Chapter 3 – A Bold Plan

Chief crept forward followed by his team mates, they were at the rendezvous site which was a small wood outside Kirn, his blade silently appeared in his hand as he scanned the area for his contact, he was sure someone was there, in fact his senses told him there were three or four people ahead of him, they were spread out and well hidden, he gave a small nod in appreciation of their abilities. He waved for the others to stay back, stepped forward, took a deep breath and quietly called out the recognition code, he was still sure Drum hadn't got this part of the mission right.

"Li'l Bo Peep." He heard Actor, Goniff and Casino snort in amusement behind him.

A voice drifted out of the dark. "Humpty Dumpty!" A chorus of laughter echoed around the clearing. "Dammit Boss, I bet Drum ten pounds he couldn't get you to say that!" George McAllen stepped out from behind a tree, there was a huge grin on his face. "Gotcha!"

Chief smiled as he put away his blade and shook the young man's hand. "Good to see you George, where's the rest of the team? I know they're here. Glad to see you're puttin' my trainin' to good use."

George gave a nighthawk call and the other three Navajos emerged from the shadows. They rushed up to shake Chief's hand and were delighted he remembered their names. "Edwards, Fuller, Dalgleish, how's the right hook?"

Dalgleish grinned as he recalled how he'd made fun of their combat trainer back in Colchester and ended up being 'killed' by him four times in less than four minutes. "Doin' fine Boss, it's great to see you again." The four members of Navajo 5 went over to warmly greet the other three cons who'd also given up their time to train them back in the camp.

McAllen called to everyone to follow him, he lead them to an abandoned barn situated in a large field next to the wood. They went in to find the Navajos had prepared for their arrival, bales of hay had been arranged in a wall near the door to hide the area behind and block any light. A pot of rabbit stew steamed over a small fire at the back of the barn and more bales had been laid out as temporary seats or beds. Casino looked around with an air of approval. "I like it, a regular home away from home. You trained 'em well Geronimo."

Chief turned to McAllen. "What you doin' here George?"

George McAllen looked at the man who'd trained him and earned his respect. "We were in Luxembourg relieving a General of some plans for a chemical plant. It's only eighty miles away. Major Richards contacted us and said you were coming over on a mission and would we like to help? Of course we said yes. What can we do Boss?"

Chief hesitated. "This ain't an official mission. You don't have to get involved, you'd be better off goin' back."

Edwards crossed his arms and regarded the acknowledged leader of the Navajos. "We'll be the judge of that."

Fuller nodded in agreement. "Tell us all about it Boss."

Chief knelt down, took a stick and cleared a patch of ground, he started drawing a map. The three Gorillas smiled knowingly at each other. "Gettin' more like his brother every day ain't he?" whispered Goniff.

Casino watched Chief draw a quick map. "What you mean like addin' little extras onto their mission to make life interestin'? Those kids could've been home by now."

Actor looked at the eager faces of the Navajo team as they listened to their leader, he smiled. "I don't think wild horses could've dragged them back once they heard they could go on a mission with Chief, they're as loyal to him as he is to Garrison."

Chief was busy with the map. "Garrison's brother's a bomber pilot, his plane came down near here, we think the Krauts have taken him 'n his crew here to Dulag Luft. We're here to get 'em out." He looked up at the young men around him. "This mission's personal, I don't want you riskin' your lives for me."

McAllen looked at his team, they all nodded, he turned back. "Count us in Boss, the Lieutenant's one of us." He smiled. "Anyway, we did miss out on that great con you pulled in England with the other Navajos. David told me all about it, he said Navajo 1 and Drum took you on in a cage fight and Drum killed you, would've loved to have seen that." George grinned as he looked at his leader. "By the way, you're looking pretty good for a dead man. We can't let the other teams get one up on us, it's only fair you include us on this mission, we're coming along and that's final."

Casino chuckled. "Can't argue with the kids Dad, the little Chiefies have spoken and you're outnumbered."

Goniff indicated the Navajos. "How many kids you got in this branch of the family now?"

Chief looked at them and smiled proudly. "Forty eight at the last count."

Casino leered and waggled his eyebrows. "Does Trish know what a busy boy you been?"

Chief gave the safe-cracker a warning glance. "Knock it off Casino." His smile negated the threat, he was proud of his work with the Navajos and the young men who made up the teams.

Actor lit his pipe with a stick from the fire. "Trish met a lot of the Navajos at our celebratory party at The Doves, George's brother David was there with his fiancée."

Casino leaned back and recalled how the night before the party he'd cleverly managed to con the Warden and Geronimo into going back to the cottage with Trish and Laura while they cleared up the mess left by Pryor's goons at the mansion. He and Goniff had smuggled Madge and Ruby in to help and they'd done a lot more than fluff and fold!

Fuller took first watch as Actor took a map out of his mission bag, everyone gathered around and went over the plan in detail. McAllen nodded with approval as he glanced over to Actor. "I like it, bold but elegant. You planned this didn't you Actor?"

Actor smiled. "I helped with some of it, but this is Chief's show."

The remaining three Navajos settled down to sleep at the far end of the barn leaving the four Gorillas sitting by the fire. Actor leaned forward and said quietly. "Why didn't you tell them Rick was your brother too?"

Chief poked the fire. "They don't know I'm a Garrison, if they did they'd take stupid risks 'cos he's my brother."

Casino humphed softly and pointed a finger. "No, you're the only one gonna take stupid risks 'cos he's your brother."

Chief glared at them, his voice was a harsh whisper. "Listen to me, you don't tell them 'n you don't tell Rick who I am, it can wait 'til we get back. Besides he might not know about me 'n I need him to trust us, I don't want him thinkin' we're tryin' to trick him."

Casino leaned back. "Ok Geronimo, your secret's safe with us."