I can't believe it has taken over 4 years to write this, the final chapter of this story. No excuses other than I lost interest in writing. I must thank everybody who has written, commented and sent me prompts to finish this story. All mistakes are mine.
No Honour Among Thieves
Chapter 12
Chief sighed then groaned softly as he shifted uncomfortably in his customary place in the window seat of the mansion library while he watched for the army staff car to pass through the guard post at the gate. He and Garrison may have received their release papers from the hospital but they were still confined to the mansion for another week. Well actually, Garrison had another week of confinement before he could hope for the all clear from the doctors but for Chief, he was looking at another four weeks before he would be able to join the team on any missions.
"Are you alright Chief?" Garrison asked, placing the book he had been reading on the table beside Actor's favourite chair, has he watched Chief lever himself up from his seat with a pained grunt.
"Yeah, just a bit stiff." Chief mumbled quietly in reply, annoyed that he had caught Garrison's attention.
"Still don't see why me and Casino couldn't go with them." Goniff grumbled as he threw his hand of cards down on the table in disgust.
"And do what you dumb limey?" Casino countered as he raked in the cards and all the match sticks lying on the table between Goniff and himself. "How do you think we were going to explain your miraculous recovery to them?"
"I didn't mean go in the ruddy house, we could've, I don't know, stood watch or something, you know, in case anymore of Birds associates made an appearance."
"What with half the British army parked out the front," Casino scoffed.
"Well Actor got to go and so did Aunt Lizzie and Charles." Goniff sighed as he looked at another useless hand of cards dealt to him by Casino.
"Actor didn't look like Actor. Metternich will never pick him and Elizabeth and Charles are the worried neighbours going to help and make sure everything is ok. Ain't that right Warden? Besides, Richards wanted somebody he could trust to read any German documents they might find…hey," Casino yelped as Chief pinned his wrist to the table and reached over to retrieve the Queen of Hearts from his sleeve.
"Well that leaves you out, doesn't it Casino". Chief stated as he flipped the retrieved card onto the table.
"Cor blimey Casino, you was cheating me; that's not a nice thing to do to your friend," Goniff dropped his cards on the table and looked up at Chief. "How'd you know?"
Chief shook his head. "You talk too much, don't pay attention and he's…" pointing at Casino, "not very good at it. A blind man could see he was cheating." Chief let go of Casino's wrist and moved stiffly away from the table before the safecracker could retaliate.
"And what would you know Indian?" Casino demanded, glaring at Chief but not making a move towards the injured man.
Chief shrugged as he moved back to the window, "Enough to not have to cheat."
"Yeah, well I don't have to cheat either, but it's fun, especially against the limey here." Casino replied.
"That ain't a very nice thing to say Casino. I thought we was friends." Goniff pouted.
Casino sighed, "we are, so who better than a friend to practice my skills on?"
"Well, when you put it like that, I guess I'm 'appy to 'elp. Hey, that means I don't owe you nothing, if you were just practicing. Ain't that right Casino?" Goniff stated happily. "If you want to keep practicing we can play some more, seeing as its' not going to cost me anything."
Chief snorted and Garrison shook his head.
"They're here," Chief stated, watching as the army staff car passed through the guard post at the gate and made its way up the curved drive.
"I wonder if they found anything. Hey Warden, do you think they found anything."
"I don't know Goniff," Garrison replied as he lifted his healing ankle from the ottoman it had been resting on, "but I'm sure we'll find out soon."
They heard the front door to the mansion open and close, followed by the unmistakable sounds of a pair of heels taping lightly on the tiled entrance hall, the heavy tread of a pair of army boots and the softer swish of several pairs of loafers. The library door opened, Major Richards stepped aside, allowing Elizabeth and Charles to enter ahead of him, before following himself. Actor turned and closed the door behind them.
"Please don't get up, Lieutenant," Elizabeth stated when she saw Garrison starting to rise from the chair.
"Yes, stay seated Garrison," Richards agreed, although he did throw a glare the way of the two seated cons at the table.
"Well," demanded Goniff as soon as the newcomers were all seated. Actor and Richards had taken seats at the table with himself and Casino while Elizabeth and Charles sat down on the couch in front of the unlit fire place. "Did you find anything?"
"Afraid not luv," Elizabeth replied, "It was as clean as a whistle, as I suspected it would be."
"Could you have missed something Sir?" Garrison asked, disappointed that all their troubles had been for nothing.
"See I told you I should have gone," Casino retorted. "I can smell a safe, no matter where it's hidden," he continued angrily, tapping the side of his nose for good measure.
Richards chose to ignore Casino's remark. "Sorry Garrison. We went over the place with a fine tooth comb. There was nothing to be found. The Metternich's were most cooperative; their story hadn't changed from when Elizabeth, Charles and your men visited them a couple of days ago. "I'm satisfied they didn't bring any documents with them."
"They could be lying," Casino grumbled.
"Aw leave it will ya Casino. If Aunt Lizzie says they ain't lying, and the Major," Goniff added quickly, "then you weren't going to find anything mate."
"So what happens now Major?" Garrison asked.
"Well, the Metternich's will be kept under close surveillance to ensure that they don't make contact with any black marketeers and Bird will be tried under wartime laws for treason against the crown. After all he did attack and injure an army officer." Richards replied.
"'Ow you going to keep Metternich under surveillance? It'd look a bit obvious with a ruddy army jeep sitting out the front of the place." Goniff stated.
"I'm sure Charles and I will have no problems fulfilling that duty. After all we are the best suited and have all the contacts, besides Actor that is." Elizabeth replied with a smile, acknowledging the conman with a nod of her head. "If, and I mean if, they did lie to us, they won't be able to sell or move anything without us knowing about it."
"What about Bird's brother?" Chief asked quietly. "The one that passed on the information to Bird about the Warden and me! What's going to happen to him?"
"Hey yeah, that's right. 'Ee going to be court-martialed?" Goniff asked.
Richards sighed, "Well…"
"That'd be bloody right. Typical army! Look after their own! We're only cons, doesn't matter what they do to us. Ain't that right Major?" Casino shouted standing abruptly and knocking over the chair he had been sitting on.
"Can it Casino." Garrison ordered before turning to look at Richards. "I'd be interested in your answer too Major, if you don't mind."
Richards glared at Casino before turning his attention to Garrison and Chief who had moved to stand behind Garrison's chair. "I had hoped to discuss this in private…"
"Anything we have to discuss can be said here Major. This affects Chief just as much as it does me." Garrison replied.
"Very well." Richards acquiesced. "I was going to leave the decision up to you as to whether he was court martialed or not. After all you were the one most affected by his actions."
"It weren't just the Warden, it was Chiefy too." Goniff pointed out. "'Ee should 'ave a say in it too."
"Yes, I meant both of them."
"Sure you did Major" Casino muttered.
"Look, I agree that what Percival Bird did was wrong." Richards held up a hand and glared warningly at Casino, daring him to interrupt, before continuing, "But when faced with the prospect of losing your wife and child, a six year old child, well, I'm not sure that if I was in his shoes I wouldn't have done the same thing as him. How would you feel if it was your family that was threatened like that Casino?" Richards asked. "What would you do if there was no other choice; no other way around it?"
"I'd have found another solution." Casino replied halfheartedly. "Maybe."
"What he did was wrong, but it ain't right for his brother to threaten to kill his daughter either." Chief stated. "I'll go along with whatever you decide Warden."
"No Chief, we'll decide this together." Garrison replied. "Can I let you know tomorrow Major what we have decided."
"That's fine Garrison," Richards said, standing. "Well, it's a long drive back to London, Elizabeth, Charles; if you're ready we had better be going. We don't want to be caught out after curfew."
"Yes, thank you Major," Charles replied, standing and offering his hand to Elizabeth.
"You must come and visit when you're in London next Rodney dear. We have so much to catch up on. Of course you are all welcome to come and visit, anytime. Actor knows how to contact us." Elizabeth stated, looking at each of the men individually.
Actor stood. "I'll show you out."
"So what's it going to be babe?" Casino asked the Warden as soon as the others had left the room. "You gonna throw the book at old Percival? Have him court martialed?"
"When Chief and I have decided, you'll be the first to know Casino." Garrison stood, picked up the cane hanging off the back of the chair and motioned for Chief to follow him.
"So what do you reckon Goniff?" Casino asked as they watched the two men leave the room. "They gonna court martial him?"
"Nah, I don't reckon they will, not with 'im 'aving a wife and kid and all. I know I'd do just about anything to save me mum and I reckon you'd do the same for your family too."
Casino sighed. "Yeah. Couldn't think of anything worse than the young ones been threatened like that. I hope old Dicky faces a firing squad for what he put us all through though."
Actor entered the library. "I saw Chief and the Warden heading to his office. I presume they are going to discuss a suitable punishment for Corporal Bird."
"We was just trying to figure out what they'd decide. What do you reckon Actor?" Goniff asked, staring at the tall confidence man.
"Under the circumstances I am sure they will lean towards a more lenient sentence than the one Dicky will be facing. What are you staring at Goniff? Actor asked in exasperation.
"Metternich really didn't recognize you Actor?" Goniff asked.
Actor smiled smugly. "Would you have recognized me Goniff, if you didn't know it was me, if you passed me in the street?"
"No ruddy way." Goniff replied studying Actor carefully. "I mean the walk's the same and you're still the same 'eight an all, but the red 'air and freckles. 'Ow'd you do that anyway? An the beard." Goniff shook his head. "Cor, blimey. You even changed your eye colour. I 'adn't noticed that with those thick glasses on. 'Ow you see out of them anyway? Even your own ma wouldn't 'ave recognized you in that outfit."
"A good confidence man never reveals his trade secrets Goniff," Actor replied as he removed the heavy rimmed glasses with their thick lenses and handed them too Goniff. "I had a friend make them for me."
Goniff studied them for a moment before putting them on. He pulled them off in surprise and looked at Actor. "They aren't real, I mean, they're glass and all but everything looks the same."
Actor nodded as he accepted the glasses back from Goniff. "They only need to look real Goniff. The lens' are made from two pieces of plain glass set into the rims. That's why the rims are so heavy," Actor replied rubbing absently at the bridge of his nose where the heavy glasses had been resting. "I still need to be able to see where I'm going and what I'm reading. Well, if you'll excuse me I'd like to clean up and get back to my normal self again."
"'Ee's ruddy amazing, 'Ee is Casino." Goniff turned to look at Casino. "You want to practice some more. This time I'll watch and see if I can see when you cheat me!"
GG
"Take a seat Chief," Garrison said as he limped behind his desk, dropping heavily into his chair and propping the cane on the corner of the desk. He reached down to the bottom draw and pulled out a bottle of scotch and two glasses, pouring two healthy nips and handing one to Chief. He waited as his scout made himself as comfortable as possible in the high backed chair and downed the offered drink. "I think I should invest in some better chairs, these are damned uncomfortable when you're injured."
Chief snorted. "I don't think the army is going to agree to that."
Garrison shrugged. "Who said anything about the army? I'm sure Actor and Goniff have contacts that could get us some decent chairs in here. Lord knows one of us is always getting injured."
Garrison watched as Chief's face darkened and a frown appeared on the still pale features. "Alright Chief; out with it," Garrison sighed. "You've been side stepping the problem long enough. What's got you so worked up inside?" Garrison suspected but needed to hear it before he could do anything about it.
"Nothin," Chief replied sulkily, thumping the glass on the desk. "I thought we were here to decide what's going to happen to Bird."
Garrison turned the empty glass around in his hand before placing it on the desk with a sigh and then pouring two more nips, pushing one across to Chief. "Alright Chief, your thoughts on Bird."
Chief shrugged. "I guess he should be court-martialed, but then you can't blame him for wanting to protect his family from his brother. We know just what Bird is capable of." Chief massaged his healing ribs with a grimace. "I don't know; I ain't army so I guess I'll leave it up to you. I'll go along with whatever you decide."
Garrison ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Alright, as I see it we have four choices. Court-martial and dishonourable discharged; a demotion back to Private with a cut in pay; a severe reprimand that goes on his record which will restrict his chances of promotion or we do nothing."
"He's gotta pay somehow." Chief replied. "No matter how you look at it he did the wrong thing and it nearly got you killed."
"Us Chief," Garrison replied softly. "You would have died if Charles hadn't found us in time."
Chief shrugged, dropping his head and not looking at Garrison. "It's what I deserved. I let them get you. I should have been watching the road better, seen the ambush. I should have told you about Bird after we got back from The Doves. Then the army could have done something about him. I should have been with Goniff and the others when they went to Metternich's. Maybe Charles wouldn't have been hurt."
Garrison shook his head. At least now Chief was opening up to him and confirming his suspicions. He only hoped he could make the man see reason. "Chief, look at me!" Garrison waited impatiently for the man before him to follow his instruction. He sighed in frustration when Chief continued to avoid looking at him. "Chief, I said look at me."
Chief sighed heavily and looked at Garrison, his eyes dark with guilt.
"Thank you. Now answer me this Chief. Did you seek out the racketeer Dicky Bird in the first place?"
"No but…"
"Did you suggest to him that there was possibly black market information or money and jewels to be had at the Metternich place?"
"No but…"
"Did he threaten you or any of the others at The Doves when you initially turned him down?"
"No but it didn't feel right at the time."
Garrison nodded. "Did you have any idea who or what he was Chief? I know both Actor and Goniff knew him, either personally or by reputation."
Chief shook his head, "no, I just knew he was bad news for us. I should have said something when we got back from The Doves. But then we headed down to London for the meeting."
"Actor and Goniff could have brought it to my attention also Chief, and for that matter I'm sure Casino had the same misgivings as you but none of them said anything either. And what about me? Don't you think I feel responsible for your injuries Chief? The only reason you were with me is because I had injured my ankle and couldn't drive. And then I couldn't protect you when Bird's heavies attacked you. I thought they were going to kill you then." Garrison swallowed hard.
Chief's head snapped up. "It wasn't your fault Warden; you got nothing to feel responsible for. I should have been watching the road better; should have expected them to try something."
Garrison rubbed tiredly at his face with his hands. "How Chief? Did Major Richards tell you that they were going to kidnap me? He's the one who ordered me to London."
"No, of course not."
"Alright Chief, enough is enough. This stops now. You weren't responsible for me getting kidnapped or hurt; or for McCoy and his men breaking in to the Metternich property and shooting Charles. There was nothing you could have done to stop them, even if you had been there. No matter how much I might blame myself, I have to accept that I wasn't responsible for you getting hurt. Major Richards isn't responsible because he ordered me to London. None of you had a crystal ball to see the future. Nobody expected Bird to have a contact at headquarters or to threaten his own niece and sister-in-law. The only ones responsible for what happened to us are Bird and his brother. Now Dicky is going to be tried for war crimes and treason. We have to decide what happens to his brother. Agreed?" Garrison waited expectantly for Chief to reply.
Chief sighed. "When you put it like that…"
"Good. Now I think we both agree that Corporal Bird shouldn't be court-martialed under the circumstances." Garrison needed Chief to focus on the current conversation. "What if we ignore what he did?"
"No. What he did was wrong, even if he thought he was doing it for the right reasons. He could've gone to Major Richards." Chief replied angrily.
"Yes he could have," Garrison agreed, "but you know as well as I do what fear can do to a person. How it can change your perspectives and the decisions that you make. However it's not an excuse and I agree he needs some sort of punishment. What about a demotion and pay cut?"
Chief thought on the next option. "Things are really scarce and expensive now. How will a pay cut affect his ability to support his family? His family shouldn't suffer for what he did."
"Everybody is doing it tough Chief, we're fighting a war." Garrison pointed out.
"Yeah I know but I mean; his wife and kid are used to living on what he makes now."
Garrison shrugged. "Better than a dishonourable discharge and no money."
"I guess."
"So what do you suggest? An official reprimand on his records and then life goes on?"
"At least his family won't suffer." Chief replied. "What do you think Richards will think of our decision?"
Garrison nodded. "I'm sure Major Richards won't be surprised by it, but I doubt Actor, Goniff and Casino will be happy about it but I happen to agree with you. I'll let Richards know in the morning." Garrison reached across the desk and poured another measure of scotch into Chief's glass. "Better drink that before we tell the others of our decision."
GG
"You're joking, right?" Casino demanded after hearing what Garrison and Chief had decided should happen to Corporal Bird. "After what he did to us; He nearly got you two killed and you're just going to let him off with a slap on the wrist. Typical army, look after yourselves and to hell with the rest of us. Did he put you up to this Geronimo?"
"That's enough Casino," Garrison ordered. "Chief and I discussed all the options and this was the best solution under the circumstances. His brother, who was the main instigator in this little caper, will be tried for treason. Corporal Bird has a wife and young daughter. A dishonourable discharge or demotion will only hurt them further and…" Garrison stared pointedly at Casino, "it was Chief's decision, not mine but I agree with it." Garrison looked at Actor and Goniff. "Either of you got anything else to add?"
"Not me Warden," Goniff replied. "I reckon you both know what you're doing. It ain't right that 'is kid should suffer because of old Dicky."
Garrison nodded. "Actor?"
"You and Chief were the ones most affected by what Corporal Bird and his brother did. Knowing that Richard Bird is unlikely to see the light of day again is enough for me. What happened to the Corporal was always going to be your decision. But if it helps, I agree that forcing further hardship on a young child and her mother is not in anyone's, and least of all the army's, best interests."
"'ey Warden, 'ave you told Major Richards yet." Goniff asked. "I bet 'Ee won't be 'appy with your decision."
"No I haven't Goniff. It will be late when he, Elizabeth and Charles arrive back in London. I thought I'd leave it until tomorrow, but I don't think he will be too upset, considering his early remarks on the subject. Besides I felt like a quiet evening." Garrison replied with a smile. "Now I don't know about the rest of you but I'm starving. Shall we see what the cook has prepared for tonight's dinner?"
The End