CHAPTER ELEVEN

"We leave in fifteen minutes that will have us in town by a quarter til ten…if things go according to plan my contact will have our extraction information, the list will be out of German hands and we'll be back safe and sound by eleven."

"Come on, Warden…when have things gone accordin to plan lately." Gondiff commented with a frown. You havin a concussion wasn't part of the plan…was it?

"He's right Babe, what makes you think the meeting or retrieving the list will go smooth." Casino asked holding the LT's gaze.

Garrison stared back for a moment before answering…he was tired, the fever, the concussion, lack of sleep, back to back missions, he was worn out but they had a job to do. Rubbing at his temple, closed his eyes for a second then looked at each man, seeing a measure of concern in their features.

"I know it's been rough lately but you're all still here, in one piece, so we must be doing something right. I can't guarantee everything will work out but if we keep working together…as a team, we have a better chance of succeeding.

With a final glance at all four men, Garrison turned…made his way to the front door and stepped outside.

Four pair of eyes followed the LT's exit before exchanging looks between each other.

"He is right, of course, though we have had a few mishaps recently…none of us have been injured." Actor stated quietly.

"Only the Warden. Chief stated as he glanced at his watch. Time to go, he said glancing at Actor."

"You two keep an eye on the warden, Casino suggested. Ain't as steady as he's trying to make out."

"That is why Chief is coming with…just in case the Warden has trouble. For now, we better get out there or the LT might decide to go on his own." Actor adjusted his cap then straightened the Officer coat before heading out with Chief a few steps behind.

As the sound of the car faded, Casino exchanged a look with Goniff. You want to patrol or play house guard?

"House guard…I'm feeling a bit empty and a bowl of stew would hit the spot… the others didn't eat before they left…think they'd appreciate a hot meal when they get back."

Casino grinned. "Babe, one of these days you'll make some dame a good husband."

"Get on with ya." Goniff said before turning his back and heading to the stove to warm the stew and bread.

Laughing, Casino shouldered his rifle and headed for the door. "The Warden would probably appreciate a warm cup of tea…if you want to heat that up too."

A few minutes later the house was quiet except for the sound of Goniff humming as he moved around the little kitchen, preparing the food. Realizing what he was doing, came to a halt.

Blimey, Casino is right, if he wasn't careful he'd end up married to some bossy dame…with a shudder he started cursing.

The meet with his contact went without a hitch, Garrison quickly pocketed the tiny map the Frenchman had given him providing extraction time and location. The extraction team had run into a bad storm delaying their arrival by two days, instead of leaving on Wednesday night, they wouldn't be able to leave until Friday. After James took his leave the LT started mingling among the towns people trying not to stand out or bring attention to himself. There were several German Soldiers patrolling the street but so far, they had kept to the North side of town.

Locating Chief, Garrison moved toward the Indian when he heard a commotion to his left, turning to see what was going on, was hit hard in the chest by something moving really fast, causing him to lose his balance, stumbling back…without anything to keep him on his feet landed hard on the ground, head impacting the dirt. His vision blurred for a few minutes...hearing someone speaking in a harsh whisper, focused on the voice catching sight of Chief bending over him before everything went black.

Actor had the windows down enjoying the light breeze as he covered the miles, keeping the car at a moderate speed. He was twelve miles out from town and there was no sign of the Courier yet, thinking about the Warden and Chief, figured the meet was over and by his watch there was only thirty minutes remaining before the Courier was to arrive. Peering out the windshield Actor focused on a speck in the distance, as it came closer realized it was a motorbike. Pulling to the side of the road, he glanced in the rear view mirror, pat his hair down and placed the Officer cap on his head, checking the .45 lying on the seat he placed it on his lap. Maneuvering back on the road, drove with one hand as the other held onto the weapon.

Passing the motor bike, he caught sight of two men in German uniforms, one occupied a side car while another steered the vehicle. Covering a few more miles, Actor didn't see any other vehicles on the road, smiling he turned the car around and started following the bike. When he was within a few yards of the two men he pressed on the accelerator ramming the bike…pushing it off the road. The driver tried to gain control but he was moving too fast and the bike clipped a tree, throwing the driver off while the side car took the impact. Stopping… Actor stepped from the car and moved quickly toward the wreck finding both men unmoving, checked for life signs, found none. Grabbing the satchel off the Courier he scanned through the papers inside, finding the list, stashed it in his coat pocket then jumped into the car and sped toward town, slowing down when he approached the location he was to meet Lt. Garrison and Chief. Checking the time, they had fifteen minutes to get out of town, scanning the towns people he caught sight of Chief making his way toward him with Garrison.