Chapter 5 – Back To Business

The taxi stopped at the security gate, the doors opened and Actor, Goniff and Casino got out. They hauled their luggage out of the boot, paid the driver and wandered over to the guard post. "Hey guys, did'ya miss us?" called Casino as he pulled his pass out of his pocket.

"No, it's been really quiet without any of you lot botherin' us," retorted one of the soldiers as he waved them through. "Nobody's come through for a week, it's been like a bloomin' 'oliday."

"What you mean mate, where's the Warden 'n Chief, ain't they back?" queried Goniff as he put his bag down, took out his cigarettes and passed them round. Actor and Casino put down their bags and joined the group, curious to find out what had been happening.

Actor looked concerned. "They went off for a debrief, they don't last more than a couple of hours. You haven't seen them in a week? You sure they didn't came back and nobody noticed?"

The guard shrugged. "Well, if they're in the mansion they're doin' a great job of hidin', none of the cleanin' staff have seen 'em."

The three cons looked at each other with concern, Actor voiced their worries. "After everything that happened with Hardin and not knowing who he was reporting to, do you think someone's taken them without anyone knowing?"

Casino snorted. "No way babe. Geronimo'd never let that happen and even with a broken leg Garrison'd win an ass kickin' contest." His expression belied his confident tone. "There's gotta be another reason they're not back yet."

Goniff dropped his cigarette on the ground and trod on it. "Well we know they wouldn't have been sent on a mission unless they gotta go undercover in a hospital."

One of the guards picked up the phone and dialled, he held up a hand for quiet as he waited for an answer. "Hello, Sergeant Major? I'm callin' you like you asked, the men are back, yeah those men." He listened, put the phone down and turned to the three cons. "Sergeant Major Drummond says to get your asses to the mansion and wait for him, he'll be over in an hour." The team looked at each other, shrugged, picked up their bags and headed down the gravel drive.

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Actor had finished unpacking and was in the kitchen brewing coffee when he heard a jeep pull up, he walked to the door and watched as a large, bearded commando strode in. "Hello Drummond, you're just in time for a drink."

The Sergeant Major grinned as he walked over and offered a hand. "Welcome back Actor, how was your leave?"

Actor smiled as he shook Drum's hand and thought over the last few days' activities. "Very enjoyable, thank you." He looked up the stairs as he heard Casino's and Goniff's doors slam shut, two pairs of footsteps were heard rushing down the corridor quickly followed by two figures trotting down the steps.

"Hey, Drum. You know why the Warden 'n Geronimo ain't here?" demanded Casino without bothering with the pleasantries. "What's been happenin'? They been kidnapped or somethin'?"

Drummond looked at the clearly worried safe-cracker. "And hello to you too Casino!" he shook his head. "Garrison and Chief are fine, they've been detained longer than expected and will be back at the end of the week." He watched as the three men visibly relaxed as their worst fears were proven wrong. "Garrison asked me to keep you three entertained 'til they got back, so you've got a choice – do you want to come with me and give some refresher lessons to the Navajos or would you like to spend the next few days with Sergeant Major Ellis on the firing range and obstacle course?"

The three men looked at each other and then at Drummond. "You're kiddin' right mate?" laughed Goniff. "I'm better at teachin' than shootin', I'm goin' with you."

Casino nodded. "Got that right babe, Ellis can stuff his shootin' practice where the sun don't shine. Classroom here we come!"

Actor crossed his arms and looked at the Sergeant Major. "You spoke to the Warden? Do you know where he and Chief are Drum?"

Drummond smiled. "I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you!" He wasn't going to let them know where the two men had gone – that was up to Garrison and Chief but he was glad they were having a quiet, relaxing break away from the rest of the team and the war.

The next few days passed quickly as Actor, Goniff and Casino met up with the Navajo teams that were in the camp between missions. They were delighted to meet up again with the young soldiers they'd trained and catch up on their latest exploits behind enemy lines.

They'd not long returned from lunch when Drummond walked briskly into the hall. "Garrison's just phoned, you've got a mission. He and Chief are back and waiting for you at the mansion, get ready and I'll drive you over."

The three men looked at each other, Goniff sighed. "Oh well, it was good while it lasted, back to business mates."

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Half an hour later the front door was thrown open and three noisy men strolled in. Garrison and Chief were waiting for them in the office with a pot of coffee and mugs. Garrison waved them over. "Hi guys, how was your week's leave?"