Chapter 4 – Payback - Actor Style

Houplain and his men sat at their table in The Berkeley enjoying breakfast, two men walked in, sat at the next table and ordered. The blonde man looked at his paper. "Says here there was an air raid on St Kath's docks last night. Did a lotta damage, the whole bloody area's been sealed off."

"Really? That's terrible babe," answered his American companion. "Hope no-one was killed, the Krauts are determined to level the dock area."

Casino and Goniff watched as the four men got up and walked out, they smiled at each other. "Actor's a cold-blooded bastard when he wants to be, ain't he Limey?"

"Wouldn't have him any other way," replied Goniff as they got up to follow.

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The area round St Katherine's dock didn't seem any more damaged than the day before. Houplain and his men walked past burnt-out warehouses and skirted bomb craters until they reached the building where they'd stored their cache. Houplain unlocked the door and everyone walked in, they stopped as they saw the truck was gone, a lone figure stood in the middle of the floor.

Actor looked at the four men. "Hello again Houplain, long time, no see."

Houplain looked at the tall man. "Do I know you?"

Actor smiled. "No, but I know you."

Houplain took a closer look. "You were in The Berkeley the other night."

The conman tilted his head in acknowledgement. "That was me, thank you for telling me about your raid and what you were going to do after," he smiled. "I did know what you were saying, you ugly son of a whore," he added in French.

Houplain gasped and stepped back, he reached into his jacket.

"Don't even think about it babe." Casino walked through the door, he had a gun aimed at the gang.

Goniff came into view as he followed behind the safe-cracker, he waved his weapon at the men. "Yeah, nobody move."

Actor took Houplain's gun, put his hand to his mouth and called out. "All clear Inspector." Casino and Goniff quickly hid their guns in their jackets and looked nonchalant as a dozen policemen came running through the door and surrounded Houplain and his gang , they were handcuffed and forced close together.

The Inspector looked around at the booty still occupying the warehouse, walked up to Actor and saluted. "Thank you Superintendent, this is some haul we got here. You sure all this came from Europe?"

Actor nodded and indicated his team mates. "We've been following this gang for some time Inspector. I'm glad we've brought them to justice. Can you arrange for all this to be stored securely until we find out who the owners are?"

The Inspector nodded. "I know a couple of museums that'd love to display this stuff until it can be given back."

Actor took out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to the Inspector. "Splendid. I'll leave it in your capable hands. Please place these men under arrest."

Houplain glared at the Superintendent. "Who the hell are you?"

Actor smiled as he sidled up to the Frenchman, he flipped open a leather wallet and showed him the warrant card inside. "I am Superintendent John Morgan, but you can call me 'Actor'."

The robber stared at the tall man. "Actor, the Actor?"

Actor gave him a curt nod. "The one and only." He watched as the gang was escorted out of the warehouse and turned to his companions. "Now we can go and see Turnbull."

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Casino held out a chair for Madge as she sat down, Goniff waved for Ruby to take her seat and they both pushed the chairs in behind them. Madge looked around. "Wow, The Ritz! Never thought I'd ever get in here, how did you manage it?"

Casino grinned as he thought of the bonuses this would bring later on. "Nothin's too good for you babe, you know that." He clicked his fingers at the waiter. "Champagne 'n keep it comin'!"

Goniff smiled shyly at Ruby. "Just tell me where you wanna go, any film, show, play, anythin' you wanna do is alright with me."

Ruby smiled back and laid a hand on Goniff's. "Oh Rodney, I'm just happy being with you."

The thief smiled as he realised he'd lost his heart to this unassuming girl who loved him for who he was. "Ruby, the world's gonna be your oyster when this war's over."

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Actor sat in his flat and looked at his passbook from Coutt's Bank. The amount that he'd paid in earlier had been substantial, even when divided between the Warden and all the Gorillas it had added considerably to their total worth. He smiled as he opened a bottle of chilled champagne and poured it into a crystal glass flute, he put a Billie Halliday record onto the turntable, lowered the tone-arm and leaned back as the music filled the room – bliss!