Chapter 5 - Ya Ta Hey Ánaaí

Casino took the driver's seat and set off on the journey back to Caen instead of going to Roucamps as planned, the roads were clear after the desperate car chase they'd recently watched. The safe-cracker took the route leading to the ambush and stopped, he and Actor got out, leaving Martin sitting in the back of the car, they looked in disbelief at the burnt wreck, smoke still billowed in the air and the stench of diesel and scorched upholstery filled their nostrils. Actor shook his head. "Chief did a damn good job getting Garrison out of there, he could have gotten away, he didn't look injured."

Casino stood next to him. "Geronimo would never've left the Warden to die in that. You know he'll always have his back," he paused, "he had Goniff's too."

They turned slowly, walked back to the car and continued on to Caen, they hid the car down a side road and escorted Pierre to the Blue Parrot cafe to contact Jean-Claude, keeping an eye out for foot patrols. Jean-Claude was surprised to see them, he thought they'd be in Roucamps by now, he rushed up to hug his brother and motioned for them all to follow him upstairs where they could talk in private. Actor told Jean-Claude what had happened and outlined his rescue plan over coffee and sandwiches. "We'll need new uniforms, we have to outrank and intimidate that Major if we are to have any chance at a rescue."

Jean-Claude nodded. "I know where we can get you some, mon ami. There is a laundry not far from here that does business with the Germans, the owners are friends." He eyed Actor's tall frame. "My men and I will find you suitable uniforms and take them to the safe house. We will be as quick as we can." He left to get the necessary supplies.

Actor, Casino and Pierre Martin walked back to the staff car, they drove to the safe house and waited for Jean-Claude or one of his men to show up with news. Actor and Casino walked into the back room where they'd stored their gear, they threw their uniform jackets on the ground and sat down. "Will this plan o' yours work Actor? Do yah think they're ok?" The worry in Casino's voice was obvious, his New York accent had became stronger, he took out a pack of cigarettes and offered one.

Actor shook his head as he accepted. "I don't know Casino, I hope so. Chief seemed ok but If the others are injured it'll make getting them out a lot more difficult."

Pierre Martin walked into the room. "I've just heard from my brother, I'm afraid the Germans have taken your friends back to the clinic," he shuddered. "I do not think things will go well for them. I'm sorry."

Actor looked at Casino. "We need to act quickly. I don't think they'll wait long before they start interrogating them."

Casino went pale, he remembered Chief's face at the clinic, Actor told him Chief had gone in the interrogation room and what he'd seen in there had really scared him, Casino thought that was impossible, nothin' ever scared Geronimo, he was fearless. He couldn't bear the thought of his friends enduring what his vivid imagination had told him would happen if he and Actor couldn't get them out fast. He thought of another problem. "Won't that Major recognise us? We were pretty up close 'n personal with him."

"Bergmann only spoke to Garrison, he won't remember what we looked like but I'll make sure no-one recognises us." Actor got his bag, took out his make-up kit and gave the safe-cracker the once over. "Casino, by the time I've finished with you even your own mother won't know you."

Casino looked at the kit with suspicion. "Just as long as you don't make me into a dame again!"

Actor began the transformations as they waited impatiently for the uniforms to arrive. An hour later Casino looked at himself in the mirror. "I don't know about Ma, even I don't recognise me!" The reflection showed an auburn haired man with a full moustache and neatly trimmed bushy beard. There was a scar running down his left cheek from his eyebrow into the beard and a large hairy mole on his right cheek. "Hey Actor, do I need this thing? It looks disgustin'!" he asked as he poked it.

"Leave it alone. It's all part of the art of the con," replied Actor as he applied his own makeup. "Give your mark something that he can't stop looking at and he won't take his eyes off it. He won't remember anything about you afterwards except that horrible mole."

"Oh, right," said Casino as he stood back. He certainly hadn't been able to stop looking at it.

Jean-Claude was as good as his word and two hours later turned up with two fresh SS uniforms acquired from the laundry. "Pierre and I will be at the cafe waiting for news. Go there if you need help we will be ready. I wish you good luck," he said as he was leaving.

Actor hung the uniforms on the wall, they bore the rank and insignia of an SS Lieutenant-Colonel and an SS Captain. Casino took the Captain's, quickly put it on and inspected himself in the mirror with a critical eye. Actor walked up next to him, Casino turned to see a distinguished, grey-haired man with a clipped moustache and a monocle, he stood tall and proud in his uniform, his cap was set at a jaunty angle on his head. Casino glared. "Where's your mole Beautiful?"

Actor shook his head. "Hurry up. It'll be late by the time we get there, hopefully there'll only be a few guards on duty."

Casino adjusted his uniform and put on his grey gloves. "Ok Lieutenant-Colonel Actor let's get this show on the road."

"After you Herr Captain Casino, remember to limp a little, between that and the mole no-one will remember your face."

"A hero of the Reich 'n his trusty sidekick!" Casino stuck out his chin, put on his best arrogant face and opened the door, he bowed and waved Actor through, straightened up and strutted out after him.

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The staff car pulled up outside the clinic. The Lieutenant-Colonel sat and tapped his cigarette holder impatiently as he waited for the Captain to run round and open the car door, he alighted, looked around at the immediate area with an imperious glare and proceeded to march up the steps into the building.

The corporal sitting at the reception desk looked up with a bored expression on his face, this immediately turned to terror as he saw the SS insignia of two flashes on the right collar and four silver pips and a stripe on the left collar of the uniform. He leapt to attention and extended his right arm. "Heil Hitler, Herr Obersturmbannführer."

The corporal glanced at Casino and his eyes widened as he stared at the ugly mole on his face. "Actor was right, it really works," thought Casino as he regarded the unfortunate man with a contemptuous look on his face.

Actor gave a half-hearted salute and fixed the corporal with his best haughty SS glare. "We heard you have captured some American saboteurs and have come to oversee their interrogation. Who is your commander?"

The corporal gulped. "Major Bergmann, Herr Obersturmbannführer."

"Bring him to me at once," ordered Actor. "Tell Major Bergmann that Obersturmbannführer König and Hauptsturmführer Krüger are here. I want to know why that incompetent fool kept those saboteurs here to be interrogated instead of sending them straight to SS Headquarters in Paris!"

The corporal leapt to his feet and ran down the corridor.

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Chief jerked as he recognised the sound of Actor's loud, commanding voice coming from the reception area, he smiled to himself, he'd done it, he'd held out until help arrived. The pain was getting unbearable and the horse fought to throw him off its back, it would no longer carry him, he let go of its mane and slid down to the ground. He could hear the recording tape running nearby, he needed to send Garrison a message only he would understand while he still could, he hoped it would get to him. He had to let him know he was at peace with what he'd done whatever the outcome might be, he turned towards the pain once more. "Warden...Ya ta hey Ánaaí...Hágoónee'."

The horse snorted and threw up its head, Chief looked into its wild eyes. "Ahéheeʼ, thank you brother, you took me as far as I needed to go." He turned round to face the blackness and fell into the deep place in his mind where there was no pain.

Chief's body let out a long slow breath and hung lifeless from the shackles. Bergmann grabbed his hair and shook the lolling head, he felt for a pulse. "Scheisse, he's dead. Get the tapes and we will take them to SS Headquarters and see if anyone can understand what he said."

The door opened and a soldier stuck his head in. He looked around and nearly retched at the sights and smells of the room before him. "What is it?" snapped the Major.

"Sir, Obersturmbannführer König is here to interrogate the prisoners and wants to see you immediately."

Bergmann pushed Chief's body, sending it swinging. "He won't get anything out of this one, he's dead. They can take the tapes and the others with them and save me a journey."

Bergmann grabbed the tape reels and headed to the door, he stalked down the corridor to the reception area followed by the corporal, he saw a tall SS Lieutenant-Colonel pacing up and down the room, he had a cigarette holder in his hand and the smoke trailed behind him, a Captain was standing by the desk with a belligerent look on his face. The Lieutenant-Colonel saw Bergmann approach and stopped. "Major Bergmann, I have come to take over the interrogation of your prisoners, you will take me to them at once!"

Bergmann held out a contemptuous hand. "May I see your papers Herr Obersturmbannführer?"

"I will not tolerate you wasting my time. I have given you an order. Take me to the prisoners, immediately, I will not tell you again!" Actor glared furiously at the Major as he thundered out his command.

Bergmann hesitated and backed down, intimidated by the attitude of the high-ranking SS officer. "Unfortunately their leader, Garrison, has just died under interrogation." Actor fought hard not to react to the news. "I have tape recordings of his confession to crimes against the Reich, they will have to be taken to Headquarters for translation."

Actor recovered quickly, he glared at Bergmann as he snatched the tapes and slammed them on the desk. "You let your prisoner die?" he roared. "You are incompetent, I should shoot you here and now for bungling the interrogation! Where are the other prisoners?"

The Major took a step back. "They are in the holding room Herr Obersturmbannführer."

"Take me to them now," Actor indicated the corporal sitting behind the desk. "How many men do you have here tonight on guard?"

"We have three Herr Obersturmbannführer, one out here and two in the interrogation room. The rest are out looking for the Resistance leader who escaped earlier with some American spies."

Actor whirled round and pointed a furious finger. "You let someone take your prisoner and escape? I will report your incompetence when I get back. Expect to be transferred somewhere else, I hope you have very warm clothing." The Major went pale. "Only three guards here? I am appalled at the lack of security, anyone could walk in here and take your prisoners."

Actor turned his back on the Major and looked over to Casino who was trying to understand what was being said. He mouthed silently "Garrison's dead," he glanced at the corporal, "you know what to do." Casino's eyes opened in shock, it was hard to keep his emotions under control but he managed. He looked at the soldier on reception and nodded. "Krüger you will stay here with this guard while Major Bergmann takes me to the prisoners," ordered Actor, he nodded at Bergmann and strode down the corridor behind him.

The reception guard watched the officers' backs and didn't hear Casino quietly step behind him and pull out a garotte, he silently dispatched the guard with a grim look on his face. "That's for the Warden. Your friends'll be right behind you, I promise." He dragged the body behind the large reception desk and pushed it underneath before picking up the tapes and following Actor down the corridor.

Bergmann opened the door to the holding room. "Here are the other prisoners, they are convicts but they may be useful." Actor stepped in, looked at the prisoners and did a double take, Garrison was alive, sitting on the floor with a broken leg stretched out before him. Goniff sat next to him with his arms wrapped tightly around his raised legs and his head on his knees. Garrison looked up at the tall conman but there was no greeting in his face only deep sadness, Actor narrowed his eyes, the Warden looked haunted and despairing. Realisation dawned, Actor kept his eyes on Garrison, knowing what the next sentence would do to the man. "Where is the dead prisoner?" he ordered. "Show me his body."

Garrison closed his eyes in anguish. "Chief's dead Goniff, they killed him!" Goniff gave a small, harsh cry and buried his head even deeper.

Meanwhile Casino had gone past and entered the interrogation room, he glared at the two soldiers, looked around the room and stopped, he stared unbelieving as he recognised the lifeless body hanging over the metal tray. He gagged as his nostrils took in the stench of burnt flesh, urine, faeces and blood, he drew his pistol, aimed it at the guards and shot them point blank. "ACTOR!" he yelled desperately as he ran back to the holding room, "get in here now, it's Chief!"

Actor pulled his gun and pointed it at a startled Bergmann. "Casino, get this bastard out of my sight, take him to the interrogation room now!" Casino grabbed the Major, dragged him away and threw him across the room to sprawl on the floor next to the dead soldiers.

Actor turned to Garrison and Goniff. "Help me get the Warden up Goniff," he said as Casino and Bergmann left the room. "We've got to see what we can do for Chief." Goniff stood up and helped Actor haul Garrison up on his good leg, they supported him as they slowly walked into the interrogation room and the horrific scene that awaited them. Goniff pulled out a chair and they carefully lowered Garrison onto it.

"Oh God, Chief! What did those bastards do to you?" cried Goniff as he saw the bloody, naked body hanging in the corner of the room. He walked over, reached out and touched his friend's battered side, expecting him react as he normally did, Chief hung motionless.

Goniff looked at the blood smeared on his fingers and gave a small cry of grief, he turned slowly and looked blankly at Bergmann who had risen to his knees, he pulled Chief's sheath from his jacket, took out the knife and opened the blade. "You killed him, you bastard." He walked calmly up to the Major and stabbed him in the chest, he pulled the knife out and kept on stabbing and stabbing until Casino grabbed his arm and stopped him. "Enough Goniff, he's dead."

Goniff looked miserably into Casino's eyes. "That bastard killed Chief. He tortured him for hours 'n hours, we could hear him screamin' but we couldn't do nothin'. I hope he rots in hell!" he sobbed.

"He will, Goniff, if there's a God he will," said Casino grimly as he put a comforting arm round the thief's shoulders.

"Let's get him down," said Actor. "Casino can you fetch some blankets from the other room to wrap him in? Goniff, give me Chief's knife."

Casino returned with the blankets, he kept one and threw the others on the ground. Actor started cutting the rope. Garrison looked on helplessly as Casino carefully wrapped the blanket around Chief's body, he took the weight as the ropes parted, letting Chief drop into his arms. Actor gave the knife back to Goniff.

Casino looked at Garrison's face, it was pale and grief-stricken, his horror-filled eyes were fixed on his young scout as he lay lifeless in Casino's arms, his head lolling back. The safe-cracker sighed, carried Chief over to Garrison and gently lowered him to the floor in front of him, Garrison stared down at the bloody pattern of deep wounds, bruises and burns that covered most of Chief's body. The electric shock treatment had made him lose control of his bodily functions, urine and faeces smeared his legs and mixed with the streams of blood that had run down to his feet.

Garrison felt his stomach tie up in knots and a huge lump rise in his throat, it should've been him lying there, he was the soldier, not Chief; he'd signed up for this, not his scout. He was the one who'd dragged him, all of them, into this damn war and now Chief had paid the price for trusting and following him. He swallowed hard, he'd lost the only man he trusted with his life, his Atsilí, the person who'd shown him what true friendship was.

Casino looked at the shackles on Chief's wrists with disgust, there was no way he'd let Geronimo be chained in death, he took the length of spring steel he always kept, picked the locks and threw the chains across the room. Actor knelt down and tended to the body.

Goniff laid a hand on Garrison's arm. "We'll take him back with us Warden, we won't leave him here with these Kraut bastards, I promise. We'll bury him at St Luke's in the village where we can visit him, its got lots of trees 'n birds 'n a stream, Chief'll like that." Garrison nodded, too numb with grief to answer.

"No we can't Goniff," said Actor quietly.

Casino exploded. "What d'yah mean we can't? We ain't leaving him here with these damned Krauts. No way baby. I'll carry him all the way myself if I hafta!"

Actor had Chief's wrist in his hand, he looked up at Garrison with a small, incredulous smile. "I mean we can't bury Chief, he's still alive. There's a faint pulse and he's barely breathing, but he's alive!"

"Thank God," gasped Garrison, he closed his eyes and held tightly onto the small hope that Chief would survive and recover.

Casino walked over to Actor and kissed him on the head. "Babe, that's the best news I've had since the Warden visited Leavenworth. What do we do now?"

Actor considered their situation. "We must act fast. First I'm going to check you over Warden, I think you've got damaged ribs as well as that broken leg." A quick examination confirmed his suspicions. "It looks like Chief already set your bone, we need to splint your leg and support your ribs. Goniff can you use Chief's knife to tear one of the blankets into some more strips, I'll get something to use as splints." Actor knew he had to keep the thief busy, he was going into shock and seemed dazed. Goniff nodded and set to work.

"I'm fine Actor, don't worry about me, see to Chief," insisted Garrison.

Actor gave Garrison an exasperated look as he broke one of the chairs and grabbed a couple of slats from the back. "I knew you'd say that, even if your leg was falling off and now you've proven me right." He looked up and smiled grimly. "This is going to hurt Warden!"

Fifteen painful minutes later Garrison's leg was splinted and his ribs tightly bandaged. Casino wrapped Chief in the blankets ready to be moved while Goniff collected his discarded clothes and boots.

Actor thought quickly. "We've got to get out of here before the guards change shift. We can't use the staff car with Chief and Garrison the way they are. Casino can you see if there's anything big like a truck outside?"

The safe-cracker nodded and headed to the door. "Sure thing, be back shortly."

Casino stood outside on the street and looked around, searching for a suitable vehicle, there was nothing that could accommodate the two injured men. He breathed out heavily in frustration and then saw the lights of a truck coming up the road, he brushed down his uniform, put on his stern SS face, stepped out into the road and held up a hand. "Halt!" he ordered. "At least that's international," he thought wryly.

The truck stopped and the corporal driving it looked questioningly at him. Casino walked to the side, wrenched open the door and climbed up. "Hey babe, just need to borrow your truck." He hit the driver with a solid punch that knocked him out, pushed him over to the passenger side, calmly drove to the back of the clinic and parked. He dragged the soldier out and dumped him in a large bin.

Actor, Garrison and Goniff looked up as Casino ran into the room. "Ok, I got us a truck, it's out back. Let's move fast before someone sees us."

Goniff helped Garrison get up and start to walk to the door. Actor looked around and picked up the reels of tape to take with them, he spied an ebony cane with an ornately decorated silver knob in a receptacle by the door, he snatched it up and handed it to Garrison. "This'll help you get around Warden, I don't think anyone here will have a use for it any more."

Casino walked over to Chief, wrapped him tightly in the blanket, picked him up and carefully carried him out to the truck. Actor climbed in the back and between them they raised their scout up and placed him inside. Casino then helped Garrison up and boosted Goniff inside after him. He walked round to the driver's door, got in and started the engine. Actor climbed in the passenger seat and they set off in the direction of the Blue Parrot Cafe where they could contact Jean-Claude.

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The Martin brothers and their Resistance group took the team to a small château to the north-west of Caen, it had been abandoned for some time and was used as a store for arms and medical supplies, it was also a sanctuary and way station for escaped allied soldiers and airmen fleeing back to England. Garrison was made comfortable on a large sofa and Chief was taken through to a small side room that had a bed, Actor and Casino went in and closed the door. A doctor had been contacted and was due to arrive shortly.

Garrison called Jean-Claude over and told him what little he knew about his team's betrayal to the Germans, the Frenchman was shocked. "Believe me Garrison no-one in my group would dream of doing this, we have all lost too much to the Germans to even think about collaborating with them."

"But they asked for me by name Jean-Claude, how would they know?" Garrison looked at the closed door. "Who would do something like this?"

Jean-Claude shook his head and shrugged. "I will make enquiries mon ami, but we were the only ones who knew you were here, I think you must consider there might be someone in your own ranks helping the enemy." Garrison looked at him in shock. One of their own betraying him and his men, that was impossible, wasn't it?

In the other room Actor and Casino looked down at the motionless figure on the bed, Actor sighed. "We can't leave Chief like this, his wounds will get infected. Casino can you get some hot water, soap, cloths and towels? I'll get him cleaned up."

Casino walked out and returned twenty minutes later with what was needed, he'd even found some antiseptic in the medical supplies. He set down a large bowl of hot water, looked at Chief and grimaced. "I'll help you Actor, I cleaned up my little brothers 'n sisters all the time, I'm used to it." Together they set to work gently cleaning Chief's face, arms and body down to his feet. They carefully turned him over and did the same to his back.

"Don't you ever tell Geronimo we did this," said Casino as he wiped the blood and the mess off Chief's legs. He looked at all the injuries as he wrung out the filthy cloth. "God, they really did a number on him didn't they?"

Actor nodded grimly. "I don't know how he survived this torture Casino, this was inhumane."

Casino put a hand on Chief's head and gently tousled his hair. "He was really ready to die protectin' the Warden 'n Goniff wasn't he?"

Actor wrung out the cloth. "He's always had our backs, especially Garrison's. I never realised how much we depend on him just being there."

Casino shook his head. "He's a tough kid, we know that. He'll pull through, he's gotta. I mean who'll watch out for us if he..."

Actor put a hand on Casino's arm. "It's our turn to watch out for him, so let's keep to the task in hand and get him home."

In the main room Garrison was keeping an eye on Goniff, he seemed to have withdrawn into himself, he sat at a table cleaning Chief's knife with a piece of cloth, he would wipe it, inspect it and start all over again. "Come on Goniff," Garrison said gently. "Its clean, put it away now."

Goniff shook his head. "Can't Warden, there's still some o' that damn Kraut's blood on it 'n I won't let it mess up Chief's blade. Got to get it all off before I give it back to him, he won't be happy if I give him his knife back all dirty, will he?"

Garrison would have continued persuading Goniff to stop but was interrupted by the doctor's arrival along with four Resistance members. The doctor immediately went to Garrison and started to tend to his leg and check his ribs. "This will not take long Lieutenant, I see your men have already treated you." Despite his remonstrations to see to Chief first the doctor undid the blanket strips and removed the chair slats. He made sure the bone was set correctly and re-splinted it. He wrapped fresh bandages tightly around his leg and ribs and got up, Jean-Claude then took him to the side room.

"Mon Dieu, what happened to him?" exclaimed the doctor.

"The Bosch tortured him," said Jean-Claude

The doctor reached into his bag. "The bastards, this is terrible!"

Jean-Claude nodded. "This is how they killed Victor Durand."

The doctor took his medical supplies out of his bag and hoped he had enough. He sprinkled sulfa into the open slashes, took out a needle and thread and started to suture the deep wounds on Chief's chest, when he'd finished Actor turned their scout's body so the doctor had easy access to the injuries on his back. Blood started oozing again and Casino carefully wiped it away with a clean, damp cloth. The grim work carried on in silence for nearly an hour. Antiseptic salve was gently rubbed on the burns and wounds before they were bandaged.

While the three men were working Garrison got up and hobbled over, he leaned on his cane and watched as his friend was tended to. "How's Chief doing, is he going to make it?"

The doctor took Chief's pulse, listened to his heart and looked up into Garrison's worried face, he noticed the rest of the team were also listening intently to what he had to say. "Your friend is very weak, besides all these terrible injuries I am afraid he has lost a lot of blood, I doubt he will survive the trip back to England. I'm truly sorry Lieutenant."

Garrison desperately thought of anything he could do to help Chief get through the next few hours until they could reach a hospital, he remembered Norway. "Do you have a blood transfusion kit?" he asked hopefully, he looked at Actor. "Can we carry out a person to person transfusion, just like Chief did for me?" Actor shrugged and looked at the doctor.

"I have a small kit for emergencies," the doctor answered. "It is possible, do you know his blood type?"

"It's O, like mine," said Garrison immediately.

"Oh no Warden, you're injured, you need all the blood you got," objected Casino.

The doctor turned to the others. "In that case I need to know your blood types."

The doctor looked at Casino who shook his head. "I dunno – red?"

"I'm A negative," said Actor. "I won't be compatible."

Goniff shook his head. "Dunno, sorry."

Garrison sat down by the bed next to Chief and pulled up his sleeve. "Well that's settled then." The doctor sterilised the small kit in boiling water and carefully inserted the needle into Garrison's vein, he clipped the line while he looked for a vein in Chief's arm, it was hard to find one under all the damaged skin but eventually the transfusion process began, Garrison clenched and unclenched his fist to pump blood down the tube.

Casino was watching the proceedings like a hawk. "Don't you go doin' what Geronimo did for you Warden, or I'll punch your lights out."

"What was that?" asked the doctor as he concentrated on timing the transfer on his watch.

Casino cast a worried look at Chief. "That crazy Indian kept the doctor at knifepoint 'n carried on giving Garrison his blood 'til he passed out, that's what happened!"

The doctor looked up at Garrison. "So you are no stranger to this procedure then?"

Garrison smiled grimly. "I was unconscious when it happened. Yes, Chief gave me almost half his blood," he looked at his unconscious scout. "He nearly died doing that, this is a debt I'm more than willing to repay."

The doctor clipped off the tube after ten minutes. Garrison tried to stop him but Casino gripped his arm firmly while the needle was removed. "Uh uh Warden, that's it, enough."

The doctor wrapped Chief in the blankets to keep warm, went out and came back a few minutes later with a large glass of water, he handed it to Garrison and made him drink it all. After a short while everyone except Garrison left the room, he sat beside Chief, keeping vigil over his friend. He remembered when they were in Poland, how Chief had heard him talking to him when he was unconscious, he reached out and gently laid his hand on his scout's shoulder, his voice was low and earnest. "Don't you die Chief, that's an order, do you hear me?"

Actor walked over to Pierre Martin. "We have to get Garrison and Chief to a hospital in England as soon as we can Pierre. Can you radio for a plane to pick us up? We can't go by sub or MGB it'll be too hard to transfer them over."

Pierre shook his head. "A plane will take too long, we would have to wait for a window to radio London and then they would have to organise a flight crew, it could take hours and the weather is looking bad, they might not be able to land if it gets any worse. I have a good friend, Louis, in Ouistreham, it is a fishing village only ten kilometres from here, he will take you across the Channel to Portsmouth, he has taken allied airmen and soldiers before. We will radio and tell them you are on your way and arrange for you to be met when you dock."

Actor shook his hand. "Thank you Pierre, I'm sorry we couldn't save your friend Victor but, hopefully, you've helped me save mine."

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The journey to Ouistreham was completed without incident and they were quickly loaded onto the small fishing boat. Louis turned out to be a stocky, weather-beaten man who had spent his whole life at sea and knew the tides and dangers of the English Channel well.

The team sat in the hold as the boat surged through the rough waves. For once Goniff was silent, he sat holding Chief's leather sheath close to his chest as if it was a talisman, Casino put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "You ok Limey?" Goniff nodded his head. "You want anythin'?" Goniff shook his head, Casino shrugged and sat back down on a coiled rope.

Garrison was still sitting at Chief's side watching his face, holding his arm and talking to him, willing him to keep breathing. He grimaced every time the boat shuddered and tried to breath through the agony of his broken bones, the doctor had given him painkillers but they were wearing off. Actor offered him some more pills and a canteen of water which he took gratefully. The conman looked at Garrison with concern. "Take a rest Warden, I'll watch over Chief for a while."

Garrison shook his head. "No, Chief's my responsibility. I'll stay with him until I know he's ok."

Actor looked at the exhausted Lieutenant, he knew it was no use trying to persuade Garrison to leave Chief's side, after everything they'd gone through together Chief's loyalty to him was returned in full and Garrison wouldn't walk away until things were over, for better or worse. "I'll see if I can get you something to eat."

Garrison glanced up at the tall Italian. "Thanks Actor."

The boat ploughed on, the crew kept an eye out for German patrol boats as well as enemy spotter planes flying overhead. If they heard a plane they would start working on the nets as if to cast them out. Five miles out from Portsmouth a Motor Gunboat intercepted them, signalled for them to follow and escorted them into the harbour.