Chapter 4 – Substitutes, Not Replacements
It had been over a week since Garrison's return to England and he'd spent nearly every day at the army base trying to get information about Goniff and Chief, in the end an exasperated Major Richards had ordered him to stay at the mansion. "Garrison, I have every resource at my disposal looking for Navajo 4 and your men, you looking over everyone's shoulder doesn't help. Go and look after the team you still have, I'll let you know as soon as I hear something."
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It was early morning, Garrison finished his circuit of the track and sprinted towards the mansion steps half-expecting to see Chief sitting on the ornate steps, waiting for him as he usually did after he'd shown him a clean pair of heels and left him in the dust. He stopped, sat down on what he now called 'Chief's step' and put his head in his hands as he got his breath back. It had now been two weeks since his return, he'd been forcing himself to take his early morning runs, he had to get fit again, but it wasn't the same without his brother at his side to urge him on. He unconsciously reached into a pocket and took out his cigarettes, he lit one and looked around at the gravel drive and immaculately kept grounds as he drew in the smoke and breathed it out, he'd been smoking too much over the last few days but it was either that or break open a bottle of bourbon to drink on his own and he'd given Rainey his solemn promise he'd never do that again. He threw down the cigarette stub, ground it out with his foot, stood up and walked into the mansion.
Casino poked his head out of the kitchen and gave Garrison a concerned look. "You look like you need a mug o' strong, Italian coffee, lucky you got a couple strong, Italian mugs to make it for you!" The safe-cracker's attitude towards Garrison had softened over the last week or so, but he'd never apologise for what he'd said – that wasn't his style.
Garrison managed a small smile at Casino's lame joke. "What you doing up so early?"
Actor walked into view behind his team mate and glanced at his watch. "We're not early Warden, you're late."
Casino nodded. "Yeah, you been headin' out later 'n later 'n takin' twice as long to run the track without Geronimo. Actor 'n me were up ages ago, even made breakfast, want some?" He thrust a large mug of coffee into Garrison's right hand and a thick slice of buttered toast in his left, he looked Garrison in the eye. "Get that down ya, no arguin' Warden.
Actor and Casino watched as Garrison sat at the kitchen table and reluctantly ate his breakfast, they looked at each other over his head and frowned, they were worried about him, they were worried about Goniff and Chief and worried about what the future held for them all.
The phone in the office rang, Actor put his hand on Garrison's shoulder to stop him from getting up. "Finish your breakfast Warden, I'll get it."
Ten minutes later Actor walked back in. "It was Major Richards."
Casino put down his mug and looked up expectantly. "He got news about Goniff 'n Geronimo?"
Actor shook his head. "He didn't say, he wants to see you Warden."
Garrison got up from the table and headed upstairs to wash and get changed, the two cons watched him go. Casino huffed. "The army won't be satisfied 'til we're all dead 'n gone."
Actor sipped his coffee. "You're forgetting that it was Major Richards who believed in Garrison and us and kept the team together with Chief's help."
Casino flexed his arm, it felt a lot better now the plaster cast was off, his fingers were still a little stiff but that would wear off. He looked at Actor, the limp was hardly noticeable now when he walked. "Yeah, suppose you're right."
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Major Richards regarded the officer standing at attention in front of him. "At ease Lieutenant, I've called you here because I have a mission for you and your team."
Garrison looked at the Major in disbelief. "You can't be serious! I've got half a team and they've only just been pronounced fit."
Richards raised an eyebrow. "I believe that's 'You can't be serious, Sir'." His reply was delivered in his clipped, English accent "The war won't stop and wait for our missing men to turn up, we have to carry on as best we can." He waved a hand at the chair opposite him and watched the Lieutenant sit down. "The best thing you can do is keep busy, it'll keep your mind off Goniff and Chief."
Garrison took out a packet of cigarettes, offered one to Richards and lit them, he sat back and blew a cloud of smoke towards the ceiling. "Where are we going Sir?" he asked resignedly.
"One moment." Richards pressed the button on his intercom. "Send them in." He waited as the door opened, McAllen and Alexander from Navajo 1 walked in.
McAllen reached out and shook Garrison's hand. "Good to see you again, Alexander and I are looking forward to working with you."
Garrison glared at Richards. "What's going on Sir? I don't want or need replacements."
The Major sat back in his chair, rested his elbows on the arms, steepled his fingers and looked over them at the angry officer. "They are not replacements Lieutenant, think of them as substitutes until Chief and Goniff get back."
Garrison snorted. "Why not call them what they are – babysitters! You're making sure I don't run off on my own once I get over there aren't you?"
McAllen held up a hand to stop the Major replying, he looked Garrison in the eye. "Alexander and I are between missions and volunteered to go with you because the Boss wouldn't want you going in without backup." A blade suddenly appeared in the Navajo's hand. "I'm not as good as Chief with this and Alexander isn't as good a thief as Goniff but we'll do our best. Even though you won't admit it your team will need help from time to time and we are more than willing to give it, any one of the Navajos who's free will go with you until Chief and Goniff get back."
Garrison was taken aback that he was included in the Navajos' loyalty to the man they called 'Boss' even when he wasn't there to command it. He looked up at the two young men. "Thank you."
McAllen nodded. "Forget it, don't forget my kid brother's in Navajo 5, I know what it's like to worry about someone."
Garrison turned back to Richards and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry Sir, what's the mission?"
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Actor and Casino heard Garrison return, they came down the stairs in time to see the Warden walk in with McAllen and Alexander. Casino put his hands on his hips and confronted the three men. "What's goin' on Warden? You written off Geronimo and Goniff already? Are we gonna clear out their rooms so these guys can move in?"
Garrison approached the safe-cracker and put a reassuring hand on his arm. "No Casino, McAllen and Alexander volunteered to go on the mission with us." He smiled and nodded at the two young men. "The Navajos are 'substitutes not replacements' until Chief and Goniff come back, if we need help they'll provide it."
Actor acknowledged the gesture with his usual grace. "I hope we won't need your services too often, but thank you."
Alexander smiled. "Thanks Actor, it's great to work with the best in the business, we'll learn a lot out in the field with you." He turned to the obviously annoyed safe-cracker. "You too Casino."
Casino relented and nodded his head as he accepted the compliment.
Garrison looked at the four men. "Alright, let's get down to business. Casino can you make us some coffee?"
The safe-cracker tilted his head towards the kitchen. "Already got some on the go Warden." He walked out into the kitchen and returned with a tray loaded with five steaming mugs of freshly brewed coffee.
McAllen waited until everyone had a mug and got their attention. "I'd just like to say something. Casino, Actor, we're not here to take Chief and Goniff's places, the Navajos are standing in for them until they get back and we have no doubt they'll be back." He raised his mug. "To absent friends."
Garrison, Casino, Actor and Alexander raised their mugs. "To absent friends."
The men watched as Garrison rolled out a map on his desk and used the mugs to weigh down the corners. "We're going to France."