89. Getting Rid of That Bug

Chapter 4

Spread out, the men darted from tree to tree toward the back of the house until they were all together in the bushes. Moonlight was a problem as the three-quarter moon seemed to duck in and out of the clouds, changing from light to dark and back again.

After waiting and listening for any guards that might be on at night, Casino and Goniff hurried to the door in a crouch. The safecracker worked the lock open with one of his picks and cautiously pushed the door in just far enough for Goniff to get his fingers inside and feel for a wire. There were none. The door was pushed inside enough for the two men to step inside and to each side of the doorway. The room was empty. Casino reached out a hand and motioned the two remaining men to come on.

Garrison and Chief slipped inside, and the door was closed behind them. The drapes had been closed over the tall windows, so Goniff switched on the desk lamp. Chief moved to the door into the hall and remained to listen for footsteps of any inside guards. Garrison switched the lightbulb out on the desk lamp, momentarily putting the room into darkness. With the lamp back on, the Lieutenant retrieved a microfilm camera from his pocket while Casino walked up to a dark portrait of a 17th century man and pulled one side away from the wall. It was on a hinge as expected. Behind the painting was a small wall safe with a simple combination lock.

Casino wiggled his fingers to loosen them and set to work slowly and carefully turning the dial between his fingertips. It only took a few seconds before he had the safe door open. The safecracker's face lit up in a big grin. Beside some envelopes were two large stacks of banded paper money.

Garrison motioned him out of the way. "We can't take it," whispered the officer, reaching for the envelopes.

Casino's expression turned to frustration. He stood beside the open safe and watched Garrison carry the envelopes back to the desk.

The officer opened the top envelope and immediately saw the plans for the takeover. He pulled them out, straightened them and lay them on the desk top. Working quickly, he photographed one page at a time, flipping them aside to keep them in order. When done, he put them back in the envelope and opened the second one. Not sure what they were, he photographed those too. He put them back in their envelope and was turning to Casino when Chief snapped his fingers.

Garrison kept the envelopes and turned the lamp off before ducking down behind the desk. Casino pushed the safe door and the portrait back almost closed and found there was no place to hide. He plastered himself against the wall beside the door which was opening the wrong way for him to be hidden. Chief was on the opposite side of the door with his blade ready. Goniff curled up behind a small club chair.

The guard flipped the on light switch next to the door, immediately saw the safecracker and pulled out his gun. Casino attempted to slug the man as Chief stepped around the door and shoved his blade up under the guards ribs. In reflex, the fingers on the gun tightened and the gun went off with a loud bang. Casino was too close, and the bullet passed through his upper arm.

The safecracker leaned back against the wall, clutching his upper arm with blood seeping between his fingers.

Garrison leapt to the safe, opened its door and shoved the envelopes back in. Hurriedly, he grabbed the cash and stuffed it inside his shirt. Not bothering to shut the safe, he moved back to the desk, removed the lightbulb and put the original back in.

"Come on! Let's get out of here!" the officer hissed to his men. "Somebody will have heard the shot."

The four men went cautiously outside, closing that door behind them and disappeared quickly into the woods. They made their way back to the car Chief had 'borrowed' for them, got in with Garrison driving and took off. It was a little over a thirty minute drive to Marseilles. The officer hoped they would have enough of a head start to outrun any pursuit that might follow them.

"How bad are you hit?" the Lieutenant asked over his shoulder to the injured safecracker in the back seat.

Casino could not see in the dark interior of the car. "I don't know. Arm ain't broken. I think the bullet went through."

The car was civilian, so it did not have an aid kit and their kits were in the trunk. Garrison would have to wait until they had reached Marseilles and found a hiding place until he could meet with Actor at the park before he could treat the wound.

Reaching the larger city, Garrison zigged and zagged until he found a back way in that did not have a check point. He continued to move around the city, looking for a place to hide the vehicle and themselves. Finally, he found a promising place. Turning through an open gate, he drove slowly to the far end of the gravel road that led between rows of tombstones.

"You had to find a bloomin' cemetery, Warden?" complained Goniff from the back seat.

"At least it will be quiet," remarked Garrison.

He reached a brick wall, turned the car around so it faced out, and turned off the engine. They waited for a minute, listening to the silence, before Garrison and Chief got out. The Indian took off to keep watch, despite his dislike of cemeteries.

The Lieutenant opened the trunk hood and pulled a small, and probably inadequate, aid kit from his kit bag. Goniff had climbed out of the back seat to give the officer access to Casino's arm. Cutting the jacket and shirt arms to get to the wound, Garrison pulled his lighter from a pocket and lit it, shielding the flame with his other hand. Casino moved his arm stiffly so the entrance and exit wounds could be seen.

"Through and through," said Garrison. "It probably needs sutures, but I don't have any. It will have to be handkerchiefs until we find Actor and can get you someplace where he or I can stitch it."

"Warden?" began the safecracker. "The next time the brass says it's an easy one, let's go find someplace to sit out the duration."

"Maybe not the duration," said the officer, "but a good couple weeks of R&R would help."

Goniff was bent over with his head in the doorway, looking over Garrison's shoulder. "Aw, now Warden," he said, "you know they aren't going to give us that now, don't you?"

"No, Goniff, they aren't going to give us that, but it would be nice," said Garrison in agreement.

They remained in the cemetery the rest of the night. It had been chilly, but Garrison thought it would be prudent not to start the car to warm it up. The four men watched the sun come up. It did not bring the temperature up significantly. Goniff, Casino and Garrison shared the backseat. Chief insisted he was fine keeping watch for anyone entering the cemetery.

Finally, Casino had to ask. He rapped the officer's stomach with his knuckle. "Okay, Warden, what gives? You tell me we can't take the money and you stuff it into your shirt. Spill it, Babe. What was that all about?"

Garrison remained leaning against the car door. "We don't want Garnier to know we photographed his documents, so I took the money to make it look like a simple robbery."

Goniff peered around the other side of the safecracker, "'Ey, Warden, you're getting the 'ang o' this, aren't you?"

Casino gave a small grin. "So, you gonna split that up or keep it to yourself?"

"I haven't decided yet," hedged Garrison.

They all knew the straight-laced officer would not keep the money, but he had been known to give it to the Resistance instead of divvying it up among the cons. Having had Goniff lift money off of his person before without his knowledge, Garrison kept his distance from the pickpocket.

They left the cemetery just after nine o'clock, before anyone came in and found them. Chief drove up and down streets in a random pattern. Finally, Garrison had him park the car in the parking lot of the train station, telling the men to stay hunkered down. None of them spoke French or German fluently and with the correct accent. Casino might get away with some Italian. And they had a jacket spread over him to cover the bloody makeshift bandage on his arm.

"I think it's safer for me to walk to the park to find Actor than to have the car parked with three men on the street," said Garrison. "Try and stay out of trouble," he added with a slight smile.

"Yeah, well, hurry," urged Casino.

Garrison nodded and walked casually away and down the street, following the directions the confidence man had shown him. The day was still brisk and the leaves where turning yellow and rust colored. As he came up on the park he saw it was one long block long and another long block wide. There was a dry fountain in the middle. The officer walked up to the fountain and looked around before sitting on the edge of the fountain and lighting a cigarette.

His eyes scanned the area as though bored. Finally he spotted the tall Italian sitting on a bench beneath a tree to his right. Garrison waited another minute before rising and ambling in that direction. Actor looked up and moved to the side as though he had been asked if the man facing him could sit. The con man gestured it was okay and the officer sat.

"I trust everything went fine," said Actor in a low voice.

"Does it ever?" asked Garrison wryly.

"Who got hurt?" murmured the con man, lighting his own cigarette.

"Casino took a bullet to the arm. I wrapped it. It needs stitches," said Garrison.

"Did you get the pictures?" Actor glanced at the increased bulk of the man's waist. "And have you suddenly become obese?"

"I have the pictures. I had to take the money to make it look like a robbery. We killed a guard," said Garrison. "I figured the money was safer on me than left with the other three."

Actor chuckled.

Garrison shot a glance at the man. "Did you get us accommodations?"

"In a manner of speaking," replied the Italian. "I could not keep us all together, but both places are safe, as long as the other three can keep their mouths shut. You and I will be housed in my first choice and the others will be in a similar set up, although not as nice as the one we will be staying in."

"Is that the best you could do?" asked Garrison irritably. "You know I don't like splitting the team up."

Actor had expected an objection. "If the Germans are looking for you, they will expect us to be with the Resistance, and they will be looking for four of you. Where we will be is familiar with and in contact with the Resistance and both places are familiar with each other. And nobody will expect us to be in places frequented by the Germans."

Garrison's eyebrows came together as he shot a glare at the con man. "You couldn't find anything more remote?"

Actor took a puff on his cigarette to give him pause. "It was my job to find us safe places to stay until the sub comes. This is my choice. Take it or leave it, Warden. I have been hiding out many years longer than you have. And this is one of my previous hiding places."

Garrison could not believe what he was hearing. "They know you?"

Actor exhaled. "They know me as Actor. They know what of my background I chose to tell them. They think we are a team of men who are working cons throughout Europe. You might want to use your nickname, Warden, or Craig if you are so inclined. Last names are not used. The same with the others. They can use what first name they wish or the names they go by with our group. By the way, where are they?"

"In the car parked in the parking lot of the train station," replied Garrison.

"Then I suggest we go get them out of there," said Actor, dropping his cigarette butt on the ground and twisting his foot atop it to put it out.

The two men rose and left the park. As they walked down the sidewalk back to the train station, they conversed in French about fictitious families. It did not take long to reach the parking lot. Garrison led the way to the car.

Actor walked up to the driver's door and opened it. "Chief, allow me to drive please. I know where we are going."

The scout shrugged and got out, getting in the back with Goniff and Casino. Garrison got into the front passenger side.

Actor turned partially around to look in the back at the safecracker. "Casino, we will get your arm attended to when we get to the safe house."

Without waiting for an answer, the Italian started the car and backed out of the space. He drove to the street and turned left, the opposite direction from the park he had been at. He took them up and down streets and in different directions. Neither he, nor Garrison, spotted a tail.

Finally satisfied, Actor turned down an alley and stopped behind a door. He left the engine running while he got out and tapped a coded knock on the door. Soon, the door eased open to reveal a pretty blonde woman in a long skirt and long-sleeved blouse. The con man moved inside and partially closed the door behind him, before giving the woman a kiss on the cheek.

"Hello, Avril," greeted Actor, speaking French. "We have a little problem. The grumpy one, named Casino, was shot in the arm. It needs medical attention. Can you arrange that?"

The woman nodded. "But Actor, dear, it will cost you more."

"Of course, My Dear," he said without a problem.

Reaching into his pocket he removed some French franc coins. He handed the woman a 100 and a 50 Franc coin.

"Thank you, Love," smiled Avril. "Please bring your men in."

Smiling, Actor went back into the alley. The three cons had already left the car and were getting their bags from the trunk. The con man joined them.

"What is this place?" asked Chief.

Actor's smile widened. "Are you familiar with the term 'bordello'?" he asked. That earned him the sharp attention of the three men.

"Warden, know that?" hissed Casino.

"Not yet," replied Actor in amusement.

"Wot are we goin' to pay for the birds wif?" asked Goniff.

"That has been arranged," was the reply. Actor turned back to Casino. "They will get medical attention for your arm. That is paid for too. Now remember, this place is frequented by German soldiers, so stay in your rooms and do not speak English outside of them. You will be fed in your rooms and your needs provided for."

"So where are you and the Warden staying?" asked Chief.

"We have accommodations not far from here," brushed off Actor. "If you need to get in touch with us, ask Avril. She can contact us. We will let you know in advance when we are leaving for the sub."

The three followed Actor back inside the building. The Italian introduced them to Avril by the names they were used to using. The woman eyed Casino's bloodied arm and assured Actor she would get the médecin right away to take care of it. The con man nodded, and this time exchanged a quick puckered kiss with the Frenchwoman before leaving.

He bounded down the steps and slid behind the wheel of the car. Garrison was almost glaring at him.

"Just what kind of place is this?" asked the officer.

"A fairly safe one if they stay inside their rooms. They each have their own private room. Casino will be seen by a doctor. All of their meals will be provided and brought to their rooms. I am sure they will be quite comfortable." Actor pulled out onto a street.

"It's a cat house isn't it?" asked Garrison accusingly.

"I don't think Avril would approve of that description, but yes," replied Actor.

"Actor . . .," the officer began to object.

"Too late now, Warden," the Italian cut him off.

"And is where we are going to be staying a cat house too?" asked an exasperated Craig.

"This is a finer establishment. It caters to a wealthier clientele."

Garrison glared at him. "And how are these 'establishments' being paid for, may I ask?"

"They have all been paid in advance. However, if you would like to lose some of your added girth to the cause, I would not be offended."

The officer shook his head. "I swear Actor, this is the last time you will go off and arrange a safe house for us."

"Now, now, Lieutenant, Sir, you have not even set foot in the one I am taking you to. You may find it quit enjoyable." Actor was finding it difficult to suppress a grin.

"I doubt it."

When Actor turned into a gated estate on the edge of the city, Garrison had to grudgingly admit to himself this must be one classy whorehouse. The car was parked in front of the door and the keys were left in it. The Italian went to the trunk and extracted the officer's bag but handed it to him. There was only so far he was willing to play valet.

Garrison followed his second in command up the steps and inside the huge estate building. It was like stepping back in time. He did not have time to get a good look as he was busy keeping up with Actor, who displayed a familiarity with the place.

They turned down a hallway and went to an open door. Actor walked right inside, without knocking or declaring his presence. Garrison followed. There were comfortable-looking antique chairs facing a more modern desk. A gorgeously elegant dark-haired woman looked up and rose to come around the desk to exchange a hug with Actor.

"You are back," she said in French. "And this is your friend?"

Actor kept an arm around her. "Yes. Madame Felice, this is 'The Warden'.

The woman eyed Garrison but kept her arm around Actor's waist. "Welcome, Warden," she greeted. "I am sure you will enjoy your stay with us." She looked up at the tall man beside her. "Cheri, I have much to do right now. Would you show your friend to his room? I will have lunch sent up for both of you in a bit."

"Of course," said Actor, exchanging a quick kiss with her. Releasing her, he turned to the officer and said, still in French, "Come, I will show you where your room is."

The madame went back to her desk, showing no real interest in Garrison. He was left to follow his con man back into the hall.

8