CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"We won't be leaving until Friday night, the extraction team ran into a few problems." Garrison stated as he looked from Casino to Chief, eyes resting on Actor before continuing. "We won't be able to stay here that long, it would be too risky…once the Germans find their comrades, you can bet they'll be combing the area to try and figure out what happened. We'll need to get rid of the car…don't want to take a chance of it being recognized. Actor, since you and I are the only ones who speak German we'll split up…I'll ride with Casino and Goniff in the truck…you and Chief can take the car, we'll follow. There's an old barn about ten miles south of here where we can leave the car…according to James, it's off the beaten path so if the Germans don't find it the French Underground will be able to use it…leave the uniforms in the trunk. We'll wait for you a few miles past the barn." Taking the map, James had given him, from his shirt pocket passed it to Actor, "Hold on to this if we get separated follow the markings and you'll find the safe house."

Actor took the map, glancing over it. What about you?

"I have it all up here." Garrison replied, tapping his forehead lightly.

Swinging his legs to the floor he sat on the edge of the bed, took a moment to rub at his chest then tried to stand. Tried being the key word.

As soon as he stood up, his face lost color, stomach protested, if it hadn't been for Casino reaching out to steady him the LT might have found himself on the floor.

Easy Babe…you alright? The safe man asked as he caught the LT's eyes.

"Man…he looks a little green". Chief commented as he scanned the Warden's pale features.

Hey…Warden you feelin' sick? At Casino's question, Garrison closed his eyes and nodded ever so slightly.

"Maybe you should lay back down for now." Actor suggested as he and Casino settled the LT back against the pillows.

"Yeah man…rest a little longer, we'll come and get you when we're ready to split." Chief suggested.

Garrison let out a soft groan. "Damn, that didn't work out like I thought it would." Rubbing at his temple, tried to ease the sudden pounding in his head, opening his eyes found all three men staring at him in concern. Guess I wasn't quite ready for that yet…go get the supplies packed up so we can move out…keep one man on watch outside…let's be ready to roll in (glancing at his watch) thirty minutes...I'll wait here."

"You sure you'll be alright" Casino asked as he looked around the room for a receptacle in case the Warden's stomach protested again…finding a trash can, he placed it near the head of the bed in easy reach in case it was needed.

"I'll be fine. Garrison said as he settled back and closed his eyes. Thirty minutes Actor, make sure."

"Do not worry LT, we will be ready…rest easy, I will be back to get you." Actor stated as he nodded at the other two men to leave.

Once Casino and Chief took off, Actor wet the cloth in the basin, wrung it out then placed it on the LT's forehead before turning and following the other two men.

Thirty minutes later, both vehicles were on the road…Chief behind the wheel of the car, while Actor sat in the back seat pretending to be a German Officer. The LT (under protest from all his Gorillas) was behind the wheel of the truck.

As Chief steered the car, Actor played navigator…within fifteen minutes they were at the turn off for the barn, Chief waved at Garrison as the truck passed on its way to the pickup point. The barn was a few miles from where they had turned and both men agreed that it would be a good hiding place. Once the car was hidden, Chief and Actor changed into civilian clothes leaving the uniforms in the trunk as ordered. The Con man checked his .45 and Chief made sure his knives were accessible before heading out to meet the Warden.

Garrison returned Chiefs wave as he passed the turn off…so far everything was going smoothly, there had been no vehicles on the road and no sign of any German patrols. The LT covered a few more miles before pulling the truck to the side of the road. Casino and Goniff jumped down, moved to the front of the vehicle where they opened the hood, if anyone passed it would look like the truck had broke down.

Goniff stepped up to the driver side window. How ya doin' warden?

Garrison sat, shoulders tense one hand rubbing his stomach while the other held tight to the steering wheel, face pale. "I need to take a walk…he said swallowing convulsively. I need to take a walk now."

Eyes wide, Goniff quickly opened the door, helped the man out then led him to a stand of trees a short distance from the truck.

One arm braced against the trunk of the nearest tree to hold himself up the other wrapped around his waist, Garrison bent forward and proceeded to empty his stomach.

Casino watched Goniff lead the LT away…shaking his head grabbed a canteen and headed over to where the sounds of someone losing their lunch (namely the Warden) could be heard. Goniff was keeping an eye on the LT…who was now working through a bout of dry heaves. Casino mumbled under his breath as he walked. "Fool…shouldn't have been behind the wheel to begin with…anyone of us could see that…but did the Warden care…oh no…I can make it ..he says."

What cha mumblin' about casino? Goniff asked as the man stepped beside him.