The Eagle and the Clover

Chapter 1

"I really didn't know about your 'chateau', Actor," said Terry contritely. "I let my people in Switzerland make their own arrangements for safe houses. I don't get over there and they are in a neutral territory so the need to know isn't as crucial as France or Germany or Italy."

Actor smiled crookedly. "It's all right, cara mia," he said. "I was just giving you a hard time."

Terry looked up into the butterscotch eyes that gazed back at her. The girl's voice was soft. "I never got to say, 'welcome back.' Welcome back. Thank you, mio tesoro. Thank you for getting Craig out and seeing he got medical care. And thank you for taking care of the others. And thank you for putting up with my interference. And thank you for coming home."

Actor smiled. "You don't have to thank me, Teresa. As for your 'interference', I could have taken care of things on my own, but you made it easier and gave us a way of keeping in touch with you."

"I missed your teasing," said Teresa quietly, "and your teaching, and your support, and I just plain missed you."

Actor did not want to admit how much he had missed her teasing, her affection, her sharp mind, and just plain her. He placed hands lightly on her shoulders, guided her around him and moved her back against the door, blocking it. Her hands lightly rested against his chest, touching, not resisting. Actor tilted her head back with two fingers under her chin. Her lips parted and his met hers, kissing her deeply.

Teresa's hands slid around his chest to hug him. She rose up on tip toes, trying to get more of his kiss. They finally parted to get air. Actor nuzzled into her neck, relishing the scent of her.

"I was afraid I had lost you," she whispered in his ear.

"Never," he whispered into hers, warm breath tickling her neck. "No matter what, you will never lose me . . . until you want to."

Teresa pulled back and searched his face with affection. "Don't bank on that happening any time soon . . ."

He frowned. "I just wish you would trust me to know what exactly it is you are doing."

Terry nodded, having thought this through already. "When things settle down, and the General goes back to the States, you and I will go somewhere private and have a long talk about that. But now, we had better get out of here before Dad misses me."

Actor stepped back to allow Teresa to straighten and step forward. They looked at each other and moved together for another quick kiss before the Italian opened the door and escorted her from the library.

GGG

"What was that about?" asked General Garrison when his son returned to his desk chair.

Craig chuckled. "It was too crazy for it to be anything but real. The last safe house we stayed in was a chateau outside of Zurich. It just happened to belong to Actor's family."

Will stared at his son. "How did that happen?"

"Seems the resistance had been taking over what looked like abandoned chateaus and country homes to use as places to stash larger numbers of people. The one we stayed in just happened to belong to Actor's family when he was a kid and to a cousin now."

"That is bizarre," said Will with a shake of his head.

"That's what Actor said," grinned Craig.

The general sat back in the chair facing the desk and relit his pipe. "And how was Terry involved in all this?"

The younger Garrison knew he had to be careful here, but he really didn't know the entire story. "Actor said she gave him directions and a password to get in touch with one of the underground units she has worked with. Actor and the others were able to get me away from the Germans and contacted the next leg in the underground. From there we were able to get across the border into Switzerland and hook up with another underground cell with a doctor who was sympathetic to their cause. Got me taken care of and then we were moved a couple more times until Actor's chateau."

"How did you get back?" asked Will. "Your sister doesn't give out much information. Says it would compromise the resistance."

"And she's probably right," said Craig. "I wasn't familiar with any of the resistance people we came across. I'm not even sure Actor was." The lieutenant lit a cigarette and took a deep inhale before continuing. "Major Richards sent up a Dakota. We were originally going to fly from Zurich to Cairo and refuel, then on to Archbury, but the distance was longer than the range of the Dakota. So, we left Zurich and made a dip down over the Vichy France coast and on to Archbury."

Will turned rather pensive. "Did Terry tell you about our conversation?"

That question gave Craig some pause that he covered. "I really haven't had much time to talk with Terry, Sir."

About that time, Terry and Actor came out of the library and the girl headed back to finish the dishes.

"Terry," called the elder Garrison. "Come here."

She stopped dead in her tracks and dropped her head.

Goniff cocked his head and looked at her. "I guess it's my turn to wash," he said to the girl.

Terry nodded and mouthed her thanks.

Actor stopped beside her and whispered, "Sorridi, cara."

Terry looked up at him and gave a wide, teeth-clenched smile. "Coming, Sir," she called out, and stepped into Garrison's office with a lighter smile on her face.

"Shut the door." It still came out as an order from an officer instead of a request.

Terry closed the door and turned the lock. If there was going to be murder, she didn't want the others coming in until the body was removed. There was nothing showing on Craig's face to warn her what this was about now, and that in itself warned her. She hitched a hip on the corner of the officer's desk and faced their father.

Will glanced back and forth between his two offspring. They wore identical patent smiles. He gave a sigh.

"Terry gave me a good talking to the other day," he said.

"Are we going to bring that up again . . . Dad?" asked Terry.

"I'm leaving in the morning," said Will. "I want some things out in the open that probably should have been said years ago. I didn't think you kids had any business knowing about this."

Now the looks he received were wary. "I was accused of avoiding you except for one week a year to impregnate my wife."

Craig slowly turned his head to stare at his sister.

The girl shrugged. "I lost my temper."

Terrific. Craig looked back at the elder Garrison. "Go on, Sir."

"I was transferred permanently to the War Department after I recovered from my injuries during the Great War. Craig, you were a toddler. Terry, you weren't born yet. I packed up some personal things and took your mother to Washington. Josie was twenty years old and the mother of a small child. Washington was not Rome or the ranch. Her English was not as fluent then as your man Borghese's is," he looked at Craig. "She could not adjust to the social life and being an officer's wife in Washington . . ."

"So, you're going to blame it on Ma now?" asked Terry with disgust.

"Quiet," said Craig. "Let's hear him out."

Terry reached for Craig's pack of cigarettes and took one, lighting it with his lighter.

Will glared at them for a moment and continued. "We discussed it and came to the conclusion she would be happier at the ranch. We just drifted apart. I couldn't divorce her. I understood what she was feeling and felt I owed it to her to allow her to have the life she wanted."

Very magnanimous, thought Terry still with disgust.

"Was she pregnant when I left after coming for a visit? Of course. She was young and Catholic and raised to respect her husband. Did I stay away more than I should have? Yes. I admit it. Have I had my share of 'sluts' as Terry referred to them as? I'm older than you but I'm not dead." When nothing was forthcoming from his children, he asked, "Did your mother ever complain? Did she ever say anything disparaging about me or our marriage?"

"If she did, Sir," said Craig. "She would never say it within our hearing. She's not that kind of person."

Will knew he wasn't getting through to them. Maybe too much time had passed since they had reached adulthood to even care.

Terry decided to get more off her chest. "You came home once a year. All you did was criticize us. To tell the truth, Sir, we dreaded your visits and were relieved when you left. And that is a horrible thing to say about your father, but then we're supposed to be getting this out in the open, aren't we?"

Will nodded.

"We understand about Mother," said Craig. "I can see her in Rome, but not in DC."

"And I seriously doubt she would be comfortable in that brownstone where you've had your . . . women . . . Sir."

"I misjudged that with you," said Will. "I had just gotten you away from living with that Bradford man. I didn't think you would be so hypocritical about it."

"Hypocritical. Well, let's see. The year I was there I counted ten different women. At least I stayed with one man. And if I were to have a 'relationship' with another man, it would only be that one man."

The elder Garrison looked at his son. "You have anything to add?"

Craig ran his fingers through his hair like he did when he was bothered by something. "I don't think there were ten different ones while I was with you, Sir, but I was raised to consider you an officer and a gentleman. You brought a couple in that were younger than me. I don't call that gentlemanly."

"Oh, now Craig, that's not necessarily true," said Terry, finally seeing some humor in this. "Look at Actor. He's a gentleman. And if it wears a skirt, he'll try to get under it."

It was all Craig could do to keep a straight face. Terry turned back to the General.

"Sir, I worked in the War Department with you and Uncle Sam, and even Ike, though mostly I danced with him at parties. From a military standpoint you have a fine mind. And I admire that in you. I think we both do."

Craig chose to back his sister. "We do admire you for the work you do at the War Department, but I think it's a little too late for any of us to change."

Will leaned back in his chair and sighed. "You are probably right." Looking at both of his children, he continued. "I would like to try to at least be on a less hostile basis with you. This whole business with the tribunal and the resistance has opened my eyes to the capabilities of you two. I'm proud of both of you. I just want you to know that. If either of you need anything that I can do from the War Department or just some advice, let me know." He looked wryly at this daughter. "As long as it doesn't fall under 'nepotism'."

Remembering that little debacle, Terry couldn't help laughing. "I'll say one thing, Dad, when you fly off the handle you really do it."

"So, do you," he tossed back at her.

"We are your kids," said Terry.

Will nodded and rose from the chair. "I believe I will go into 'your office', if the library is your office and finish my book. Unless of course you are planning on using 'your office' again."

Terry shook her head. "We're done."

The General left Craig's office and closed the door behind him. Terry and Craig exchanged looks.

"Just what was that?" asked Terry.

"I'm not sure," admitted Craig. "It's not like him to explain himself." He frowned. "Maybe you'd better have someone drive you to the base tomorrow."

"You're probably right," agreed Terry.

Craig couldn't help but chuckle. "I think I'm going to lay down awhile."

"You need anything?" asked Terry.

"No," answered Craig with a grin. "I have a book I want to finish and a bourbon to make things more comfortable."

Terry smiled at him with affection. "Rest well, Brother. You've had a long day."

"You've had a long couple weeks."

Terry shrugged. "We all have."

She snubbed out her cigarette butt in his ashtray and let herself out.

Chief and Actor were still in the downstairs common room, Actor smoking his pipe and reading Stars and Stripes, and Chief sprawled in his chair cleaning his blade. Terry walked up, looking around for her father, before perching on the right arm of the con man's chair.

In a very low voice, she quietly asked, "Think you could drive us to London tomorrow? I'll take you to the Savoy and buy you lunch and a whole éclair."

Actor looked up at her. "Yes, I can drive you and the General to London tomorrow and you will not buy my lunch at the Savoy. Gentlemen do not allow women to buy their meals. And we will each get an éclair." When he had hugged her earlier, he had noticed she had lost even more weight since they had left on the rescue mission.

Chief paused in his knife cleaning to look at the two. Terry stood up and dropped a kiss on Actors forehead which he seemed to think was his due. The girl turned and looked at the Indian.

"No offence, Chief," she said just as quietly, "but he can mediate between me and the General. And Dad would probably take it wrong if you pointed your blade at him."

"I must say, Teresa," began Actor, "I admire your tolerance in driving back and forth to London every few days without doing bodily harm to that man."

Terry chuckled, "And what kind of bodily harm could I do to him while I was driving?"

"Shove him out the door of the car at high speed?" suggested Chief, going back to his cleaning.

Terry stifled a laugh and cocked a thumb at the Indian. "Blood-thirsty little devil, isn't he?"

"Just a thought," said Chief not looking up from his task.

GGG

After breakfast the next morning, Terry went upstairs and changed into a calf-length tan wool skirt, tall brown boots, and a floral embroidered long-sleeved burgundy sweater. She took a heavy coat from her armoire and her purse, allowed herself a quick smile at the reflection in the mirror and headed downstairs.

Will Garrison, in full formal uniform, was waiting impatiently by the coat tree. He eyed her outfit with a frown. "You didn't dress that nicely for the tribunal," he remarked sourly.

"There wasn't anything wrong with what I was wearing to the tribunal," said Terry. "Except for the two on your end of the table, they're all used to seeing me in pants and boots."

"Gotta admit, Babe," said Casino, "you're dressed up for just going onto an air force base."

Terry grinned smugly. "That's because my chauffer is taking me to my favorite place for lunch."

"Figures," said the safecracker grumpily.

"And just where might that be?" asked Will.

"I take her to the Savoy when we have the time and opportunity," answered Actor.

"Let me guess," said Craig from his office doorway on his cane, "she bribed you with an éclair."

"She tried," admitted the con man. He grinned, "I'm buying."

Actor took the girl's coat and held it for her to put on. She smiled up at him and mouthed a thank you. The general was watching them closely. Terry headed for the door. She wanted this over as soon as possible and so did the confidence man. He opened the door and escorted her out, leaving the older man to follow. Will went out and slammed the door shut behind him.

Craig was leaning partially on his cane and partially against the doorjamb of his office. "Good bye, Sir," he said to the closed door.

"You sure he's your old man?" asked the safecracker shaking his head.

"I'm sure," said Craig.

"'Ow'd that happen?" asked Goniff.

"The usual way it happens, yuh dumb Limey," shot back Casino.

"Can't see him bein' you and Terry's father," said Chief.

Craig shrugged. His sarcastic twin sister, Cinder, had once referred to the General as 'a sperm donor.' That was about right, but he didn't feel he should share that with his men, so he went back in his office and remained silent.

GGGGG

It took two and a half hours to get to the Army Air Force Base outside of London. The ride had been in silence. Terry sincerely hoped her brother, Monty, would not see the Packard and wander over to say hello to his siblings. He rarely did, but it would be their luck if this was one of those times.

Actor pulled the car up to the gate and waited. In the back, Terry rolled down her window and started to hold out her papers to the guard, but her father leaned in front of her and held out his. The soldier on guard duty was familiar with the girl, her brother, and all of the strange men in the group. He carefully took the General's papers and read them, glancing at Terry. She slowly blinked. The papers were handed back to the older man.

"Open the gate," the guard called to the other man on duty. "Thank you, Sir." He saluted but did not get one in return.

Will sat back and Terry rolled up her window. Actor remained looking straight ahead and drove through to the administration building. Once parked, the con man got out and opened Terry's door, holding a hand out the assist her. She rested her fingers in his hand and stood up. They both noticed the General was making no move to exit the car.

Terry looked up and Actor's furrowed eyebrows. "Please?" she mouthed silently.

The look he gave her was grudging, however he walked around the car and held the door open for the man. The sooner they got him situated inside, the sooner they could leave. And it was getting late for the noon hour.

Terry walked around the front of the car. Actor removed the man's bag from the truck and handed it to a corporal who was hurrying out to meet them.

"Have a safe flight, Dad," said Terry, trying to be daughterly, but not feeling it.

"You're not staying until I leave?" asked Garrison.

Terry shook her head. "They assured me they will provide you with a nice lunch before your flight." She looked up at him. "If we don't leave now, the restaurant will be closed by the time we get there, and we won't eat."

Garrison did not like that explanation but had to accept it. He held an arm out for a hug.

Terry decided if Actor could play servant to the old man, she could play doting daughter. Anything to get out of here. She moved up and gave him a quick hug. "Good bye, Dad."

"Borghese," said Will by way of acknowledging the man.

Actor did not answer. Instead he opened the front passenger door of the Packard and handed Terry inside. Striding around the front of the car, he got behind the wheel and backed up to turn and head for the gate, not waiting to see if the General went inside the building.

"I'm sorry, Teresa," he apologized to the girl.

"Reminds you too much of your father?" asked Terry, knowingly.

"Way too much."

Terry smiled and reached over to squeeze his thigh.