Searching for Love - Part Nine.
gOOd Reads, Novel, Novelist, Writer, Writing, Blogger, Free Books, Free Serialized Books,
At last, the end is sight! This is the final part of the Secret Family book. There is more to the story, but the secret history uncovered by the cousins and Solo will have to wait until later. No doubt you had already guessed it will be based in the New England where Anja went hiking. Yes, that's why Anja's backstory spent a chapter on hiking the Appalachian trail. Maybe, I should rewrite that part. Maybe, I should quit altogether.
I'm suffering from a slump at the moment. A crisis of confidence. Anyway, I have floors to wash. We have the builders in and with the demolition and rebuilding work they are making an unbelievable mess. If it dry there's dust everywhere otherwise it's mud. Ours is a mid-terrace house with no back access, so everything has to be wheel burrowed through the house and the whole ground floor is covered with brick dust and mud splatters.
I'll tell your more later about how the boiler, the kitchen and utility taps were broken, the mains water supply was damaged, causing the garden and the footings flooded, and the electricity supply was shut off. I think one of the workmen is a student of the Frank Solomon Snr school of charm and deportment (If you haven't read the book appears in Chapter 17).
That is my prompt to shut up and let you read.
nicah.
24.
After updating her database, and spending a considerable time researching the facts and documents that Uncle Tim had given them last night. Kellie had a few questions at breakfast.
“I have a problem with what you told us last night, she started,“you said that on the night of 24/25 August 1940, forty-eight aircraft of Bomber Command mounted the first raid against Berlin, but other sources say that the first time Berlin was bombed was on 7th June 1940, and the August 24/25 attack consisted of 91 aircraft.”
“OK. I can explain, Tim blinked questioningly, he was not used to being the subject of the cross-examination. “Yes, there was small unsanctioned raid involving one French aircraft and a group of brave, foolhardy, patriotic, French Naval airmen on the 7th of June. There was no damage other that a small hole in the road in Siemensstadt. It was described as an exercise by the authorities and reported in the press as such.
The raid on the night of 24/25 was an officially sanctioned attack mounted by Bomber Command and ordered by Churchill himself. It was an immediate response in the bombing of London by the Luftwaffe the previous night. It was carried out by 48 bombers, 24 Hampdens, 12 Whitleys, and 12 Wellingtons, were sent to hit Tempelhof airport and the Siemens factory in Siemensstadt, Berlin. The rest of the 91 were despatched to 21 targets in Holland and Germany according to Air Force records with no losses.”
“So why are the accounts different?”
“Well, I don't know. All I can tell you is that I got the data from the official Air Force mission logs. They are as near to at eyewitness accounts as you can get.”
“I read the history and data from online encyclopedias. Why would they lie?”
A groan issued from Solo as he leaned his head down, rolling his eyes and resting it on his hands on his face.
“Shut up you!” Kellie glowered at him.
“You always do this!” He complained.
“What?” Tim demanded.
“She's always questioning everything. There were teachers at school who dreaded even having her in their lessons.”
“I just want to get the facts right,” she countered, but she didn't contradict point about the teachers.
“OK, I get it. That's good. I'll make sure to add my sources in future, so you can verify them,” Tim conceded. Kellie wiggled in her seat in satisfaction with a smug smile on her face. Vindication.
Solo stopped the argument by switching a video from his laptop to the TV. “I found this. Sounds and pictures of the war,” he grinned.
They watched the murky videos of a series of still photos with a crackly sound track and a modern commentary. It played the sounds of the air-raid sirens.
“You can see the siren in Fareham from the back garden. It's on the Fire Station.” Kellie said pointing to it.
“What is 'flack'?” Marte queried picking-up from the sound track.
“Flak is an abbreviation for Flugzeugabwehrkanone in German”, Anja looked at Kellie who nodded, “I've got nothing more. You'll have to ask Tim or Solo”.
“Only the finest artillery piece ever developed. It was designed under license from the Swedish Bofor gun and copied by the British and the Americans among others. It's known as the Acht-Acht gun”, Tim was launching on one of his favourite subjects, guns and ammo.
“Have you got any pictures of the 'AT-AT' guns?”, Marte asked trying to take an interest and hoping to short-cut Tim's lecture..
“I think you mean 'Acht-Acht'”, Kellie laughed, “acht-acht is German for 88.”
“Yeah 'AT-AT's are from Star Wars,” Solo scoffed.
“Oh! Whatever! You know what I meant.”
Tim launched forth, “As I said before, the Acht-Acht gun was named after the 88mm calibre ammunition it generally used. It was derived from the Swedish Bofors gun but was enhanced and perfected by the German Army. It remains one of the most versatile and deadly weapons in modern warfare. It's...” He trailed to a stop as he saw everyone looking at Anja who was weeping silently.
Kellie and Marte put theirs arms around her. Tim looked puzzled and was about to speak when Marte waved her hand and head, mouthing, 'Not now,' at him.
“What is it sweetie?” she asked.
Anja sniffed and pointed to the screen. “My home! It's my home!” She sobbed.
“What about your home? Has something happened, did you get a message?”
“No. My home. This picture is of MY home, in Siemensstadt where we lived before the bomb hit it. This is what's all that was left. Look, the roof and the top two floors are gone, and the walls are falling in. All those piles of wood must be all that's all of the bedrooms and the furniture. You can see people climbing over the wreckage. I can see the furniture and the contents of that chest spilling out. It makes me angry and sad all at the same time.” Anja sobbed.
“OMG! I so sorry. I didn't know.”, Marte whispered.
“What? The actual house?”, Kellie couldn't help herself, her need to be exact was wired into her.
“Kellie, stop it.” Marte remonstrated her but Anja took no notice.
“I think so. There are only a couple of blocks like this in the area and the caption says 'damage in early Berlin bombings'. It was rebuilt after the war. Look how everything is smashed, and there are men picking through our belongings, looting.”
“More likely Gestapo thugs sniffing around. Anyone trying to loot would have been arrested or shot. It's broad daylight, so whoever's it is in this picture has an official reason to be there. As I said, probably Gestapo. We know that Hans was arrested that night and was killed in prison within days and Sofia and Vera were in hospital, so it was someone-else searching for something specific. My guess is we are witnessing the start of the hunt for the twins.” Tim surmised.
“There's two of them,” Anja said, “do you think it could be the Gestapo?”
“That would be my guess. Those cowardly bastards often worked in pairs. They needed someone to watch their backs even in those early days.”
“OMG!”
They sat silently as they drank their coffee. When Tim stood to go Kellie grabbed his arm. “I think it a bit odd that three of four planes took off from bombing the airport to wander off to the Siemens factory. Especially considering how risky a low-level flying would be, and they weren't even near the target, one of the largest industrial buildings in Berlin. It's like they'd meant to miss it.” she said.
“Oh, you really are a very special young lady.” Tim beamed at Kellie and sat down again.. “You're right. Three of the planes were tasked with 'bombing'”, he signed air quote marks, “the Siemens factory but they were specifically not to hit it. They were on some kind of secret reconnaissance mission. Exactly what, is still shrouded in mystery even today. But given his research I suspect Opa Hans was working of early Radar tracking and firing systems, the allies knew about it and wanted a closer look.”
“I don't care about the guns and stuff. I'm desperate to know how Oma Vera managed to survive Ravensbruck and East Germany. What happened to the twins and the lockets? Do we have other family? The human interest story.” Marte said.
“Yes, tell us about our family.” Anja pleaded.
“Don't be in too much of a rush to read about the camps, there is plenty for you to discover first and there are few things that you may not want to know. There's stuff that it would be better if for you if you never read.” Tim was trying to protect them but it just came over as condescending.
Anja and the other two girls bristled at Tims attitude.
“You're so old-fashioned. You sound like we're in the Georgian era something from Pride and Prejudice. We are not going to swoon at the mention of blood.” Marte took exception to his tone.
He shook his head and explained. “OK. If you insist. I'll tell you just one thing and you can judge for yourself.” He held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “There were only two type of women entered the medical units in Ravensbruck1. There were the ones who were experimented-on and died, and then there were the others, the survivors who conducted the experiments. The first ones were called 'rabbits', and mercifully they generally didn't live very long. The others lasted as long as they were useful to their captors, then they were returned to the general population where they were often killed by the rabbits or killed themselves rather than suffer. I'm not saying that surviving is not proof of guilt of anything more than just survival.” He paused and the room was silent as they processed his words their heads bowed.
“Remember, conditions in the camps were brutal, men and women were forced to do and see unspeakable, inhumane acts of cruelty. The suicide rate among survivors was horrendous. I've heard recordings of some of the survivors accounts and most of us had to undergo counselling after. You don't need to put yourselves through that.”
“We just want to want to know. We know it probably won't be pretty, but we'll cope with it. We want to know if Oma Lubja survived and if we have more family we've never seen before.”
“OK. Give me until tonight to get organised and Alrik and I will tell you what we know.” He turned to Kellie and Solo and said, “Can you fix a teleconference link with Alrik for tonight? I'll give you the details.”
Everyone was gathered in the family after dinner. Solo had linked-up the big-screen TV for the teleconference with Alrik.
“Alrik has been searching the old records for me and has uncovered what happened when the twins vanished. It's hardly the plot of a cosy mystery. Remember war was raging and they were literally fighting for their lives. Love is still missing and that fact may indicate that she has paid the ultimate price.” Tim warned.
“I never thought about that.” Marte admitted.
“More dark secrets?” Maddie added.
“What do you think our greatgrandparents knew to make them want to erase all trace of the families history?” Marte asked.
“It was war. People, even ordinary people do extordinary things to survive in a war.” Rose said.
“It’s survivour syndrome. People feel unworthy and ashamed that the survived when everyone around them died.” Tim explained.
He was in the verge on launching one of his explainations when the computer link fired-up.
Alrik appeared on-screen. “Good evening. I see you're all here.” He said. “I'll get straight on with it.”
“First thing, Your Opa's name was Hans Koepple and his family were successful merchants.
Tim interrupted. “Sorry, we just did the family history upto when they returned to Berlin.”
“OK, for sure.” Alrik flipped through his notes and started again. “Right, they took a place in Siemensstadt, a short walk from his parents house, and Sofia and the girls took over caring for their ageing and infirm parents. Of course the girls were not allowed to study or take-up any meaningful employment, the Nazi regime did not approve of that.
It seemed though that the girls had plenty to fill their time. They appeared to be involved in smuggling their mother's relatives out of Russia and Germany and into the USA. The girls and their mother's relatives were of Slav descent ('unmenschen') and feared they would be sent to the death camps. They forged papers and travel documents. That was what Opa Hans was charged with, that and being a communist. I'm pretty certain that none of them was a communist but it is true that they were engaged in smuggling people out of Germany.
With an intimate knowledge of Paris, and possibly Brussels, they earned while studying, the twins were working as couriers on an escape route. They managed to fool the police and even the SS to believe that they were both in Berlin while one or other of them guided their wards to safety across Europe to Spain and Portugal. They appeared to have been operated successfully for sometime until their operation was discovered in early 1940. Someone further down the line comprised the operation and they were put under surveillance by the SS. Hans was betrayed by someone in his lab and it all came crashing down.
The authorities, the SS, planned to arrest them on the 27th and throw them all in prison. It seems that they planned to execute Opa as an example and a warning to others and to send the three girls and their mother to die as slave labour in death camps. Then fate and the British bombers played its hand.
On the night of August 25th, RAF bombers were dispatched to destroy Tempelhof airport and the Siemens factory at Siemensstadt among other targets. While the damage done was slight, at least one errant bomb struck their home. Oma Sofia and Vera were injured, but not fatally.
Crucially Opa Hans saw a perfect opportunity for the girls to escape. He worked feverishly fabricating their deaths. He claimed that the twins had been vaporised by the blast from the direct hit leaving just a couple of shredded items of clothing, a shoe, a bag, and a scarf, which the remaining members of the family duly identified had been worn by the twins at the time. Later they found a couple of items of their charred and mangled jewellery in the rubble but no bodies were ever recovered nor, crucially, were the cameos that they always wore.
The twins, Nadia and Lyuboy, managed to flee. They simply vanished into the night fog and were never to see their family again. Opa was arrested immediately after the raid but because they were in hospital Oma Sofia and Vera's arrest was left for a few days. Opa died following an incident during his interrogation by the SS. He was branded a traitor for being a part of an alleged communist cell. He was accused with the twins of running an escape route to America for people fleeing from the Nazis, enemies of the Third Reich. Days later Vera and Sofia, were arrested and sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp where they were expected to die. Unfortunately, Sofia did die soon after entering the camp having never been able to recover from an infection in her hip that was broken during the bombing. Vera survived a little longer.
Then in 1945 Vera was among the prisoners deliberated by a Red Army scout unit.2 Probably because she spoke a Ukrainian dialect they assumed she was her Russian and repatriated to Russia. She eventually returned to made it back to Berlin and slowly recovered her health to live in the Soviet sector where she gave birth to a baby boy who died shortly after birth. I don't know when she returned to Germany but two years later she brought a baby girl into the world. After the fall of the Berlin Wall and unification she seized the chance to move 'home' to Siemensstadt and her missing family as she waited patiently for their return.
During all of her life Oma Vera tried time and again to find out what happened to her twin sisters. In the Soviet era there was an impenetrable wall of silence from the authorities. During the later years in the DDR there was slight softening of attitude toward to those still searching for missing families, but it was still stifled by the same dead hand of bureaucracy.
“After Oma Vera died, your Oma and then your Mama kept on trying to find what had happened. Then one day while searching some old Statsi files she found an old letter that had been stuffed in the file by mistake of just misfiled. Anyway it was a request for information about Oma Vera. It was from an address in Eastleigh, England from a Hope 'Nadia' Turner and postmark was from 1957.
Anyhow, now years after Oma Vera and Oma had died and probably after Lubja had died too, there it was, a clue to the twins mystery disappearance. Your Mama now knew that Nadia had been alive in 1957 in Eastleigh in England. So she started searching to tirelessly for any trace of a Nadia English relatives. And that's how she found you.” Alrik finished.
“It seems that Oma Vera and Oma Nadia never gave up hope of finding for one another.” Anja cried excitedly dabbing a tissue to her eyes.
“Or your Oma Lubja.” Alrik added. “I'll leave you all to think about what you've heard. Speak to you again soon.”
With that he closed the link.
There was a quiet feeling of anticipation in the air the girls were about to reveal the results of their research.
“Now as for the letters and notebooks, I've checked them and they can be cleared through the seventy-year secrecy law. For Anja's sake, the UK privacy law is similar to German law with a similar date restriction for 30 and 60 years for state documents and 10 years after the individual's death.”
Kellie pounced, “It's only things are considered to be a matter of national security, that are covered by that law. Are you telling us that Oma Hope was a spy or something.”
“I wouldn't say she was a spy, but I think she was definitely in the 'something' category.” Tim responded. “And I think we should use the Germanic forms of their names for the sake of clarity.”
“You said you have read notebooks and letters?” Kellie mentioned.
“The letters are about Oma Nadia's search for her family in Germany. You can read and copy them. The notebooks are official transcripts of Nadia's debriefing when she escaped to England. I'm afraid I can't show them to you but I can confirm the events but not in detail. They seem to cover the account of Oma Nadia's escape, what you call the Indiana Jones stories. If they're like the papers I've read then they are as specific about names, places and dates then I can understand why they have been redacted and why she encrypted then, and you'll be pleased to hear that there is a clue to what happened to Oma Lubja.”
“Oma Lubja! Please. You must tell me.” Anja pleaded excitedly.
“Well I can tell you in general terms. The twins were being chased by Gestapo agents, they barely escaped from a trap in Paris and decided to separate to increase their chances. Nadja headed to Spain and Portugal and Lubja headed to Switzerland. We know Nadja escaped from Spain to England. The last we hear officially is from a college friend telling them the Gestapo have found her again and she was hoping to get to escape to Portugal and get passage for New York. She was desperate for a new identity and false papers after losing everything when she had to flee without warning. That it was the last time she was heard of.”
“What happened to her? Was she caught? Did she die?” Maddie asked.
“We can search for the boats that sailed between Lisbon and New York and check the passenger manifests and find her. There must be a record of immigrants in Ellis Island too.” Marte suggested.
“I got an email from Oma Ritter. She and her friends are searching passenger lists from ships arriving from, Boston, Baltimore, Pennsylvania and Miami, all the ports on the Atlantic coast. It seems the Ellis Island was not the only port of entry for immigrants.” Anja told them.
“What if she was travelling under an assumed name, using forged papers? She was on the run; she would hardly use her real identity.” Always the practical and logical thinker Kellie picked-up on the flaw in that plan.
“OK, before you start booking flights to America, don't you think you need to finish the research on Vera's and Nadja's families”? Tim interrupted, “You need to re-evaluate the evidence at every stage so that you don't miss any clues. What you call 'Indiana Jones' stories may have clues to names or places.”
“Like I was saying. Lubja probably used false papers when she was travelling, but she would have used her real name, or/and have agreed code name to write to her family. So we need to check the Stasi files to find if Lubja or anyone else had been inquiring about Hans, Sofia, or the girls whereabouts. That's definitely one for Anja and Alrik.” Kellie said.
“See! What did I tell you about our Kellie she's as sharp as a tack.” Tim was grinning in surprise and amusement. “Who else thought about checking for letters to Hans and Sofia. After all Lubja and Nadja probably didn't know that Hans and Sofia were dead at that time. Are you sure you don't want to work in my department”, Tim chortled at Kellie's insightfulness.
Kellie sighed and looked down at her hands in her lap.
“Oh! Come on. I'm that bad, am I?” He sound deflated and looked wounded.
“Of course not Uncle Tim. I just don't like to disappoint my favourite uncle because I've already got a career that I love.”
Anja saved the moment. “You're right. I think that's one for Alrik and I think I'm going to need to go home. I want to get the papers Alrik sent and do some more research. I don't seem to be rude but I think I can get more done back in Berlin.”
“And I need to get some sleep. Goodnight all.” With that Tim headed up to bed.
Maddie said 'goodnight' and the girls and Solo unplugged the laptop from the TV.
“I could go with you and help you and I speak German,” Kellie offered Anja.
“I want to help too. I speak basic school-girl French,” Marte offered. She was not the only one who had brilliant ideas.
“You just don't want to be there when your mum and dad get back.” Kellie said. “Anyway, how will French help"?
“For when we are in Paris and go to Spain and Portugal of course”, Marte grinned as the other girls realised what she was proposing.
“Are you suggesting we follow the escape routes”? Anja asked to confirm her suspicion.
“Why not?” She was just winging it when she started, but the more Marte thought about it, the more she liked it. “Who knows what we could find?”
“How far”? Anja asked.
She had finals this year and then she had to get a job, but it could be the only chance she would get for a while and her hiking holiday had been cut short. Maybe she could even wrangle some time-off for emotional stress.
“To Paris, then Spain and Portugal to start with. Just a quick trip, until term starts again.” Marte inclined her head on one side and looked at them with wide eyes and a faint smile.
Kellie looked straight at her and smiled.
“What?” Marte demanded.
“I know what you're doing.” She accused.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“It's OK. No one could ever blame you for the car. Besides I think it was me he was after.”
“It doesn't matter. I'll never be allowed out again on my own. They'll stalk me and hire bodyguards to follow me everywhere.”
“Ooh! I've just thought of a use for Solo's chip.” Kellie giggled, her eyes flashing at the thought of it.
Anja laughed out loud.
“That's not funny.” Marte complained.
Anja pulled a sad face. “Yes it is!” She said and burst-out laughing again.
Kellie couldn't hold herself any longer as her giggle became a full-blown laugh. She grabbed Marte's arm and held aloft, waving it around calling “Beep, Beep, Beep.”
Finally relenting Marte joined in. “It's not funny. It's cruel,” she laughed. “Seriously, I think we need to do it now while we have the time.”
They agreed to think about it and decide in the morning. While Anja and Marte updated Oma Ritter and the writer, Kellie updated her database.
Gathering at breakfast the girls started to make firm plans for their journey as Solo listened as he fiddled with his ipad. Anja would return to Berlin for a couple of days while Marte assumed of role of travel agent. Kellie and Solo had to finish a few things before the three of them met Anja in Berlin. Then they planned to travel onward for Berlin by train but were undecided whether to visit Brussels or to go directly to Paris.
“Don't leave it all to me.” Marte complained. “We all need to decide where to go and where to stay. I'm only booking the tickets and rooms.”
“OK, executive decision.” Solo said, “We're going to Concord.”
“What?” Kellie demanded looking at Solo as he'd lost his mind.
“Where's Concord?” Marte asked reaching for her phone.
“Oma Ritter!” Anja exclaimed excitedly, like Marte she dived for her phone.
“The newspaper article has generated a whole bunch of interest and responses for people who think they know who Lubja was. Look!” He turned it so everyone could see. “They got hundreds of likes for the article.”
“OMG! People have liked my Facebook page too.” Marte said excitedly.
“Me too!” Anja confirmed. “What about you Kellie?”
“Ask Solo. He checks mine.” She sounded disinterested.
“Yeah, she's not loads too.” he announced flatly.
“Er! Why does Solo check your Facebook?” Anja asked.
“I keep forgetting to check my social media. He's like my secretary, or Bruce Wayne's butler Alfred, he takes care of me when I have the crazies. He protects me from the chaos and WTF stuff that stresses me out. Anyway it's mainly work stuff and he likes to do the boring stuff.”
“I do important stuff too, I design, an' build your hardware, an' solve the problems, an' stuff you don't want to do. See, I pick-out the important stuff, like this one from a TV News programme, he showed them on his screen. They are asking for an interview and want you to be in a segment on a human interest story.”
“Yes, I've not the same one and another one from another newspaper.” Marte grinned.
“Me too, and I've got one from a German radio station.” Anja sounded puzzled. “How did they find-out about that?”
“Let's just concentrate on finding Lubja first.” Kellie said. “We need to find her and meet the family first, before we fly off anywhere.”
Solo leaned toward Kellie and muttered something.
“What!” She demanded sharply, her annoyance showing.
“I said, you don't not a Visa.” He repeated. “Anja an' Marte have one, but you don't.”
“I know what you said, and you don't have one either.”
“I was just sayin'.”
“Marte will fix it. Won't you Marte?” She said. “If she and Anja are going, so am I, and if I'm going, you are too.”
Marte and Anja exchanged glances. Anja nodded her head, her eyes widening almost imperceptibly. Marte, raised her eyebrows as the beginning of a pout changed to a flicker of a smile played across her lips, as she saw Anja's face and realized. Kellie frowned, she knew she'd missed something. Maddie watched in silence.
Marte tapped on her phone. “Hold on!” She said. “It says that UK citizens holding a valid EU passport and a return ticket within no more than 90 days do not require a visa.”
“Did you get your passport?” Kellie demanded looking between Marte and Solo. It sounded like more of an accusation than a question.
“Yes.” They said together. Marte added “Miss.” smirking.
“Then we're all good then. As soon as we find her that is.”
“Well . . .” Tim started before Maddie touched him arm and indicated to the family room. Out of the girls hearing she whispered, “Don't worry. They've got this.”
Marte drove Anja to the airport in the car that Kellie had hire for her. She was unusually quiet. She had barely spoken since she had bidden everyone goodbye.
“I still can't see why you need to go home before we go to America. You can borrow Kellie and my stuff. I do. Well the stuff I can squeeze my fat butt into.”
“Alright I'll tell you if you but you have to swear to keep it a secret.”
“OK, I promise.”
“I'm a student like you. Well, not like you. Your parents are rich, and Kellie's and her mum are millionaires. I'm probably going to have to drop-out of uni and find work. I don't imagine I will be able to afford the rent my home. So I certainly can't afford to go to America.”
“Why didn't you tell us? No, I get it! It's like me not telling my mum and dad about the car.”
Anja nodded. Her shoulders sagged and she sunk into her seat.
“I need to talk to her about this.”
“Who?”
“Kellie.”
“No, You promised you wouldn't say anything.”
“OK, What do you plan to do?”
“I'll tell everyone that I can't go because of study or something. And it’s true, I have to work.”
“Now you have to promise me that you will never tell anyone what I'm about to tell you.”
Anja looks concerned.
“Trust me.”
“OK.”
“Kellie is going to offer you a job. In Berlin, managing the Siemens project.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I've seen the paperwork. I typed it on the computer in the office. The only reason you don't have a contract in your hand now is because we are going to America and she doesn't have the time to sort it with Siemens first.”
“Really!”
“Yes, really. She's given me an official job and a salary. I have been appointed Communications Manager; I'm in charge of all secretarial, travel, and social media stuff.
“I thought Solo did her Social media stuff.”
“He did, but it's part of my job now. She asked me about doing the Customer Relations Manager for Siemens but I can't speak German or Geek. That was before she met you and found you're fluent in both. So she's got Solo to handle technology, me for the day to day stuff, now you for Siemens. It's how she works.”
“So why hasn't she told me?”
“She doesn't think about it. It never occurs to her. It's part of her Asperger's thing, she can't put herself on someone-else's shoes and she mislabels emotions. Remember what happened with Solo.”
“So, do I just wait and see what happens, or what?”
“I promised that I won't tell and I won't, but I could say that I need the payment for car insurance claim and tell that you mentioned that you are in an even worse position. I'm sure she'll put one and one together.”
“I hope so. I wouldn't ask for money from me rich relatives, but a proper job would be a god-send right now.”
“Have you opened the letter from Maddie yet?”
“Ooo! Yes I forgot about that.” She dug about in her bag for the envelope and tore it open. “OMG. I can't believe it.”
“What?”
“I said, 'This is so you have no excuse to visit your English home again soon. Your new English Aunty. Love Maddie.' and there's a travel card. I don't know what to say.” She said. “I've got to phone her and thank her.”
Anja and Maddie spoke for a few minutes before Anja mouthed 'Kellie' to Marte. To her surprise Marte snatched the phone and cancelled the call.
“What are you doing?” Anja cried trying to grabbing the phone back.
“Watch.” She held her finger across her mouth and 'shussed'. “Call Kellie.” She told the hands-off.
“Hi, what's up. I just got cut-off by Anja?”
“Yeah. She's out of credit. I think that's why she's going home.”
“What, 'cause her phone out of credit?”
“No, I think the situation is a bit worse than that. She's going home because she needs to get work urgently.”
Kellie heard Anja moan quietly in the background.
“Is that you Anja. Listen, I want you to work with me. If you like to. I want you to manage Siemens for me in Berlin. It's just with everything I haven't had the time to finalise it properly. It's true, ask Marte, she's been doing on the paperwork.” Marte mouthed 'Told you.”
“I don't know what to say. I was hoping I could find something part-time so I can finish my degree.”
“Say yes. I'll promise you'll still have time to finish your degree and you'll get a proper salary and benefits.”
“The pay 's good.” Marte butted in. “You'll be able to keep your house and still afford to take me shopping in Alexander Place.”
There was a groan from Kellie. The two of them smiled imagining Kellie rolling her eyes at the thought of shopping and Marte calling it Alexander Place.
“She's smiling.” Marte reported.
“I'll take that is a yes then. Go to the AMEX desk at the airport and tell them who you are. I'll arrange it for now and Marte can sort the paperwork when she gets back. Call me when you get home.” She dropped the call .
“I can't believe what just happened.”
“Welcome to the company. You'll need to give me a list of things to buy for work. No. you'll have to do that yourself, you'll be in Berlin. I expect you'll get an account with a limit like me, and you'll have to talk with her about a car. My best advice to you is to tell her what you need and think, straight talking. She won't be offended. She'll appreciate it. It's Asperger's thing.”
They chattered excitedly as they drove to the airport, while Kellie made a call to AMEX. A new corporate card would be waiting for her in Berlin.
Anja spent the next two days getting organised. Handling work while keeping-up her study was going to stretch her, but she was determined to manage and do a good job of it. She and Marte phoned and messaged constantly as Kellie gave her translation work on the project. Siemens were pleased to schedule regular progress meetings around Anja's studies.
That evening Marte raised the possibility of finding the twins flight across France and Spain. She'd managed to workout an itinerary allowing them a few days of holiday. With the prospect of a few days hiking, Anja snuggled into her bed with a book.
She groaned, reaching for her phone. She'd fallen asleep over her book, that had fallen on the floor. The phone ring louder as she squinted at the screen through sleepy eyes. 'KT' it said. She struggled to place 'KT' aiming at the red button as she dropped it on her night-stand.
It was only as her head struck the pillow that she realised. Her eyes snapped open as she turned reaching for her phone. It rang again as she picked it up. It was 'KT' again.
“Hallo Anja. Sorry! I was asleep and I hit the wrong button.”
“Sorry to wake you but Lubja's been found. We're flying to Boston in the morning. You coming?”.
“Yes. For sure.”
“OK, a taxi will collect you at six and we'll meet you at Heathrow. Sorry for the early start.”
“No, I'll see you there. Er! Tickets?”
“Oh, Yeah. Check your phone for the tickets. Marte is speaking with AMEX now. Later!” She dropped the call.
“How can I sleep now?” She said out loud.
She dumped a couple of days worth of clothes in her bag, along with her make-up and sponge bag. She was running out of clean clothes. Oh well, at least she could afford to get something cheap in America now she thought as she got back in bed. She remembered the last time she had been in Boston. It felt so long ago.
Her phone was ringing again! 'KT' again!
“Wakeup sleepy head the taxi driver's getting worried!” She said.
“OMG is that really the time? Sorry!”
25.
Kellie insisted that they should fly business class despite mutterings from Solo that the back cabin arrives at the same time as the front. It was a good move as all four of them slept during the flight. They all looked more refreshed and less care worn when the arrived, and Solo discovered that getting off first from business class meant that they avoided the scrum at the baggage and immigration halls on arrival. Lesson learned.
There was the usual crowd clustered around the arrival area doors as they entered the main concourse. Solo pointed at a chauffeur holding a sign for 'The Centennial' and they followed him to a waiting limo. Anja couldn't help but compare it to her first arrival at Boston and the 'hippy camper-van' that awaited then.
The whole Ritter/Webber family had assembled to greet them including the uniformed State Trooper. There were hugs from the Trooper and kisses for Oma Ritter as she introduced everyone. Oma Ritter commented she would not be able to tell Anja and Kellie apart without their different hair-cuts. Anja who had been nominated as their spokesperson, explained she would contact the Newspaper when the were settled and rested. In the meantime they would enjoy a meal in the restaurant as they got acquainted and re-acquainted.
They had ordered coffee after dinner when a slim dark-haired woman approached Anja.
“Anja Turneau?” She offered her hand looking directly at Anja.
“I'm sorry! Do I know you?” She asked without shaking hands with the woman.
“I'm Sue Davis.” She paused as no recognition was forthcoming. “The Monitor.” She added. She looked between Kellie and Marte. “You must be Kellie.” She pointed to Kellie and said, “and you must be Marte.”
Marte whispered in Kellie's ear and Kellie whispered “Lassen Sie uns etwas Spaß haben, folge Marte und ich führe.” to Anja. (“Let's have some fun, follow Marte and my lead.”)
“Yes I'm Marte.” She admitted.
“Ich bin Anja,” Kellie said, “and I am Kellie.” Anja said.
“Oh! I'm sorry.” Puzzling at the pictures on her cell phone. “I must as copied your pictures wrong. You've done your hair different since those pictures.” She said shaking her head..
“How long have you been following and listening to our conversations?” Marte demanded.
“She was following us when we came into the restaurant, 'an’ sat behind us.” Solo told them. “I didn't think she was a threat with the policeman here.”
The policeman suspiciously scanned the room. “What this about being a threat?”
“There's been a number of threats to our lives. Our cars and the garage have been destroyed and someone set fire to the house.”
A murmur of horror spread around the table.
“We are a little paranoid about people knowing our whereabouts at the moment. How did you know we are here?”
“It's just coincidence. One of my colleagues was at the airport and phoned me to ask who the VIPs staying at the hotel were when he saw you whisked off in the limo. He thought you might be a new pop band, internet celebrities or something. I thought I'd take a look and then I realised it was you. We're just doing our jobs.”
“Have you told him anything.”
“No.”
“Have you told anyone?”
“No. I didn't know who you were until now.”
“OK. Don't.” He warned her. He turned to the girls and Solo.
“Who knows where you are?”
“Just my Mum and Uncle Tim. He's in the NCA, that's like the English FBI.”
“Same.”
“Same.”
“Same and Alrik, he's the same but German FBI.”
“It's OK. We're safe. They got him. He's in hospital then he'll be in prison for a long time.”
“We are just feeling a bit traumatised after the last month or so.”
“I'll be reviewing your security in light of what you said.” He said. “And I strongly advise no public or publicity until you've left the country.”
As they walked into the breakfast room chatting excitedly a thirty-ish looking woman approached them.
“Hello, I'm Susan Mann of the Monitor, I'm your contact.” They stopped talking, regarding her with suspicion. She pulled-out her Press ID accreditation and handed it to them. “The local police have advised us, uh, well me on the need for security. I'm sorry about last-night.” They all looked at it in turn before handing it back. “I'm Susan and you must be Solo,” She proffered her hand to shake Solo's, “and I recognise Marte,” she added shaking her hand, “and I can see how Carrie confused you too. I won't even try to guess which one is who of you two.”
“I'm Anja.” Anja said.
“And I'm Kellie.”
“Maybe!” Anja added cocking an eyebrow at Kellie. They laughed together.
“Well if you are ready to meet your missing families I can call and tell them you're coming. It'll only take a little more than an hour to drive from here.”
“Uh! We don't have a car.” Marte stated sounding worried.
“Oh! We won't be able to squeeze all of you in my car even if I put the baby-carrier in the trunk.”
“It's OK. I don't need to go. You girls go, I've got stuff to do anyway.”
“What have you to do?” Kellie's forehead creased.
“Encryption. Translation.”
“Oh, yeah. OK.” They exchanged a glance as Kellie surreptitious squeezed his hand and smiled. Anja nudged Marte's ribs nodding toward them noting the gesture.
During the journey the girls peppered Susan with questions about their new family, but she gave little away. She told them that she was here for the story as much as they were. It was a local personal interest story that was getting a wider interest. Due to social media the story had been copied in Florida, Germany and the UK. People wanted to know who they were and what had happened to them and the twins. Had they found Lubja and their long lost family?
Susan wanted to hear about the encrypted papers that they were translating. She told them that there could be a sequel it the encrypted paper revealed an interesting story. She hinted she might be interested in following their personal story. The only thing she revealed was the existence of another pair of twins in the family. That and her fascination with Anja and Kellie's looks and how alike the three of them were to the girls in the cameo.
The girls were excited to learn Lubja's cameo was in the custody of the oldest living female relative who was in the direct line descent. It is considered to be the possession of the whole family and is only worn by other family members to mark special occasions. Apparently Oma Lubja referred to it as a talisman rather than a cameo or icon.
“We don't believe in luck. It never gave them any good luck did it?” Kellie said in her usual forthright declaration.
“Unless it was bad luck! My mother 'Rose', says it always brings bad luck.” Marte added.
“Kellie has Asperger's. She doesn't to offend.” Anja explained. She ginned at Marte saying, “Marte has no excuse.”
Kellie looked at them with a puzzled expression before shrugging her shoulders. Marte blushed and lowered her eyes.
The family explained Oma Lubja had arrived in the United States with was a collection of valuable jewellery. After her death it had been spread between the family and gradually lost or sold. Now it was now the only surviving undamaged remaining piece. They'd had a copy made for the twins when they were born.
Anja told the story of Vera, and Marte told Nadja's story. Kellie related the account of her, and Marte finding Anja, and in turn Anja explained how they ended up at in New Hampshire. They showed Lubja's family the Oktoberfest picture of the three girls and brought the inevitable discussion of the likeness the girls.. They didn't have a copy of their own but remembered having seen it before, and thought it was with the family in Ft Lauderdale.
Marte asked if they knew how Lubja had got to America. The story was very sketchy because like Vera and Nadja, Lubja would never talk about the details. All they could manage to scrape together was that she got passage from Lisbon using forged papers and a false name. Somewhere along the way she'd acquired a rich husband and sufficient assets to enjoy a comfortable life in the USA.
Susan who had been videoing and taking pictures prompted them to mention the documents. To their surprise the family told them about the diary, a bundle of notebooks and papers stored in a box in the loft. Lubja herself referred to it as her diary, an encrypted diary. No one had ever been able to decrypt it. Several times they thought they would throw them out, but changed their minds.
Kellie told them a similar bundle, had been found in Nadja belongings, and launched into an explanation of how to decrypt it. Marte nudged her arm, she shrugged and continued. She told them how it was entirely likely that the same encryption system was used by both girls. Marte nudged her arm again. Now that they knew that they were working with diary entries it would make it easier . . . Marte shoved her.
“What!” Her annoyance showed I her voice as she scowled at her. Marte flinched.
“You're talking geek and no one understands sweetie.” Anja said rubbing Kellie's arm.
“Oh! Oh sorry. Why didn't someone tell me?” She said and everyone laughed.
“OK. You guys are genuinely weird, but I love you.” Kellie told them looking puzzled
It was agreed that Kellie should copy the documents and they would send decrypted copies back as soon as they could. The teleconference with Ft Lauderdale was also a great successful and more documents were promised.
The day passed quickly and they made plans to visit again on the weekend, and to go to Ft Lauderdale early next week. Kellie and Susan agreed to swap copies of their data. They couldn't wait to get back to the hotel.
Solo was in the lounge getting sandwiches when the girls got back, they were bursting to tell him about their day over coffee. He'd shared their excitement but had nothing to report about his day. He felt the stirring of cabin fever and wanted to do something.
“What are we going to do tomorrow? It’s crazy to have gone all this way and not see the place while we're here.” He complained.
“Mmmm.” Kellie spied Solo's sandwiches, she'd been preoccupied showing him the pictures and videos on her laptop. She grabbed the plate, having an attack of the munchies. Solo looked on in unbelief, but said nothing.
“Yes, We should do something, I didn't see anything last time I was here.” Anja said. “We could go up Mount Washington on the little train and I'd like to see Berlin.”
“Berlin?”
“Not, The Berlin. This is a little town a few kilometres from here, we'd planned to see it more for - well last time.”
“OK, but before we go anywhere go anywhere else I want to visit food. In a genuine American dinner. Not a McD.” Kellie suggested.
“You've only just scoffed down my sandwiches!” Solo muttered sounding surprised, and a little hurt. He was the one who was always hungry.
“And now I want a burger. Who made you food monitor?” Her eyes flashed a warning as her tone told him to step carefully.
“It's the jet-lag. It screws with your system. I've been eating like a horse ever since we got here, but I couldn't eat right now.” Marte commented
“So what do you want to do?” Kellie asked immediate knowing the answer.
“I saw a Shopping Mall down the block.” Marte said as Anja nodded in agreement.
“Stupid question, should have known.” Kellie said as Solo groaned and rolled his eyes.
“OK Solo and me will go to eat, they've probably got restaurants at the Mall, while you guys shop, and we'll meet you back at the hotel. I'll hire a car for Anja, she's the oldest and the safest driver and she used to driving on the wrong side.” Kellie said pleased to have avoided shopping with the girls, she would prefer spending time with Solo. Marte shot her a fleeting mock 'hurt' look.
“It's a lovely day for it, but its always cold at the top.” The receptionist warned them as she handed them their tickets for the Cog railway up Mount Washington.
“Thanks. We've got jackets in the car.” Marte smiled at her.
The forecast was 'clear'. Unusual for any day on Mt. Washington It only has 2 or 3 days of clear weather a month. It was hot inside the car even with the AC running. Kellie shed her jumper and left it in the car. They all tied their jackets around their waists attempting to keep cool. Solo was the next to shed his jumper but he opting to carry it rather than putting in the car.
'The Cog' was everything Anja had told them, and more. There were two crazy old wild west engines, with a smoke stacks and a cow-catchers. It looked like a Disney cartoon that someone forgot to finish. They wheezed and puffed, white and black smoke from their smoke stack and pressure valves, sounding like they was gasping it last breath. They creaked and clunked as they moved like a living thing. They were a mixture of old west and Harry Potter. They were magic!
The ride to the top took around 45 minutes, from pine clad slopes at the bottom to the granite rock heap at the top. After they left the shelter of the pine forest they started to feel the wind. When they started the temperature had been in the seventies degrees, by the top it had fallen below forty. Solo offered his jumper to Kellie and she put it on. Anja couldn't resist nudging Marte when she saw.
The sky was cloudless, and they were stunned by the awesome view. Facing West, they could see over Vermont to New York state, to the North the chain of peaks stretched majestically toward to the Canadian border. While East and South the Lakes of New Hampshire sparkled like sapphires in the bright sunshine.
As much as they were rendered speechless in the euphoria of the scene, the cold wind was biting and they were all regretting not having worn warmer clothing. The temperature at the top was 34F and falling rapidly, with the wind gusting at 35 - 50 mph according to the weather station display. Solo watched as a group of youths played, holding onto the barriers of the observation deck while allowing the gusts to sweep them off their feet momentarily. All the girls wanted was to be somewhere warm and sheltered from the wind.
They retreated to the cafe to find a mug of the magic beans in an attempt to warm-up. Anja was a contemplative mood as she dabbed the corner of her eye with a tissue. Kellie and Marte put their arms around her and cuddled her. Solo returned from the servery with coffee and cake looking a little puzzled. He'd never heard the circumstances of Anja's first encounter of Trooper Webber.
All too soon they had to brave the elements again for the return trip down the mountain. They bundled-up attempting to shelter from the wind as they boarded the train. Anja and Marte cuddled together for warmth on a bench, and Kellie and Solo were on the bench in front. Anja prodded Marte and nodded toward the two of them. She tilted her head to one side questioningly.
Kellie was still wearing Solo's sweater and the two of them snuggled together, Solo hugging Kellie. After ten minutes Marte couldn't stand it any more she cleared her throat theatrically. She and Anja exchanged glances, but received no response from Kellie and Solo. She waited a few minutes and tried again with no effect. Next time she coughed and kicked the back on their seat. Kellie turned slowly to Marte. Her eyes were slits, her mouth pursed, as she mouthed an obscenity at her. Marte grimaced with her mouth open and slid lower in her seat.
The couple squeezed closer. Marte turned to Anja and whispered, “Well, that was rude!” Anja's expression wavered, uncertain of what she meant. She decided to let it go.
They dismounted from the train and removed their coats as they walked to the car, enjoying the warmer temperatures at the lower altitude. Anja turned the car toward Concord and the hotel. She checked the time: They'd been gone for almost three hours, by the time they got back to the hotel it would be time for dinner. She glanced in the rear mirror and elbowed Marte.
“OMG! Are you two still at it. Get a room, will you!” Marte exploded, turning to see them and giggling.
They ignored her. Anja couldn't help peeking in the rear view mirror occasionally as she drove. She saw Kellie's smile as she leaned her head on Solo's shoulder, and pulled her arm, tighter around his body. He slid his arm around her shoulder, squeezing it and touching his lips to her hair. Anja smiled slightly too, a knowing smile.
The girls who were enjoying pancakes for breakfast in the dining room. It was the first time since they'd arrived that they hadn't woken before dawn; The jet-lag had hit them harder than they admitted. They were deciding where to go. Solo was the last down, the girls claimed he was no more grumpy than the morning. He barely functioned before lunchtime and was the life of the party at bedtime. Right now he was slumped over his third mug of coffee, groaning at the effort of spooning in another sugar and stirring it
His phone rang. “Maddie!” He became wide-awake as he mouthed her name to the girls. They phoned her every day around her bedtime but it was only about midday in England and she'd never called him before. “Is everything OK?”
“It's your dad. Your Aunt came to the house, she didn't know how to contact you. Your dad's in hospital, QA, its serious. He's got sepsis from his gunshot wound. I thought you’d better know so you can come back if you want to.”
“OK. Thanks. I'll think about it.”
“Its rarely the acts of kindness and forgiveness that we regret in life.” She told him. “Well, let me know when you decide, and could you let me speak to Kellie please?”
He handed the phone to her with a worried expression. The other two girls looked at one another then at him expectantly. A long sigh escape his lips, his eyes were unfocused. Kellie's tone was raising and becoming animated.
“I don't care.” She was saying. “And how is that different from not letting me see my dad when he was in hospital?” . . . “and now you're OK with me going to America on my own,” . . . “How was it different?” . . . “You always say that when you know you're wrong.” Kellie smacked the phone on the table switching it off and pushed it across the table toward Solo.
“That woman's impossible!” She fumed.
Marte's phone rang. “Yes, she's right here.”
“I know its you. I don't want to hear it!” Kellie shouted at Marte's phone, pushing her chair from the table and storming out.
Anja's ears had pricked-up as the conversation got heated. Solo remained implacable, he appeared detached following Maddie's call.
“Ops!” . . . “I understand. He hasn't said anything just staring into space.” . . . “No she's left. OK, I'll tell Anja. No it’s alright we'll take care of both of them. Don't worry.”
Kellie entered the dining room again and poured herself a fresh mug of coffee as the conversation ended. She must had been standing outside.
“So! What did she say?”
“I thought you didn't want to hear it.”
Kellie made a cat-like gesture, her eyes widening, curling her lips in a snarl pretending she was slowly scratching her claws across Marte's face.
Marte swallowed, surprised at the reaction. “OK, only that his Aunty couldn't contact him and his dad has sepsis. Apparently, he has a less than fifty - fifty chance of survival.”
“Huh!” Kellie was unimpressed.
“How did he get sepsis?” Anja asked innocently.
“Probably from that kitchen. Its rank! Makes me gag to think of it. It should be condemned as a biohazard zone.” Marte told her.
Marte saw Kellie's head snap to lock on her eyes narrowing with laser-like intensity. She realised her mistake immediately, but it was too late. She knew that look. If Kellie wasn't hacked off before, she was now.
She grabbed Solo's arm, “I think we need to have a little chat.” She told him.
She pulled him up and pushed him out of the dining room. He followed without resistance remaining oblivious to the unfolding drama around him. Kellie's eyes locked on Marte, her eyes stared unblinking, following her every move as they left the room.
“Oops!” Marte muttered.
Anja tilted her head to the right as she raised her eyes looking at Marte quizzically.
“So what are you going to do?” She started firmly and calmly.
“I don't know.” He responded wondering where this was going. His brow was knitted as lowered his eyes avoiding contact with hers.
“You have to decide. I'm can't decide for you.” She voice was slightly raised, and impatient.
“It's difficult. He's my dad.” His voice was flat and unemotional.
“And I'm your what? Your employer? Your sidekick? Your friend? Girlfriend? No! Make that ex-girlfriend.” She spat the words with venom in her voice adding, “well, that didn't last long, did it?” as a sad footnote. In an instant she'd gone nuclear.
“You're all of that and more,” he struggled for words unable to believe what he'd heard as the dagger was plunged into his heart. Her words seemed to echo in his ears as time appeared to stop and he stopped breathing. Desperate, to un-hear the words 'ex-girlfriend' and explain, “You're everything to me . . .” Words failed him. “I . . . I”
She interrupted him. “Really! 'Your everything,' you say, and what about Marte. What's she to you? Is she your everything too? Or is she just a bit on the side for when I'm not there?” The dagger plunged again and twisted.
He saw her eyes reddening and heard the anger in her voice. Her hands were balled as she beat her thighs. He grabbed her hands to stop her hurting herself. She shook them off.
“What! What you talkin' bout?” Dazed, he felt the pain as his heart exploded and a gaping wound opened in his chest. “What's Marte got to do with it?” His voice was ragged and thin.
“What were you and her doing at your dad's house, as if I couldn't guess?” She was desperate not to cry but it was a losing battle.
“That was a mistake bae.” He pleaded, his own eyes reddening.
“Too true, 'it was a ******** mistake!'” she swore, “and don't you ever bae me again.” A tear ran down her cheek. He reached for her. She moved away.
“I didn't want to go, but she was drivin'. She wanted to wind him up, an' big me up, but he just grossed her off. She promised she would never tell anyone.” He handed her a tissue. She automatically nodded 'thanks', and dabbed her cheek.
“She didn't, you just did.” As she savoured her victory for a split second until she saw what it had cost as she looked in his eyes.
“I thought we were going to talk about my dad.” He tried to change the subject. His unfallen tears filled his eyes. His voice wavered as he fought to regain his composure. This was not what he had expected.
“We are. About you and Marte sneaking off to his house for, well, whatever.” Her thunder claps of her anger left her deaf to the cries of her heart, she was unable to stop herself. The rain of her tears fell again. She wiped them away with the back of her hands.
“She drove me to the house once. She never went in. He hadn't cleaned since I left. It was disgustin'. That's all it was. OK.” He paused expecting a response. “I'm sorry.” She sat silently staring into space. “He might be dying. He asked for me. He's never even wanted me before. I feel I should go, he's me dad. You know I'd rather stay with you.” He added falling silent too. He was done. Spent.
“You know, I don't even want to talk about it anymore. You do what you want, I really don't care. Just rack off and leave me alone.”
She said quietly her anger and energy exhausted as she pushed him off the bed, pointing to the door.
Anja was conflicted over leaving them behind when she a Marte hit the Malls, but Marte insisted it would be for the best. They needed to sort this, whatever it was, themselves. Kellie bagged the laptop and locked herself in Anja and Marte's room. She couldn't do any work, and she quickly fell into a funk repeating the events of the last two days over and over. She was in ground-hog mode.
Solo likewise spent his time in his room wondering what had happened. He was still struggling with what to do. He googled flights for Boston to London but there were no seats available until the next day. The best he could get was a flight for 08:15 which meant getting up at 4 am to get taxi to drive to O'Hare airport. At dinner Solo told them his plans to return home without them in the morning. Anja volunteered to drive him to the airport in the morning but he'd already booked a car.
In the afternoon Kellie Skyped with her mum; They talked into Maddie every night. Maddie could hardly keep her eyes open as she listened. It was gone her normal bedtime in England.
“I'm so proud of you.” She said. “Only a month ago you were a moody, angry, teenager with no friends who hated school and everyone around her. Now look at you! You've got a successful company, employees, friends, even a boyfriend though you won't admit it.”
“Huh! The company was dad's, and the employees are family.” she responded flatly.
“It was you, and no-one-else saved the company. It was you who convinced Siemens to trust you and Solo to carry on without your father. Then Marte, and Anja wrote the proposal and negotiated the contracts. The four was you make a great team.”
“And then I screwed it all up. I've lost Marte and Solo with my crazy jealousy thing.”
“I don't believe that for a minute. Marte told everyone at the police station that she believes that you and Solo have an unbreakable emotional link. I doubt that she's making a play for him. It's just a misunderstanding. You need to talk to them and sort it out. Talk.”
Kellie didn't go down for dinner, she opted to an early night instead. While everyone else ate dinner she wasted time distractedly channel hopping on the TV. Over a hundred channels including movies, and streaming services, and still nothing to see. She switched off and buried herself under the quilt pretending to be asleep as she heard them talking outside in the corridor.
He stood over her in the darkness as he inhaled the sweet perfume of her warm body under the covers. He caressed her brow with kisses, his fingers combing her fringe; Her soft, short hair smelled of coconut oil conditioner. He watched her sleeping for a moment before whispering.
“I love you KT, bae.”
She stirred but didn't wake. She smiled in her sleep feeling his warm breath on his face. 'bae', the word had a comforting, familiar, sound, it pleased her, and made her heart skip a beat even in her dream. It felt right. She mouthed the word 'bae - bae,' she repeated it.
She was asleep, out of it, dreaming. He whispered, “Bye sleepy head. Sorry, I got to go, bae” in her ear, and then he was gone. Just the lingering fragrance of his aftershave remained.
Something seemed to stir an unconscious memory in her sleep. Deja vu? Her eyes snapped open. She leaped out of bed throwing on her jeans and tee, leaving the rest of her things behind her she ran down the hallway, her shoes in one hand, her bag in the other.
“Wait! Wait! No way I'm not letting you get away bae. No way.” she called.
The End.
1 Many slave labour prisoners were employed by Siemens & Halske. From 1942-1945, medical experiments to test the effectiveness of sulfonamides were undertaken.
2 In the spring of 1945 with the Soviet Red Army rapidly approaching Ravensbruck the SS ordered all physically capable women, some 24,500 prisoners to be relocated. They were forced to march in a column toward Mecklenburg. One of the infamous 'death marches'. On 30 April, fewer than 3,500 malnourished inmates, on the edge of life, were liberated by the Red Army. Hours later a few others were found by a Russian scout unit. Of the 130,000 female prisoners from Ravensbruck less than 15,000 survived.
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