Chapter 4 – End Game

The 'Strood' took the convoy along the thin strip of land that connected the mainland to Mersea Island, a couple of police cars were waiting for them to arrive. As Chief pulled up Garrison recognised one of the officers as the one he usually dealt with when bailing his men out of jail in Colchester. "Hello Sergeant Hobbs."

The policeman looked at the convoy of jeeps and armed soldiers as they stopped and got out, he smiled and touched his helmet as he acknowledged Garrison's presence. "Afternoon Lieutenant, should've known you'd be part of this malarkey." He looked at the Gorillas. "What you lads up to this time? Nothin' illegal I hope."

Goniff stepped forward and puffed out his chest. "We're chasin' down a traitor who's been givin' intel to the Jerries 'n nearly got Chief here killed. We're gonna be the ones doin' the arrestin' today Sarge."

Casino gave his friend an approving look, clapped a hand on his shoulder and nodded. "Tell your men not to get in our way, that bastard's ours!"

Actor drew and checked his sidearm before putting it back in its holster, he gave Hobbs his best SS glare. "Just stay here, set up a roadblock and keep well back Sergeant, this man hurt one of our own, this is personal for us." He glanced at Casino and Goniff. "Mess with one Gorilla..."

The two smiled grimly and answered in unison. "...'n you mess with all of us."

Chief walked round the jeep and leaned on the bonnet. "Don't forget the Warden got hurt too. Hardin's mine."

Actor nodded solemnly. "Sorry Chief, I forgot. 'Mess with the Warden and you get Chief's personal attention'."

Casino snorted as he passed round a pack of cigarettes. "Damn right, that guy's got a very short 'n very interestin' future ahead of him!"

The Sergeant looked at the serious expressions on all the faces of the men in front of him, especially Garrison's, he decided that discretion would definitely be the better part of valour in this instance. "Me and my men will stay here, he's all yours gentlemen."

Garrison handed out maps to each team and spread his map on the bonnet of the jeep. "I've marked out five zones on your maps, each Navajo group take your zone number, we've got zone 5. Check every farmhouse, barn and lean-to." He looked up at everyone. "I don't need to tell you Hardin's dangerous and he's most probably got mercenaries with him, if you find him don't engage him, report back and wait for the rest of us to get to you. I want all of you back safe so I can buy the drinks in The Doves tonight."

Drummond grinned. "I didn't know you Yanks got paid that well Lieutenant, hope you got deep pockets 'cos these boys get very thirsty after a mission."

Garrison regarded the burly, bearded commando. "It'll be my pleasure Drum, believe me they'll have earned it. Let's go."

GG-GG-GG

Just over an hour later the radios crackled into life as Navajo 3 reported there was an army truck hidden in a barn and some men occupying a cottage near the eastern shore. Garrison repeated his order for them to stay well back and out of sight until reinforcements arrived, he shouted for his team to stop searching the barn they were currently in, climbed awkwardly into the jeep and waited impatiently for his men to join him. Chief looked at the map Garrison had spread out on his lap and calculated the quickest route from where they were to the point the Warden's finger was. "No sweat Warden, we'll be there in less 'n five." The jeep took off down the road in a cloud of dust.

GG-GG-GG

Four jeeps coasted silently down a narrow lane leading to a remote cottage and pulled up behind the one already parked. The whitewashed building could just about be seen through a screen of trees. Everyone gathered round Garrison as he limped forward to survey the scene. "Do we know how many men are in there with Hardin?"

A Navajo stepped forward. "Not yet, Charles, Frain and Curry are scouting the boundary, they should be back soon." He looked at Chief. "Don't worry Boss, no-one'll even know they're there."

Chief smiled and tilted his head towards Garrison. "Thanks Trent, but you're reportin' to the Lieutenant here, not me."

Trent turned towards Garrison and almost saluted before he remembered his training. "Sorry Lieutenant."

Garrison gave the Navajo a brief smile. "That's ok Trent, we'll wait for the rest of your team to get back to us before I decide what to do next."

Five minutes later the rest of Navajo 3 joined the group to report what they'd seen. Frain took the lead. "There's four men on guard, all armed, they're patrolling the perimeter with a one minute interval between them. There's more inside, we saw movement but couldn't gauge how many are in there."

Garrison looked at the eager, young men who were ready to follow his orders, he felt privileged and humbled that Richards, Drummond and, especially, Chief had entrusted them to his care. "I want each team to take out a guard quietly, that means no shooting, can you do that?" A quiet, deliberate cough sounded at his side. "Sorry Chief, I should've known better, you trained them."

McAllen of Navajo 1 smiled. "Don't you worry Lieutenant, they won't know what hit them. We've done lots of infiltration and attack exercises, he cast a quick, amused glance at Chief, we'll have that place buttoned up before you can say 'Geronimo'."

Garrison stepped forward. "Let's go."

Drummond stood in front of Garrison and put a hand up. "You're staying here, there's rough ground out there and you'll be a liability with that leg of yours. I'll send McAllen back to get you once we've secured the building."

Garrison nodded reluctantly as he realised the Sergeant Major was right, he didn't want to jeopardise the mission by blundering around and giving away their position. "Alright, just don't take too long."

Drummond grinned. "Ten minutes, tops."

Garrison watched as all the men disappeared off in the direction of the cottage, he let out a deep sigh and sat in the front passenger seat of his jeep to wait.

Chief followed Actor, Goniff and Casino as they strode eagerly towards the fray, the wind swirled, he stopped, closed his eyes, took a deep breath and melted back into the trees with a grim smile on his face. "Hardin, you're mine!"

GG-GG-GG

The Navajos drifted forward through the trees, each team targeted a guard, knives appeared silently in hands and bodies were carried quietly away. Drummond pointed out entrance points and the teams went quietly and efficiently about their business. The Gorillas watched as the Navajos slipped inside and took over the building without a shot being fired.

"That was quick and quiet," commented Actor as he walked in the door and surveyed the tied-up mercenaries lying on the floor.

Casino snorted. "Whatcha expect? Geronimo trained 'em real well, a whole army of Chiefs, we're gonna win the war babe."

Drummond pointed to the captured men. "Which one's Hardin?"

Actor took a close look at the men and shook his head. "He's not here."

The sound of a gunshot rang out and everyone paused, Goniff's head snapped round in the direction they'd come. "Oh bleedin' hell, the Warden, we left 'im on 'is own!"

Casino looked around. "Where's Geronimo?"

The team ran out the door and raced down the road closely followed by Drummond and any Navajos not engaged in guarding the prisoners.

GG-GG-GG

Garrison fidgeted and got out of the jeep, he strained to hear what was happening but knew that the highly trained Navajos would do their job silently. He desperately needed to be in on the action and see what was happening. A twig broke under a quiet footstep. "That you McAllen?"

A long remembered voice sounded in Garrison's ear and his spine turned cold. "Hello old buddy."

Garrison turned unsteadily to confront his former friend, his hand flew to the gun at his side and then his gaze went down to the gun already held in Hardin's. "Take it slow Craig, two fingers, take it out and throw it over here." Garrison reluctantly complied.

Hardin kicked the gun under a jeep. "How'd you find out where I was?"

Garrison steadied himself on his good leg waiting for his chance. "We got your mercs when they tried to take my men, Chief and Casino made one of them talk. Major Richards most probably has the other members of your gang waiting for us at Ardleigh under arrest by now." He glared at his one-time friend. "Jack, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

Hardin shrugged. "Getting even for what you and that team of yours did to me. That breed put his hands on me, held a knife to my throat and you did nothing, then you went ahead on my mission without my authority and showed me up to Fremont."

Garrison held his hands out at his sides. "Chief wouldn't have touched you if you'd hadn't tried to pick a fight Jack. As for your mission, my team made sure it was a success, no-one else could've done what they did, plus they blew up that new tank. We made sure you got some recognition for it." He paused and looked Hardin in the eye. "Did you really betray me and my team to the Germans?"

Hardin snorted and smiled. "Not really Craig, I just reported where you were going to someone else, he passed it on to the Krauts."

Garrison glared at the man he'd known most of his life and realised he hadn't known him at all. "Who did you pass that intel to Jack? Tell me now or, so help me I'll..."

Hardin laughed. "You'll what Craig? You're crippled, you can't do a damn thing. France wasn't the first time we tried to sabotage your missions, that damn breed of yours messed everythin' up for us in Norway, I still don't know how he managed to get you outta there. How did you get away from Caen? I suppose it was him again, heard he got hurt bad."

Garrison bunched his fists. "Damn you Jack, Chief nearly died because of you."

Hardin snorted. "Only nearly? How many lives has your dog got Craig? Have I gotta put him down myself?"

"You bastard!" Garrison lurched forward and let loose a powerful punch just like he did that night outside The Doves when Jack had insulted his team.

Hardin stepped quickly back, Garrison's blow missed and he staggered from the momentum, Jack pushed him and laughed as he fell to the ground. "You done Craig?" He kicked his one-time friend a couple of times in the abdomen, Garrison rolled and curled up his one good leg trying to protect his damaged ribs. Hardin lowered his gun and took a couple of paces back to gloat over his fallen rival, he raised his foot to deliver another blow.

A low, menacing voice came out of nowhere. "Touch him again 'n you're a dead man!" Chief appeared from between two parked jeeps and ran forward.

Hardin whirled round and tried to raise his gun, he felt a powerful blow to his chest that sent him sprawling on the ground, he looked up into Chief's angry eyes as he stood over him. "What the hell? Why aren't you with the others? How'd you know I was here?"

Chief's knife leaped into his hand and opened with a quiet snick. "I smelled your cologne back there 'n tracked you here. There's no way you get to hurt my friend Hardin." He took a couple of steps backwards to reach Garrison, never taking his eyes off Jack, his blade pointing unwaveringly at him, he held out his left hand and pulled Garrison to his feet making sure he was behind him. "You ok Warden?"

"You smelled me? My God, you really are nothing more than an animal!" Hardin pushed himself up off the ground, brushed himself down, looked at Garrison and pointed at Chief. "And here it is, the stray dog you picked up and took in, still watching over his master and barking at his heels like the good little mongrel he is. So he's your friend now is he Craig? So was I once." He glared at Chief and tilted his head at Garrison. "You still hero worshipping this loser, dog?"

Chief held out an arm to stop Garrison lunging forward. "I ain't no-one's dog 'n Garrison ain't no loser. You ain't happy 'cos we carried out your mission? Take it out on me not the Warden, I'm the one who persuaded him to do it."

Hardin glared. "You? Why would he listen to you? I don't listen to my dog when he whines. I kick him so he knows when to stop. Don't you kick your dog Craig?"

"Jack!" warned Garrison as he stepped from behind Chief to stand at his side.

Hardin snorted. "What? You gonna sic him on me? You don't wanna fight me breed, I got my training in West Point, I'll kick your ass!"

Chief calmly regarded the Captain as he hefted his blade in his hand. "I got my trainin' in prison, I'll kill yours."

"Yeah, sure you will, you got a knife, I got a gun, no contest." Jack dismissed Chief with a wave of his hand and looked at Garrison as his hand slowly gripped his gun tighter. "I promised him I'd kill you and that Indian and you know I always keep my promises."

Garrison wiped his mouth on his sleeve and spat out some dirt. "Who did you promise Jack? Who are you working for? Tell me and I'll help work a deal for you at your court martial."

Jack shook his head. "It's too late now, I'll never tell you Craig. None of you will survive the storm he'll bring down on your heads!"

Chief had had enough of Hardin's ranting, he raised his blade. "Hardin, spare yourself some pain 'n tell the Warden what he wants to know, now!"

"Don't you go giving me orders." Jack shouted, he shook his head as he glared at Garrison. "You threw your lot in with your band of cons and now you'll pay for it. You're dead Craig!" Hardin quickly raised his gun.

Chief's left hand pushed Garrison back and behind him as the sound of a shot rang out, at the same time his right hand flashed. Hardin gasped as the blade flew into his throat, he dropped his gun and fell back, hands clutching at his neck desperately breathing for air. Garrison lunged forward, knelt awkwardly on the ground and raised his friend up. "Jack!"

Hardin glared and coughed out some blood. "Don't touch me you bastard," he wheezed. "Go to hell Craig, you and that breed of yours."

Garrison watched as the light faded out of Hardin's eyes. "You first Jack."

Chief knelt down, took Hardin out of Garrison's grasp and laid him down. "He's gone Warden, I'm sorry."

Garrison looked up uncomprehendingly. "What are you sorry for Chief? Jack was a threat to you, to all of us. He nearly got you killed."

Chief put a hand on Garrison's shoulder and gave him a concerned look. "I know, but he was your friend Warden 'n I killed him. It was him or you. You ok Ánaaí, you get hit?"

Garrison laid his hand over Chief's and gripped it tight. "I'm fine, Atsilí, he missed." He stared at the body lying next to him and sadly shook his head. "I thought Jack was my friend, now I know he never had been." He looked at the man he knew would always stand by him. "Jack confirmed he was passing on information to someone else, someone with contacts in Germany. It has to be someone with rank and power, someone with influence just like Richards said."

Chief sat down on the ground next to Garrison and looked at his friend. "I heard, I think I know who it is Warden, think I've known for a while."

Garrison looked up sharply. "Who?"

Chief took a deep breath and let it out. "Who else ain't happy with us? Who else ain't happy with me?"

Garrison shook his head. "I don't know Chief, who do you think it is?"

Chief looked at the ground. "Pryor."

Garrison stared at his scout. "Colonel Pryor? But we saved him from that POW camp in Italy."

Chief nodded. "Yeah, but don't forget he recognised me, I was one of his cage fighters in Statenville 'n I cost him a lot o' money when I killed his best man, now I'm out he knows I can tell the army what he's done. I hit him, you poisoned him to get him outta that camp 'n then laid him out when he challenged you, you can be sure he didn't like any o' that. You don't know him like I do Warden, he'll want revenge but he won't wanna get his hands dirty, what better way than rattin' us out to the Krauts?"

Garrison considered the situation. "Damn, that is going to be one hell of a case to prove, even if Richards believes us."

"I know." Chief thought for a moment. "We'll hafta wait for Pryor's next move, meanwhile we gotta be careful, we can't trust anyone 'cept Richards, Drum 'n the Navajos."

Garrison gave Chief an earnest look. "We'll keep this quiet for now and make sure we watch each other's backs."

Chief nodded. "Always Warden."

GG-GG-GG

The Doves was more crowded than usual, Drummond and the Navajos occupied half the tables as Garrison ordered the drinks. Madge was kept busy ferrying the trays loaded with pints of bitter around to the groups of men while dodging their advances. Casino eventually stood up, put his hands on his hips and glared at everyone. "Hey you crumbs, that's my girl 'n you leave her alone, alright?" There was a wave of raised hands and denials as the men good-naturedly picked up their drinks and downed them.

Casino waited until Madge was passing by with an empty tray, he threw out an arm, grabbed her by the waist and drew her down onto his lap. "Hey babe, you alright?"

Madge laughed and kissed him passionately on the lips. "I am when I'm with you lover." She looked over at Goniff. "Ruby's on her way over, you got tonight off?"

The two cons looked expectantly at Garrison, he laughed. "Alright, just make sure you're back in one piece in the morning."

Chief walked back to the table with a huge grin on his face and laid down over twenty pounds. "The Navajos still think they can beat me at darts, they'll never learn!" He turned round to everyone and declared. "Next round's on me, let's make it beer and whisky chasers!" The bar erupted to whoops and hollers. Chief sat down and looked at his leader. "Good job you ain't fit for an early mornin' run tomorrow Warden, don't think either of us'll be up to it."

Garrison finished off his drink. "I was just thinking the same thing, get the round in Chief." Chief waved at Madge.

Actor leaned back and lit his pipe, he smiled as another two glasses appeared in front of him, he watched his team mates and the Navajos relax and enjoy themselves, they had a hard enough time fighting the Krauts without having to worry about traitors in their ranks. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Garrison and Chief as they sat together and wondered what had happened before the team and the Navajos got back to them to find Hardin's body cooling on the ground.

Garrison picked up his whisky and looked at Chief. "To whatever the future brings, Atsilí."

Chief raised his glass and nodded. "We'll face it together, Ánaaí."

GG-GG-GG

Gerald O'Connor picked up the phone and asked the operator to place a long distance call to a number in Washington, he looked at his watch it should be mid-morning over there by now. The call was answered by a deep Georgia accent. "Hello Sir. I have to report Hardin's dead …. .Yes Sir, he pushed his luck and tried to capture Garrison and his men, they killed him and captured over a dozen of your mercenaries...I'm sorry Sir, I couldn't stop him, he wouldn't listen...Yes, Sir...I'll continue to monitor their actions...No, no-one suspects me...Thank you Sir, I'll see you soon."

O'Connor put down the phone, picked up a glass of scotch, downed it in one and smiled as he thought how much worse that could have gone. The big man hadn't been pleased when he heard Garrison and his team had gotten back from Caen, O'Connor had told him it wasn't his fault and that seemed to have been accepted, then Hardin had been brought into the mix and O'Connor took it as a criticism of his ability. No-one knew that he'd been the one to goad Hardin into action, the man had been obsessed with taking down Garrison and that Indian breed of his – it was all he ever talked about. It had been easy to play on the Captain's prejudices, a word here a suggestion there and the man had been positively champing at the bit, the loss of a few mercs was inconsequential to his plan – he was going to be the one who got the reward for bringing the Gorillas down and he wasn't going to share with anyone.

GG-GG-GG

Richards read the transcript of the phone call with interest, he looked at his aide. "Thank you, keep an eye on him." He watched as the lieutenant exited and then turned to Drummond. "Whoever the leader of this little conspiracy is he's coming over, most probably to take charge himself. I think we'll start feeding Mr O'Connor some false information until we can find out who this man is he's reporting to."

Drummond nodded. "Yes Sir. The Navajos will be ready when they make their move."