Chapter 1 – Garrison's Con

Garrison limped out of his office and leaned heavily on his cane. "Casino, where's my coffee?" he bellowed.

A figure appeared at the kitchen door, "Keep ya hair on Warden, do ya want it fast or good?"

"Both," snapped Garrison as he turned and went back in.

Casino turned back to the others in the kitchen. "Someone's cranky today ….again," he laughed as he poured out a steaming mug of strong caffeine.

Chief winced as he stretched to ease his tight wounds. "He's hurtin', he can't wait for that cast to be off his leg."

Goniff got out his cigarettes and tossed one to Casino. "Neither can we the way he's been actin'," he struck a match, Casino leaned across to light his.

Actor looked over. "How are you feeling Chief? Don't forget those wounds have to be salved regularly or you won't be able to move."

Chief nodded. "Ok, Actor. You can do my back in a minute." They'd been surprised that Chief would now allow someone to touch him without reacting violently. After the team had looked after him and tended to his wounds when he couldn't do anything for himself, he'd come to realise he could trust them. He'd been a mess but they cleaned him up, watched over him and kept him alive, Garrison didn't leave his side until he was sure he was going to recover. Chief now accepted they were his friends, something he hadn't had for as long as he could remember. It had stunned him to realise he needed them in his life, he'd confirmed that when he reached out to them from his hospital bed to reassure them he was alright.

Casino buttered a couple of slices toast and put them on a plate, this was placed on a tray with the coffee ready to take through to the grouchy occupant in the office.

Chief walked over to him. "You want me to take that Pappy? Can always fend him off with my blade if he gets too tetchy."

Casino breathed a sigh of relief. "Would ya? He's impossible right now, if he mouths off at me one more time, so help me, I'll deck him!"

Goniff picked up a piece of toast from the heap on a plate and started to butter it. "You must admit he's been out o' sorts, maybe he should have some R 'n R, it might brighten his mood."

Casino snorted. "Some R 'n R would certainly brighten mine."

Actor poured himself a cup of coffee. "His leg was badly broken, he must still be in a lot of pain. It takes time to get over that. Still, I agree he needs some time off away from here, we all do."

"Amen to that babe," agreed Casino.

Chief picked up the tray and walked stiffly over to the office door, he knocked and went in. "You want toast with your coffee or you gonna bite my head off instead Warden?"

Garrison regarded Chief from his chair and sighed. "No, sorry, come on in. I know I'm impossible to live with at the moment, I can't sleep with this damn thing and I'm climbing the walls."

Chief set the tray down on the Warden's desk. "Know how you feel. I'm still feelin' stiff after fightin' Hardin's mercs, everythin' hurts."

Garrison picked up his coffee and asked casually. "When's the next intake of Navajos due in?"

Chief perched a hip on the Warden's desk. "Not for a couple weeks, the last squad only just finished trainin'."

Garrison nodded, he knew that already but he had to be careful in laying out his groundwork or his astute scout would realise something was going on. He kept a straight face as he asked. "Can Drummond get someone else in to give them combat training?"

Chief frowned as he shook his head. "I told you, it's important, it's important to me. Drum 'n I put that project together 'n I need to see every squad gets the best help I can give 'em. I need to know I'm makin' a difference."

Garrison backed off. "I'm sorry Chief, I know the Navajos are important to you, but you're important to the team. We can't do without you."

Chief relented and smiled. "I'm a Gorilla first, Navajo second, that'll never change."

Garrison returned the smile. "Pleased to hear it, I'd have a hell of a long search to find someone to fill those big moccasins of yours!"

Chief chuckled. "Drink your coffee Warden."

The phone rang, Garrison glared at it angry at the interruption to his plan and snatched it up. "What?" he shouted.

Chief stood up, backed out of the office and quietly closed the door.

The voice on the line immediately calmed Garrison down, his face broke into a huge smile. "Hi, how you doing?"

"It hurts like hell, the cast's due to come off in two weeks. Can't wait. Neither can the men, I'm like a bear with a sore head."

"It's all arranged? I know it was my idea but are you sure it's ok with you?"

"No, I haven't said anything yet, I wanted to clear everything with you first."

"Great, I'll make sure he's there, even if I have to tie him up and drag him."

"Tomorrow morning's fine with me, we won't be declared fit for duty for another two weeks at least."

"Dad's done what? How long? Yeah, I'll give the others a week's leave, they deserve it after putting up with my foul mood."

"We'll be ready. Love you too."

Garrison put the phone down, shook his head and smiled with self-satisfaction as he realised his plan was coming together. He wrote out three passes for a week's leave in London for Casino, Actor and Goniff and put them in envelopes, they'd certainly love that he thought, he then wrote one out for Chief for two weeks and put it in his pocket. He limped up the stairs, walked through to the common room and handed out the envelopes. "Here you go, have a good time. Don't make me regret letting you go to London."

Actor, Goniff and Casino snatched up the envelopes, opened them and stared at the contents. "Bloody hell, a week's pass! London here we come!" yelled Goniff.

Casino had a huge grin on his face. "Knew you weren't all bad babe. We'll behave, honest. thanks Warden," he hit Goniff on the arm. "We gotta find us a decent hotel."

Actor looked at the other two. "I'll find my own accommodations. I have some very good friends I haven't seen in a long time, I'm sure I'll be able to stay with at least one of them. I'll phone and see who's available."

"While you're in your little black book find a couple o' friends for us too Beautiful," leered Casino.

Actor grimaced. "Sorry Casino, these ladies have taste, I'm afraid they'd find you too sour for their refined palates."

Goniff put an arm round Casino's shoulder. "Don't worry mate, why don't we see if Ruby 'n Madge fancy a trip up to the big smoke, all expenses paid!"

"Alright!" Casino counted the envelopes. "Hey why ain't Geronimo got a pass Warden? Nothin'll happen to him. We'll look after him, won't we Limey?" Goniff nodded.

Garrison turned to his scout. "Sorry Chief, you and I have to go debrief a General on our activities. I can't get out of it and I'll be in big trouble if we both don't show up tomorrow, he insisted that you be present, he wants to talk to you too. Is that alright?"

"Ok." Chief put a matchstick in his mouth and looked disappointed, he didn't particularly like going to London, it was big, noisy and smelled of burnt-out buildings and diesel fumes, but it would have been a chance to spend some free time with his team mates. The other three cons shrugged, turned and left to go and pack.

Chief remembered the last time he'd had to attend a debrief, it was after he'd rescued and brought Garrison back from Norway, he hadn't enjoyed it then and didn't want to go through that experience again. He took out his matchstick, put a foot on a chair and rested an arm on his raised leg. "What's happenin' Warden? Why've I gotta go? I ain't got nothin' to say that anyone'd wanna hear."

Garrison sighed apologetically. "I've been given my orders to report to HQ, those orders include bringing you, I can't disobey. They'll most probably want to go through everything in detail so be prepared to answer lots of questions."

Chief ran a hand through his hair, he couldn't understand why this was happening. "If we're goin' to London can't I meet up with the others after? You can still give me a pass."

Garrison gave his friend a quick, furtive glance. "We're not going to London Chief."

Chief was confused. "But HQ's in London. Where're we goin' Warden?"

Garrison took out his cigarettes and lit one. "Hampshire, we've got to meet a three star General and his Commander. This is strictly hush hush, so don't tell the others. It'll take more than a few days so pack your bag, we're being picked up at eight tomorrow morning."

Chief sighed and walked out the door. "If you say so Warden."

Garrison smiled to himself, Actor wasn't the only one who could pull off a con!