CHAPTER FOUR

Ignoring the Con man, Chief turned to the burglar. Did you happen to find a first aid kit while you were in town Goniff?

"It so happens I did, its over on the table." Why?

"Can you get it? Actor might need it." Chief glanced at Actor who now stood in front of the sleeping man doing a visual scan for any obvious wounds. "He hit his head on a rock."

Actor noticed blood on the man's shirt collar…kneeling, to get a better look, he followed the blood trail with his eyes then using his hands, ran his fingers lightly over the LT's skull. While Actor continued to examine the Warden, Chief explained what had happened.

"The charges blew before we were safely out of range, the explosion knocked us off our feet and when we fell the LT landed on his back, head glanced off a rock. We were only down a few minutes but when I helped him up he was dizzy and took a few minutes to get his bearings.

Then what? Actor asked as Goniff knelt beside him placing the first aid kit between them.

"He went out in the truck on the way here…almost went down again when we arrived. I was checking for tracks and found him leaning against the truck holding his head. Chief gave a brief smile. "Told me he might have a concussion."

Actor removed his outer shirt, which had been borrowed from a German soldier when he was in town, wadded it up and placed it gently between the couch back and the LT's head. "Casino, Goniff, why don't you bring in the rest of the supplies…make sure the area is secure."

"You got it." With that said the burglar grabbed Casino by the arm pulling him along. "Come on Mate…you heard the man."

Hey! I can walk on my own.

As the two men went outside…Chief filled Actor in on the symptoms Garrison had given.

"Said he was experiencing dizziness, blurred vision, headache and queasy stomach." Chief glanced at the Warden's face, it was still pale making the shadows under his eyes more noticeable

Actor nodded as he clasped the LT's wrist to check his pulse…pausing when the man tried to pull his arm away. "Lieutenant!

Garrison woke to the Con man's voice, slowly opened his eyes and came face to face with the worried features of his second. What's going on?

"Chief tells me you think you might have a concussion…from the symptoms you provided I would have to agree...since you are awake I would like to check a few things." Several minutes passed while vision and reflexes were tested. Finally, Actor spoke. "Alright LT relax for a moment …your pupils are slightly uneven and your reflexes are a little sluggish…which is probably due to the concussion.

"I feel fine now." Garrison said as he sat up straighter.

Casino and Goniff came in carrying the last of the boxes and head toward the kitchen, after placing them on the table to unpack later, they went to check on the LT.

'Ay Warden…how you feelin?

Fine…did you get the supplies in?

Yeah, Babe…there all in, vehicles are secure and so is the house. Casino caught the LT's gaze. "Just sit back and relax, we got ya covered."

Garrison scanned the faces of his men. "Alright…my head is hurting just enough to acquiesce to your recommendation."

Goniff looked from Casino to Chief. "Acquiesce to your recommendation," He couldn't just say he agreed.

All four men shared a laugh then Actor turned serious. "If you don't mind, I have some doctoring to do… why don't you three finish unpacking the supplies while I fix the Warden up then I will see what I can whip up for dinner."

The men moved around quietly as they put up the supplies, made up the beds and generally stayed out of Actor's way.

The Con man cleaned the wound, which had been an inch and a half long, shallow at the edges but deep enough at impact point he had to place three stitches. Garrison had remained stoic during the cleaning and stitching but by the time Actor had applied the bandage, the Warden was sitting back eyes closed jaw tight…perspiration stood out on his pale features and he was having a time trying not to throw up…his head was pounding, all he wanted was to lay down somewhere dark and quiet.

Actor put the first aid supplies back in the kit then took a seat beside the injured man, scanning the Wardens face tried to figure out the next course of action. Patting the LT on a knee, Actor got to his feet "Rest a moment I will be right back."

Goniff, Chief and Casino were sitting quietly around the kitchen table (having finished the "house work") playing a friendly game of poker…all three looked up as Actor walked toward them, glanced toward Lt. Garrison then back at the Con man.

Answering the silent question as he came to a halt beside the table Actor exchanged glances between all three men. "Lt. Garrison has a concussion…I put three stitches in the cut…right now he is experiencing a bad headache and queasy stomach, unfortunately I will not be able to give him anything for the headache because of the concussion but I am going to move him into one of the bedrooms.

"The one on the right is quiet with a thick curtain which will keep out most light." Chief commented. "He would rest better in there."

Nodding at the Indian…Actor found a glass, rinsed it out at the sink…filling it half full of water carried it back to the couch. "LT…when the blue eyes opened he continued. Here's some water, are you hungry?"

Garrison took a small sip of the water. "No, I don't think my stomach can handle any food right now."

Think you can handle moving to a bedroom? Actor examined the Wardens face, "You can't rest out here it would be too noisy and bright." Reaching a hand out to the seated man offered his assistance.