'E actually frisked me? Talk about a lack of trust."
"Did he find anything?" asked Casino.
Goniff grinned sheepishly as he turned to the safecracker, "Yeah. You'd think 'e was trained by the coppers." He swung back to the patient and said, "Sorry mate."
"Warden get some sleep?"
"Yeah. 'E wanted to talk to the Croaker then 'e'll be 'ere. " He turned to survey the room.
"And Goniff," warned Casino as he pulled on his jacket, "don't be eating his breakfast." With a glare he headed for the exit.
As soon as his back was turned Chief moved over to the side of the bed and stood.
"'Ey. Where you going?"
"The shitter." He looked at the tape job the nurse had done on his arm and then to the bag that was hanging from the pole at the head of the bed. He was reaching for it when the nurse rushed over.
"No, no. Leave that there. You are not to be out of bed. The Doctor has..."
"I gotta go to the can." This was not something he wanted to discuss with a young woman.
"I will get you a bedpan. Now, let's get you back into bed," she said as she stepped in to help him.
Chief put up his free arm to deflect her and said, "Don't." He did not want that smell on him.
"It's all right. I won't hurt you." She spoke gently knowing that sometimes patients on pain medication became confused and even paranoid. "I just want to help you get back into bed."
"Thank you," said Goniff. "I'll 'elp 'im." He turned to his friend and said, "All right Mate. Let's get you in to bed."
Chief started to comply until he saw her back turn then he was on his feet again.
"Want me to get a wheel chair?"
"What I want is my damn pants." Chief grabbed the IV bag and he was heading for the door.
"Wait. Are you supposed to do this?" said Goniff as he grabbed the housecoat that lay at the end of the bed.
There was enough confusion with the nurses and nurse's aides helping feed patients that they were able to reach the end of the Ward. Suddenly Chief ducked off to the side and Goniff followed. An orderly pushing a cart of trays entered the room. As soon as he was past the two men were out the door. Out of the Ward he checked the hall as Goniff slipped the housecoat over his shoulders. No one was watching so he peeled off the tape and pulled out the IV needle. A drop of blood followed the tip but he ignored it.
Goniff did not. "Chiefy? You sure that's such a good idea. Maybe we should go back."
Chief ignored him as he removed the rest of the restraints and freed his arm. It felt good to be able to bend it. He headed down the hall, Goniff in his wake. Next stop, take a leak.
Garrison finally caught up with the Doctor. He knew he could have waited with Chief for him to come by but he wanted to talk to him without Chief hearing.
"Doctor Wazny." Garrison had spotted him hurrying down the hall toward the Ward where Chief was.
He answered but he appeared frazzled. Garrison guessed that was to be expected. A doctor working in a hospital during a war had to be over worked. Maybe a battle had gone badly and there was an influx of wounded.
"What can I do for you?"
"I wanted to ask you about Mr. Walker. He is the civilian I brought in last night." There did not appear to be any sign of comprehension. "He was in a transport accident, injuries to his chest and abdomen."
"I'm sorry son, but I have a patient missing. If you leave your name and unit with the Nurses' Station I will be in touch." He hurried off leaving the Officer standing in the hall. Totally frustrated Garrison headed for Chief's bed. When he got there and saw the empty bed he added worry and anger to that emotion.
Where would he go and why had Goniff let him go or did he help him? Goniff was going to get a piece of his mind when he found them. Garrison had the keys to the jeep the two had arrived in. Hopefully that meant the two would have to remain on the base. If they got out it would make it even harder to find them. Maybe he should call their base and warn Actor to be on the lookout for them. Could Goniff hotwire a jeep? But then they would have to get past the Gate Security. Meanwhile, if they were confined to the base, where would they go? Where would Chief go? Chief would prefer to be outdoors but wearing pajamas and a housecoat he would find it a bit cool. He would leave the Hospital that was for sure so Garrison headed for the exit.
There was an MP stationed at the exit watching.
"What's going on?" Was this for Chief? Is that who he was looking for?
"Move along, Sir."
He would get no information here. It had to be part of the search for his man. The chances of there being something else going on here were too small. He stepped outside and stood looking around. Where would Chief go?
This was a typical Military base. The land was clear of trees where Chief would naturally gravitate so he would find somewhere else to go. Spring was definitely here but it was still cool. The stiff breeze was even colder. He would have to find shelter.
One of the few places people came and went was the Mess. Chief was not a big eater but it looked like he had missed breakfast so he might go there. Goniff would take him there if he could.
As the Lieutenant walked down the road he noticed the MP's. They were not just going for breakfast they were searching. Oh, no, that was just going to make matters worse. Chief saw he was being hunted and he was going to either run or fight. Neither of these would help. He reversed his steps and headed back to the Hospital. Twenty minutes later he finally found Doctor Wazny.
"It's Mr. Walker, the civilian, who is missing isn't it."
"Mr. Walker is a sick man. He was on complete bed rest. He was to stay in bed. Your man had no right to take him anywhere. He has endangered the patient's life."
"There isn't time for that."
"What do you mean there isn't time, he …"
"Doctor. Please call off the MP's. He sees them hunting him and they'll never find him."
"Don't under estimate the MP's. They know their job."
"Please. Mr. Walker has been hunted before. He's very good at hiding, escaping. He sees the MP's and he's going to leave the base. If he does then I'll never find him. And on the off chance they corner him, he will fight and if he is as weak as you say then he will die. Please call them off. Let me and my men look for him. He'll come to us."
"What about that chap with him? Why is he hiding him?"
"Of those two men the leader will be Mr. Walker."
"It is too late for me to call off the search. You will have to go see," he thought for a minute, "I think it was Major Vandenburg, Military Police.
"Thank you, Doctor."
"Civilians," muttered the Doctor, forgetting for the moment that he had often used the same tone of disgust when dealing with soldiers.
Garrison made his way to the appropriate office but the Major was not in. This time it only took him fifteen minutes to locate him but another ten before he had a chance to talk to him. He was a stickler for Military Protocol; once he gave an order he expected it to be carried out until it was completed. It took some doing and a white lie or two before the Major agreed to suspend his order. The Lieutenant was given one hour and if he had not found the civilian then the search was back on. And he would find him one way or the other. His soldiers did not fail!
A quick phone call to the Sargent Major telling him to get the others here as soon as possible and then he began his search. Whether you could call it a search was debatable since all he was doing was walking around. He hoped Chief would hear his heart beat and come out.
Meanwhile the cons were flying down the road at breakneck speed. Casino, at the wheel, was worried about Chief. He had not looked good when he was there. He also remembered those frowns when the nurse was checking his temperature. Frowns were never good. Plus the fact he had taken off. That meant something had spooked him. Had the Doctor set him up for surgery? Had someone slipped him something in the IV? With a heavy heart Casino pictured the kid going through the with-drawl again. Damn.
Actor was sitting in the passenger's seat, braced for the sliding turns. He was sure if they had been on a different vehicle they would have been on two wheels but the wide wheel base had prevented that, so far. Casino still had a few turns to try. Actor was worried about his own welfare, death by vehicular accident and Chief's. He also wondered if Garrison was blaming himself for taking him there. If anything happened to him then he was in for a load of guilt.
The poor Sargent Major was, pure and simple, scared for his life. He was going to die, not in battle to save his country but in a ditch. He had tried to close his eyes but that made it worse. He prayed it would be over quick. That was why when they skidded to a stop at the Guard Post at the entrance to the base, and he was still alive, he was speechless. Casino stepped in to explain but met the business end of a rifle. The British soldier took a deep breath, climbed down onto shaky legs and saluted the Guard. He explained their mission and they were allowed to enter. Personally he wanted to walk from there on but in the interest of getting there as fast as possible he had climbed back into the jeep. Maybe he could convince the American to let him walk back to their base.
A slightly slower tour of the base and they found Garrison.
"Chief said he sensed your presence when we were in Italy. Can you sense him?" asked Actor quietly so as not to be overheard even thought there were few people around.
"No. It only works one way," he answered, clearly frustrated. "I'm going to throttle that little thief. He should know better than to let him…"
"Warden."
The threat in the conman's voice was enough to stop him. He was right.
"You know you are the only one who can stop Chief. Sometimes he will listen to me but I doubt now would be one of those times. According to Casino, he might be running a temperature."
Garrison looked to him with concern. When he asked, Casino explained about the frowns. The Doctor was right, he was sick. All the more reason to intensify their search.
"One more thing," said Actor. "Chief is probably scared, confused, upset. We all need to be calm. He needs that right now."
"You're right," said Garrison taking a deep breath. "Spread out. When you find him, try to get him to return to the Hospital. We'll meet back there." They separated and began the search.
They had less than ten minutes to find him before the MP's returned to the search. Garrison stopped, closed his eyes and willed the Guardian, his friend, to find him. 'Where are you Chief? I need to find you.' Too bad it did not work both ways. He had no sooner opened his eyes and started walking when he did a double take. The soldier approaching looked familiar. He watched as Goniff, wearing the uniform of an English Private walked up to him and saluted.
"Where is he?" The question of the uniform could wait. The two men headed down the road at a brisk pace. "Where have you been?" he asked anxiously.
"Look, Warden. I tried to get 'im to go back. It wasn't my idea to leave but I was afraid if I didn't go with 'im that something bad would 'appen to 'im. Then 'e saw the coppers and …"
"Is he all right?"
"'E kept saying you were 'ere but 'e was so tired that 'e couldn't go any farther. Told me to get you. Told me right where you were too."
Goniff's avoidance of his question worried him. On the other hand Goniff was worried too and that brought out his tendency to ramble.
Goniff led him to the Visitor's Quarters but before they entered Chief came around the corner.
"Chief?" That was all he got out before the dark man walked over and began to kneel. Garrison grabbed his upper arms stopping his descent. "Don't." He remained standing head down.
"Chief? Look at me." His head rose slowly and then his eyes. He was exhausted.
"I'm sorry, Warden. I couldn't stay."
"Goniff," he said without breaking eye contact with his Guardian. "Get the others. Get a jeep or a wheel chair. Get something." He did not wait to hear the rustle of departing feet, he trusted his men. "Chief, it's all right. Let's get you sitting." He looked around.
"No. If I sit I won't get up again."
"You let me worry about that."
Within minutes a jeep came barrelling down the road, horn blaring scattering the few soldiers who had dared get in his way. Casino ignored their yells of indignation and slammed on the brakes, sliding to a halt in front of the building. As soon as the two passengers were sure they were still in one piece they hopped down and hurried over. Working as a team they overrode Chief's prostrations that he could walk and they carried him to the jeep his team
"Let's get him in the jeep."
"You want me to pull it up closer?" asked Casino already turned to carry out the action.
"No. We'll carry him."
"No!" They stopped and stared taken aback by the vehemence in his tone. "I kin walk from here to there. And I ain't gonna be carried into no Hospital."
"I want you under a Doctor's care. Internal bleeding is not to be taken lightly." Garrison matched Chief's tone.
"I ain't sayin' I ain't goin', just I ain't gonna be carried."
They could not help the smiles. The Guardian did not have much but he had his dignity.
With a man on either side Chief walked to the jeep. They allowed him to get settled into the front seat before Casino pulled away at a speed the speed Garrison set. He believed his threat. Once they reached the Hospital Chief eased himself out of the vehicle and walked into the building. It wasn't until Chief reached his bed and sat that Actor noticed.
"Those are not your pants."
"He made me give'm me clothes. Threatened to mess up me pretty face, 'e did." They turned to look at their pickpocket and the uniform he was wearing. He looked sheepish as he explained. "I couldn't very well wander around in birthday suit or his pajamas so I went and found me some clothes." He puffed out his chest and said, "Look pretty good in uniform, don't I?"
"Yes, Goniff, as long as you stick to that one." They all chuckled.
Doctor Wazny approached the bed glaring then seeing the exhaustion on the patient's face and the concern on the others his face softened. He would yell at the others later, right now he had a patient to care for.
After checking his vitals he asked how he was feeling but having dealt with patients for many years he added, "And don't say fine." He was pleased with the startled look on the patient's face.
"Tired."
"What about you ribs and abdomen?"
"Ribs hurt."
"That is to be expected. You have broken one and two others are cracked. What about your abdomen?" The patient looked unsure. "If you will let me palpitate your abdomen?"
The patient sighed then eased himself down onto the bed. Garrison stepped in closer but he was allowed to carry out the investigation.
"You are a very lucky man. It looks like all you have, other than the ribs, is a bruised liver. Your blood pressure and pulse are within limits though your temperature is elevated. That could be from the hematoma. I would like to keep you another day just to be sure."
"No. I don't want to stay here."
"What?" he gasped with mock indignity. "You don't like our pretty nurses?"
"It's not that." Chief looked to Garrison and then down.
"Mr. Walker does not like Hospitals. No offense meant," filled in the Lieutenant.
"I knew I liked you," said the elderly Doctor to his patient. "Tell you a secret," he said as he leaned in a little closer and spoke in a conspiratorial whisper, "neither do I." He grinned as he stepped back.
Chief frowned but the others smiled.
"So I can get outta here?" he asked hopefully.
"You can stay here with our pretty nurses or you can go but then you have to take one of the ugly nurses with you." The good doctor enjoyed the look of confusion at his joke. Looking to the Officer he asked, "Will there be someone there to monitor his symptoms?" Seeing the nod he agreed. "Yes you may go. I will fill out the necessary papers but if you have any problems, weakness, pain, vomiting, fainting…"
"We will have him back here so fast he won't know what hit him," put in Casino.
"You just try hitting me an' see what that'll get you," muttered the Indian. "And I want my damn pants back."
"So do I, mate."
This time it was the Doctor's turn to frown in puzzlement.