CHAPTER SEVEN

Actor had found the ingredients for beef stew, along with a fresh loaf of bread to go with it, having put the stew together he was adding extra seasoning when he noticed Chief walking toward him. Stirring one more time…placed a lid on top of the pot, turned down the heat and sat the bread near the burner to warm.

How is the LT? Actor asked when Chief was only a few feet away.

"You might want to go check on him…feels a little warm…he's awake I gave him some water...Chief had caught a whiff of the stew before it had been covered and whatever the Con man had found to cook up for supper it smelled good. "I'll go start my patrol." Looking at Casino and Goniff. "Save me some food will ya.

"Sure, Chief…we'll save you a little." Casino answered with a grin.

"As little as we can." Goniff said with a laugh.

Actor could see the Indian wasn't in the mood for teasing. "There will be plenty for you to eat Chief…I will make sure of it." The Con man threw a warning glance at the two seated men. "While I check on the Warden you two keep an eye on the stew, don't let it burn."

Chief stared at Casino and Goniff. "I don't like burnt stew." With that being said, Chief made his way to the front door and stepped outside, while Actor walked toward the bedroom.

When the two men were out of sight Casino and Goniff exchanged a look.

"Them two is pretty uptight…wouldn't you say." Goniff asked as he passed his cards to Casino.

"I think they're worried about the Warden…you heard Chief…Garrison might have a fever…it's bad enough he can't take anything for the headache…be worse if he ends up with a fever too." Casino observed as he straightened the cards and placed them back in their case.

"He ain't gonna be feeling very good…that's for sure." Goniff stared thoughtfully at the table top. "He needs some time off…he does…works harder than all of us when you think about it." Looking up he caught Casino's eyes. "We all need a break when it comes down to it."

"That ain't no lie Babe…right now I'd say the Warden needs it more…we'll be here for at least another forty hours so maybe we can use the time to catch up on some rest ourselves…in between guard duty that is."

"I hope the Warden has an easy night…getting woke up every two hours isn't fun I'll tell ya that."

"It's gotta be done…if we don't he may not wake up and we wouldn't want that to happen now would we."

"No…we sure wouldn't." Goniff stood up, moving over to the stove he stirred the stew. "This smells heavenly…it does…Actor sure can cook."

"Sure…smelling good is one thing but how does it taste." Casino asked, moving to stand beside Goniff.

"Don't know." With matching grins the two grabbed a couple of spoons and proceeded to find out.

Actor approached Garrison quietly…the LT had his eyes closed but the Con man didn't think he was sleeping…there was a slight flush to the pale features, which caused a frown to appear on Actor's face.

"Chief said he would ask you to come and check on me." Garrison commented quietly, eyes remaining shut as he spoke.

"Yes, he thinks you are getting a fever." Actor placed a palm against the man's forehead. "I would say he is right." Turning, he poured some of the water from the pitcher into the basin, wetting a cloth he wrung it out and placed it on the LT's forehead.

Garrison sighed as the cool cloth made contact, opening his eyes peered up at the Con man. "Thanks, how's the meal going?

"A nice beef stew with fresh warm bread." Actor stated with a grin.

Sounds good. Garrison commented.

It will be…Actor stated confidently.

"Make sure Chief gets his share...Casino and Goniff tend to leave very little food…especially if the food is good."

Nodding in agreement, Actor wet the cloth again running it over the pale features before placing it back on the LT's forehead. "When I make my next visit, I'll take your temperature." Actor paused for a moment. "In light of the current situation we decided that I would accompany you to the meet in the morning…Chief is going to follow just in case things do not go as planned."

Garrison removed the compress and sat up slowly, back resting against the head board. "That won't be necessary…

"LT, you do not intend to go to the meet by yourself? With the concussion and fever, you will need some kind of back up."

"I know…Chief can keep an eye on me but I'll meet with James on my own." Garrison held Actor's gaze until the man nodded.

"Very well…try to get a little rest, I'll be back in a few hours." Turning toward the door the Con man paused when the LT spoke.

"Actor…thanks…for taking care of me." Garrison caught the brief smile on the Italians face before the man left the room. He wasn't sure how the next morning would go but for now he had to try and get some sleep, as his mind went through various scenarios he relaxed against the pillows and not long after, tired eyes closed and the LT slept.

Actor left the door slightly ajar as he stepped from the bedroom, he wanted to be able to hear if the LT called to him.

The living room was comfortably warm but as he passed the fireplace Actor added a few more pieces of kindling before making his way toward Casino and Goniff. As he approached the table he heard the two men bragging to each other about their poker skills, smiling to himself thought no matter how good the two younger men thought they were the Con man knew he was better, not that he was bragging but he had spent over half his 40 years playing against professional gamblers. Goniff was good but out of the two men Casino was the better player in an even game...though the burglar rarely played an even game you had to watch carefully when playing against that one.

Who has won the most hands? Actor asked pausing to watch them play…