Too Long on Simmer
Chapter 3
Garrison climbed out of the jeep, reached across to the passenger seat and grabbed the briefcase. As he headed toward the door he saw Actor moving to intercept him. The Officer tried to read his expression; was there trouble? Actor was the one he counted on to monitor the cons' moods. Occasionally he sided with his fellow inmates and their hi-jinks but for the most part he knew that keeping the Lieutenant informed of potential problems was in his best interest.
"Good afternoon, Lieutenant."
"Actor." The tall Italian was not smiling, his first hint of trouble. The second was fast to follow as he was subtly edged toward the back of the jeep. He was being delayed. Cautiously he played along.
Actor, with his back to the stately home they used as their base, gestured out toward the slowly emerging front lawn. Spring was in the air, the warmth melting the thick snow cover.
"Casino seems to be a little out of sorts lately. You, no doubt, saw the way he was at the debriefing. He has developed a need to point out everyone's mistakes. Unfortunately he has continued to find fault, going as far as to verbally attack Chief. I am afraid they came to blows."
"I will have a talk with him. Any idea on the reason?"
"As your ancestors would say, he has a burr under his saddle. As for the cause, I have no idea."
Garrison wondered what book the Italian was reading to pick up that idiom as he checked his watch and the sent for the safecracker. Seeing as what was coming up it was best to deal with this now.
ggggg
"Come in, have a seat."
Casino did as he was told; his expression neutral but then he was a poker player. Before Garrison could speak he jumped in. "So what's on your mind?"
"Actually that is what I wanted to talk to you about." All he got was a noncommittal shrug so he continued. "I haven't had much of a chance to talk to each of you to see how you're getting along. Any problems?" This was not going well.
"Nope." The slight clip displayed his suspicion.
"I know you and Chief don't always see eye to eye."
"Look Warden…" he started then stopped with eyes narrowed in warning.
Casino's response was telling but was that where the problem lay or was it something else? Garrison thought back over what he knew about the safecracker. He was opinionated, a gambler, driven to win at all cost…
Try something else. "How's everything at home?"
"How would I know? We haven't had any mail in a month," he replied angrily, glaring at the Officer as if it was all his fault. Unfortunately what Casino said was true. As often happened, there was a delay so no one had received word from home in almost four weeks.
Was that the problem or just part of it? "Don't be taking it out on the others; they're in the same boat."
"Actor's not. He gets his mail." Casino eyed him daring him to contradict him.
Garrison paused. Actor was getting mail? Uncensored? Was the mail from the continent getting through? Alarm bells were going off. Or was this local mail, from London perhaps. Actor was known to have lady friends in many places. Still it should have been censored. He was going to have to have a word with his second.
"So, is that all?" Casino's tone said that was all he was going to get out of him so he agreed.
"But Casino…" He waited until he had the man's attention. "If you have a problem, you bring it here. You don't deal with it yourself. Got it?"
"Yeah, yeah," in other words no.
That was a failure thought Garrison as he watched the safecracker walk out the door. He was no closer to resolution. All he could do was hope Casino would take his advice.
ggggg
Lunch was vegetable soup that Mrs. G had left for them while she did the shopping. They had all sat down and began stirring the soup allowing it to cool before tasting it. Actor took a slice of bread and began buttering it.
After several minutes Casino blurted out, "Do you have to be so noisy? You sound like a pig."
"Shut up Casino," growled Garrison as Chief plunked his spoon into the bowl splashing the soup over the edge.
There was silence for just a heartbeat then Goniff lifted his spoon and slurped as loud and as long as he could.
Garrison waited. He had been slowly stirring the hot broth while pondering their latest fiasco. He had only been marginally aware of Chief's lack of etiquette but Goniff's exaggeration caught his ear. He looked over awaiting the reaction that was sure to come. Instead he caught the echoed slurp as Actor joined in and said, "It is considered a compliment to the chef to slurp your soup in Japan."
"But we're not in Japan and not likely to be any time soon."
By this time Chief had picked up his spoon and was watching the others trying to gauge the mood of the table. He was clearly confused by Goniff's support and shocked by Actor's action. He looked to Garrison for confirmation.
"That's enough," said the Officer as he quietly ate his soup. The others followed suit.
ggggg
The door opened and the Sargent Major strode into the darkened room. Pausing for only a second he approached the target cot. "Actor, the Left tenant wants to see you in his office."
The blanket shifted as Actor said, "Pardon?" Leaning up on his elbow he asked, "What time is it?" as he tried to adjust his eyes to the early morning light.
"It is oh six twenty seven. You have five minutes to get to his office."
"What the Hell?" demanded Casino.
"It is just Actor who is required."
"Well then, shut up and let us sleep."
"Five minutes," repeated the soldier as he left the room. Actor threw back the blankets and stood. Casino pulled the blanket over his head to block out the light he knew was coming. Goniff slept on but Chief got up and dressed too. After checking the window he headed out of the room and down the hall. He wanted to know what was going on.
ggggg
By the time Actor returned and began packing his bag, Casino was waking up. Seeing the activity he sat up. "What's going on?"
"The Warden and I have a mission."
"How come we weren't…? The two of you are going alone." It wasn't a question but a demand to be denied.
"The Sargent Major will be in charge until…"
Casino blew out a sound of disgust then added, "we return."
"What's this?" asked Goniff as he lifted his head.
"Beautiful's going on a mission with the Warden, alone."
"Without us? An' we're staying 'ere?" he added with glee. "I see a trip to London in the very near future. How long you be gone?"
"You will remain on the grounds," said Actor as he picked up his bag and headed for the door.
"Sure we will," said Casino sarcastically.
"It is your funeral," was flung over his shoulder as the conman disappeared down the hall.
"So when do we leave?" asked the Englishman as he cast about for his pants.
ggggg
Garrison was putting away the briefing material when Chief appeared at the door.
"It's too dangerous going by yourselves."
"We'll be fine."
"I could watch your backs. You wouldn't even know I was there."
"Thanks for the offer but we'll be fine. Stay here, enjoy the rest. The next mission might be long and you'll be glad you did." He smiled, trying to ease the look of concern on the Indian's face. It was not working.
ggggg
Chief watched from the step as the jeep containing the two men drove off down the drive. A familiar sadness, an emptiness, clawed at his heart. Unable to tear his eyes away he continued to stare even after the jeep followed the drive around the bend and disappeared. Gone. Too many things, too many people had gone from his life. He could not have counted them all but the feeling of loss and grief was familiar. He never knew his parents, Gouyen was gone and Christine too. Now he was probably never going to see them again either. With that thought he had the urge to run after them and stop them from going but he knew it was futile. Garrison and Actor were gone and nothing was going to bring them back.
Sadly he turned back to the house. This was a real fine house made of brick and stone. The big houses of the south were mostly made of wood and as fine as they were they didn't feel as solid and strong as this place did. The ones in New York City were stone too but he hadn't seen inside too many. The one the guy lived in that he had worked for was real nice but still didn't measure up to this.
How long would he be allowed to stay here? Without Garrison probably not long unless they brought in another leader. The alternative was back to prison. Neither sounded good.
The Sargent Major tried to keep them busy and they tried to stay out of his way until they saw the targets being set up. That was one activity they enjoyed.
Later after the noon meal they sat relaxing. Normally Actor or Garrison would drill them on German words and phrases but today they were taking advantage of their absence.
"You fancy a pint Casino?"
"I'm broke and we know cheapskate over there won't buy."
Chief ignored him. He was also broke but he refused to admit he was. He had made a bad bet and lost.
"Maybe we could go into London. Lots of well-paid soldiers there."
"Not enough time. Maybe tomorrow." The cards came out and they began playing for matches.
"Well, Indian, you in or out?"
"I'm out."
"Spoil sport."
"Maybe if you didn't keep all the good cards to yourself…"
"You say I'm cheating?" he demanded, brows lowered, his voice hard.
"I'm sayin'," and he started to push himself away from the table to give himself more room, "That all I'm getting' are shit hands."
"Not my fault you don't know how to play."
"Oh, I know how to play. I also know how to spot a cheat."
The fight was on.
By the time the Sargent Major arrived the fight was almost over and the two combatants were standing, breathing hard as they looked for an opening.
Reluctantly doing as they were ordered, one headed for the washroom, the other the kitchen to clean up. Goniff was left to clean up the room. He protested that he hadn't made the mess and he didn't see why he had to but the soldier stood over him until he gave in.
Down the hall Chief turned on the cold water tap and splashed his face. His lip was numb where Casino had caught him with a lucky punch. It was a glancing blow but it was starting to swell.
Chief was going to have to avoid him for a while. Who was he kidding? He was going to have to avoid him until Garrison came back. They didn't get along real good but lately he was riding him a lot and he didn't like it.
As he saw it he had two options. He could ignore him and hope the guy got tired of it or he could get him back. He could teach him to leave him alone. He had done it before. There had been a guy in New York named Sparks who had ridden him for a while. It had taken Chief a day and an evening before he found his means of revenge. It was only a garter snake but Sparks had screamed long and loud when he had found it in his bed. Message received and understood.
Now how to get through to Casino. Could he use the same message? There had to be snakes out in the back. Did they have the same snakes here in England? Garters were harmless and he didn't want to hurt the guy so he didn't want anything poisonous. He couldn't ask anyone. Maybe go out and look to see what he could find.
Maybe there was something else he could use. Gouyen had shown him certain plants, ones that healed and one that made you throw up if you were sick to your stomach. That might make the guy back off. But again he had the same problem. Was this the same over here and how much to use? He had never used it and he didn't want to kill the guy. Did they have nettles here?
The time passed slowly. Were the guys all right? What was their mission and how dangerous was it? Too many questions and no answers. At least Casino was leaving him alone. The Sargent Major wasn't but it was mindless stuff, target practice, hand to hand, unless he was paired with Casino, and the obstacle course. Stuff to do to fill the time. He had tried to do the cross country run that he and Garrison used to run but the guards got suspicious and stopped him. With the Warden it was okay but alone it must have looked like he was trying to escape. He missed going, not just the physical exhaustion it brought but the companionship, just the two of them alone. Another thing gone from his life. Seemed the good stuff never stayed just the bad, the pain, the loss…
Back inside the Sargent Major decided to quiz the cons on plane silhouettes and German words and phrases. They knew some of the planes but when he held up the flash cards with the words Casino insisted the Brit pronounce them which led to hilarity, at least on Casino's part. The soldier finally gave up, packed up his cards and left.
Garrison and Actor finally returned much to the relief of the cons' temporary task master but it might have gone better for all if he had noted the exhaustion on the Officer's face before he started his rant.
Granted, Garrison did his best to listen before he sent for the safe cracker but he was out of ideas. The confrontation went as well as the last one with nothing being resolved.
Two days later they were back in the office listening to the detail of the next mission.
"You just got back! Haven't they got anyone else?" Casino greeted the news with his usual flair. "So what's this time?"
"We'll meet up with a team of Commandos to stage a raid on a POW Camp."
"We don't have to go inside do we, like that time we had to get the Colonel out?" asked Goniff.
"We want the Germans to bring in additional troops to guard the place, leaving the true objective less protected."
"And where is that?"
"That's not important."
"When do we go?" asked Chief.
"Three hours. A truck will be by to take us to the airbase. Get your gear."
"Do we get to eat first?"
"I asked Mrs. G to put something together."
"So who's leading this mess, you or some other guy?"
"Major Hodsworth."
ggggg
They met up with the British three man team, caught their flight and made the landing according to the plan. A long two mile walk brought them to within sight of the Camp. It was laid out in the typical fashion with a double row of barbed wire around the outside studded with tall guard towers. Inside were the barracks. It was dusk so the prisoners were inside and only the search lights were moving, sweeping the camp. They withdrew and began to make their plans. Casino asked about busting the prisoners out but was told that was not possible with just the men they had. Casino made it known what he thought of that excuse.
Just before first light, a British Commando relieved Chief. He turned to go to their sleeping area but stopped when he saw two soldiers talking to the Officer in charge. One was carrying a long canvas covered tube. They nodded and set off. As they passed Chief fell into step and said, "Mind if I come along?"
"You any good?" asked the shorter of the two.
"Not bad but I never tried any real long shots. Figured I might learn."
"You want to be a sniper?" When Chief just shrugged he continued. "There's no glory. Snipers are looked down on."
"Why? You're doing the same thing as the other guys."
"For the regular lads it's a bunch of guys each trying to shoot each other first. Snipers are seen as cheats. We don't fight fair, don't play by the rules."
Chief thought about that. Sometimes you had to do what you had to. If the other guy was stronger, faster, then you had to come at him when he least expected it. Like a sniper.
"Couldn't you say that about what we're doing here? No Uniforms, least us, sneaking around behind enemy lines..."
The soldier carrying the bundle turned to him and grinned. "I like the way you think."
They continued on until they neared their intended spot and then crawled into position. Carefully Sargent Peters unwrapped his bundle exposing the Lee Enfield Rifle. To Chief it looked like the others he had seen except for the scope. Later he would learn of the interior modifications. Staying out of the way he watched. No one spoke.
Half an hour later the shot was fired and the guard in the watch tower sagged and disappeared below the railing. Mission accomplished they crawled back out of position and headed for the next. The process was repeated taking out another guard. They returned to their base and as they neared Peters explained the basics and the modifications of the rifle. He promised to let him try a shot.
Three days of harassment saw changes in the camp. After the sniper attacks prisoners were brought up and tied to the tower railings. When they attacked the perimeter fences prisoners were forced to stand along the wire. It wasn't until they ambushed the supply trucks that they got the desired reaction.
Casino arrived huffing and puffing. "They're coming. Two three tons, two outriders and a staff car." He stood bracing his hands on his knees trying to get his breath back before fading back into the trees with the others.
"Good."
"So we're done, can we go now?"
"No. Our job is to get them here and keep them here."
"Are you nuts?"
The Major, a career soldier, spun around. "You are dangerously close to insubordination. Be very careful of your next words." The warning tone and facial expression was clear enough but just in case his hand went to his sidearm.
"Sir, if I may." Garrison stepped in pulling Casino away.
Once out of earshot Casino said, "We're outnumbered, outgunned… I didn't sign up for suicide."
"This isn't like when we had to be a diversion for the German General. All we have to do is show we haven't left," explained the Officer.
Two days of hitting and running saw Chief make his first sniper shot. The first missed but the second try was on target earning him a "Jolly good shot." He grinned at the praise.
Finally the Major called the mission a success and gave the order to head out The Brits headed south and the American team went west After a day of cross country hiking they stopped for a meal. As usual Chief did the cooking.
Actor leaned back, wishing he had his pipe, as he wondered about the incongruence of his present dining situation. His usual haunts were upscale restaurants with multiple courses, wine, waiters and usually good music. Here he sat on a fallen log having just finished eating wild rabbit that was a bit blackened on the outside but was tender inside. Instead of fine china the meat was skewered on a stick. There was only one course, seconds were unlikely, the serviettes were weeds growing along the stream and instead of a three piece orchestra it was the soothing sound of the stream. As long of no one he knew ever saw him he could say he had enjoyed it.
He debated asking Casino for a cigarette, he had lost his after a costume switch, but as he was about to ask he watched Chief slip over to Casino and hand him another piece of meat on a stick. He had thought it was all gone.
"Here, finish it up." Once he was finished, he asked, "That taste all right?" Actor would not thought anything of it but there was an odd look on the Indian's face.
Later Chief approached the safecracker where he sat on the tractor seat and said quietly, "You don't look too good. You all right?"
"Yeah, sure." He sounded confident but a tiny bit of doubt flashed across his face before he lowered his head to light his cigarette.
"I don't know, you look a little pale."
"No, I'm fine."
Actor tried to see Casino's face but in the fading light it was hard to tell. Maybe Chief, being closer could see better. He thought about getting up and checking but Casino said he was fine so he let it go. Casino, like Chief did not appreciate anyone fussing over him unless he was really bleeding. Chief was still watching him. He would let someone know, either Garrison or himself if there was a real concern. There was also the concern that if he was sick, there was nothing they could do. Though they had found a barn to sleep in which would keep them warm and dry in spite of the threatening sky, they were miles from any town where a doctor might live. They were on their own.
"What're you looking at?" Casino demanded.
"Nothin'." He turned away to leave but Actor saw the little smile. This was odd in itself but it was not a happy smile, more a triumphant smile. What was he up too?
"You put something on that last piece didn't you?"
"Nope," but he kept his back to the safecracker like he was hiding something.
"Then why were you watching me like that? Like you're waiting for something. It had to be that last piece. You ain't watchin' anyone else but me."
"And why", he continued angrily, "Didn't you give it to Goniff? He would of eaten it."
"You were here and he wasn't." He still had not turned back. Instead the Indian moved to the edge of the clearing and squatting down he was doing something in the tall grass.
"What're you doing? Trying to get rid of the evidence?" That was when Casino turned to Actor and complained. "The bastard tried to poison me."
"Pardon?" He needed to keep Casino talking.
"He put something in my food. I know he did. He's trying to kill me."
"And why would he do that?"
"Who knows what that crazy red skin would do."
Actor watched Chief begin to spin around then stop himself. His face was composed, too composed for that last comment. Crazy redskin usually set him off so he expected anger but being accused of a serious crime like poisoning should have elicited some concern. There was nothing.
Something was definitely going on. He remembered the friction between Casino and the rest of the cons but especially Chief. He had mentioned it to Garrison. Had he had a talk with Casino? Had he gotten to the root of the problem? Then a horrible thought brought a chill to his spine. Was Chief taking revenge? How far would he go? Surely he would not give him a lethal dose. And if he did?
Both set of eyes turned to the man leaning on the barn wall playing with his knife.
"Is that why you were in prison? You poisoned a guy? We just assumed you knifed him. You've done this before, haven't you?"
"I didn't do nothin'. It's all in your head." He was too calm, as if this was what he expected.
"Yer lying. You poisoned me. I can feel it in my stomach. That's not in my head; it's in my gut." His right hand went to the suffering organ.
Actor had seen Garrison approaching. Chief was next up to take the watch.
"What's going on?" He turned to Chief.
"I didn't do a damned thing." He sounded sincere and the conman knew the Indian was not an adept liar. With a look from their leader Chief pushed himself off the wall and headed out. As he passed the safecracker he said something but it was too quiet to hear. Actor only caught two words; 'needling' and 'next time'. It was revenge.
By morning Casino was fine, grouchy but no longer complaining. Three days later they were back at their base. Their first order of business was sleep. Though their army issue cots were not the most comfortable, they were better than sleeping in dry dust hay. Garrison had business in London so after the debriefing he took them with him and gave them twenty four hour passes. Casino wanted more but Garrison threatened to tear up his pass so he grumbled and said no more.
The trip in was taken in high spirits with plans being bantered about. The return was not so joyous. The Luftwaffe had paid the harbour a visit and the resulting traffic tie ups and train delays did nothing for Goniff's hangover. Casino was not feeling too well either but he refused to admit it. Actor sat apart refusing to allow them to spoil his mood. Garrison had not stayed over so they were on their own.
Chief had let Goniff have the window seat, taking the aisle seat so he could get up and move if necessary. Unfortunately Casino, who had sat in the middle kept getting up and seemed to step on his feet or bump into him every time. The train was crowded so there was no room to manoeuvre. Finally he took Casino's spot figuring it would be easier but when the safecracker returned he demanded his spot. Chief wanted to refuse but decided it wasn't worth it.
Finally they reached their destination and disembarked. Goniff was almost boneless by this time and leaning heavily on Casino. Chief was keeping his distance.
"How about you take'im," grouched Casino as he tried to disentangle himself
"Uh uh. You got'im drunk, not me."
"Asshole."
When the cab pulled up to the front door Actor, sitting in the front, paid the driver. Chief got out and went around to open the other door. It was the least he could do to help. The safe cracker finally got Goniff out and standing but this set off his stomach and he threw up splashing Casino's shoe.
"You dirty bastard. Fuck!" he yelled as he started to push the Englishman away. Chief saw the potential disaster and stepped in to steady him and keep him upright but Goniff's knees buckled and both men went down.
"A couple of fallen down drunks," laughed Casino nastily as the Sargent Major opened the door and stood glaring at the two men on the ground. "Good place for you," said Casino as he turned and headed for the door.
Chief struggled to get clear, getting angrier by the second. Seeing the British soldier watching he knew he couldn't do anything yet. It was Casino's fault Goniff was drunk and his fault that the guy had made him fall. Now he was going to just walk away. Besides, the Sarn-Major saw him on the ground. He didn't care what the guy thought but he would tell Garrison and he would think he was drunk. Damned bastard.
Later the next morning Casino was teasing Goniff about being sick, talking about the cure which included raw eggs and any other disgusting food he could think of. Chief was getting tired of it and besides he didn't want Goniff to throw up again.
"The Apache used to sneak into the soldier's camp and slit their throats an' scalp'um."
Goniff immediately perked up. "They did?"
"Yer lying. I never heard anything about that. It isn't in any of the history books."
Chief sat confidently eying the safecracker unaffected by the response. "That's cause they were to embarrassed. Sides, the whites wrote those books. Apache have their stories."
"Fuckin' liar."
Chief shrugged
Casino's eyes narrowed before he spoke with passion. "Anything happens to any of us and I'll kill you."
"I'll just have to make sure your first."
Casino stood abruptly.
The door opened and the tableau froze. No matter what he had come for he could not miss the tension. "The two of you in my office now!"
A heartbeat and Casino relaxed slightly and stepped aside but still facing his opponent. Chief waited until Casino had started for the door before he followed. Casino led the way into the office and both sat when they were told. Chief would have preferred to stand at the window but the voice was to be obeyed. Unexpectedly Garrison closed the door leaving them alone. Neither man spoke.
Five minutes later Garrison returned striding to his desk. They both knew they were in deep shit but not the extent of it until the metallic clank as the objects landed on his desk. That drew them up short. The light gleamed on the dull metal. Handcuffs.
"I want all your knives and your arm band on my desk now."
Chief was trying to look calm but knew he was failing. His hands were just shaky enough that he had trouble with the last buckle. Finally it was free. The knives followed and he watched them disappear into the desk drawer.
"Your spring steel, on the desk."
"It's upstairs." The glare wore him down. "I only take it when I…"
Indicating the item on his desk Garrison said, "Put'em on. Now!"
Both men looked from the cuffs to the man giving the orders, their looks identical – fear. Garrison had always been firm with them, he had never struck them in anger but both remembered how he had faced down Wheeler. Not only had he faced him down, he had grabbed him, disarmed him and held him with one hand on his throat. The man was deadly. They knew he could disable one, probably Casino since he was closer, then take out Chief. He probably wouldn't have time to get to the knife in his boot. They knew they were beat. Each man took a set of cuffs and snapped them on. Once they were secure Garrison picked up the phone and once it went through he ordered a two man guard detail.
It was a very uncomfortable wait especially having that cold hard glare that worked so well when he was impersonating a German Officer.
"Come on, War…"
"Shut it!"
Chief risked a look at his team mate. He looked as bad as he felt. How were they to get out of this? He had to be bluffing.
The two soldiers arrived at the door and stepped Garrison said "Last chance."
The Indian heard the sound of a handgun being pulled from a holster as he toed off his boot. Keeping his eyes on the desk he reached down and pulled off his boot. Slowly he pulled out the hidden blade and placed it on the desk. As he was about to put it back on he was told to kick it over to the side with the other one as well. He obeyed.
"Frisk'em." Garrison's eyes never wavered as the second guard carried out the order in a manner worth of the best cops.
"Take'em to the stockade, and Sargent… if either man tries to escape… shoot'em."
ggggg
Each man was placed in a separate cell after the cuffs were removed. Once the guards left Casino approached the bars.
"Hey Chief."
"What." He sounded dejected.
"You think he means it?"
"What?"
"This whole business."
"I never seen him like that before, even when we got caught pulling that heist with the French guy, Etienne."
"Yeah, I know. That's what's got me so worried."
"Ain't nothin' we can do now."
There was a minutes silence before Casino asked, "How long a stretch you facing?"
"Eighteen, you?"
"Shit, seven."
Again there was silence but longer this time. "You think Actor'll try and talk to'im?"
"I don't think even he could get anywhere."
"Yeah, probably right. That means… we wait."