87. Not With My Daughter . . .

Chapter 1

Goniff glanced at the head resting against his shoulder as they moved in lazy circles in the middle of the dance floor. He had been afraid there would be another mission and he would not have been able to meet Meggie at the Blue Fox for a little dancing and snuggling. Her curly hair tickled his nose when he looked that way.

He had been surprised at first when Meg had no problem being seen in the pub and sitting tight up against him in the booth they shared with Casino and Chief. Actor had smiled and motioned the couple to take one side of the booth. Terry was working the bar tonight, so Actor spent the evening on his stool at the far end of the bar, drinking Courvoisier, smoking his pipe and conversing with the girl when she had a moment's break from serving.

The song ended and another one began. This one was a slow one also. Meg pulled her head back and looked at Goniff, practically nose-to-nose.

"Are you up for another dance?" she asked with a small smile.

"O' course, Meggie Love," assured the blond Englishman. "That's wot we're here for now, i'n't it?"

They continued to move to the music.

"Well, you just got back from a bad mission last night," Meg said. "I thought maybe you would be too tired."

"Too tired to dance wif you? Never," scoffed Goniff.

The girl's smile widened, and her head tucked back to its place on his shoulder.

GGG

No one noticed the British Major enter the pub. There were so many uniforms in there from many branches of the military and many different countries, attention was not paid to the newcomer. At least not at first.

Meg was sitting in the corner of the booth, hip and knee tight to Goniff's. Both were sipping at their ale. Casino, across the table from the pickpocket, was telling a dirty joke, having discovered Meg thought his sense of humor was funny.

"Megan! What do you think you are doing?" exclaimed the Major in anger.

The girl looked up in resignation. "Hello, Father. I am having a drink, talking and dancing."

"No, you are not! You are leaving!" roared Major Schaeffer. "I will not have you fraternizing

with the likes of these men."

"Father, we are just visiting. Nothing is going on," tried the girl again.

"And nothing will go on!" Schaeffer glared at Goniff. "You get up and let her out."

"'Ere now!" objected Goniff. "She can be wherever she wants to be."

"Yeah," growled Casino. "We don't have a mission. We have passes. And Meg can sit and fraternize with whoever she wants."

At the bar, Actor looked up at the commotion in the far booth. He shook his head. Teresa was in the backroom getting more bottles of liquor. With a resigned sigh of his own, the tall con man rose and walked deliberately over to the booth.

"Is there a problem?" asked Actor with arrogance.

Schaeffer shot him a look of disgust. "If this criminal would let my daughter out, we will be leaving."

Actor turned his attention to Meg. "Were you asking to leave?"

"No," replied the girl, "but I will if it will keep the peace."

Actor shook his head. "Excuse me Major, as I recall Meg is of drinking age and is no longer a child under your control. If she doesn't wish to leave, she doesn't have to."

"She lives under my roof. She answers to me," objected the Major in an angry tone. "Now let her out," he ordered Goniff. "I am going to call the constabulary and have you men thrown in the stockade."

Terry came out of the backroom with two bottles of Boodles and wondered where Actor had disappeared to. Loud voices got her attention. She firmly set the bottle on the bar and reached for the telephone. Her finger automatically dialed 999.

"Yes, this is Terry Garrison at the Blue Fox. I have a British officer in here causing trouble. He has been told in the past he is not welcome in this establishment. Could you send someone to remove him please? Maybe more than one."

Assured the Bobbies would be right there, she hung up and came around the bar, striding toward the back booth. She was just in time to hear that last threat from Major Schaeffer.

"That won't be necessary," Terry said forcefully. "I have already called the constabulary. Major, this is my establishment and you have been told before you are not welcome here. I suggest you leave unless you want to explain things to the constables and the MPs."

"I am not leaving without Meg," objected Schaeffer angrily.

Actor looked at the couple in the booth and saw neither was making any effort to move. "Major," he said. "I don't believe she wishes to go with you, and she does not have to."

"I will not be told my daughter does not have to leave with me by you scum!" blasted the major.

The song on the jukebox ended and there was dead silence in the bar. The other patrons were watching.

"Excuse me, Major Schaeffer," said Terry firmly. "You will not refer to my patrons in that language. I told you to leave. You can leave now, or with the Bobbies. But you will leave."

Schaeffer's face turned bright red and his features screwed up. "Meg, we are going home now. Get over here."

The normally quiet, friendly girl fixed her father with defiant look, head held high. "I'm sorry, Father, but I am staying here a while longer."

"Then don't bother to come home. You are not welcome in my house!" he blared.

The Major grabbed Goniff's shoulder. Actor's big strong hand clamped on the man's wrist, the cords and muscles in his forearm standing stiffly at attention.

"Major," the con man said in a deceptively calm voice. "If you lay a hand on any of us, including your daughter, I will not wait for the constabulary or the MPs. I will take great pleasure in throwing you out of this establishment."

"I'll see you in prison!" exploded Schaeffer.

"Yeah?" goaded Casino. "Well you'll be in the same cell with us."

Chief's knife made a click and he lay it on the table in front of him, with his hand next to it.

"Are you threatening me?" asked the Major. He turned to look at Actor, whose grip had tightened even more. "Get your hand off me!"

The Italian removed his hand. "Oh, I am sorry Major. Did I hurt you?" he asked solicitously.

The Major now realized he was hemmed in by that arrogant man and the unpredictable woman. His eyes darted around at all of them.

Goniff leaned close to Meg's ear. "I'll let you out if you want to go with him," he whispered.

"No, Rodney," she replied. "I have lived with him and taken care of him for my mum after she died. But there is a limit to what I will put up with. I am perfectly fine with staying here."

Schaeffer decided to make a get away from them all. He thought getting past that smart-arse Garrison woman would be the easiest. He tried to shove past her left shoulder.

Simultaneously, Actor grabbed his collar, Terry's right hand came up with her blade, the Bobbies and the MPs entered in time to see the action, and three soldiers rose to their feet to defend the girl.

"I won't be threatened by you!" exclaimed Schaeffer.

"You started the ruckus, Major," said Terry. She presented him with a crocodile smile she had learned from the con man. "Don't start something if you are not able to finish it."

Two Bobbies and two MPs approached the group. One of the constables took Terry aside as she closed her blade and put it back in its holster on her wrist.

"Having a spot of trouble tonight, Terry?" he asked.

"Looks that way," replied the girl.

One of the MPs joined her. "What's going on?"

"These are our special forces guys. The girl is Major Schaeffer's daughter. She is of age. She does not want to leave with him. We have had trouble with him before and he was thrown out and told he is not to set foot in here again. He has threatened these men who were quietly having drinks and dancing. He got physical with one of the men and me and I pulled my knife out. He is also a commanding officer of the men. However that has been less and less due to his treatment of them." Terry looked between the two men from two different entities. "I don't know who has jurisdiction over this but would one or both of you get him out of here, please."

"You can have him if you want him," said the Bobbie to the MP.

The MP looked at Terry. "Do you want to press charges?"

Terry knew this scene would happen again and again. It had to be stopped, even if it did cause trouble for her brother and the men. "Yes, I'll file charges," she said with resignation. "Assault and I guess it depends on your definition of battery. He grabbed Mr. Grainger who is with Miss Schaeffer, the Major's daughter. Actor grabbed Major Schaeffer's wrist in defense of Mr. Grainger and again in defense of me when the Major shoved me. That is why my knife was out."

"We saw that part," said the MP. He frowned. "Garrison. Are you Lt. Garrison's sister?"

"One of them," replied Terry. "And unfortunately, Major Schaeffer is one of his commanding officers. Though less in the past few months."

"So where is Lt. Garrison?" he asked.

"I would imagine he is in his office, at his desk, writing up his latest mission," said Terry. "He doesn't know anything about this little incident yet."

"Okay," said the man. "We'll keep the Major in the stockade here. Come in and make a full report as soon as you can." They both looked at the ruckus being put up by Schaeffer while being handcuffed. "Tomorrow morning would be fine," the MP said with a grin.

"Thank you," said Terry. "I'll even type it up for you."

The MP went back to assist his partner with the unruly officer. Terry turned to find Actor and spotted him talking with one of the Bobbies. To her surprise, there was a line of military patrons of the bar forming to talk with the Bobbies. She glanced at the table and even the men were sitting quietly, albeit with Casino having a wide satisfied grin on his face.

Terry walked up to Actor's side and addressed the Bobby. "Excuse me, could I have a word with Mr. Borghese please, just for a minute?"

"Of course, Miss," smiled the British constable.

Actor followed her a little way away from the group.

"Actor, can you handle out here for a bit, please?" asked Teresa. "I need to call Major Richards right away."

Actor grinned. "I will take care of this," he said. "You have stirred up a hornet's nest now."

"Yeah," said woman with uncertainty. "I will probably have to drop the charges against him. I'll let Major Richards make that decision."

"Our good Major Schaeffer will not let this one by without making more trouble for us than he already does," predicted Actor.

"I know," sighed Terry.

"I would suggest we get Meg's belongings from Schaeffer's house and take her to the Mansion," said the con man. "He will go to the Mansion, but we will be able to keep him from getting to her. I think she is safer there than upstairs here or at your apartment."

Terry tilted her head back to look up at the amusement in his eyes. "Thanks," she said. Her voice went to almost a whisper. "I think I might owe you a kiss for this," she half teasing, half serious.

"And I will be sure to collect it," he promised.

Actor went back to his conversation with the Bobby.

Terry headed for the back room. She stopped and turned around looking at the men and few women who were in the bar tonight. "Next round of drinks is on the house as soon as I get back!" she called out.

There was clapping and a couple whistles in response to that. Terry figured Kit was not going to be as appreciative. She pushed through the curtains to the back room and bounded down the wooden steps. Madge was watching for her, the earphones held to one ear.

"Something bad going on upstairs?" asked the radio girl. "I thought I heard yelling."

"Yeah, it's bad and not going to be over for a while." Terry slipped into the chair beside the phone. She picked up the receiver and dialed her neighbor's number. The groggy voice of the Gallagher woman answered in her ear. "Hey, get over here. We've had some big trouble. The Bobbies are here. The MPs left and nobody is tending bar at the moment. I just promised all those wonderful military boys the next round is on the house." There was a pause. "It's complicated. I'll tell you later. Right now I have to talk to Major Richards."

Terry put the receiver back in the cradle. Madge was watching her expectantly.

Terry shook her head. "Okay, short version. Meg was here with Goniff and the other guys. I was in the backroom getting booze. Major Schaeffer got past me and Actor. He argued with the guys and made a grab for Goniff. Actor stopped him. There was an argument and Meg refused to leave with him. Chief had his blade out. Schaeffer tried to shove past me, and I got my blade out. Actor grabbed Schaeffer again. The MPs and the Bobbies got here in time to see that. The MPs took Schaeffer away and I am pressing charges. He kicked Meg out of their house. She's coming to the Mansion with us until this is straightened out."

"Oh, bloody 'ell," said Madge. "There's going to be more trouble from that Major Schaeffer before this is over."

"Probably." Terry picked up the phone again and dialed Major Richard's office. She knew he would still be there working on Craig's debriefing notes.

The Major answered his own telephone.

"Kevin? It's Terry," the woman said.

"Now what have they done?" asked Richards in weary resignation.

"They were fine. Major Schaeffer is on his way to the stockade with two MPs. I have the Bobbies upstairs yet."

"You had an officer arrested?" asked Richards voice, alert now.

"Yes," said Terry, "and I said I was pressing charges of assault and battery."

"Who did he do that to?" demanded the Major.

"He grabbed Goniff and shoved me," said Terry. "Actor grabbed him twice."

"Okay, start at the beginning. Why can't anything be simple with you people?"

Terry smiled. "You wouldn't want us if was."

She proceeded to explain the incident to him. When she was done she asked, "Do you want me to back off on the charges?"

"No," replied Richards with a touch of satisfaction in his voice. "Garrison's team is not the only one he has caused problems for. No, this may be enough to change his attitude. Does Lt. Garrison know all this?"

"Uh, no," admitted Terry. "I called you first." Before he could say more she continued. "This brings up another problem. If Meg has been kicked out of the house, I doubt she will be working in Schaeffer's office."

"Hmm, yes, there is that," said Richards. "Keep her at the Mansion until we see where this is going. She may like a change of scenery. I'm sure we can find someone who will treat her better as a secretary and possibly pay her more than I am sure Major Schaeffer is."

"I think I'd rather relocate Major Schaeffer," said Terry disgustedly.

"That might be an alternative," said the Major thoughtfully. "Can you handle things there right now?"

"Yes," replied the woman. "Actor's handling the upstairs for the moment. I think the Bobbies and the MPs are working together on this one. The Bobbies stayed and they are taking statements from our guys and the military personnel who were witness to the mess. And the place was full at that time."

"I will be in touch with them and you later," said Richards. "I would suggest you call the Lieutenant before he gets wind of this through other channels."

"Craig is my next call," said Terry. "Thanks, Kevin. I needed your input first. But please, can't we persuade Major Schaeffer to cease and desist without having to go through another tribunal?"

"One step at a time, Terry. Right now, get everyone situated."

"Yes, Sir."

"Now allow me to get back to my work," said the Major with a smile in his voice.

"Good night, Kevin."

Terry hung up.

"I think I'd rather talk to Major Richards than your brother."

Terry turned to look at the amused smile on Madge's face. "I think I agree with you."

With a resigned sigh, she dialed the Mansion's number.

"Lt. Garrison," answered her brother.

"Uh, Craig, I'm afraid we have a problem," said Terry.

"Are they in the stockade?" he asked with irritation.

"No, they were fine. Major Schaeffer's in the stockade." Terry waited for the blast and wasn't disappointed.

"What! You had Major Schaeffer arrested? I don't believe you!"

"The MPs have Schaeffer. The Bobbies are upstairs getting statements from witnesses, so we are going to be late, getting back, and we will have Meg Schaeffer with us." Terry pushed on. "I have already talked to Major Richards. I needed his input before I could call you."

"Why is Meg coming here?" demanded Craig.

"For her safety," said Terry. "Schaeffer tried to get her away from Goniff and she wouldn't go. That's when he got a little physical."

"Physical with who?" asked Garrison only slightly calmer.

"Goniff first and then me," replied Terry. "Actor had to grab him twice."

"And the guys are not in trouble?"

"No," Terry said. "Schaeffer did it in front of a full house and we have military from three countries giving statements to that effect."

"Okay," said Craig. "I'll be in my office."

8