Chapter 4 – The Conman

Alcatraz was as cold and menacing as Garrison had imagined it would be. He shivered as he walked down the cold corridor to the Warden's office, the air was damp and smelled of cabbage water. He'd come to see the man variously known in his file as Vittorio Manetti, Count Eduardo Mancini, Enzo Falco, Romeo Sorrentino, Gianni Ladro, Actor. Garrison had to smile at the last surname Ladro - it was Italian for 'thief'.

The interview with Warden Johnson had been frustrating and unproductive. The man had pushed a thick file across the desk. "Sorry Lieutenant, if you want to recruit 'Actor' for your merry little band of saboteurs you'll have to take this man Wheeler too. He's a getaway driver, mechanic and quite accomplished at removing, shall I say, unwanted obstacles. That's what's on your wish list is it not?"

Garrison quickly read Wheeler's file, took in the main points and shook his head as he handed it back. "You mean he's a bully, a troublemaker, insubordinate and a cold-blooded killer who would just as soon stick a knife in you as shake your hand. No, I don't want him, he'll be a dangerous liability in enemy territory."

Johnson leaned forward with his elbows on his desk, steepled his fingers and grinned. "Yes, but he'd be your liability over there, not mine in here."

Garrison stood his ground. "If it means that I have to find someone else instead of Actor, or whatever his name is, then so be it." He got up and turned to leave.

Johnson gave the officer a sly look. "Aww, Garrison, don't go away mad. You know he's the best in the business and you need him. No one else can even come close to what he can do. Tell you what, I'll give you permission to talk to him and then you can make up your mind about my little offer."

Garrison glared at the prison official. "Alright, but I make no promises. This is blackmail and you know it."

Johnson unclasped his hands and gestured around him. "We're in a prison, what else do you expect? The prisoner you want is waiting outside, I'll send him in and give you two some time to talk in private. Knock on the door for the guard when you're done."

The door opened and the confidence man walked in. He was a few years older and taller than Garrison, with dark, wavy hair, dark brown eyes and ruggedly handsome features. He was every bit the debonair Italian conman who had robbed and womanised his way around Europe and the States, according to the file he'd read. He was broad-shouldered and carried himself erect with an air of authority despite the handcuffs on his wrists and the prison uniform that seemed too short to fit his six foot four, muscular frame.

Actor stood and considered the officer standing before him through narrowed eyes, then his face lit up with a welcoming smile as he graciously took the chair offered to him. "Lieutenant Garrison is it? How nice to meet you. Welcome to Alcatraz, I do hope you're enjoying your visit to our happy little island. I've been told you have a proposition to discuss with me." He looked at the folder on the table. "I see you have my dossier before you. I can assure you that half the information in there is a complete fabrication, by me of course, and most of my little, how you say, escapades are not mentioned at all. I do apologise for the uncomfortable surroundings, please be seated and continue, how may I be of service to you?." His voice was deep, resonant and oozed charm, sophistication and integrity, the lilting Italian accent was the finishing touch.

Garrison took a packet of cigarettes out of his pocket and offered one, it was accepted with grace, he took one for himself and lit them. They both took a long draw and then Garrison gave the well rehearsed Special Forces speech. The prisoner appeared to be interested and listened attentively while assessing the man before him with an intensity that was unsettling. Garrison stopped and waited, what more could he do to find out just how good this confidence man was? He was interested to see if he could con the conman, oh well, here goes. "I believe you speak two or three languages?"

"Oh many more than that," replied Actor. "I am fluent in four, adequate in at least four others and can order my beer and food in a few more. What about you Lieutenant? I'm sure you need excellent language skills if you are running around behind enemy lines."

Garrison sat back in his chair, drew on his cigarette and blew out a cloud of smoke. "I'm fluent in German and French. My Italian needs work but I get by."

The conman grinned. "How wonderful, of course my Italian is perfect!"

Garrison nodded, the game was on! He was most confident speaking German so he started with that. "When were you last in Germany?" he asked.

Actor smiled as he realised what the Lieutenant was up to. Very well, he'd play his game. He also relished the chance to brush up his language skills and show off. "Three years ago, I spent a very enjoyable month in Berlin," he replied and then shot back in French "When was the last time you were in France?"

"I spent six months in Paris, I had a marvellous time," said Garrison with a grin.

Actor smiled in recollection. "Ah Paris, one of my favourite cities."

Garrison gave the older man a mischievous look as he switched to Italian. "Rome is also lovely this time of year."

Actor laughed. "This is wonderful, let's continue our little game Lieutenant, it's so refreshing to talk to someone with intelligence. No one here speaks French, German or Italian; they can barely speak their own language."

For the next thirty minutes or so they carried on talking, Garrison would ask a question in one language, Actor would answer and then effortlessly change to a different tongue to ask a question of his own which Garrison would answer in turn. "This guy really is good," thought Garrison. "I'm glad I've never been on the receiving end of one of his cons."

Despite his long held attitude towards criminals Garrison found himself liking the tall Italian, he seemed different to the others he'd seen. They discussed Europe, the war in general and Garrison talked about his plan in greater depth, this surprised him but he acknowledged to himself that the conman would be a great asset to his team, even if it meant taking on Wheeler.

At last Actor paused and looked at Garrison. "I really must compliment you on your German Lieutenant, it's flawless. You speak French with a slight Parisian accent but nonetheless it is excellent. I would be only too delighted to help you with your Italian if circumstances permitted but, alas, I don't think that will happen. I know Warden Johnson is trying to force Wheeler on you, do not accept, he is a problem you do not want. C'est la vie." He stood up and walked to the door. "Goodbye Herr Leutnant. I wish you luck."

Garrison nodded curtly. "Danke."

Actor knocked on the door to be taken back to his cell. Garrison suddenly walked up to him and unexpectedly offered his hand. "Actor. I'll be seeing you."

Actor turned, shook Garrison's hand and smiled sadly. "I hope so, but I doubt it my friend."

After Actor's departure Johnson walked back into his office and sat down at his desk. He placed Wheeler's file next to Actor's. "Let's do business Lieutenant."