Wow, thank you for all the fantastic responses to this story. They were most unexpected but greatly appreciated.
No Honour Among Thieves
Chapter 4
Charles deftly held the large black umbrella over his head to repel the light shower of rain as he leaned heavily on his walking cane. It never ceased to amaze him at the amount of assistance one could garner from the usually suspicious slums community just by the use of a walking cane. Unfortunately the assistance garnered wasn't always as helpful as one would have hoped. So far, he had made polite enquiries at four houses as to the whereabouts of a dear old friend who he was sure had lived at the address. Two of the houses were rented out to families obviously living in fear but from what or more likely who he wasn't sure, although he could guess; one was unattended and the other was nothing more than a shell thanks to a German bomb. Charles stepped around the rubble lying in the road and continued his slow, painful journey back to his car. One needed to keep up appearances, even in this desolate landscape for one never knew who may be watching. He kept a careful watch on his rear vision mirror and took a circuitous route home just in case he had collected a tail along his journey but as far as he could tell, and he was very good at what he did, no one was following him. With the houses accounted for, Charles turned his attention to the task of searching the warehouses as he sat in his small lounge room. He could not hope to employ his earlier tactic of looking up an old friend in the warehouse district unless he was searching for a tramp. Charles thought for a moment, nodded in silent agreement and rose swiftly from the comfortable chair he had been sitting on. He didn't have much time.
GG
Actor nodded, allowing his tense body to relax and Casino blew out a heavy breath. "You are correct Goniff, this is not helping. Let us retire to my apartment. I need to make a phone call and then we will decide our next course of action."
The drive from the Lazy Dog to Actor's London apartment was made in silence. Each man deep in contemplation with his thoughts. Bird had at least confirmed he was holding their missing team members and that Chief was injured but the information provided little comfort, only more worries. Casino thumped the steering wheel of the Packard hard with his right fist as soon as he had brought the big car to a stop. "Dammit, this is getting us no where." He cursed angrily.
"And neither is breaking your ruddy fist on the steering wheel mate." Goniff counseled cautiously.
Actor said nothing as he unlocked the front security door to the apartment block and ushered the two men in ahead of them. "Take the stairs to the third floor," he instructed as he turned back to ensure the door was locked behind him.
"You just had to buy on the top floor, didn't you Actor?" Casino grumbled as he led the way up the staircase.
"I thought you would 'ave bought one of them apartments with a lift in it Actor," Goniff agreed. "I wouldn't want to be carrying my girl up and down 'ere too many times."
"I do not carry girls up and down the stairs thank you Goniff. In fact I do not bring visitors here at all. Should I need a place for a dalliance, I much prefer the Savoy."
"So what do ya keep this place for then?" Casino snapped as Actor directed him to stop at the door directly across from the third floor landing.
Actor shrugged. "It is where I come when I want some quiet time alone."
Casino guffawed. "So you mean all those trips into London, not all of them were to meet up with a broad. Some were for time out."
Actor sighed as he placed his keys on the side board next to the door. "I do not meet broads, thank you Casino." He turned to look at his two team mates who were standing in the middle of his living room, gaping at their surroundings.
"Blimey," Goniff gasped as he stared at the fine furnishings and expensive over stuffed leather couches scattered throughout the large room. He made to move towards the window but Actor stopped him with a warning.
"We do not need to advertise where we are Goniff. Stay away from the windows." Actor ordered.
"Hey Actor, can I borrow this place and bring a broad here next time we're in London?"
"No you cannot Casino." Actor sat down at the table set in one corner of the room and pulled out the small device he had slipped into his pocket back at the mansion.
"What's that mate?" Goniff asked as he took a chair beside the conman.
"Evidence," Actor replied as he rewound the tape and pressed play.
"Bird,"
"Actor, please,"
"I am so glad that you have changed your mind and wish to join my little venture."
"We have changed nothing Bird. You have merely forced our hand at present. So tell me, how do we know that you actually have the Lieutenant and Chief and that they are indeed still alive?"
"You have my word on the matter is all you need to know, although why you would even care about some army brat and an Indian is beyond me. Both seem to be well out of your league, the Indian particularly."
"They both have their uses, I can assure you, now exactly what is it you want and when do we get our men back?"
"I like a man who comes straight to the point. What I want is for you to retrieve a bounty of jewelry and cash from the estate you cased this afternoon and then the two men will be returned to you."
"And how do you propose we do that exactly? You are holding our security man. Chief takes care of the security systems and any unwanted witnesses for us."
"The Indian? He is nothing but a wheelman."
"What can I say? Your information is inaccurate. That was perhaps true at the start but he proved to be quite adept at disarming both security systems and guards. He is also the one who cases the jobs, works out the logistics and obtains the necessary equipment. We work as a team or not at all."
"Ah well, that is too bad to hear as I believe the man is, shall we say, temporarily incapacitated, so it would seem that you will just have to do the job without him."
"What do you mean by incapacitated?"
"I believe he was injured in the accident."
"In that case it will take us an extra twenty four hours to pull off the job as we will have to sort out the security measures."
"Twenty four hours or you won't see your men again."
"Blimey, you taped 'im." Goniff whispered in awe.
Actor nodded. "We needed conclusive proof that he was behind Craig and Chief's kidnapping and he was coercing us into carrying out the heist in return for their lives."
"And what good is that going to do us?" Casino asked.
"Well, if we can find Craig and Chief within the next twenty four hours, then we can take this to the police and Major Richards and they can have Bird and his gang arrested."
"Aw mate, I don't know." Goniff shook his head. "Bird 'as more than one crooked bobby on 'is payroll. "Ee'll be out before we know it and then 'Ee'll be out for our blood. "Ee don't like it when "Ee gets dobbed in."
"That may well be true of the constabulary Goniff, but you forget he kidnapped a Lieutenant in the US Army as well. That could be classed as treason and we know what the punishment for treason is don't we?" Actor smiled.
"Blimey," Goniff's eyes lit up. "You mean there's a real chance that we can get rid of Dicky Bird and his gang for good?"
Actor nodded. "That's what I'm hoping for Goniff." Actor stood, "Now if you'll excuse me for a minute I need to make a phone call. "You'll find some supplies in the kitchen if you're hungry. I won't be long." He turned away from the two cons and walked quickly down a short hall, entering and closing a door to a room at the end of it.
GG
Charles nodded in satisfaction as he observed his appearance in the full length mirror that adorned one door of his wardrobe. He very much doubted that even his own dear departed mother would be able to recognize who he was. He had certainly out done himself this time. The phone rang just as he was closing the door to his bedroom. He allowed it to ring for the obligatory six rings before answering it. "Hello."
"Charles, any luck yet?" Actor enquired hopefully.
"Sorry Actor, the houses proved to be dead ends. One was bombed, two are rented to families and the other was unattended. I was just on my way out to check out the warehouses. Give me a few more hours and I will contact you with my findings."
"We need to find them within the next twenty four hours Charles. Bird has confirmed that Chief at the very least is injured."
"Then I had better get started. I take it you are staying at the number three apartment."
"Yes."
Actor hung up from Charles and then dialed Major Richards' office, waiting impatiently for the call to be put through to the major. "
"Actor, what do you have for me? Have you found Garrison and Chief?" Major Richards asked as soon as the handset was at his ear.
"No we haven't found them yet. My man has checked out the houses on the list without success and is currently out searching the warehouses. What I do have however is documented proof in Bird's own voice confirming that he kidnapped the Warden and Chief and is holding them as leverage against us completing the heist. He also confirmed that Chief is injured as we feared but he wouldn't say how badly.
"I see," Richards replied thoughtfully. "How long before you have to carry out this job Actor?"
"Twenty four hours Sir. I was able to convince him that we would need more time now that he had kidnapped our security man."
"What security man?" Richards asked perplexed.
"Chief, Sir. I told Bird, Chief was our security man and we couldn't work without him. I was hoping he would agree to release him and we could follow and find out where the Warden was been held also."
"But he didn't agree?"
"No Sir."
"So what happens if you can't find them by the deadline Actor?"
"We will have to do the job, but Major Richards I believe we should continue even if we have the others."
"And why is that?" Richards asked suspiciously.
"I feel there may be more to this industrialist than just jewels and money."
"Like what?"
"War secrets or documents. They would be valuable commodities on the black market."
Richards remained silent and thoughtful for a minute. It could just be a ruse to steal some jewelry and money but somehow he didn't think so. He was aware of the unwritten agreement the cons had with Garrison that they wouldn't steal on English soil or if they did they would return the stolen goods to their rightful owners. "Do you know anything about this industrialist Actor?"
"Not yet Sir. He is living on an estate in Eaton Square. We will be heading out there soon to make enquiries and draw up some plans."
"Alright Actor, find out what you can and let me know before you pull anything, unless it is to free Garrison and Chief. Is that understood?"
"Yes Sir." Actor sat back in his chair and contemplated his next move. Eaton Square was quite a prosperous and influential area of London, even in a time of war. In fact Neville Chamberlain, the former British Prime Minister had lived not five houses down from their objective a mere seven years prior. A contented smile appeared on Actor's face as he reached for the phone once again. If anybody was to know who the Austrian Industrialist was it would be Lady Elizabeth Covington.
GG
The shadowy figured staggered drunkenly against the side of the warehouse, the sound of the empty spirit bottle shattering on the broken pavement loud in the still evening air. The last rays of the watery afternoon sun were just sinking below the horizon. It had taken Charles longer than expected to discount the other seven warehouses owned by Bird, but finally this was the last one and the one furthest from London. And the only one not on the original list. An old acquaintance he had run into at one of the other warehouses had given him directions to this one. Getting here without the use of the car had been problematic as people tended to believe what they saw when confronted by a homeless drunk asking for a ride. Eventually though a farmer on his way out of London had agreed to give him a lift, provided he sat in the back of the truck with his two slobbering dogs. Charles shivered, he wasn't a dog person, in fact he wasn't an animal person and the two dogs seemed to know it if their growls were anything to go by but in the circumstances beggars couldn't be choosers and he had submitted to sitting in the truck with the animals if it would get him to where he wanted to go.
This warehouse looked as derelict and deserted as all those before it as Charles cautiously made his way around the outside of the building, returning to the only entry and exit point, the front doors; or maybe not. Charles eyed the new padlock on the doors with a growing sense of anticipation and excitement. Why would anybody want to place a new padlock on a deserted warehouse on the outskirts of London unless they had something to hide, like two men? Charles listened intently at the door for any noise coming from within. Satisfied that the place was, at the very least devoid of guards, he set to work on the padlock with a set of lock picks, sighing in relief when the locking mechanism released and the padlock sprang open. Slipping carefully inside, Charles waited to be verbally challenged, or worse, only to be greeted with silence, save for the wind whistling through the broken windows set high in the walls. Charles pulled out his small flashlight and let the thin beam dance across the floor and walls of the warehouse as he wandered around the interior. Except for the heavy bolt on a door at the far end, the warehouse was completely empty. Silently he made his way to the door, the wall into which it was set making up one of the three sides of what appeared to be a windowless office or perhaps a storage room, the forth side been the outer wall of the warehouse. Charles listened to the quiet behind the door for several minutes before cautiously sliding the bolt back.
GG
Garrison wasn't sure how much time had elapsed since Chief had passed out in his arms again. All he was aware of was that it was getting darker outside because the shadows inside were steadily growing and he was chilled to the bone. Chief hadn't moved in his arms for sometime now and he didn't think that was a good sign, although he wasn't even sure if he would feel any movement, his arms and in fact his entire body felt numb. Carefully he rested his hand lightly on the Indian's chest, sighing in relief when he felt the shallow rise and fall, indicating that Chief was at the very least still breathing.
The muffled sound of something breaking somewhere outside the building came to Garrison's ears and he lifted his head but only silence remained. Just when he thought his mind was playing tricks on him a new sound that brought with it both hope and fear was heard, much closer this time. Garrison waited, more alert now that he realized that someone was prowling around the warehouse. He gently shook Chief's shoulder, eliciting a soft moan from the injured man. "Chief, we have company," Garrison whispered, receiving a slight nod of understanding. Both men tensed, neither really now in any condition to protect the other and waited for what was to come next.
They heard the bolt on the door to their prison slide back, they saw the door swing open and then a bright light blinded both of them as it arced around the room.
"My apologies gentleman," A cultured English voice said as the light beam moved away from their faces and hurried footsteps crossed the small room. "Lieutenant Garrison and Chief I presume? Actor sent me but we must hurry as I fear it won't be too long before Bird's heavies return to have some more fun."
"Who are you?" Garrison asked as the man, who looked more like a street urchin rather than the English gentleman the voice conveyed, squatted beside them.
"That is not important, what is important is getting you both out of here and quickly." Charles sighed, taking in the appearances of both men. It was obvious that Chief was not going anywhere in haste. "Damn Bird and his bloody warehouses," Charles snapped. "I do not have a car; it wouldn't have fitted well with my current appearance so we will have to carry your man Lieutenant. Are you up for that?"
"If it means getting out of here, wherever here is, then yes. As far as I can tell Chief has at least four broken ribs. Bird's heavies worked him over well after we crashed the jeep."
Charles nodded, "Yes, I am afraid they do have a penchant for that sort of thing. We are in an old warehouse at the back of the rail yards in Catford so getting to further assistance will be difficult but not impossible. Come Lieutenant, lets get you on your feet and then we can both assist Chief."
"Chief, you with me?" Garrison asked, waiting for a reply before he tried to move.
Chief nodded, "Yeah."
"Alright, I'm going to slip out from under you, lay you down for a minute then we'll get you up. Sorry but it's going to hurt."
Chief nodded against the firm chest supporting him. "Let's just…get…out of…here…Warden."
"Lieutenant, allow me to hold Chief while you slip out from behind." Charles supported Chief's shoulders as Garrison struggled out from behind. He was so cold and numb that it seemed his body didn't want to co-operate with his mind but finally he was clear of Chief.
Chief couldn't control the loud groan that escaped his tightly clenched lips as he felt Garrison and their rescuer ease him slowly to the ground.
"Slow breaths Chief," Garrison cautioned as he climbed stiffly to his feet, using the wall for support. He tried taking a step forward only to grunt loudly as pain shot through his recovering ankle, causing him to stumble. "Damn," he cursed as Charles steadied him with an outstretched hand.
"Lieutenant, are you injured?" Charles asked worriedly as he continued to support Garrison.
"What…hap…pened?" Chief gasped.
Garrison gritted his teeth and put his weight on his injured ankle finding that this time the pain was at least bearable. "Must have twisted my ankle in the accident again. Didn't notice it earlier."
"Can you walk Lieutenant?" Charles asked, wondering how he was to get two injured men to safety without transport.
"Well enough to get out of here," Garrison replied, "and the name's Craig."
"Mine is Charles, although you didn't hear that."
Garrison snorted. He wondered if he would ever get the full story of Charles out of his number two. Probably not, he thought sadly because it had to be some story.
Charles squatted beside Chief as Garrison bent down on his other side. "Ready to go home Chief?" Garrison asked quietly as the two men carefully lifted the Indian to his feet, holding him steady as he gasped in pain and struggled to get his breathing under control.
With Chief supported between them, the three men exited the warehouse, pausing only long enough to re-bolt and padlock the two doors. As Charles pointed out, there was no reason to advertise the fact that the prisoners had already flown the coop. Those extra few minutes it would take to unlock the doors could mean the difference between freedom and death for the three men.
GG
"Well?" Casino demanded around a mouthful of bread as Actor returned to his lounge room. "They find the Warden and Geronimo yet?"
"Not yet Casino."
"So what did your friend 'ave to say Actor?" Goniff asked between bites of the sandwich he had made.
"The houses were all a dead end and he was just about to check out the warehouses when I rang him. He said to give him a few hours."
"You really think you can trust him Actor?"
"Yes Casino, I do."
"What about the major? Did you speak to 'im too?"
"I did Goniff and he has agreed that even if we locate Garrison and Chief before the job deadline, we are to continue and see what else this Industrialist might be hiding."
"Blimey, a caper on our own turf. That's a turn up for the books. Do we get to keep the proceeds Actor?" Goniff asked excitedly.
Actor shrugged, "I didn't ask…"
"You what?" Casino shouted.
"…but I'm sure that if not all the proceeds were handed over, no one would be the wiser." Actor finished, ignoring Casino's outburst.
"So who is this Industrialist anyway?" Casino asked.
"I don't know yet. I am waiting on a call with that information."
"Another snitch? Just how do you know so many in this country?"
Actor laughed, "I would not call the Lady Covington a snitch, was I you Casino."
Goniff almost choked on his sandwich, "Lady Covington? The Lady Covington?"
Actor eyed the pickpocket suspiciously. "Do you know her Goniff?"
Goniff shook his head, "Only by reputation. I never nicked anything good enough for 'er to fence."
Casino spluttered. "The dame's a fence and a lady. Now that's a broad I'd like to meet."
"Well don't get your hopes up Casino, because it is very unlikely that that will happen." Actor advised as the phone rang in the other room.
"So Goniff," Casino asked as Actor hurried to answer the phone, "How'd the lady become a fence or is that a fence become a lady?"
Goniff shrugged, "not really sure mate. I think she was always a lady, born with the title she was."
"Yeah, and?"
"Don't know. There are so many stories, no one knows the real truth except for 'er of course."
"What sort of stories." Casino growled impatiently. "Getting information from you's just as hard as it is from the damn Indian."
Goniff shrugged, "What can I say? Some say she was bored with the high life and became a fence on a dare. Others say it was an old boyfriend what got 'er into the business. Then there's the story that she married into it although I think that 'usband is dead. Killed in a caper gone wrong. But she never fences more than one or two items a year and then only items worth a bit more than a few quid and she's good at it. The Bobby's 'ave never been able to catch 'er or prove what she's doing."
Actor hurried down the hall, aware that he had set the cat among the pigeons, or in this case pigeon. Poor Goniff, he was going to have his hands full fending off Casino's enquiries regarding Lady Covington, although he did wonder just how much the pickpocket really knew about Elizabeth's circumstances.
"Hello," Actor smiled when he heard the voice on the other end of the line. "Elizabeth that was quick work, even for you."
Elizabeth laughed lightly, not in the least offended. "You know me Actor, darling, I never walk when I can run."
"Indeed I do. I take it you have the information I requested." Actor became serious once again.
"But of course. The new tenants of number forty four Eaton Square are Johannes and Katharina Metternich from Austria. He ran a small newspaper in Graz before he fled the country and she is of Jewish decent."
"No wonder they fled the country." Actor mused. "But how did he manage to get into England. Austria is an ally of Germany."
"His mother was English and he has a sister living here. It is also rumoured that he is a distant cousin of a former Austrian Prince who, would you believe also lived at the same address over a hundred years ago when he was exiled from Austria for several years."
"A family home perhaps?" Actor queried. "Do you know who the sister is, Elizabeth?"
"As far as I know the sister has never been named. I know the current owners of the house, the Garvers, have lived there for twenty five years but are currently staying with relatives in the country. It could just be coincidence."
"It is possible but I doubt it. Have you met them at all, Elizabeth?"
"No. They moved in about six weeks ago and seem to keep pretty much to themselves. I've only seen him out a couple of times and never her."
"I wonder how Bird latched onto them so quickly then?"
Elizabeth laughed, "Probably the same way that I did. It is amazing how a few nips of brandy can loosen a tongue, and that was my own maid. You should know that all the servants gossip amongst themselves. Why they know more about the aristocracy than we can ever hope to have knowledge of."
"Mmmm. Elizabeth, do you happen to know an English pickpocket by the name of Goniff, by any chance?"
"Rodney? What on earth are you asking about him for Actor? The last I heard he was in America."
"So you know him?" Actor asked in surprised.
"Of course I do, everybody knows Goniff and his mum, although I haven't seen or spoken to him for almost fifteen years now. I doubt that he even remembers his Aunt Lizzie, as he called me. He was just a little thing, all blond curls when I met him. She ran the books here before she left for the States. I won as much as I lost from her but she was always fair and honest, for a bookie. Why do you ask?"
"No reason; I have heard the name a few times, that is all. Well thank you Elizabeth for your help. We will have to get together soon."
"I'd like that Actor."
Actor laughed, "You may but I think Charles may have something to say about it."
"And when has that ever stopped you before darling?" Elizabeth husked softly.
"I do have some principals you know."
Actor replaced the phone and lent back in his chair. Aunt Lizzie, he mused with a soft chuckle. Casino was going to have a field day with this information.
A/N While Johannes and Katharina Metternich and the mother and sister are fictitious, an Austrian Prince, Prince Metternich (or Klemens Wenzel von Metternich) actually lived at No 44 Eaton Square in 1848