You can hide….sometimes
"Hey Warden I'm buyin' down at the Dove's you want in?" Casino leaned in the door to his office, the others ranged behind him in the hall. They'd gotten the OK to take off for a while and weren't going to hang around and give the Lieutenant a chance to change his mind.
Garrison looked up from the papers on his desk. "What's the occasion Casino? You aren't usually that willing to part with your money." Leaning his elbows on the desk he smiled at the irritated look that crossed the east coast thief's face. Casino could be generous to a fault when he wanted to be, but when it came to drinking he usually found a way to sit back with his hands in his pockets when the bill came around.
Sticking his head in the door Goniff warned him in a pleading tone. "Blimey Lieutenant! This might be a one off, we gotta take advantage while we can, so don't piss him off, eh, he might change his mind."
"Not this time buddy." Casino grinned at the Englishman and then turned back to Garrison. "It's on account a how Goniff and Chief here pulled my butt outta the fire over there." The safecracker landed a heavy hand on each man's shoulder and pulled them into the doorway for the Warden's inspection. "It's on account a finally getting through one a your 'simple' missions without somebody endin' up in bandages…" He couldn't help himself, if there was an opportunity to make a snide remark about the jobs they pulled he had to take it. "And it's on account a me wantin' a beer and not wantin' to drink it by myself, and these guys being too damn cheap to go down there and buy me one."
Garrison laughed. "Afraid I'll have to miss out this time. The report on that 'simple' mission still needs to be written."
"Come on down when you finish, mate. We'll see to it Casino 'ere honors his promise to buy everyone a pint!" Goniff cringed and put a hand up to ward off the mock threat from his teammate's raised fist.
"Alright, get out of here if you're going…" The Warden waved them off, calling out a warning, "And stay out of trouble."
"Trouble?" Chief smiled at him as Casino pulled him out by the arm. "Us?"
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Sliding the finished reports into his briefcase Garrison checked his watch, it took less time to write one of these things when he didn't have to detail injuries, or explain away the little side trips his cons occasionally took. Locking the case he decided he'd go down to the Doves after all and cash in on that free drink. It wasn't often he got to relax with his men, and they spent a good deal of time in the pub, he wanted to see just what kind of friends they'd been making down there.
He sat the briefcase under his desk and hit the intercom, letting the Sergeant Major know where he was going and asking for his jeep to be brought around to the front for him. Twenty minutes later he was walking down the stairs of the smoky little local, searching the tables for his group. They were nowhere to be seen and that raised a warning flag in his head, Garrison walked up to the bar to see if they'd been there at all, it wouldn't be the first time they'd told him one thing and then gone off and done another.
"Yes, sir, the boys was 'oping you'd come along. They're in the back room, right round to your left. Mind your 'ead on the steps, lad. You're a bit over tall for the beams down there."
The barman was right, he had to take his cap off and duck to get through. If he hadn't had a warning he'd probably have laid himself out cold on the stairs. The light was dimmer down here, only three or four tables, and as he came through into the room he noticed the door. This looked like a secure spot for a little after hours drinking and gambling. And gambling was just what was going on over at the table in the corner.
"Hey! Ya made it after all. Come on over and sit down Warden. I already got as much money outta these guys as I'm gonna get. I could use another pigeon."
Chief shoved a chair back with his foot and Garrison settled into it. Casino turned over a glass and filled it from one of the pitchers sitting on the table, expertly putting a head on it with a flourish. Taking a sip of ale he checked the table out… no sign of a fifth glass, or the overflowing ashtray that usually was a sign that Goniff had spent some time in a particular location. He let his gaze wander over the three men sitting around the table…they were just a little too interested in their cards at the moment. "Where is he?"
They all continued to concentrate on their cards as he watched them, Actor finally looking up with an innocent smile. "Who?" Garrison cocked an eyebrow up as he took another sip of his ale. "Oh! Goniff? He needed a breath of fresh air. I believe he's gone for a walk around the village."
"How long ago did he leave for this little walk?"
"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't notice, and we have been preoccupied with the card game." The group's con man told him pleasantly before turning on the others. "Did either one of you notice the time when Goniff excused himself?"
Chief read the look on the Warden's face and knew it for what it was… "He's been gone 'bout ninety minutes. Didn't say where he was goin', just got up and left."
"And none of you know why? And none of you had anything to do with it?" They weren't really questions. The group worked well together on the ground in Europe and they would fight back to back if threatened there, or here for that matter, but sometimes they could razz each other unmercifully. They'd all been the target at one time or another. Actor had such a command of language and information he could deflect almost any wisecrack thrown his way. Casino and Chief would put an end to it with their fists if the verbal sparring went on too long, but easygoing Goniff was more likely to just take off.
"Lieutenant! We didn't have anything to do with it." Actor's offended tone changed to one of puzzlement as he continued. "It was strange, really. He seemed to take exception to the local minister and left right after the man came over to the table to have a word with us."
"Yeah. It was kind a weird. You know that little Limey's usually the one to buddy up to anyone that comes along…"
"What'd the minister want? Why'd he come over to you?"
"He's just new in town." Chief offered. "Just gettin' around to introduce himself."
Garrison frowned. "If all the guy did was come up and introduce himself there'd be no reason for Goniff to take offense." He studied the group sitting at the table for a moment. "What really happened?"
"Jeeze! We told ya." Casino slapped the cards down on the table and picked up a pitcher, sloshing a little onto the table he refilled his own glass and took a pull. "This old guy in a collar come up to the table, said his how'd-you-do's and left. Goniff got all quiet and fidgety and about five minutes later he popped up outta his chair and took off. He didn't say why, and we ain't seen him since. We figured he might come back after he got over whatever got into him, so we come down here to play a little poker and wait him out." The group's safecracker turned an irritated glare on their leader. "Now, you in 'r out a this game, Lieutenant?"
That certainly had the ring of truth to it. "Out." Garrison took another swallow of ale and sat the glass back on the table before pushing up onto his feet again. "I'm going to go take a look around." Waving the others back into their seats when they made to get up he continued. "No. Stay where you are, no sense you guys missing out on the free beer. I'll look around for a little while and see if I can find him. I'll bring him back here if I do." He turned and headed for the stairs, calling over his shoulder as he went. "Back to the estate when the place closes… I don't want you picked up for being found down here drinking after hours."
"Wouldn't be a problem Warden." Casino waved at the three pitchers on the table. "They let ya finish if ya already bought the stuff!"
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Ninety minutes... The little cat burglar could be anywhere. And it was certainly enough time for the normally outgoing Englishman to get over whatever fit of temper had been triggered and get back to the group. Garrison took a chance and fired up the jeep. He made a cursory tour of the main streets of the town before turning back towards the mansion and cashed in on his private bet just before he made the turn that led to the estate's guarded gates. Pulling over to the side of the road ahead of the pick pocket he turned in his seat and watched the man approach.
"Nice night for a walk Goniff, but I think it'll be easier to get in the gate if you're with me."
"Blimey, what'd ya take me for, Warden, some kind a idiot? I wasn't goin' through the gate, was I? I was gonna cut through and go over the wall." Goniff slouched into the seat as the Lieutenant pulled back onto the road. He wasn't worried about giving anything away, the Warden knew almost all of their routes off the grounds now.
They rode in silence, out of character for Goniff, Garrison thought. The sentry saluted as he drove onto the grounds, not questioning the Lieutenant having to haul one of the inmates back again, it wasn't the first time. They pulled to a stop in front of the stairs and Garrison cut the motor. Goniff just sat there staring ahead, seemingly lost in thought.
Garrison watched him for a moment, but he didn't seem to realize they'd arrived at their destination. "Something on your mind Goniff?"
He jumped and looked around him, "Uh," and when he turned he looked like he might have something he wanted to say, but then the grin spread across his face and he stepped out of the jeep. "You know me, Warden, ain't never anything on my mind…" Giving a self depreciating shrug he turned away, calling over his shoulder with a laugh. "Why, some folks don't even think I 'ave one."
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The others made it back about an hour after closing. Casino took the stairs two at a time to reach the room they shared together, pushing the door open with a thud.
"Where'd you take off to, you dope?" was his growled greeting. "You'r disappearin' act almost got us in trouble with the Warden."
"Can it Casino. You know the Warden wadn't gonna take nothin' out on us." Chief entered the room right behind the safecracker, closely followed by Actor. "You OK Goniff?"
Goniff grinned up at the three of them. "Sure, mate. Ain't nothin' wrong with me but a muddled sense a direction. I got turned around out there in the dark and found m'self headed back here." he gave a little shrug. "So I just kept comin'."
Casino snorted a laugh. The Lieutenant's jeep was still parked down by the front steps "Bet the Warden was a little ticked off. He looks all over town for you, only to find you sittin' right here when he gets back."
"Nah! Wasn't like that. He picked me up on the road. He was headed back here too."
"So god's in his heaven, and all's right with the world." Actor was hanging away his jacket and turned to get ready for bed. He was still tired from the last mission, and now that they knew their second story man was all right the beer he'd had at the pub was taking over, relaxing him.
Chief watched Casino frown a moment before speaking up. "Everybody's where they're s'pose t'be and it's OK to hit the sack." Alcohol might speed up Casino's temper, but it slowed down everything else… He was shot too and took Actor's cue, starting to get ready to sack out. Goniff was already curled up in his blankets, if Casino didn't take the hint he'd be sittin' in the dark talkin' to himself.
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When Garrison heard the door open and steps on the stairs he thought it would be Chief and was surprised when he looked up. "What's up Goniff? You're never out of the sack this early."
"Oh I uh…I just thought I'd, uh…take a little run round with you this morning." The pick pocket took a few running-in-place steps and then dropped over in a boneless stretch.
"You?!" The men ran, on the obstacle course, under the Sergeant Major's threats of dire bodily harm if they didn't. Chief was the only one who did it with any enthusiasm, and even he balked at the regimented routine, preferring to run solo, or with him early in the mornings.
"Well sure. I can run, can't I?" he asked, squinting up at the Warden from his folded over position.
"Yeah. But you generally don't do it voluntarily." Garrison crossed his arms on his chest and smiled down at his second story man. "Someone usually has to be shooting, or chasing you to get you started."
Goniff plastered a look of wounded pride on his face as he straightened up again. "Warden!" But it was true, and the next moment he shrugged and laughed. "I just sorta thought the next time some bloke did decide to come after me and I had ta run, I'd like to be able to do it a little faster…"
"Makes sense." The fact that the little burglar was being logical this early in the morning... Heck the fact that he was being anything other than asleep, this early in the morning, and offering to engage in physical activity voluntarily was totally out of character. Garrison thought about trying to dig what was wrong out of him, but decided to take advantage of his apparent eagerness to go for a run… It certainly wouldn't do him any harm.
"Alright, let's go."