Chapter 6 – A Long Vigil

Evening was falling when the boat arrived in Portsmouth and docked in an area reserved for fishing vessels. When the team got on deck they were surprised to see the familiar figure of Sergeant Major Drummond standing on the quay, he had four men wearing army fatigues beside him, two carrying a rolled up stretcher, he gestured to the boat and the men jumped in. Two of them helped Garrison ashore, Actor, Goniff and Casino wearily followed. The other two men took the stretcher below, a few minutes later they came up carrying Chief between them. "Sergeant Major Drummond what are you doing here?" asked Garrison.

Drummond saluted. "Major Richards sent us down as soon as he heard what happened, Jean-Claude Martin said we may have a traitor in our ranks. Major Richards arranged for the MGB to escort you in, you'll be taken back in an ambulance, there are two rooms waiting in an army hospital just outside London." He took the tapes from Casino. "I'll make sure the Major gets these first thing in the morning." He gave Chief a concerned look, frowned and addressed his men. "McAllen, Alexander, take Garrison and Chief to the ambulance and go with them. Tell those corpsmen to drive like the devil was after them!" he laughed grimly. "That'll be true because I'll be right on their tail, I'll drive the rest of you in the staff car."

Garrison sat in the back of the ambulance next to Chief, bracing his leg against the side to stop it jerking when they went over a pothole, his full attention was on his scout who was laid out on the stretcher, his head rolling from side to side. An army doctor was also in the back, he'd already given Chief a shot of antibiotics and set up a bag of plasma, he kept checking the scout's breathing and pulse. "How's he doing? Is he going to make it?" Garrison asked as the ambulance jolted again sending waves of pain up his leg and through his ribs.

The doctor looked at him with concern. "It's touch and go Lieutenant. I'm doing all I can to keep him alive until we get to the hospital." Garrison nodded, he leaned over and spoke quietly into his friend's ear. "Listen to me Chief, I know you said there's only one way you'll leave me or the team but you're not leaving now. Hang on Atsilí, we're nearly at the hospital, you'll get the best care possible, I'll make sure of that." He gripped Chief's arm tightly as if to stop him going away and continued watching his fight to live.

The two soldiers sitting opposite Garrison were watching the two men, one of them turned to the other and whispered. "The Boss don't look too good McAllen." He received a warning glare as his companion glanced at Garrison, pursed his lips in a silent shh and shook his head.

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When they arrived at the hospital the staff were all calmness and efficiency, the two casualties were quickly whisked up to the second floor and into two adjoining rooms with single beds. Garrison was taken up by wheelchair and Chief on a gurney. Two doctors hurried in and each took a patient, the doctor examining Garrison seemed satisfied and told him to take off his clothes, put on a hospital gown and get into bed, he then went through the side door to the adjoining room. Garrison could hear the conversation. "Bloody hell Vincent, what happened to this poor guy? It looks as if he's been torn to shreds, are those burn marks?"

"According to the report here he was tortured by the Germans. Looks like they used electric shock treatment on him besides beating him half to death, poor bastard. I don't hold out much hope for his chances, but we'll do what we can to make him comfortable. We won't put the bandages back on, we need to keep putting antiseptic salve on his wounds regularly and they'll get in the way."

Garrison lay back on his pillow and closed his eyes, his leg and ribs throbbed. The two soldiers from the ambulance had come up with them, one sat in Garrison's room and the other took up station in Chief's.

It wasn't long before Drummond arrived with Actor, Casino and Goniff in tow, the two other soldiers followed behind. Casino and Goniff sat on chairs next to Garrison's bed while Actor walked into the other room to confer with the doctors, he told them what had happened and what treatment the two patients had received before leaving France. He was questioned about what he knew of the torture that Chief had suffered, he said he could only give the barest details as he'd gotten there after it had finished and the victim presumed dead.

Drummond looked at his watch. "Right my lads. Thompson you drive these three to the mansion for the night and be ready to bring them back tomorrow at seven."

There was a cacophony of objections from the three cons. "No way Drummond, I ain't leavin' the Warden 'n Geronimo. You'll have to take me out at gunpoint!"

Drummond crossed his arms and glared sternly at the safe-cracker. "That can be arranged Casino!"

"Ain't goin' mate, not leavin' Chief 'n the Warden, not after what happened," protested Goniff.

"You can't expect us to leave Garrison and Chief alone in a strange hospital. What if something happens? What if Chief...?" Actor paused.

Drummond gave the conman a reassuring look. "They won't be alone Actor, we'll stand watch over them until you return in the morning. You've all been through hell and I doubt you've slept in days. Go home, get a good hot meal down you and a good night's rest. I've arranged for the kitchen staff to leave a stew warming in the oven for your return to the mansion."

Actor looked anxiously at Chief. "Thank you Drummond, but what if something does happen during the night?"

The large, bearded commando laid a gentle hand on Actor's arm. "I'll call you right away, I promise, if necessary Thompson will fetch you back immediately. Now go, don't worry, we'll handle things here."

They looked at Garrison, he nodded his head. "Go get some sleep and something to eat, I'll see you tomorrow. I'll watch over Chief and make sure you're told if anything changes here."

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The ride home was quiet and despondent, there was none of the usual banter. Actor laid his head back and silently berated himself for not getting back to rescue Garrison, Goniff and Chief fast enough.

Casino looked absently out the window into the darkness. "God what a mess," he thought. "Someone's gonna pay for betrayin' Garrison, someone's gonna pay for what they did to Chief."

Goniff sat, hunched in the middle, he held Chief's leather sheath to his chest. All he could hear was terrible screaming in his ears and all he could see when he closed his eyes was a bloody, beaten body hanging in the air.

Thompson pulled up by the steps to the mansion and escorted the three men in. The smell of rabbit stew wafted out from the kitchen, it reminded Goniff of the night in France when an injured Chief had gone out on watch and come back with rabbits and vegetables for them to eat, he and Casino had made a stew. He shuddered and didn't feel hungry.

They went into the kitchen, Casino turned off the oven, took the pot out and ladled some stew into three bowls, they sat down and looked at the food. Thompson said goodbye and left now that he was satisfied they were going to do what they were told, he'd been given strict orders by Drummond to that effect.

The three men took a taste of the stew, it was good but they couldn't face eating much more. Goniff pushed his away. "You ok Goniff? You never refuse good food," said Actor.

Goniff shook his head sadly. "Can't stomach it tonight mate, too tired, too worried, too everythin'."

Casino sighed and pushed his bowl away too. "I know what you mean."

They cleared the bowls off the table and went upstairs to their rooms. Actor read a book for a while before turning in, his mind kept churning over what had happened and what he could've done differently.

Casino lay back on his bed with one arm behind his head, he was worried about Chief and his mind was working overtime about what could happen next. "Geronimo's a tough kid. He'll pull through. He's gotta. He can't die, we need him. He'll be alright soon." But a nagging thought kept echoing round his head. "What if he doesn't?"

Goniff sat on his bed and took Chief's sheath out from under his jacket, he unrolled it and laid it on his bedside table, took out the knife, opened it and checked it for blood. He grabbed the edge of his sheet and rubbed at an imaginary spot before folding it and putting it back. He undressed and got into bed.

A couple of hours later Actor and Casino were still awake when they were suddenly disturbed by loud shouting and crying, they leapt up and ran out of their rooms into the corridor, it was coming from Goniff's room. Casino threw open the door and they ran in to find the thief tangled up in his sheets, thrashing about and sobbing out loud.

"Goniff? Goniff, wake up, you're havin' a nightmare! Come on, its me, its Casino. You're ok, you're ok Goniff, we're safe back home at the mansion." Casino gently shook Goniff's shoulder, he woke with a start, sat up, raised his knees and put his arms around them, he started to sway from side to side, moaning.

"Talk to us Goniff, what's wrong?" asked Actor quietly.

"All I can hear is screamin'. It won't stop. It's Chief 'n he won't stop screamin'. What are those bastards doin' to him? I can't help him. It's been hours. The screamin' won't stop!" He glared at Actor and Casino. "Where were you? Why didn't you come sooner?" He groaned and dropped his head onto his knees.

Casino sat on the bed next to Goniff and put an arm around his shaking shoulders. "I'm sorry Goniff, we did our best to get to you as quick as we could. I'm sorry we weren't there sooner. We didn't hear what happened to Chief, it must've been terrible for you to listen to it for hours."

Casino looked up at Actor and lifted his other hand as if raising a glass. Actor nodded and went downstairs to Garrison's office, he came back with a bottle of the Warden's best bourbon and three glasses. "It looks like none of us can sleep tonight," he said as he poured out three generous servings, he handed them one each and took the last, he looked at them and raised his glass. "To Chief, may he be back with us soon."

"Chief," they echoed and drained their glasses.

Casino looked intently at his empty glass. "Tell me Actor, what makes someone do somethin' like that? Why's Geronimo so prepared to just throw his life away?"

Actor sighed. "It's because he doesn't put any value on it. I bet Chief's been told all his life how worthless he is, you heard what Hardin called him, a dog, a no good breed, he's most probably been called that, or worse, for as long as he can remember. Remember how Wheeler treated him when we first got here, the names he called him and what he tried to do to him?"

Goniff looked up at the safe-cracker bitterly. "Yeah, you didn't help either mate, callin' him a 'stupid indian' 'n hazin' him all the time just 'cos of who and what he is."

Actor frowned. "If that's all you've ever been told you start to believe it. Chief told us himself the only value he ever had was as a fighter providing sport for others, he'd been used and abused by everyone he'd known, then he met Garrison and things changed for the better but he still thinks of himself as that worthless breed, someone whose life doesn't matter. I overheard him talking to the Warden on the way back from Holland, he said he had nobody or nothing to lose, no-one would notice he'd gone."

Casino looked at the two of them. "But I'd notice, we all would. I never meant the names I called him, you know I was only jokin' right? Geronimo knew I was only jokin', there's no way he's stupid. Anyway I don't call him that now do I? I like the kid."

Actor poured a second, generous round. "We all do, let's hope Chief lives long enough for us to tell him that." They raised their glasses.

"Geronimo," said Casino quietly, they drained their glasses.

Actor looked at his watch. "We might as well get showered and dressed. Thompson will be here in a hour or so to take us back."

Casino nodded and got up. "I'll make the coffee, we'll need it good 'n strong. You want anythin' for breakfast Limey?" Goniff shook his head. Casino looked anxiously at Actor, this wasn't like the perky thief they knew and threw things at for his terrible jokes and mischievous pranks. Goniff was always the one raising other people's spirits, now he was the one who needed comforting.

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Thompson pulled up at seven o'clock and saw everyone was waiting for him on the steps, Casino was carrying an overnight bag, they climbed in the back of the car and sat silently for the journey. It was nearly eight when they arrived, the three cons jumped out and hurried into the hospital. Thompson found a parking spot and waited for Drummond and his team mates to come down.

Actor, Goniff and Casino ran up the stairs and into the Warden's room, it was empty, they went into Chief's room and found Garrison sitting on a chair next to Chief's bed, he was wrapped in a blanket and was watching a nurse take Chief's temperature and blood pressure. There was an intravenous drip hanging on the other side of the bed with the tube going into Chief's forearm, a catheter drained into a pouch hanging at the side of the bed.

"Hey, look it's the Warden up 'n about, how you doin' babe?" Casino was trying to make a good effort at sounding happy, he waved the overnight bag. "We brought you some clean fatigues to change into, didn't think you'd wanna to wear that gown with your ass hangin' out in front of these pretty nurses!" He leered at the young nurse, she blushed and fled the room. "Ain't lost my touch." He hauled Garrison to his feet, ushered him to his room and closed the door. "Come on Warden, I'll help you get dressed, let's get you pretty for when she comes back! Even packed your toothbrush 'n shavin' gear!"

Actor turned to Drummond. "Did anything happen last night?"

Drummond motioned for his two men to leave the room. "If it had you would've been the first to know." He nodded towards the connecting door. "Garrison came in and sat in that chair as soon as you'd left, he stayed there all night. How about you?"

Actor frowned. "Goniff had nightmares about Chief. He couldn't sleep and we kept him company."

Drummond regarded the tall man, he could see lines of weariness etched on his face, he turned and opened the door. "McAllen, go and see if you can scramble up some strong coffee and sandwiches for these men."

A voice drifted through. "Yes Sir."

Fifteen minutes later McAllen came back carrying a tray with a large pot of coffee, four cups and a plateful of bacon sandwiches. He'd managed to persuade the kitchen staff to part with some of the precious rations to make a tempting treat for the despondent team. The delicious aroma made Goniff raise his head, he was feeling better now he was back with Garrison and Chief and could see for himself how they were doing.

Garrison and Casino came back in the room. "That smells good don't it Warden? Sit right there 'n I'll pour you a cup 'n get you a sandwich" cajoled the safe-cracker.

Drummond looked round the room. "We'll be going now lads. I hope the day goes well for you. We'll be back tonight at eight to take over.

"Why are you all doing this Drummond?" asked Garrison quietly.

Drummond looked over at the bed and its silent occupant. "Let's just say it's a favour for a friend." He turned and left.

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The day was long and tedious. Doctors visited to check Garrison's leg and ribs and tend to Chief's injuries. Nurses came and went, every few hours they'd chivvy the men out into Garrison's room while Chief was carefully checked over and salve rubbed onto the wounds and burns on his body. Actor took the latest opportunity to search for some newspapers and cigarettes, by the time he returned everyone was back in Chief's room.

A few mugs of coffee later Garrison got up, grabbed his cane and slowly walked to his room to use the facilities, he looked at himself in the mirror for the first time in days and saw at least a week's growth of stubble on his face, he looked tired and gaunt. "Better have a shave," he said to himself and carefully unbuttoned his shirt. As he bent forward to splash his face with water something gold swung from around his neck and flashed in the light, he hadn't noticed it earlier when Casino was helping him change into his fatigues. He grabbed it and looked at it, his heart wrenched as he recognised what it was, he took a couple of steps back to his bed and collapsed onto it, giving a harsh cry. "No!"

Actor rushed in and quickly closed the door behind him, he looked at Garrison, he was sitting on the bed holding something tightly in his hand, a chain gleamed on his neck. Garrison looked up at Actor and slowly held out his hand, a gold medallion lay in his palm. "It's Chief's, he must've put it on me when he said goodbye," he said hoarsely.

Actor held his gaze. "Goniff told us what happened. I think Chief didn't expect to see you again and gave you a parting gift to remember him by. Wear it in his honour Warden, whatever happens he wanted you to have it."

Garrison looked down at the medallion shining in his hand. "This was the only thing he owned." He took a deep breath and tried to collect himself. "Can you leave me alone for a minute Actor, I need to get myself together and have a shave. I look a mess."

The conman smiled. "Of course Warden."

Actor walked slowly into the other room. "Garrison ok? What happened?" whispered Casino.

Actor gave Casino an agonised look. "The Warden's just discovered Chief hung his medallion round his neck as a farewell present, he just needs a little time to get over it."

Casino shook his head. "Geronimo really thought he was gonna die, didn't he? He just got up 'n took Garrison's place without a second thought, he really is one crazy, brave son of a bitch!"

Goniff looked up him. "He did it for me as well as the Warden, Casino." He sighed and looked at the bed.

The safe-cracker followed his look. "He's still crazy 'n I'm gonna tell him that when he wakes up."

Drummond and his men arrived at eight o'clock sharp to change shift, Actor informed him that there had been no change in Chief's condition before they left to go back home. As he walked out the door the conman saw the same four men from yesterday sitting outside in the corridor waiting their turn at watch, he was sure he'd seen them before but couldn't place where. Thompson stood up and gestured for them to follow him to the car.

Drummond looked at Garrison, he was still sitting by Chief's bed, holding a medallion in one hand and Chief's forearm in the other, he was talking to him in a low voice. The Sergeant Major silently sat down and took first watch.

An hour later the door to Garrison's room opened and a group of doctors strolled in. "Can you come in here so we can check you over Lieutenant," drawled a U.S. mid-western voice, it belonged to a sandy-haired man in a white coat carrying a clipboard. Garrison slowly got up, took his cane and limped slowly through, he sat on the bed and impatiently waited as his ribs and leg were examined. The doctor smiled. "Seems you're doin' well Lieutenant, soon have you outta here. We'll just go through 'n see to your friend."

The doctors walked into the other room, Drummond joined Garrison to give them some privacy. Suddenly the voice spoke out loudly. "What the hell! He's a damn Indian. That ain't on the chart. What's a worthless breed like him doin' on my floor takin' up good bed space in a private room? Get him outta here!"

Garrison saw red, he lurched forward but was stopped by Drummond's hand placed firmly on his chest. "I'll see to this Garrison, you're in no fit mood for an argument, you just might kill the bastard." Drummond walked silently up behind the doctor, laid a heavy hand on his shoulder and turned him slowly round. The doctor found himself looking at a row of shirt buttons, he looked further up, past a thick, bushy beard into dark brown eyes that glittered with anger. Drummond held his gaze and spoke in a friendly voice that belied his displeasure.

"Did I just hear you bad-mouthing my friend Chief here Laddie? I'm sure you didn't mean what you said." The doctor squirmed as Drummond lowered his face down towards him, his tone turned menacing. "That man over there has saved more lives than you ever will. He's worth ten thousand of you and I'm proud to call him my friend." He grabbed the doctor's hand and squeezed. "How many fingers do you need to write on your little board?" There was a cracking sound, the doctor's face turned white and he cried out in pain. Drummond kept looking at him as he called to the men waiting outside the room. "McAllen, come in here and watch Chief for a spell while I take Doctor..." he looked at the name badge, "Greenfield here to X-ray, he appears to have broken his hand. On my way back I think I'll have a little word with his superiors about his bedside manner or lack thereof." He glared at the other doctors. "You lot of the same opinion as this idiot?" he boomed menacingly. They shook their heads. "Good, carry on then, McAllen will be watching you like a hawk, won't you lad?" McAllen nodded, folded his arms and scowled at the huddled group.

Drummond slapped Greenfield on the back. "Come on then, off to X-ray with you, or shall I shake your other hand too?"

Garrison watched open-mouthed as the doctor was escorted out the room, the others conferred and soon followed. He hobbled back over to his chair and sat down. "What the hell just happened?" he asked.

McAllen answered with a smile. "Oh the Sergeant Major has his little ways. He can't abide fools especially bigoted ones, he takes a man at face value."

Garrison looked up at the young soldier. "He said Chief is his friend, I need to know what's going on, can you tell me what's happening?"

McAllen shook his head. "I can't tell you that Sir."

Garrison glared at the soldier. "Can't or won't?"

"Both. I'm sure Drum will, when he's ready," replied McAllen apologetically.

The rest of the night passed without incident, Garrison sat by Chief's bed watching for any sign of consciousness. His men arrived and the watch changed, they noticed that Garrison still hadn't slept and Garrison saw that the same held true for them.

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The morning dragged by, interrupted only by the occasional visit by a doctor or nurse. Major Richards arrived just after lunch with a portable tape player and a pile of transcripts, he placed them on the table next to Garrison and sat beside him, Actor, Goniff and Casino stood around listening. Richards looked around at the men. "The first tape is hours of the Germans questioning Chief in English, he didn't tell them anything."

"He had no information to give them," said Garrison flatly. He looked at the quiet form on the bed. Richards followed his gaze.

"Then on the second tape they started to torture him." Richards paused, he'd insisted on hearing every second and it still haunted him, he nodded at the machine. "It's the one I brought with me. He began talking to them in a language neither I nor they understood and they got even more brutal. I don't know how he survived as long as he did."

"Chief's a real tough kid," said Casino quietly.

Richards glanced up at him and nodded agreement. "Yes, he's the best commando I haven't got." He looked back at Garrison. "Do you know what he's saying Lieutenant?" He switched on the machine and the team froze as they heard Chief's voice, it was rasping and weak and they could hear his tortured breathing. There was a terrible, sizzling sound and the start of a scream, Richards quickly switched the machine off. Goniff put his hand to his mouth and turned away, Casino put a comforting arm over his friend's shoulder, Actor stood in grim silence, smoking his pipe.

Garrison swallowed down the lump that had risen in his throat at the sound of the voice he never thought he'd hear again. He breathed in deeply, took hold of Chief's medallion and pulled himself together, he recognised the language. "He was speaking Diné - Navajo. They wouldn't know what it was or what he was saying."

The Major nodded. "Just at the end it looks as if Chief sent you a message, he says your name and something else. I'll run the tape forward to get to it." Richards watched the counter on the machine, stopped the tape and pressed the play button.

Actor's voice could be heard faintly in the background as he shouted orders in the reception room down the corridor. There was a gasp as Chief fought for air, his next words were slow and clear as he forced them out. "Warden...Ya ta hey Ánaaí...Hágoónee'." They heard him let out a long slow breath and then Bergmann's voice sounded. "Scheisse, he's dead."

Richards pressed stop. "Do you know what Chief said?" he asked.

Garrison nodded. "Chief taught me a few words and phrases, the first part was a traditional Navajo greeting, he said, 'All's good brother,' he knew I'd understand what he meant. The second part, 'hágoónee'', means 'goodbye'." The room was silent, Garrison put his head in his hands, Actor walked over and put his hand on his shoulder.

Casino turned round. "Was Chief tellin' you he was ok doin' what he did for you 'n Goniff?" Garrison nodded. "Damn crazy Indian, he'd better come through this so I can kill him myself for bein' so damn...Geronimo." Casino turned away and stood next to Chief's bed. "You hear me Babe? Don't you dare die!"

Richards sat back in his chair and ran his fingers through his grey hair. "I'm worried about the fact the Germans knew you were there and asked for you by name. There's got to have been a leak somewhere, my people are looking into it as we speak. You could still be in danger, that's one of the reasons Drummond and the team are here."

Garrison nodded but didn't say anything, he looked at the silent figure in the bed and vowed that if he found who was behind all this they wouldn't be occupying a six foot by six foot cell, they'd be in a six foot deep hole.

Richards followed his gaze. "Chief's a good man, I hope he makes it Garrison," he rose to leave, went to pick up the tape player but Garrison's hand stopped him, Richards nodded and left with the transcripts.