Chapter 3
The parachute in was uneventful. Terry did not even need Casino's assistance in jumping out of the plane. She automatically took her designated spot in the line as they started the trek to the safe house. Garrison was observing in silence. He had expected his sister to stick close to him. Instead, she seemed to be taking her direction from Actor. Not for the first or the last time, Craig wondered just what had gone on in London.
They reached the hunting lodge about 3am. Casino took the first watch. Terry was given one of the two bedrooms. Goniff curled up by the fireplace, while Chief took the expected corner by the window. Garrison and Actor stayed awake going over the plans repeatedly to make sure they had covered every contingency.
Terry slept hard until eight o'clock. She entered the main room, looking sheepish. "I'm sorry," she apologized quietly to Craig. "I didn't mean to sleep so long."
"It's all right, Little One," answered Actor absently. "You were not needed and you are not used to this yet."
Garrison looked at his sister and shrugged.
"You want me to take a watch?" the girl asked dubiously.
Craig gave a snort. "Come on, Terr, what would you do if a German patrol showed up? Throw rocks at them? You have trouble shooting a rabbit."
"Yeah, but I can run like one." She frowned. "I just want to pull my weight around here."
Actor straightened and looked at her. "You will be pulling your weight tonight. For now just relax."
Goniff had been watching. He walked up to Terry and took her hand. "Come on, Love. 'Ow about a game of cards? Let's just leave those two to their maps and such."
She let him lead her to another table where he pulled a worn deck from his pocket. As he shuffled and dealt, he grinned at her.
"Feelin' a bit like a third leg on a pair of pants?"
Terry grinned back at him. "Yeah, something like that."
"Aw, don't worry about it. A couple more missions under your belt and you'll be wishin' you were just sittin' on the sidelines."
A couple hours later, Goniff took up the watch. Casino and Chief went into town to acquire two vehicles. When they returned, Goniff went in to get uniforms for himself, Casino and Chief. Garrison and Actor had brought officers uniforms from England.
By midafternoon, the pickpocket returned with a burlap sack of clothes and a pillowcase with something heavy. He dropped the pillowcase on the table with a resounding thump. Garrison watched him with wary distrust. Goniff opened the pillowcase and pulled out a cooked ham. He stood with hands on his hips and a self-satisfied grin on his face. Garrison just shook his head.
"'Ey, I can't 'elp it if she left the bloomin' thing sittin' in front of an open window now could I?"
Later that evening, it was time to get ready to go. Garrison had already put on his uniform. Actor took Terry aside as they were both about to go get dressed. "I would like you to let me do your hair and makeup. We did not have time for me to teach you."
Terry cocked her head in surprise. "I can't say I have ever had a man put my makeup on or put my hair up before. But then again I have never had a man buy me clothes before either."
Actor gave a crooked grin, "As they say, there is a first time for everything. Call me when you are ready."
Terry stuck just her head out the door of the bedroom and caught Actor's eye. He nodded and walked to the door.
"Uh . . . ," began Craig, not sure what was going on.
"It's okay, Craig," called Terry. "He's just finishing me off."
Actor stifled a smile and entered the bedroom. He eyed the girl assessingly. The dress fit her like it had been made for her. Terry took a seat in front of the desk with Actor's makeup case.
"No mustache, please," she quipped.
"Hardly," he replied with a genuine smile.
Terry sat still while he worked on her face. Not one to wear much more than lipstick if necessary, having rouge, eyeliner, mascara, and eye shadow applied was a novelty.
"Did you bring scent?" asked Actor.
Terry pulled a small bottle out of her bag. He took it and got a bit on the tip of his ring finger, dabbing it behind her ears and on the pulse points of her neck. He took another dab and applied it to several spots in her hair. She looked at him questioningly. A faint wiff of lavender and vanilla reached his nose. It was a pleasant fragrance.
"You are a mistress," he explained, starting to comb her hair up and apply pins. "When your mark nuzzles your hair, you wish him to remember your scent."
"If he's nuzzling my hair with all those pins in it, he's going to get stabbed."
"Darling, if he is nuzzling your hair, he has already removed the pins."
"If he's already done that, then I'm in trouble," she said ruefully.
"Depends on your point of view."
Terry gave a short laugh. She sat still, wishing she had a mirror to watch how he was doing her hair. "Are you going to teach me how to do that?"
"It is easier if I do it, but I will teach you how to do the hair and makeup," he promised.
When he was done, he stepped back to look at her critically. It satisfied him. He removed a tray of his makeup kit and lifted out a small diamond pendant. Terry stared at it in amazement as he stepped behind her and fastened it around her neck. Next he brought out dangling diamond earrings. He clipped them on her earlobes. Again he stepped back to peruse his creation. He smiled and gestured for her to look in the little mirror in the lid of the makeup kit.
Terry stared at the sophisticated woman looking back at her. "That's not me," she breathed.
"It is now," said Actor.
He went to the door and held it open. Terry got up and straightened her already correct posture. Actor stepped through the doorway and held a hand back. Terry placed a gloved hand in his and stepped into the main room.
Goniff saw her first. He stared. "Blimey . . . "
Casino looked up and gave a slow low whistle of appreciation. "Wow, Babe."
Craig turned and stared. He could not believe that was his sister. He shook his head in awe. "Schwester, sind Sie eine schöne Dame."
Actor looked at Garrison with a crooked smile. "Sie ist eine sehr schöne Dame."
"Danke, Meine Herren," said Terry with a brief tip of her head.
Goniff held out the fox fur stoll and helped her into it. "Thank you, Goniff," she said softly. Not totally in her role yet, she gave a wink to the second story man.
Chief had brought the two cars up to the door. He came in to get Garrison. Terry was standing beside Actor. He did a quick perusal of Terry in appreciation. He didn't say anything, but gave her a brief nod of approval. Actor escorted her out to the car. Casino opened the door and held a hand out to her. Terry accepted it and paused as she climbed in.
"Danke, Heinrich," she said solemnly, with just a hint of humor.
"My pleasure . . . sister," he whispered back.
Actor entered through the opposite door and settled beside her. She was too still and quiet on the drive into the city. Actor did not look at her, but spoke very quietly in Italian. "You will do just fine, Cara. Remember, we are all watching your back."
"I don't want to screw up," she said back in Italian.
"You won't."
Craig stayed close to the door, nursing a drink and watching the occupants of the room, mainly his sister. He had to admit that Actor had pulled off a miracle. Terry was elegant with just the right hint of sensuality to look like a mistress. She was very attentive to her 'General Bruenner' but stayed carefully back when he was conversing with the other officers.
On the dance floor, they looked like they had been partners forever. There was no awkwardness. The way they held and touched each other bespoke long term intimacy. Again it made Craig wonder what exactly had gone on in London, especially when Actor kissed her.
Actor bent his head down to Terry's ear as they were dancing. "You are doing very well, Cara," he whispered.
Terry tilted her head back with a smile to match his. "Thank you, Caro," she whispered back.
They exchanged a kiss to cover the conversation. Actor gave her a quick wink. She smiled more, settling back against his shoulder. Actor knew she was nervous, but she was covering it well and he wished to keep it that way.
After a time, the men settled down at tables to play cards. Actor had included himself in a group of senior ranking officers of the Reich. Terry, as did the other women with their men, stayed behind Actor's right shoulder. Though he was not drinking heavily, Terry made sure his glass of cognac was never empty. The night dragged on. At the end of a hand of cards, one of the women suggested the women go to another room and have sherry while waiting for their men.
Craig tensed. Terry had not been on her own yet. He watched her bend down and whisper in Actor's ear. He nodded, picked up her hand on his shoulder, kissed the palm and dismissively motioned her to go along. He ignored her as she went with the other women.
General Braun appreciatively eyed the figure of Teresa as she walked away. He turned to the man beside him. "General Bruenner, she is a beautiful lady. Where did you find her?"
Actor managed to keep a straight face as he answered, "In my driveway."
Garrison stepped outside and moved down the walkway to the drive. He climbed in the car with the other men and pulled out a cigarette.
"How's it going, Warden?" asked Chief.
"It was going fine," said Garrison. "I just don't like it. They split up. I can't keep an eye on Terry."
"Where'd she go?" asked Casino.
"The women went into another room. I'm worried Terry can't keep up the con without Actor being with her."
"Aw, she'll be fine Warden," reassured Goniff. "Actor wouldn't let 'er go if 'e didn't think she could do it."
Garrison finished his cigarette and went back in the building to watch Actor.
Terry accepted a glass of sherry and mingled with the other women, making small talk about a dress or hairstyle. They eventually found seats and began discussing the men. Naturally, they found General Breunner, being fresh blood and very attractive, to be an interesting topic. The entire conversation was in German.
"Is the General not a bit old for you?" asked Liesl.
"I prefer older men," said Terry. "They know how to treat a woman."
"How about in bed?" asked Renate.
Terry smiled coyly. "Oh, he is most excellent in that department. And I find older men tend to take the time to make sure their partner is well satisfied."
"I wouldn't mind being satisfied by that one," said a voice from across the room. This brought laughter.
"Sorry, Darling," laughed Terry. "He's mine."
"What about the wife? He must have a wife."
Terry shrugged. "What about her. She is too busy with the children and her social obligations to take care of the man's needs."
The conversation turned to other things, then got on a subject that caught Terry's attention. "Why is it," came the question, "they either fall asleep or have to talk about this war right after sex?"
"Sometimes I wish Hans would fall asleep," bemoaned Terry. "I am sick of hearing about this war."
Liesl shook her head, "Two nights ago, Karl, went on about a new ammunitions dump outside of Bremen. What do I care about a silly ammunitions dump?"
Catarine added to the lament, "And what about the guns. I had to listen to him brag about that new big gun outside of München. What is this with guns all the time?"
"It's a phallic symbol," snorted Renate, earning more laughter.
Terry shook her head. "Last night I swear Hans went on for almost an hour about a build up of Russian troops along the border. That is so far from here, who cares?"
The conversation continued for another hour. Terry carefully filed as much information as she could in her mind. Her brother was going to have a field day with this. She hoped Actor was doing as well.
Eventually, the card games ended and the couples started leaving. Craig held the great coat for Actor and the fur for Terry. She placed her hand on the inside of Actor's arm and allowed him to escort her down to the car with Craig moving ahead to hold the door for them. Craig got in the front seat with Casino driving and the other car followed with Goniff and Chief.
In the backseat, Terry whispered to Actor. "Your rating with the ladies has gone up about ten points."
Actor looked at her suspiciously. "And how did that happen?"
"We had the usual women's comparison of our lover's sexual prowess. I played up your physical attributes and abilities."
"Dio!" exclaimed Actor looking skyward.
"Oh now you can't tell me the men don't do the same."
He thought it prudent not to tell her he had expounded on the perkiness of her breasts and the expertise of her mouth. He shrugged, "I just said you were young and very flexible."
They looked at each other and both started laughing.
Craig called back to Actor, "Did you get the message across to the general?"
"I believe so," said Actor. "But as intoxicated as he was I wonder if he will remember it? I have been invited to his office tomorrow to discuss strategy."
"Did you accept?" asked Garrison.
"Yes," replied the con man. "I assumed you would welcome the opportunity to learn more of their plans."
Terry waited until they got back to the safe house. Once inside, she grabbed Actor's hands and held them to get his attention. He looked askance at her. She was still semi in character and speaking German.
"Liebchen," she said. "We just got back from the party. Do you think you would ask me what I might have heard from the other women, you know, regarding military talk?"
"Nein," replied Actor. "If we had just returned from the party I would be making exquisite love to you."
Terry rolled her eyes upward. "Lieber Gott!"
Craig shot a startled look at Actor.
Terry shook her head. "All right, Liebchen. We have just made exquisite love to each other. Now would you ask me what I heard from the other women?"
"Possibly."
Terry looked at him and shook her head. Still in German, she asked, "Tell me you're not one of those men who rolls over and goes right to sleep."
"Terry!" exclaimed Garrison in shock.
Actor laughed at her audacity. Also in German, he answered, "Not that it is any of your business, Little One, but I prefer to have a cigarette first."
Terry nodded. She switched back to English. "Well, all those wonderful mistresses are aware the Russians are building up their defenses along the border for a planned invasion." She turned back to Craig. "Got a map of Germany on you, Brother? She went over to the table and started clearing space.
Craig stopped in front of Actor and glared at the man. In a whisper, he said "Just what did you teach her in London?"
"Certainly not that!" replied Actor defensively.
Craig spread the map on the table. Terry began pointing to towns and cities and describing the installations and troop movements she had heard about. Craig began making notes. Actor and the other men stood there and watched the information roll out of her mouth in surprised silence. Finally she ran out of information.
"Sorry, that's all I know," said Terry.
Casino laughed. "She came back with a lot more than you did," he said to Actor.
Actor shot him a look of annoyance.
Craig was studying his sister. He grabbed her chin, turned her head towards him and looked at her eyes. "Just how much have you had to drink tonight?"
"A couple few half glasses," she replied.
"Of what?" he asked suspiciously.
Terry shrugged, "Cognac mostly. Some wine. A glass of sherry. And some colonel gave me a glass of champagne."
Craig sighed. "You and champagne. That explains a lot. Go sleep it off somewhere."
"I am not drunk," said Terry indignantly.
"You're not sober either."
Terry sent him a mock glare. "I can still drink you under the table with Jack Daniels."
"I doubt that," replied her brother. "And we're not going to find out either."
Terry shook her head. "You are no fun, Craig Garrison."
"Go . . . to . . . bed!"
Terry turned and strode off to the bedroom with a slight swing to her hips, shutting the door firmly behind her. Actor watched her go with a grin and a chuckle. Garrison shook his head.
"I forgot to warn you," he told his second. "Don't let her drink champagne. It goes right to her head." He neglected to tell the Italian that too much champagne and his sister got very amorous.
"That might be a little difficult to do at some of these parties," replied Actor. He turned to the officer. "She has quite a lot of potential as a con woman."
"Oh, she's good," admitted Craig. "Once she gets into the role. She just has trouble turning it on and off."
"I will work with her," assured Actor. "A little more experience and she should get the hang of it."