Retribution

Chapter 10

A knock at the door was answered by Garrison. His sister and Major Richards were standing next to each other. Richards escorted the young girl inside and stopped eying the civilian clothes on the American officer. Even Chris raised her eyebrows in surprise. Craig closed the door behind them.

"Lt. Garrison, you seem to be out of uniform. And what may I ask are you doing in a place like this?" asked Richards, unsure whether to be amused or annoyed.

The tall, Italian confidence man strode forward and held a hand out to the Commando officer. "I believe it is called being 'undercover', Major." The two men shook hands. "I hope you will dine with us. I took the liberty of ordering a meal for both of you. Hello, Christine."

"Hi Actor," said Chris with a grin.

Richards looked askance at the Lieutenant.

"The Army doesn't pay me enough for this, Sir. Besides, Actor put up a good argument."

The Major shook his head. "I'm sure. I have heard some of Actor's 'good arguments'." It was said with some amusement and respect.

Chris looked around, spotting Chief sitting in a chair in the far corner of the room. "Hello, Chief."

"Hello, Chris," he replied quietly.

They were ignored as Richards asked to see what they had come up with. Garrison spread the papers on the coffee table in front of the sofa. He and the major sat on the cream-colored cushions. Actor pulled a straight chair over and motioned Chris to take a seat. She shook her head as it had been a long drive in traffic to get there. Actor spun the chair around and straddled it, leaning on crossed arms atop the curved wooden back. The young girl flipped her long hair back and rested a hand on the Italian's shoulder, peering down at the papers.

"First off," began Garrison, "they dumped Terry's car in a bombed out part of the Lower East side, keys in it."

"One must assume they at least had the intelligence to know the car was too distinct and would be recognized, as would they if they attempted to sell it," added Actor.

Richards frowned. "And you think they are the same ones from the fight at the Doves?"

"They're the same ones," came a sure voice from the far chair.

"How do you know?" asked the British officer, looking over at the Indian.

"I just know," said Chief with a touch of sullenness in his voice. Some things weren't explainable.

Craig looked at his sister and held his hand out. "By the way . . . keys?"

Chris graced him with a look of disgust before removing the keychain from her pocket and dropping it into his outstretched palm. Actor chuckled.

"Don't even think about it," Garrison warned his second.

"Really, Lieutenant," teased the older man. "One sister is enough."

"Excuse me?" said Chris in umbrage.

"I beg your pardon?" asked Richards, wondering if he was hearing right.

"I purchased the Tickford for Teresa to keep her off the motorcycle," explained Actor. "I am not providing all of his sisters with cars."

Chris smiled broadly. "That's all right, Actor. Cinder is more of a pick-up truck person."

The Italian looked over his shoulder at the youngest sister. "I have never met her."

"You don't want to either," said Craig distractedly as he looked at the papers on the coffee table. He turned to conversation back to Major Richards. "What do we do about the items in the pawn shops?"

"We tell the owners they are dealing in stolen goods and demand them back at no charge," said Richards.

"That I would not do," said Actor before Garrison could get his mouth open.

"And why is that?" demanded Richards, attention now on the tall Italian.

"Major," began the confidence man, "we have had occasion to use these places before to recover stolen goods. If you go in, as military or not, and threaten them, they will not avail their services to us in the future. We may never need them again, but do you wish to take the chance?"

The Commando officer frowned in frustration. "The military cannot pay a pawn shop for stolen goods, even if they are ours."

Actor sighed, knowing where this was going to lead. "I suppose I can purchase the items. I am very good a haggling." He looked sharply at Richards. 'However, when the perpetrators are captured and tried, I will want to be reimbursed by them."

"You really think they are going to have the money?" asked Garrison dubiously.

"We catch 'em, we rob 'em," drawled Chief from his chair.

"Gentlemen," objected the Major, "I cannot condone this."

Craig shook his head. He knew his men could and would find the people and do just that. He also knew if he wasn't with them, the bodies would be found floating in the Thames.

"We have no positive ID on them yet," said Garrison steering the conversation forward.

Major Richards put Chief's suggestion aside for the time being. "You will have photographs of the men by tomorrow morning. I went ahead and had my lieutenant contact the police station in Brandonshire. He is on his way there to collect the photographs now."

A knock sounded on the door to the suite. Actor rose and went to let the man with their dinner in.

Christine looked at the two officers. "Can I ask a question?" she said hesitantly.

Major Richards nodded. After all the other two Garrisons he knew where sharp. This one was young, but probably just as sharp if she was working SOE.

Chris frowned. "If these are the men from the bar fight, I thought they were from Manchester? Wouldn't they have gone back to Manchester by now?"

"Probably not without the loot from the antiques," answered Chief for the officers. "To far to go back and forth between Manchester and London. And it's not like they're gonna get what the antiques are worth. Using the money to pay for getting there and back again would take a chunk outta what they would get from the pop shops. Besides, how would they get them or Manchester?"

"Good point," said Richards.

The conversation abruptly ended when the bell boy pushed the cart of covered dishes into the room. Actor thanked him and gave him a generous tip.

Major Richards was not above partaking of a meal paid for by the confidence man. The roasted chicken and vegetables were seasoned perfectly. Chief brought the desk chair over for Chris to sit in beside Actor. They all served themselves and Actor poured the wine.

Wine, thought Richards. The Italian would never cease to amaze him.

After they had eaten, a well-fed Major Richards took his leave with an admonishment to Garrison to keep him informed.

"I need to be getting back," said Chris unhappily.

"I will take her," offered Actor.

Craig nodded. "Chris, if you can, see Terry in the morning. Tell her we'll be by in the late afternoon to get her."

"Okay," replied the girl. She ignored Chief and waited for Actor to escort her out, hiding her frustration at not being able to spend some time alone with Chief.

Once in the car, and on the road, Actor explained. "I'm sorry, Christine. I know you would prefer to have Chief drive you, but right now we should probably abide by propriety."

"I understand," said the girl, but the disappointment was in her voice. She decided to make the best of it and tease the man beside her. "If I was Terry, I'd probably ask you what you know about propriety."

The con man grinned. "If you were Teresa, you would already know the answer to that question. Your sister knows me well."

Probably too well, thought the younger sister.

"You won her over," admitted the girl. "That's not easy."

"And now I must 'win her over' again if we are to work together in the future."

"Maybe she will get her memory back soon," said Chris. "I hope so."

"As do I, Little Sister," said Actor. He wasn't sure if he wanted all of her memory to return though.

GGGGG

The next morning found the men checking out of the hotel after a brief argument between Casino and Garrison over who could drive Terry's Tickford. As usual, the safecracker lost, this time to Chief. Garrison wanted his two somewhat hungover miscreants in the Packard with him and Actor.

Goniff directed them to the first of the pop shops. Garrison pulled to the curb and handed the packet of mug shots, photos of the stolen items and the listing of the items over the back of the seat to the pickpocket.

"Show them to him and put names on the backs of the ones he recognizes. If he recognizes any of them." Garrison was still a little doubtful it was the same men.

"Wot about the stuff?" asked the slight blond man.

"Yeah," added Casino. "What if the stuff is ours? Do we come out and get Actor to pay for it?"

"Yes," said Craig with a nod.

"And leave the haggling to me," added the con man firmly.

Casino grinned. "Afraid we'll wipe out your little nest egg?"

"Not in the least," denied the Italian. "I prefer to do my own negotiations."

Casino gave the Englishman a little shove to get him out of the car.

"Wot did he say?" asked Goniff.

"He'd rather pull his own cons," explained Casino with a bigger grin.

Actor looked straight forward, chewing on his cheeks in disgust. Garrison unsuccessfully tried to hide a grin of his own. He waited until the two men had disappeared into the shop.

"Any chance of that happening?" he asked innocently, turned in his seat behind the wheel so he could observe his second.

"Of what happening?" asked the Italian, finally turning his head to look at the blond man with the amused smile.

"Wiping you out?"

Garrison was rewarded with the immediate look of umbrage that was flung at him

"Not at all," Actor said with a humph of annoyance. "I worked hard for my finances and do not wish to squander them unnecessarily."

Garrison nodded in understanding. "Except for suites at the Windsor and the Savoy . . . and fancy underwear for my sister. You know, the middle sister."

Actor had not been aware the Lieutenant knew about the undergarment debacle. "I have no problem with the suites. However, your sister was a waste. She assures me she does not wear the items and I would imagine they went into the rubbish bin." He donned his haughty face. "I was trying at the time to make her feel more womanly."

"You succeeded at some point," the girl's brother gave him that.

Actor pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it, taking a couple puffs. "Yes. And from the looks of it, I must succeed again. I assume she will be sent out with us and Lt. Johnson's group again."

Garrison took out his own cigarette and leaned back against the door. "I'm sure Major Richards will have her back on the Continent as soon as he can."

Actor looked frustrated. "So, I must give her another crash course in the confidence game."

Craig puffed on his cigarette and watched the exhaled smoke lift upward to swirl with that of the confidence man's cigarette. "Maybe it'll go better this time?"

One eyebrow rose in the direction of the officer. "And how do you figure that?" he asked.

With a shrug, Garrison said, "She knows it. It's inside her head somewhere. Just like Italian, English and German were inside yours that time."

"Perhaps," said the confidence man with a touch of concern.

Garrison was curious. "So, what is your suggestion of what we do with the men, if we find them?"

He was rewarded with a wolfish grin from the con man. "It depends on the circumstances."

"We can't kill them, unless it is absolutely necessary," warned the Lieutenant.

Actor shrugged. "As I said, it depends on the circumstances. I, for one, would not be opposed to allowing Chief to exercise his talents." He eyed the man beside him. "And I doubt you would mind either. Unfortunately, Lieutenant, you are the one responsible for their and our 'welfare'." The Italian's attention shifted to a point behind the officer's right shoulder. "They are coming back."

Casino and Goniff climbed into the backseat of the Packard. Both were grinning.

"Got 'em!" said the safecracker triumphantly.

"Chiefy was right. It is the same blokes," added Goniff.

Casino reached over the seat and handed the list of missing items to Actor. The ones in this pawn shop had tic marks next to them.

"Is there an address for the men?" asked Garrison, allowing Actor to peruse the list.

"No," said the cracksman, "but they call in at three o'clock every afternoon to see if anything has been sold."

Garrison looked at Actor. The con man was philosophical. "Well then let us give them a reason to come get their money."

With mask falling in place on his handsome face, the Italian got out, straightened his clothing and his hair, and entered the shop. Twenty minutes later, he returned carrying a box which he set on the sidewalk by the back door of the car.

"Where we goin'ta put this stuff?" asked Goniff.

"It's your turn, Goniff," said Garrison with a smile. "You ride with Chief. Casino, you get in the front between me and Actor. We'll pile all of the stuff on the back seat."

"Figures Limey gets to ride in the car again," grumbled Casino as he opened the door and climbed out.

Goniff scooted out behind him. "Here now, Mate. You got to drive it, I 'aven't."

While Casino went around the back of the Packard to get in the front seat, Actor deposited the box on the back seat. Garrison started the engine up while the Italian climbed in beside the safecracker.

"I would suggest," said Actor, "you drive as carefully around potholes as possible. The items were just placed in the box without any padding. We may have more breakage before we reach the Mansion."

The pattern was followed with each of the remaining pawn shops. The last one struck pay dirt with the Enfield and the handguns. When Actor went inside to pay for them, he came up with a con, of sorts. The money for the guns was significantly more than what was being asked for the various antiques.

The red haired, nervous man behind the counter was more than happy to return the guns, for a small fee of course, to get them off his hands. It was one o'clock and the men were scheduled to call at 1:30.

Actor smiled that patent smile that did not reach his eyes and had put fear into German soldiers. "These people attempted to murder a young woman who is a friend . . . a close friend. My companions and I are going to exact retribution on these men. If you do not wish to be included in this, I suggest you go along with what I am going to tell you."

The shopkeeper nodded. The enemy wasn't the only one that glare worked on.

"When they call, tell them someone was interested in the guns. No questions asked. You raised the price and the man was more than willing to pay the increased amount, in cash. You will still get your 40%, but they will receive more than they were originally quoted."

Actor pulled his roll of bills from his front pants pocket and peeled off a goodly some of money, handing it to the fidgeting Willie. The man quickly stowed the money into his cash register and went into the back room. He returned with the Enfield and the handguns, with one extra.

"This weren't on the list I was shown," broached the shopkeeper, "but it was brought in by those men with these guns. I think it's a German officer's piece from before the war."

Actor looked down at the Walther that was placed on the top of the glass case beside the other weapons. Obviously Chief had missed that one, but then even Actor did not know where Teresa kept the gun hidden at the Mansion.

"Ah, yes," he said with false amicability. "That belongs to the young lady. A gift from a friend who was no longer in need of it." That was close to the truth.

The con man watched the man's eyes as he pulled his money back out of his pocket and peeled off more bills. Greed overcame a part of the man's fear. Willie accepted the money without counting it and placed it in the register.

"Forty per cent, and only forty per cent," warned Actor with emphasis.

"Oh, yes, Sir," said Willie quickly.

Actor placed the handguns in his big coat pockets and picked up the Enfield. "We will be watching," he said.

Willie's head bobbed rapidly in understanding.

Satisfied, Actor left the shop and strode to the Packard. Garrison got out and opened the back door so the Italian could slide the rifle along the floor against the bottom of the seat. Closing the door, Garrison climbed back in behind the wheel and Actor moved around the back of the vehicle to get in beside Casino in the front. He pulled the handguns from his pockets and handed on to each of the men.

Garrison ejected the clip from his and was surprised to find it full. Actor checked the Walther's clip and found it full also.

"That wasn't on the list," remarked Garrison.

"No, but I think the shopkeeper was not keen on holding anything back." Actor smiled. "I think he might have been a bit unnerved by me."

Garrison chuckled. Chief appeared at the Lieutenant's window.

"Now what?" the Indian asked.

"Now we wait down that side street and watch for the men to arrive." Actor reached across the two men beside him and handed one of the automatics to Chief. He kept the Walther for himself. "I suggest you park well behind us so they do not see the Tickford when they arrive for their money."

"And then what?" asked Casino.

"Then we wait," replied Garrison.