The Day of the Generals
Chapter 16
Terry rolled over onto her back and opened her eyes. She felt like she had just climbed into bed. Turning her head, her eyes widened at the time on the clock. It was almost eight o'clock. She had overslept. Tossing the covers back, she jumped to her feet, shed her nightgown and moved quickly into the bathroom to start the water running in the tub. She didn't have time to wait for the old boiler to crank out hot water. When the ice-cold water had reached lukewarm, she climbed in, pulled the curtain around and gave a hard shiver when she lifted the knob, sending still too cold water cascading over her body. It was a spit shower only today, just long enough to wash her hair. Terry stepped out and towel dried her hair and her body.
The clothes from last night were hastily thrown on, even though they had the faint acrid smell of cigarette smoke from the bar. Bounding down the stairs, Terry glanced at the man sitting in Actor's chair, Stars and Stripes held up in front of him and pipe smoke curling lazily up from behind the military newspaper. it reminded her uncomfortably of the man whose chair it was.
"Sorry, Sir," she apologized. "I'll have your coffee shortly and get breakfast going."
She didn't wait for an answer but disappeared around the corner of the dining room headed for the kitchen. Glancing at the stove, she stopped short. The metal coffee pot was on the front hob and there was flame underneath it. That was odd. The old man hadn't made coffee since he had arrived.
Terry grabbed a cup and poured herself some. It wasn't ersatz and you could have stood a spoon up in it. Cowboy coffee. Well, she would need it today. Four hours sleep wasn't much better than three. And that was the most she got when she worked the bar lately.
Reaching into the refrigerator, Terry pulled out a bowl of eggs and the plate of bacon. Behind the bacon was the lidded tin of bacon grease. The towel covered-bread loaf was next and the butter dish, followed by the jar of jam she had traded tomatoes for. She would have to bake bread again today. In another minute she had another hob lit and the fry pan on it with two rashers of British bacon. Working on autopilot, she sliced bread and lay it on a plate.
Footsteps coming through the dining room made the girl stifle a cringe. She kept on working. The door swung open and the tall gray-haired man walked in and leaned against the counter.
"I'm sorry I got up late," apologized Terry. "I guess I forgot to set the alarm. Thank you for making coffee. I'll have breakfast ready soon."
"What time did you get home?" asked Will, taking the last sip of coffee from the cup in his hand.
"The usual, three." She picked up the coffee pot with the potholder and moved around the table to pour more into his cup.
The pot went back on the hob and she flipped the two pieces of bacon. Taking a sip of black coffee, she steeled herself for what she had to say next.
"Sir, I apologize for what I said to you yesterday. I had no business saying those things to you."
Will chewed on his cheek. "It was not an easy thing to hear," he said. "And you were right."
"Right or wrong," said Terry, "I shouldn't have said it. And I apologize."
"I'm the one who asked for it," Will reminded her. He sighed. "I can't say I will change too much at this late stage, but I will try to do better. You think you can call me Dad instead of Sir?"
Terry looked up at him. "I can try," she said. "Can't say I'll be able to change too much at this late stage either. But I'll try."
For the first time, they both smiled.
GGGGG
It was a surprise to see Lukas at the door. Goniff let him in. The man looked around at the faces watching at him. The one he wanted wasn't there.
"Where is Actor?" he asked.
Casino was closest, so he went to Garrison's door and knocked. A 'come in' was said, so he opened the door and went inside. The Warden was standing at the side of the bed, with just a cane instead of the crutches. Actor was standing in front of him and Duchess was watching from the other side of the bed.
"Hey, Actor. That Lukas guy is here. Wants to talk to you."
Both men turned their heads to look at the safecracker with a frown.
"I wonder what that's about," said Actor. "Casino, come walk with the Warden. Do not let him fall on that hip."
"I'm not going to fall," said Garrison firmly.
"See that you don't," shot back the Italian testily. The man would not listen to reason. He should be a little longer on the crutches.
Actor changed places with Casino and in passing muttered, "Stubborn."
Casino grinned at the narrow-eyed glare that was aimed at the con man's back.
Actor strode out to the living room and approached Lukas. "Is there a problem?"
The resistance man shrugged. "I was told to tell you to make your call again tonight. It is important."
Actor frowned and then nodded. "Thank you. Did she leave any message other than that?"
"No," said Lukas, "just that she had to talk to you tonight."
Actor didn't like that. It was too vague and could have bad connotations or good ones. He would just have to wait and see.
"Do you need the radio?" asked Lukas.
"No," replied Actor, not giving out any more information.
Lukas turned and left. The other men watched Actor, who turned and went back down the hall.
"Wot's that about?" asked Goniff.
"Don't know," answered Carter.
Kelly frowned. "I think he's been calling Terry on a phone from somewhere."
"You think they decided wot to do with us?" persisted the Cockney.
Carter turned back to his card game. "Guess we wait and see."
Actor let himself back into Garrison's bedroom. The Lieutenant was hobbling slowly around the bed on the cane with Casino trailing after him.
"What was that about?" asked Garrison, turning back the way he had come.
"I am to call Teresa tonight. She wasn't at the Fox last night."
Casino looked at the con man. "You think they finally reached a verdict?"
"Possibly," said Actor. "I would hope so by now."
Garrison stopped in front of his second. "I want to go with you when you call her."
Casino and Duchess both watched the con man with concern.
Actor shook his head. "I am using a contact that is not underground," he said in a partial lie. "It is up three flights of stairs. You wouldn't be able to make it anyway." He neglected to mention the elevator in his building.
There was a war of wills between the eyes of the two men. Garrison didn't like not being in charge, though he understood he had no choice. He also knew how much Actor hated being in charge. The tenseness of his body left and that in Actor's followed suit. Craig turned and continued his hobble around the bed to sit down.
Actor broached another question. "I assume you will be going back to England, with or without us?"
Craig nodded and looked up at the Italian. "I have to."
The other two in the room knew it wasn't a matter of 'have to' but of 'choose to.'
"I will have her set up transport for you, airplane all the way, not sub or fishing boat," said Actor.
"What about you?"
Casino shot a hard look at the con man.
"It will depend on what the verdict is. Then we will have to come to a decision."
"I ain't goin' back to stir, Warden," Said Casino firmly. "Not because of some self-righteous crumb who wants to throw his weight around."
Kat stepped into mediate. "Why don't you all wait to see what Terry has to say?"
Casino looked at her and backed down. "Yeah. I guess."
GGGGG
Terry sat beside Madge that night, with her elbow on the desk, chewing on a cuticle, which was not a habit she had. This was the telling point. Would the guys give the Army one more try, or go back to their previous lives of crime? They had come so far; it would be a crying shame if they quit now. If they didn't come back, would they stay together? Actor was the only one who could speak multiple languages. At least European languages. Craig would come back. That was a given.
The phone rang and Madge answered. She held the receiver out to Terry and went back to lean against the wall to give the woman privacy.
"Teresa?"
"Actor! You're cleared! Totally acquitted!"
Terry heard the long sigh of relief.
"This time," said the man cynically.
"It never should have made it to a tribunal. I think they agree on that. We're working on a way to keep it from going straight to trial ever again. I think even Dad is going to help."
"What convinced them this time?" asked Actor. He was curious to know.
"A couple of things," said Terry. "Remember the nincompoop from the North Africa mess? He was representing the – uh – plaintiff. He hasn't improved since the last time. And Max put in his two cents even though he wasn't called as a witness. Your barrister did a fine job too."
"And you, Teresa? I know you couldn't keep quiet." Actor's voice held a smile.
"I just answered questions and tried to keep Dad from ruining things."
"Your father was there?" asked the Italian in disbelief.
Terry shrugged even though he couldn't see it. "You can't keep the General out of anything." She changed the subject. "Okay, so, when will it be safe to ship Craig back here?"
Actor took a puff on his pipe before answering. "At least a week, but I doubt we can keep him settled much longer than that. He is pushing himself too soon. He started with the cane today."
"What?" exclaimed Terry. "It's too soon for that isn't it?"
"He was only able to walk around the bed," said the con man. "But he will continue to push himself. We both know that, cara."
"You have a plan?" asked Terry hopefully. "Tell me what to do and I will try to make the arrangements from this end."
Actor gave an affectionate grin on his end at her attempt to help. "It will have to be by plane. Two stages. Zurich to Cairo. Then switch planes and Cairo to preferably Archbury. This is not going to be easy for the Warden. The bullet narrowly missed his sciatic nerve, but the swelling is putting pressure on it. Sitting in the plane will only be marginally more comfortable that laying down the entire time. He will have to get morphine in Cairo, and he will need more before the drive back from Archbury to the Mansion."
Terry frowned and said softly. "Tesoro, come with him. Take care of him. Please come home."
Actor frowned. He hated to hurt her, but he had to spell things out for her. "Cara, with us it has to be all or none, you know that." His voice was gentle. "Carter can come back and resume his place with Lt. Johnson's team. But, if some of us come back and some don't, we will probably be returned to prison. Casino has already said that is not an option for him. I don't know if Chief's loyalty to the Warden is strong enough to bring him back. Goniff will go wherever Casino goes most likely."
Another question crossed Terry's mind. "Has Kelly said anything?"
"Yes," replied Actor slowly. "He will not come back with us, if we choose to return, or with your brother. I believe it has something to do with his age and your father. He will go through the resistance and get back to France."
"I kind of figured that. That's why Chris isn't here." Terry paused. "If . . . you decide not to return," she said with a troubled voice, "can I come there to bring Craig and Carter back? I would like to see all of you one last time and not have to remember your backs leaving one by one to go get Craig."
Actor smiled. "I think we would all like to see you one more time. And it would be easier on the Lieutenant to have family with him. I know you are capable of getting here and taking care of the Warden on the way back."
Terry made a face. "Is it safe for you to call the mansion direct?" she asked. "I sweep for bugs after every time I leave the house."
"For you or for us?" asked Actor. "What about your father? I assume he will not leave until his son returns."
"I'll handle the General," said Terry. "We've been talking today. He won't do anything to screw things up for Craig or you."
"It will probably be safe for me to call there now."
"Call me as soon as you guys come to a decision. I don't care what time of the day or night it is," said Terry adamantly.
"It most likely will not be until tomorrow sometime. I doubt this discussion will be an easy one."
"I know," said the girl with a sigh.
"I should go now," said Actor. "I will talk to you again soon."
"Hope so," said Terry at an attempt at cheerfulness. The click of the receiver in her ear ended the call.
Terry hung the phone up slowly.
"They aren't coming back?"
Terry turned her head as Madge took her seat again.
"I don't know. They have to decide. If they don't, I can't blame them." And she couldn't.
GGG
Actor wasn't too surprised when he found the four men and the boy waiting for him despite the late hour. He removed his jacket and hung it up on a hook by the door.
"Well?" asked Casino impatiently.
"We were acquitted again," said Actor. "Now we must decide what we are going to do."
"I'm for stayin' here," said Casino.
"Perhaps we should discuss this in the morning," suggested Actor. "After we have all slept."
That was agreeable to all of them. They went upstairs except for Actor. He waited until they had gone before going to tap on Garrison's bedroom door. The door opened a crack and Duchess's eyes peered around. Seeing who it was, she opened the door. The woman was wearing a filmy nightgown. She walked back to the bed and climbed in beside a reclining Garrison.
"What did she say?" he asked.
"Acquittal."
Garrison eyed his second, and friend. "And what are all of you going to do?"
Actor shook his head. "I don't know. We will discuss it in the morning." He looked at Garrison. "Carter will most likely go back. It will be easier for him. Kelly is going back to France. If we decide not to return, Teresa will come here to get you."
"You know it has to be all or nothing," said Craig.
"Oh, we are very aware of that," affirmed the con man. He looked at the couple and gave a slight bow. "I will leave you two in peace now."
"Thank you for getting in touch with Terry," said Craig.
"And have a good night's sleep," said Kat, wrinkling her nose at him.
With a crooked grin, the con man let himself out of the bedroom. Knowing the condition of the Garrison's hip, Actor sincerely doubted the two would do anything more than sleep together. But that wasn't necessarily a bad thing, as he well knew.
GGGGG
This time, Terry was up and on the phone in Craig's office at six o'clock, calling Major Richards. It wasn't a surprise the commando officer was already in his office.
"And what did Actor say?" asked the Major.
"Another week before Craig is ready to travel," said Terry.
"Are the men coming back?" he asked.
"I don't know yet," said Terry. "They haven't discussed it. At the least it will be Carter and Craig. Kelly is going back to France."
"The size of the plane will be determined by how many men."
Terry glanced up at the door to see her father standing there. She ignored him. "If it's Craig and Carter," she said. "I'll go in to help Carter with Craig."
"Now would you like to tell me just where they are?" Richards' tone was wry.
"Zurich."
"Ah, Zurich. A lovely town."
"I wouldn't know," said Terry. "I've never been there. This is what Actor recommended." She outlined what the con man had said.
Major Richards wrote some notes to himself. "So, if it is just the three of you, a small plane will get you from Zurich to Cairo. If it is all of them, then a Dakota can handle both legs. Let me know when you hear anything definite."
"Yes, Sir," said Terry. He father was there so she wasn't about to call the British officer by his first name.
GGGGG
The next morning, the men went into the dining room to be out of hearing range of Garrison. They sat down at the table and all of them exchanged looks.
"Is this tribunal stuff gonna keep happening, Actor?" asked Chief.
"You know it is," scoffed the safecracker.
"Probably, but not necessarily," added the con man. "Teresa said the officers seemed to realize it was a waste of time. It might be harder for anyone to file charges against us again."
Goniff looked worriedly at Actor. "Wot are they going to do with us if we go back?"
Actor cocked his head in a shrug. "Probably what they always do when the Warden is incapacitated. Send us in under the guise of Teresa being in charge. And then we go back to what we have been doing."
Casino slouched in his chair with one arm hooked over the back. "I don' know. I don't trust them. What's wrong with here?"
"And what would you do, Casino? You don't speak any of the languages. Your Italian is passable, but not fluent. What would you do? Start robbing banks, cheating in casinos? I have worked cons here before, but this is a small country and I always came in, worked the con, and got out. It would be a matter of time before you found yourself in jail or dead."
Carter leaned forward, forearms on the table. "I'm going back. I want that parole. I want to be free to go wherever I want and not have to look over my shoulder."
Casino twisted his head to turn a caustic eye on the other con man. "Well, you can do that. You can go back to Johnson and his team. No problem for you."
Chief looked down at the blade that was almost always in his hand and said quietly, "I want that parole too. Warden took a chance gettin' me out of prison. I ain't backin' out on him."
"This has to be unanimous or it won't work," Actor reminded them. "Goniff?"
The pickpocket shrugged. "The odds are about the same as always there. An' they don't sound too bloody good here. I'm for goin' back."
Now they all looked at Casino. The cracksman looked at each of them, and said sourly, "I'm outnumbered. If I say no, I'll never hear the end of it from you crumbs. I'm in."
Actor informed the Lieutenant of their decision. The look of relief on Garrison's face was open and priceless. The Italian had to grin. At least it was a short distance back to the city from the chateau.
GGGGG
Terry was up to her elbows in dishwater when the telephone rang. She grabbed the towel and ran to get the phone before her father did. She was just in time to hear him say into the phone a rather dubious 'Mansion.'
The older man listened. "Hello, Actor. Yes, she's here."
Terry grabbed the phone from her father. "Actor? What did you guys decide?" She paused at his reply and screamed "Yes! Oh, I love you! All of you!"
"Yes, well, I believe you've broken my eardrum," Actor complained with a big grin.
"That's all right. You have another one."
"Teresa, that was bad."
"Sorry . . ." She stopped herself in time, so she didn't call him 'Sweetheart' in front of her father. "I'll let Major Richards know so he can set up the transport."
"I will call you back the day after tomorrow for the schedule. That is if I am able to hear again."
"Sorry, Actor," Terry apologized with just the right amount of contriteness.
"I doubt that." He chuckled.
"What do you want for dinner when you get back?"
Now he laughed. "I would like mushroom chicken, but I am sure the others would prefer pork chops. Anything you make is fine." His face crinkled into an expression of confusion. "Are we married, discussing dinner?"
Now Terry laughed. "Can you see that ever happening?"
"No offense, cara, but no."
"Oh, go back to your safe house," she said in mock disgust.
"I'll call you in a couple days."
"Talk to you later then."
She hung up and when her father started to speak, she held up a finger to stop him and dialed Major Richards' number.
"Kevin? Terry. Better make that a Dakota. Let me know when." She listened. "Thank you, Sir." And she hung up.
"Kevin?"
GGGGG
Breakfast was being put on the dining room table. She had managed to get enough eggs from the chickens to make real scrambled eggs for all of the men. The last of the toast had just finished and she was carrying it out when the car horn sounded one blast, not the usual one and three for wounded.
Terry trotted to open the front door and moved back to stand by the stairs. Will Garrison was standing in the door way to his son's office, watching.
The first one bouncing in was Goniff with his big grin. "'Ello, Love!"
Terry no longer cared what her father thought and ran forward to be enveloped in a big hug and receive a sound kiss from the Cockney. "Oh Goniff, it's good to have you home again, Mate!"
"I think it's good to be 'ome."
Chief came in next, carrying a wooden cane. He glanced at the somber man in the office doorway and then looked at the woman.
"Hi, Little Brother," she said with a smile.
"Hi, Little Sister," he replied with a crack of a smile.
"No hug?" Terry said with feigned disappointment.
The smile turned to a grin and Chief held his arms open. She moved into his embrace.
"Welcome home," Terry whispered into his ear, before sneaking a kiss on his cheek. Chief hugged her hard and stepped back, not looking at but aware of the older man watching him.
"Breakfast is on the table," she said.
"Good on you!" said Goniff. "I'm 'alf starved to death."
"Leave some for everybody else," warned the Indian.
All that got was a humph as the slight man headed for the dining room.
"Where's Craig and the other two?" asked Terry worriedly, glancing at the cane.
"Actor and Casino are carrying him up. That last morphine made him a little wobbly."
Terry nodded and took the cane. "Go eat before there isn't anything left."
Chief was happy to step away from the watchful eye of the old man.
"I can walk," objected Garrison from the landing.
"You can walk when you have your cane and are inside the house," said Actor's voice firmly.
"I'm fine!"
"Sure, you are, Babe."
Terry's face broke into a laughing grin. They came through the door sideways, carrying the Lieutenant in a chair hold. Terry stepped forward and gave her brother his cane as the men set him on his feet.
"Hey, Sis," said Craig, with a one-armed hug. "Good to see you."
"Good to see you too, Brother."
Garrison's attention turned to the man approaching him. "Hello, Sir."
"I'm your father, not your commanding officer. Try Dad," said Will.
Craig wondered if maybe they had given him too much morphine and glanced toward his sister, who shrugged. Next thing he knew, the old man had a hand behind his neck in as much of a hug as he had ever received from their father.
Casino walked quickly forward and grabbed Terry, lifting her off her feet in a tight hug and giving her a big kiss on the lips. "Hey, Babe, I missed you!"
"Sure, you did. Casino, put me down! You're squashing me!"
"Casino . . .' warned Garrison.
Terry pulled her head back and grinned insincerely at the safecracker. He set her on her feet. "Go eat," she said.
He turned and began to walk toward the dining room. Terry's booted foot connected with his backside.
"'Course I don't know why I missed you," he added.
Actor had closed the front door and was standing just in front of it, watching Teresa turn toward him. Hazel eyes locked with green ones. Actor watched the corners of Teresa's mouth tip up in a small smile as she took a step forward.
"Mr. Borghese!"
The mask slipped in place over Actor's features and the smile disappeared as Teresa turned and walked toward the kitchen.
A twin bed had been retrieved from the off-limits side of the house and placed in Garrison's office so he would not have to climb the stairs until he was ready. The couch had been moved to the end of the hall beside the storeroom. After breakfast, Craig had been made comfortable in his office and the others had gone to their rooms to sleep until supper.
General Garrison had already taken some of that raw intel and made himself quite comfortable in Actor's chair.
Terry kept herself in the kitchen cooking up a feast from ingredients which had cost her a small fortune from her Black Market sellers. She doubted there would be leftovers, but if there was it would be a good thing.
The men straggled downstairs in late afternoon. Goniff and Casino sat at the table with their games of solitaire. Chief was sitting in the window, watching the rain fall steadily. When Actor came down, he paused and took in the General ensconced in his chair. He glanced at the Indian who was watching him. Chief gave a slight tilt of his head toward his empty chair and Actor mouthed a thank you to him before sitting down.
Supper was a surprise. Not only were there pork chops, but also mushroom chicken. The men dug in heartily. Afterwards, they all went back into the common room and Craig brought out glasses and coffee cups with a bottle of bourbon. After having a drink with his men, and they were his men and his friends now, Craig hobbled into his office with his father to talk and answer the myriad of questions the older man had.
Actor glanced around and got up, wandering back into the kitchen where Teresa was just finishing putting away the washed dishes. She looked up with a smile when Actor walked up and put an arm around her.
"Teresa, that was a marvelous welcome home dinner you prepared," he said.
"Glad you liked it," she said, wondering at the odd tone of his voice.
"However, I would like to speak with you in our office," Actor continued. "I have something I wish to discuss with you."
Terry wiped her hands on the towel draped over her shoulder and tossed it on the table.
"About what?" she asked curiously.
Actor guided her back toward the common room and the library. "Oh, merely about privacy, respect for other people's belongings and possessions."
"What on earth are you talking about?" Terry asked puzzled.
"In our office."
The men watched the two walk into the library, where the door was firmly closed. They waited a few seconds.
"It was what?" The loud exclamation came through the door and apparently the walls.
The three cons exchanged looks and laughed. Garrison hobbled around his desk with his cane to lean against the doorjamb and watch the door to the library. A grin split his face.