Part XI
The amount of nervousness Newkirk felt was surprising to the young Brit. A glance over to Carter confirmed to him what it was. Responsibility. Taking himself into a dangerous situation was one thing. Being in charge and having control over someone else's life was another thing altogether. Cor – I feel like I'm takin' me Lola out on a dodge. Deep breath, Peter me boy. Won't do Andrew a bit o' good t' show him any nerves.
Instead of any doubts, Newkirk just flashed Carter a rather roguish smile that Carter returned with a hesitant grin. They were both currently dressed in common clothing for the area – underneath those clothes, they were wearing their blacks. If the information they'd received was accurate, the 'lost horn' would be arriving under guard early in the morning. Newkirk wanted them in town so that they would be able to get a good idea of exactly what they were up against.
The utter lack of real information was what really had Newkirk on edge. With so few known factors, there was no real way to plan. He didn't even know the 'lost horn' by name or even have a description. At least the Underground had arranged for a room for them at the Hausnerhof. Newkirk had Carter stay in the room while he went out and got a better look at the area.
"You've got a good view o' th' street from this window. If they arrive with our lad while I'm out scoutin', it will be up t' you t' keep track o' 'ow many are with 'im an' where they take 'im. Just try an' make sure they don't see you if you can avoid it. In this area, they might drop their guard so long as they don't suspect anyone's lookin'."
Exiting the hotel, Newkirk tugged his scarf a little tighter. While appearing to stroll casually, Newkirk was pinning down details of the area in his head. Doing that reminded him of when he was taught to case a bank by Alf the Artist. Alf was also the one that had taught him the trick of opening safes, but Newkirk pushed those thoughts back as he concentrated on the job ahead.
He had just started back toward the Hausnerhof when a pair of staff cars rolled by. That 'as t' be them there. Newkirk didn't ignore the cars – that would have seem peculiar as all of the locals were giving it a look. But he took his cue from the others – a glance followed by a deliberate show of appearing to be going back to minding his own business.
At his first sight of the one they were supposed to rescue, Newkirk almost forgot to maintain his pose of minding his own business. Strewth – th' lad is a lad. Can't be more than nineteen, if that. No wonder ol' Winnie is worried.
Heading back to Carter, Newkirk had already run over and rejected a dozen thoughts on what to do. He was beginning to feel way over his head as it suddenly occurred to him that he was now responsible for that young man as well as for Carter. Speaking of Carter, he was worked up by the time Newkirk came back in.
"They're staying here at the Hausnerhof like we are, but boy, did you get a look at him? Gosh, he looks young. I bet he's just out of school. Boy, that's just not right. I mean, we're one thing, but I don't think he's even in the military."
"I suspect you may be right there, Andrew. Thing is, right now none o' 'at makes a single bit o' difference. Not 'ow old 'e is – not if 'e's military or not. We just got t' figure us a dodge t' get 'im out o' their 'ands an' back t' jolly ol' England."
Carter started to speak, but seemed a little hesitant. Then he seemed to make up his mind and just blurted his question out.
"Is it true that you've stole stuff in the past?"
It only took Newkirk a second to decide to go with the truth. Carter deserved to know who exactly he was depending on in this mission.
"True enough, Andrew."
Newkirk didn't look at Carter when he said that. He wasn't sure he'd care for what the reaction might be. Carter might even refuse to follow him and then what? Unconsciously, Newkirk straightened just a bit. If that was the case, he'd just go it alone. He'd given his word to Hogan and even if there wasn't a lot in the world that mattered a great deal to Peter Newkirk, his word did. He didn't give it often, but when he did, he meant it.
The tone of Carter's voice wasn't at all what Newkirk had been afraid of though. It was thoughtful which perhaps a touch of curiosity.
"Okay, so I'd guess that taking the guy back would be kind of like stealing, right? So, if he was a thing instead of a person, how would you go about it?"
At that question, Newkirk frowned and sank down into a chair to think. Biting his lower lip lightly, the fingers of his left hand drummed lightly against his leg as he pondered. After a couple of minutes, he spoke softly, speaking to himself as much as to Carter.
"If 'e was a normal valuable, I guess I'd likely go th' way o' convincin' 'em that what they got their 'ands on wasn't really as valuable as they thought. You know, like a fake paintin'. An' once –"
Newkirk stopped his train of thought as his eyes suddenly sparked to life. Seeing that, Carter grinned and sat up straighter. He might not be able to read his other teammates even half as well, but somehow he and Newkirk seemed to click on a different level. The sly grin forming next confirmed Carter's suspicions.
"Boy, I know that look. So how are we going to do it?"
"Well, Andrew, first we need t' promote me t' an officer an' get you into th' German military."
"Me? But your German's a lot better than mine."
"While 'at may be th' truth, mate, I'd be willin' t' wager your German accent's better'n your British one."
"Huh?"
"Me plans call for a German soldier an' a RAF officer. Which o' th' pair do you reckon you could be pullin' off better?"
"The German."
"Thought so. Right then, let's go make our meet with 'Jack Sprat' an' get what we need. We'll need t' 'ope our lad's got 'is cousin's wits an' goes along with us or else we may all be sunk."
Newkirk was glad now that he'd been the one with Hogan at that first meeting with the Underground. It saved a lot of time and trouble that he and 'Jack Sprat' already knew one another on sight. The Underground operative was slightly taken aback by the items needed, but either had them or was able to get them in short order. The German and RAF uniforms were a bit big, but with a borrowed sewing kit, Newkirk was able to make the necessary alterations quickly enough that both Carter and their contact were impressed. For his part, Newkirk just eyed the uniforms critically.
"Far from me best work an' nothin' 'at'll 'old up for long, but they should do for what needs we 'ave. Your blokes be needin' these back?
'Jack Sprat' just shook his head.
"Keep them. It appears that your group should be able to make good use of them."
As soon as he finished with the uniforms, Newkirk started with the more unusual of his requests – a set of shackles used on prisoners and some metal-working tools. With everything he needed to do, it took Newkirk longer than he cared for, but things were ready in time for use that evening. Taking one last look before getting ready, the thought came that maybe it was just as well there wasn't much time before they went into action. Less time to fret about what could go wrong. Everything now depended on their nerves, timing and luck. And he knew all too well just what a fickle lady that luck could be. Which reminded him of the one last thing he needed to cover. Moving over to Carter, he laid his hand on his friend's shoulder.
"You know th' scam we're goin' for, Andrew, but I just need t' get one thing straight with you. There's a lot we don't know, so things could go pear-shaped without no warnin'. If it comes down t' it an' you can make a go o' it, take th' lad an' go. No lookin' back. Just trust in me 'at if there's any way in 'ell t' do it, I'll find me own way back t' th' camp."
It was abundantly plain that Carter didn't care for that, but he agreed that getting the young man to safety was the most important thing. Once they were in agreement on that, Newkirk didn't worry about it any more. Well, not any more than he already was, at least.
Sighing, he cast a final look out of the window before starting to get redressed.
"Cor, I could really use a good belt right now."
"Why? Are your pants too loose?"
"Andrew, me lad? When this is all over, we've really got t' get you out more."
