CHAPTER EIGHT

"Who's keeping count, it's just a friendly game Actor." Casino commented eyes focused on Goniffs hands as he dealt the two cards the safe cracker has requested.

"Sure, Mate…just a little game to pass the time." Goniff stated, "Of course if we were keepin count I'd be ahead by two hands."

"You cheated, those two hands don't count." Casino stated, frowning as he looked at his cards.

"You can't prove that…I say they count (looking up at Actor) it's a fair win if the opponent can't prove any wrong doing isn't it."

Casino looked up as well, waiting to hear the Con man's reply...

Actor glanced at both men…with a grin he responded. "That is my philosophy when playing any game of chance…it is a philosophy that has worked well for me."

"See there, Casino…Actor agrees."

Casino threw his cards down with a wide grin. "I call…full house, Kings over Queens…beat that."

With a matching grin. "If you insist Mate." Laying his cards on the table watched as the smile faded from Casino's face at the cards that were revealed…four aces…

Actor let out a deep laugh at the look on Casino's face, patting him on the shoulder, before turning to check the stew. Perfect he thought as he took a taste before replacing the lid, checking the cupboards he found several bowls, along with a few small side plates. After rinsing the dishes, he proceeded to serve up the meal. Noticing the two spoons sitting near the pot he raised an eyebrow, glancing at the two men before continuing to fill each bowl.

Goniff and Casino packed up the cards, dusting off the table once it was clear…The Con man sat a bowl of stew in front of each, along with a plate that held two slices of the fresh bread. After making sure the two men had a napkin, Actor filled a bowl for himself, took a couple slices of the bread and sat across from Goniff…after each man took an appreciative sniff they dug in.

The meal was eaten in silence as they all enjoyed the food…Casino, Goniff and Actor were finishing up their second bowl when they heard the call of a dove and a few minutes later Chief stepped through the front door.

Chief had looked for ingredients to a healing tea as he patrolled the area, finding what was needed, placed the bark and various leaves into a pouch connected to his belt. The patrol had been uneventful, other than a few wild animals there was no sign of any humans having passed other than the prints made by his team members. It was a bit of a surprise but the Indian realized that was how he felt about the "Gorilla's" as they had been tagged. For someone who had never put much stock in being a team player, he didn't seem to mind it so much now…making his way back to the house Chief kept eyes and ears open…not wanting to end up facing three guns he made the sound of a dove, which was the signal that all was clear but as he stepped through the front door he did pause for a moment, eyes drawn to the three men standing by the table with guns aimed in his direction. As soon as they were sure it was only Chief entering, the guns disappeared.

Actor spoke first. How was patrol?

"Nothing out there but a cool breeze and four legged creatures." Chief replied. Walking to the kitchen table he placed his rifle next to the only empty chair, rolled the sleeves of his shirt back then stepped to the sink to wash his hands. Hows the Warden?

"He was sleeping quietly when I checked an hour ago." Actor replied "The fever is still holding steady."

"Looks like I'm up," commented Casino as he picked up his empty dishes and placed them on the sink counter.

"Don't worry bout the dishes, I'll take care of them. Offered Goniff, seems only fair since Actor did the cookin."

After saying thanks to the offer, Casino shrugged into a light jacket, gathered his rifle and with a look at his watch turned to Goniff. "Four o'clock babe, be ready."

"Don't worry mate, I'll be on time, soon as I finish the dishes, gonna catch some zee's."

"Stay alert Casino." Actor warned as the safe cracker stepped out the front door.

Thirty minutes later Chief was sitting at an empty table, Goniff had washed the dishes up after the Indian had finished eating and after wiping down the table had retired til he was due to relieve Casino. Actor was in with the Warden, wanting to check on him before trying to get some rest himself.

Chief could hear the low murmur of a conversation between the two men but not clear enough to make out what was being said. Deciding it would be a good time to fix the tea he moved around the tiny kitchen quietly looking for and finding a small sauce pan. After cleaning it up a little, filled it half full of water then sat it on a burner to heat, while the water warmed he took the bark, carefully removed the rough outer covering, revealing the white inner pulp. Taking his knife, Chief cut the pulp into very small chunks and sat it to the side to work on the leaves he had found. Once the ingredients were ready he added them to the water adjusting the flame...let the tea brew while he looked for a few more ingredients. Finding what he was looking for in the supplies Goniff and Casino had put away he placed the items to the side until the tea was ready. Bringing out a pack of cards, Chief decided to play a little solitaire while he wait, a few minutes after starting the game he heard the door to the Wardens room open and watched as Actor walked toward the kitchen carrying the basin.