Chapter 2 – The Safe-Cracker

Rudy Colletti, alias 'Casino' had been in Leavenworth for two years for burglary, safe-cracking and theft with another ten in front of him. His knowledge of the various makes and models of safes was encyclopaedic and his ability to break into any one of them by either manipulating the tumblers or using explosives for the more difficult ones was second to none, and he knew it!

Garrison had arranged a private face-to-face meeting in Warden Talbot's office. He watched as the lean, dark-haired man swaggered into the room. He turned to the guard, held out his hands for the cuffs to be removed and snorted when the guard left without obliging. "Hey, thanks babe, I'll do the same for you one day you crumb!" He yelled belligerently, the loud, New York accent grated on Garrison's ears. He shot a hard look at Garrison, taking in the uniform and the file he held in his hand – it had his name on it. He shrugged, walked across the office and sat down in Talbot's comfortable chair. He glared at the officer, daring him to comment. "Who are you? Ain't I seen you on a recruitin' poster somewhere?"

Garrison shook his head at the blatant baiting but didn't react. 'Hothead, troublemaker, inclined to violence' were mentioned several times in the file before him and he was inclined to believe what he'd read. Still, perhaps with an attitude adjustment he might be a useful addition to the team. He sat in the other available chair, took out a pack of cigarettes and offered one which was accepted, he took another one for himself. He lit them both, took a deep breath and started to outline his plan for a team of convicts working for Special Forces making raids into occupied Europe for information retrieval and the occasional act of sabotage.

Casino first listened to Garrison with a bored look on his face, as the officer continued the look changed to open amusement and then incredulous disbelief. He snorted, a rebellious curl of black hair fell over his forehead as he leaned forward on one elbow and raised a cynical eyebrow. "Aw, come on soldier boy, you kiddin' me?" he said, his accent reminding Garrison of all the hoods he'd ever seen in the movies. He jabbed a finger in Garrison's direction. "You want me to go runnin' around Europe with you robbin' banks and blowin' up things. That's looney tunes and you know it. I ain't teamin' up with no crazy man, no way baby!"

Garrison regarded the prisoner coolly. "You're the best safe-cracker and explosives man available and I want you on the team under my command. Keep your nose clean, do your job and there'll be a parole waiting for you when we finish."

Casino was still glaring at him but he gave a prideful shrug at the compliment. He rubbed the back of his fingers on his shirt and inspected his nails. Garrison waited impatiently for the prisoner to think it over. After what seemed like for ever Colletti looked up with a rueful smile and shook his head. "So the Army's goin' into the bank robbin' business! Jeez, how're us honest criminals gonna make a livin now?"

The Lieutenant took a drag on his cigarette. "You'll have the chance to make a real contribution to the war effort, the team's actions could save hundreds of military and civilian lives on both sides."

Colletti jabbed a finger in Garrison's direction. "Hey babe, don't bother me with all that 'do it for your country and Mom's apple pie' crap – I ain't interested in any of that patriotic nonsense. Why should I help out Uncle Sam?" He waved his hand around at his surroundings. "Especially when he's been so good to me!" He took a last draw on the cigarette, ground it out in the ashtray, raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair. "But since you've so generously offered me a life full of foreign travel and excitement along with a parole who am I to refuse? Just don't stiff me and we'll get on just fine."

Garrison nodded. "Ok Colletti, I'll make the arrangements to have you transferred to an army stockade until we go to England. Don't give me any trouble or you'll be back here so fast you'll have burns on your feet!"

Casino looked astonished. "Who? Me? I promise I'll be as good as gold." He crossed his heart, kissed his hand and raised a finger to the heavens.

Garrison got up, turned around and tapped on the door. Warden Talbot and two guards came in. Talbot walked over to his chair which had been hastily vacated while Garrison's back was turned. "Is everything agreed Lieutenant Garrison?" Warden Talbot asked.

Garrison put Colletti's file under his arm. "Yes Sir. I'll send you the paperwork for the prisoner's transfer shortly"

"Colletti?" Talbot looked at the safe-cracker.

The prisoner waved a dismissive hand. "Yeah, yeah, all good babe. Just arrangin' a little European vacation with my travel agent buddy here. Got good rates and everythin'. First class all the way for this V.I.P – that means Very Important Prisoner you know," he quipped at the guard as he swaggered over to him and dug him in the ribs. He turned and grinned. "Oh yeah GI Joe, will I be stayin' in one of those swanky London hotels?"

Garrison frowned and shook his head. "No, the army has requisitioned a large mansion next to an army camp near Colchester just outside London."

Casino's eyebrows shot up; now he was impressed! "A real mansion just for me? Oh you shouldn't have!" He stuck his chin out and looked around at the guards. "See how much Uncle Sam needs me? Ok soldier boy get it done, see yah later. Don't take too long or I might change my mind or get a better offer!" Casino waved his hand at the door and, with a slight bow, indicated that the Lieutenant could leave now.

"Unbelievable, does he ever let up for a second?" asked Garrison as he walked down the corridor with one of the guards.

The guard shook his head with a wry smile. "No Sir, that mouth of his is always getting him in trouble. It'll get him killed one of these days if he doesn't watch out. Good luck if you're taking him on, you'll need it!"

Garrison took another glance at the file in his hand. "Thanks."

The other guard escorted Casino back to his cell. "So you're gonna leave us Casino?" he asked as he opened the door.

Casino gave him a facetious look. "Yeah babe. I'm very important to the war effort you know. I'll send you a photo of me and Hitler once I've won the war single-handed."

The guard laughed. "Reckon the Allies'll shoot you themselves for being such a loudmouth pain in the ass!"

"Up yours screw," Casino said over his shoulder as he entered his cell. He threw himself on his cot, stretched out with his hands behind his head and snorted to himself. "What the hell was that all about? Special Forces team my eye! That army poster boy's got more than a few loose screws rattlin' round in his head. Chalk this one up to experience, you won't be seein' him again!"

"Hey Casino, you entertainin' visitors in the Warden's office now?" shouted a voice from down the cell-block to the accompaniment of suggestive jeers and laughter. "Why'd you get special treatment?"

"He seemed like a 'nice boy', is he comin' back again? Perhaps we can party!" shouted another.

"Screw you Sanchez, find your own," Casino yelled back. He sat up, put his head in his hands and sighed. Damn, that was going to provoke another fight in the yard. Those creeps never stopped baiting him. He leaned back, rubbed his hands through his black hair and allowed himself the smallest hope that the Lieutenant was on the level.