Chapter 3 – Bad News Travels Fast

Peterson dropped Garrison outside the mansion, he leaned forward in his seat as the Lieutenant got out. "Don't worry Garrison, Chief will be back."

Garrison nodded. "I know." He turned, walked up the steps to the front door and entered.

Actor and Casino had heard the car pull up, they hurried down the stairs to see a lone figure walk through the door and close it behind him. The safe-cracker ran up and grabbed Garrison's shoulders. "Where's Goniff 'n Geronimo?"

Garrison winced and pulled Casino's hand from his injured shoulder. "I don't know Casino, somewhere in Germany! All I know is they were left behind and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it!"

Casino went ballistic. "WHAT! You take 'em behind enemy lines 'n just lose 'em? What did ya do? Ya go off on some cockamamie caper o' your own again 'n leave 'em on their own?"

Garrison nodded and said quietly. "It was supposed to be an easy in and out to rescue an American officer and his flight crew. Navajo 4 went out with us on the Sea Dragon, they had their own mission to carry out. Chief, Goniff and I raided the local SS Headquarters, after we'd finished I went to rendezvous with Captain Lucas, I told Goniff and Chief to meet us back at the Dragon. I got jumped by Lucas and his crew when we got to the plane, they didn't bother waiting for Chief, Goniff or the Navajos."

Casino threw up his arms. "Ya lost six men and ya didn't see it comin'? Ya didn't put up a fight? What kind o' useless tin soldier are ya?"

Garrison shook his head. "There was nothing I could do, they took me by surprise."

Casino sneered. "Spare us your excuses, they're like assholes, everyone's got one but no-one wants to hear 'em."

Actor gave his team mate a warning look. "Casino, stop. You can see the Warden's been wounded, don't do this."

The safe-cracker stared at the tall conman. "Don't do what? Tell it like it is? Goniff's my friend 'n now he's stuck in Germany all 'cos o' him."

Actor sighed as he tried to defuse the situation. "And Chief's...," he paused as he saw the look in Garrison's eyes, he knew he couldn't tell Casino the Warden's secret.

Casino threw up his hands and stepped forward. "Chief's what? Nobody? Just 'cos the kid's got no family or friends besides us don't mean he don't matter. He matters to me! He 'n Goniff could be prisoners or worse just 'cos o' his grandstandin'! He's gotta win this damn war single-handed, we're a team Goddammit!" The safe-cracker thrust an angry finger into Garrison's face, his New York accent getting more noticeable the angrier he got. "'N you! Actin' all buddy buddy with the kid, goin' runnin' together, teachin' him chess, callin' him 'little brother', well ya sure acted like his brother didn't ya? Ya left him behind, after all he done for ya! Ya ain't no brother to no-one 'cept maybe ya own family 'n that don't include him. Geronimo trusted ya, looked up to ya 'n would follow ya anywhere, I said he was in no fit state to go this time but he did it anyway – for you! The kid deserved better, did ya ever care about him or any one of us? You bastard! How can any of us trust ya after this?"

Actor saw Garrison bunch his fists as Casino's barbed comments hit home, he could see the Lieutenant breathing deeply to keep his emotions in check, it was taking every ounce of self-control he had. The conman stepped forward and gently pushed the safe-cracker back a couple of steps. "Enough Casino."

Casino pushed back. "No it ain't. Someone's gotta tell 'im he screwed up!"

"You think I don't know that? You think I wanted it to happen? You're wrong Casino, about everything!" Garrison shouted as he drew himself up to his full height and fixed the mouthy New Yorker with a humourless glare, he shook his head, pulled himself together and lowered his voice. "Alright, you've had your say now knock it off." He knew he should have slapped Casino down the moment he opened his mouth but he felt he deserved the tongue lashing he'd just received from the irate man.

Actor pointed to Garrison's office. "I think you'd better tell us what happened Warden."

Garrison lead the way, he went to his cabinet, pulled out a bottle of bourbon and three glasses, this was going against his promise to Rainey but he needed to settle his nerves and bring the world into focus, he poured three generous measures and related what happened.

Casino's face settled into a hard glare as he listened, when Garrison finished the safe-cracker threw back the last of his drink and turned towards the door. "Where's that bastard Lucas? I'm gonna make him pay for leavin' Chief 'n Goniff behind, the poor Limey can't fend for himself out there. That guy's toast!"

Garrison shook his head. "Major Richards is dealing with him. Don't go anywhere near Lucas, his uncle is General Fremont, you'll end up back in prison."

Casino snorted. "Don't care if his dad's F.D.R. that crumb's gonna be sorry he ever crawled outta his mother's belly 'n drew breath."

Actor looked closely at Garrison, it was obvious that he was devastated he'd left Chief and Goniff behind. "What's your plan Warden? Whatever you want to do, we'll do it."

Garrison gave the tall conman a thankful look. "We have to wait for news. Richards won't let us go back." He glanced at his watch. "Can you give me a couple of hours? I have to notify some people about what's happened."

The conman nodded. "Take your time Warden, we'll be here."

Garrison grabbed his cap, keys to the jeep and ran out the door. Casino looked at his team mate. "What's that all about?"

Actor looked at the safe-cracker. "None of your business Casino, the Warden will tell you when he's good and ready."

GG-GG-GG

Craig knocked on the door of the cottage and waited for an answer, he knew the girls were off shift, the Alvis was parked outside. He looked at the car and recalled riding in it with Rainey, they'd ended up arguing about Caen and come out at the end even stronger friends.

Laura answered the door, she smiled at her fiancé and looked past him. "Where's Rainey?" She took one look at his face and her own paled. "Oh God no! Please Craig, not Rainey!"

Craig put his hands on Laura's shoulders. "Let me in honey. Where's Trish?"

A voice came from the stairs. "Here." Trish ran forward. "Hi big bro, where's that man of mine?"

Craig walked through to the kitchen, Laura made coffee as he told the girls what had happened. He sighed. "I'm sorry little sis, I couldn't do a thing about it."

Trish sipped her coffee and looked into the space between here and there. "He's not dead, I'd feel it if he was. Rainey will come home, he promised me he would."

Craig grasped his sister's hand. "Trish, he's in the middle of Germany, there's not a lot of hope he can get out."

Trish put down her cup, smiled and looked her brother in the eye. "He's got Goniff and Navajo 4 with him, don't you know Rainey by now? Whatever it takes, he'll get back to us."

Craig nodded. "You're right honey." His face took on a worried look. "How do I tell Ma and the General?"

Trish put her hand on her brother's. "Leave it to me, I'll do it. Get back to the war and bring our boys home."

Craig smiled. "Yes ma'am." He kissed Laura and strode out the door.

Laura looked at Trish as she dissolved into tears. "You think he's gone?"

Trish shook her head. "No, but I'm worried about what he's got to get through to come home to us." She pulled herself together, blew her nose on a handkerchief and reached for the phone. "I'd better let Ma and Dad know right away, I don't want them hearing this from someone else, you know how bad news travels fast."

GG-GG-GG

General George Garrison sat in his office at HQ and listened to his daughter as she told him what had happened. His heart wrenched as he heard the despair in her voice. "You want to go home and stay with your mother honey?"

The small voice at the other end of the line trembled slightly, he could tell Trish was near to tears. "No dad, I'm needed here. It'll give me something to do, besides Craig needs me too."

George frowned. "How is your brother?"

"Oh Dad, he's trying to put a brave face on for the army and his men but I can tell he's hurting like crazy. Remember what Rainey said when they left us? 'Two or none', now there's one and Craig will never forgive himself if something's happened to Rainey, even if there was nothing he could do about it."

George sat back in his chair and sighed. "Ok honey, I'll tell your mother. If you need to come home don't hesitate and bring Laura with you as well."

"Thanks Dad, you're the best, love you." The line went dead.

George stared at the phone as the news sank in. The vision of Rainey walking behind Craig with his ebony cane slung nonchalantly over his shoulders knowing he'd need it rose before him, it was followed quickly by the memory of him swimming out to rescue the three children from the river when no-one else could, he smiled as he recalled how he'd given his future son-in-law a hard time when he'd asked for his permission to marry Trish. George sighed, put the receiver down and pressed a button on his intercom. "Get my driver, I'm going to Hampshire." He stood up, took his cap off the rack and donned his jacket, this wasn't the kind of news he could give Mary over the phone, he'd have to do it in person and hold her as she cried for the son they feared lost.