Chapter 15

When the morning came, I must have known, I had lost my heart to her. Laura! We were all alone, and love was new. We played all night ... The night passed so quickly.

My body is still full of aches and pains from yesterday’s vigorous exercise. I slowly disentangled myself from the nude body next to me. Getting to a position I could sit up, I looked over to my right. Big blue eyes looking at me.

“Morning Loo-Love,” I said.

“Still love you. Morning Don.” Giggle. Then: “Ouch! I’m sore. I can’t move.”

“Not use to walking in the bush?” I asked.

“Yeah ... The bush. I think it’s the walking in the bush. I’m gonna stay here! I’m not moving.”

“Come on Laura, the quicker you move the better it will be. I’ll also get you some Aspirin. It will work wonders. That, plus coffee and BREAKFAST.” I said, bending over and kissed her. Laura snaked her left arm around my neck, hauling me down for the second, much longer kiss. I push both my hands under her back, holding her naked body against me. Kissing.

“We better go face the music. If we’re fast, we could beat the crowd.” Laura said between kisses. “If we keep this up, we might not make it out till lunch and besides, your other love is waiting for attention too!” Laura said.

We made it out of the bed. Laura dressed in her dressing gown, bundled the rest of her stuff up, and slid out of the room. I knew she was nude underneath that dressing gown.

“Gotcha!” I heard from the passage, followed by: “And you too. What are you doing in Charley’s room? Where’s Aubrey?” and then some uncomprehending words. Oh, well. Someone else is sneaking around too. I smiled to myself. I wondered who it might have been. Sounded like Suzie.

The household came to a roaring wake with nine teenage girls competing for ablution services. Breakfast was being orchestrated by Suzie and Laura and some of the girls. We few men, way in the minority, escaped to the patio. Charley had this silly smirk on his face. Aubrey sort of just floating along. I could not help in wondering why.

It soon became public knowledge that Suzie and Charley were having; “A Thing” going. I was happy for them. Aubrey was still a mystery. I wondered if Laura found out where to, he went, seeing that Charley and Suzie hi-jacked his room.

Then my cell phone rang. Unknown number. Okay, could be Joe. It was not Joe. A heavily accented German voice addressed me.

“Donovan Lambert? Is it you?” the voice said.

“This is Donovan Lambert. Who’s calling.” I said.

“Herr Lambert, you don’t know me, but we have some business to conclude.” The voice said.

“First Sir, I don’t know you. Secondly, if you don’t introduce yourself within the next ten seconds, I’ll terminate this call.” I said.

“Assertive, ain’t we. My name is Hertz.” Ludwig said, with an air of that his name, would open up the world to him. It did not phase me at all. A Little surprised at the call, but not phased.

“And who would you be Mister ... Hum ... Hertz?” I said, trying to throw him off. Or better; Piss him off.

“Okay, Lambert. I’d try to be civil about this, but you seem to be too arrogant to know who you’re dealing with.”

“I really don’t know you, Mister Hertz. So, if it’s a flying Charter you’re interested in, please call my office at...” And I stated the number. Being more than evasive.

“LAMBERT ... you have some ... merchandise of mine and I want it back. NOW!” he screamed into the cell phone. I have got the reaction I was hoping for. He’s off-balance now.

“And what merchandise might that be, Mister Hertz, or should I say LUDWIG.”

“SO! You know my name. Then you know what this is about also. You should also know that I get what I want, whenever I want it.” He said a little bit more relaxed now.

“Good,” I said. “So, do I Ludwig, so do I.”

“Good, we understand each other. I want my merchandise back. All ten of the packages. Immediately!” He said.

“Not so fast Ludwig. You sold one to me, remember? Now you want me to Return it to the Sender? I don’t see any, RETURN TO SENDER written on the Package. As a matter of fact, I grew attached to that specific Package, you can say, a Fatherly attachment. Something I believe you don’t have.” I said. Ludwig made some unintelligible noises.

“Furthermore,” I continued, not giving him a chance to get a word in. “The others were, shall we say, collateral damage. You owe me, Ludwig. Damages that your associates caused me. I EXPECT to collect. You get me, Ludwig? Do you get my drift? You owe me, and I will collect.”

“I want my merchandise BACK!” Ludwig shouted.

“So, if you want to buy back the one Package, I will set a price, including my market-related mark-up. The others will be divided by the cost I have incurred for storage and maintenance to date.” I said. Ludwig was quiet for a few moments. Then he said:

“How much?” Somewhat subdued. A light went up for me. YES! I have a plan.

“Seventy thousand each for the Packages, three hundred thousand for damages, and four hundred thousand delivery fee,” I said.

“That’s ... That’s ... That’s one point four million!” Ludwig spattered.

“Make that US Dollars, or, would you prefer Pound Sterling? Take it or leave it.” I said and broke the connection. He had my number; he can call back.

Hearing only half of the conversation, Aubrey and Charley were looking at me with a question mark on each of their faces.

“What WAS that?” Charley asked.

“I just gave old Ludwig the terms of engagement, that’s all,” I said, lighting my pipe.

“Did I hear you correctly? You just sold the girls back to him for one point four million bucks” Aubrey asked.

“US Dollars! Translates to twenty-one million Rand. And some change, of course.” I said. “If we insist on Pound Sterling, it could be about twenty-eight million!” Charley whistled.

“GOD, Man! You’ve got a nerve! Just like that.” Charley said and snapped his thumb and forefinger. I blow smoke out my nose. Big clouds are dispersing in the morning air.

“Business is business. He doesn’t know where we are. Joe said Ludwig is in hiding. I’ve got to draw him out. On my terms!” I said.

“But how you ... You’re not planning on giving the girls to him ... Are you?” Aubrey said, standing up.

“Assumptions, assumptions. I didn’t SAY I am going to sell the girls to him. I made him an offer.” I said.

‘So, are you?” Aubrey asked.

“Nope!” I said. “Have you ever been fishing Aubrey? Do you know how to bait a hook?” I asked.

“Bait a hook?” Aubrey asked.

“Yes. The more colourful the fly, the more attractive it is for the fish.” I said, crossing my legs and blowing out smoke. “Let’s get more coffee. I have a PLAN!”

“ ... said Fred to Scooby and the gang!” Charley said. Laura came out with a tray of breakfast plates. She only heard the “ ... I have a plan,” part.

“What plan?” she asked.

“He spoke to Ludwig. Sold the girls back to him...” Charley said, with a serious-looking face.

“YOU DID WHAT?” Laura asked, nearly dropping the tray with our breakfast, looking at me with liquid fire in her eyes. Trembling with rage.

“Slowly Girl! Slowly!” Aubrey said. “Ludwig called him! HE played Ludwig like a fish! Like a fish, I say.” I was smiling, drawing on my pipe.

“Have you ever been fishing, Laura?” Charley asked, smiling.

“Let me sit down. I’ve got to hear THIS!” Laura said, placing the tray on the table and sitting down next to me, crossing her legs, and folding her arms across her chest. Her face was a mask. Lips, a straight line. Looking sideways at me.

“Talk!” she hissed.

(Meanwhile: Two cars, two kilometres difference in their positions, approaching Sir Lowry’s Pass in the Western Cape.)

Alex drove along the N2 Highway. Just past Paarl, he turned off the N1, drove through Stellenbosch, and joined the N2 highway. On his way to Sir Lowry’s Pass, he will take the Hermanus turn off to Gordons Bay. He will team up with Ludwig and his men with him.

He will then start his dealings with the “Twenty Eights” and the “Americans,” maybe, even the “Hard Livings.” First, he must get to know Ludwig’s plan. Has he found where the bitches were taken to? Ludwig has the resources. HE will find them.

A few kilometres on, Alex saw the green coloured Road Preacher on the left-hand side, announcing: “Gordons Bay, Hermanus,” with a white arrow pointing right. Alex turned right.

(Meanwhile: Just passing The Strand on the right, with Somerset West to the left.)

The unmarked police vehicle followed the blip patiently. The car Alex was driving, in sight about a kilometre and a half in front of them. They were leaving the holiday resort town of The Strand, the road slightly rising up to meet the beginning of Sir Lowry’s Pass.

To their left were large open fields with a few horses grazing in the lush green fields. A Cape Dutch style, thatch-roofed house, was to be seen under the tall Pine trees. They all were tired after the long trek across the 1465 kilometre stretch from Pretoria to Cape Town. Seventeen and a half hours had passed.

To the right of them, the ocean could be seen. Little white caps, on the sea swells, out on the bay, an indication that the South Easter was pushing in from the Atlantic. Way out in the blue hazy distance, to the back of them, Table Mountain was drawing its famous tablecloth over from the south. Though it’s summer, the day would be cool, thanks to the wind.

Up ahead, the holiday town of Gordons Bay could be seen, sprawling on the slopes of the Hottentots Holland mountain range. All seems to be good and perfect. They should call Brigadier Franks. They just have to wait and see where Alex is heading. His final destination.

The blip turned right onto a secondary road. Heading towards Gordons Bay. If Alex went straight ahead, he would get to the town of Hermanus. Hermanus, a holiday destination, is known for Whale sightings. The Southern Right Whales grace these waters in their hundreds.

(Meanwhile: Joe was busy in his office. Writing a report. His cell phone rang.)

“Franks.” The short answer to the phone.

“And a very good morning to you too,” I said.

“Don! Hope everything is fine ... You ... you seem a little agitated. Wha sup!” Joe said.

“Nope. Everything can’t be better, except with Tracy, that is.”

“What’s wrong with her?” Joe asked. I enlightened him.

“The Little Bitch, I’ll ... I’ll have her replaced! Where are you?”

“You’ll do nothing Joe. Suzie will work things out with Tracy. I’m sure of it. Let her be. She’s good here with us and a real asset.” I said, pacifying Joe. “And thanks for trying to find where we are.”

“You’re sure? I’ll have her here in no time at all.”

“Sure Joe, but that’s not why I called. I have a situation. Ludwig Hertz called me. He wants all ten girls back, pronto.” I said.

“Bastard! And he thinks we’re just gonna hand him the girls?”

“Noooo ... I sold him the girls for twenty-one million...” I said.

“Don... , Let me get this straight ... You ... SOLD the girls to Ludwig Hertz! For twenty-one fucking million. You crazy or what?”

“Noooo ... Not exactly ... He THINKS, I sold him the girls...”

“How so?” Joe asked.

“Well ... He keeps talking about ... merchandise and ... packages. Not calling the girls by name, Not mentioning anything like “girls” or so. So, I sold him merchandise and ... packages!” Joe burst out laughing. I could see in my mind’s eye, him slapping the desk with his free hand, tears running down his cheeks.

“You son of a bitch ... You!” Joe composed himself. “So ... How do we do it? How do we take him for a crazy high-speed roller-coaster ride?” Joe asked.

“I have a plan,” I said.

“Hannibal Smith! Every A-team episode! I’ve heard that before...”

“My plan will come together ... AND leave the girls each with a little pocket money. Legal money. Call me Hannibal Smith, Colonel, Hannibal Smith, if you please...” And I explained to Joe what I had in mind. He was still laughing as I pressed the disconnect button.

(SO! Back to KwaZulu Natal.)

Laura was sitting on the patio chair, her mouth half-open. Disbelievingly, ice blue eyes staring at me. Strands of her honey-blond hair, slightly blowing in her face from the breeze, coming from the beach. She made no move to straighten her hair. Aubrey and Charley also sat motionless. Not saying anything. I lit my pipe again.

“Well?” I asked. “Are you with me?” Not looking at any of them but concentrating on getting my pipe going. After a while, Charley said:

“Why not! This plan is so crazy that it might just work!” He got up, walked a little way towards the beach gate. Stopped and burst out laughing. Laura got up too.

“You know, you’re certifiable. Definitely, entirely, and solidly certifiable crazy, coo-coo ... and I love you!” Laura said. “Let’s go see your Daughter!” Aubrey just sat shaking his head.

“Aubrey! Get the Brats! Let’s go play volleyball!” Charley called.

Laura and I departed for Margate, with a little grocery list of what the girls still needed. The forty or fifty-kilometre drive took us about thirty-five minutes. Stopping for Charley’s “City” Traffic lights and all.

We arrived at the hospital. Found parking, not too far from the entrance, and stepped inside. I don’t like hospitals. Really. Yes, they’re good in some way, but I don’t like going there if I could avoid it. Squeaky sound when walking down the halls. The smell of disinfectant, “Dr Williams ER Stat,” calls assailing your ears. No, I don’t like hospitals.

Tracy was awake when we got to her room. She acquired a friend during the night. A fifteen-year-old girl who had an appendectomy. You know when they remove that piece of junk between your ... Never mind. She had her appendix removed. Sounds better.

Tracy was sitting up in the bed. Propped up by the big pillows. She smiled as she saw us.

“Don, Laura! Hello, I wanna go home. It’s boring here. The food is yucky. Green beans for breakfast. I want toast and eggs and bacon.” She said at a hundred miles an hour. Tracy was good. Not old Tracy, but better Tracy. Laura laughed.

“Whoa Tracy!” Breath Sweetie Pie. Breath!” I said. As I got near her bed, I was grabbed around the neck and the daylights kissed out of me. My turn to suffocate. Tracy hanging on, smelling ‘hospital’ all over.

“Slowly ‘Tray! You’ll hurt yourself. And I love you too!” Laura said. Tracy gave us a narrative about what went on since she woke up. I detected a little hyper-energetic teen and wondered about the type of “boosters and vitamins” the Doctor prescribed.

The other standard little brown-haired, brown-eyed girl in the room, still a little groggy from her op, looked amused. She was Afrikaans and spoke a little English. Apparently, she was amused at Tracy’s Irish accent, and between her broken English and Tray’s Irish accent, the two got on well together.

During our visit, the head nurse came around and told us that if Tracy keeps on doing well, she’ll be discharged soon.

“We’re just worried about infection in those cuts and abrasions.” she said. “nothing visible now. We’ll just keep her a while longer and see what gives.” She checked on the other girl, cooed a bit, then left.

Tracy just wanted to get up. I explained about the thingamajig with the TV screen and the pipes connected to her arm. It did not phase Tracy at all.

“That thing’s got wheels and I’ve been up and to the toilet five times. They keep pumping goo into my arm and my bladder can’t stand it!” Arms folded across her chest. Long bottom lip, pushed out, looking pissed off. Laura and I both laughed.

“Okay ‘Tray, if you want, let’s go to the Cafeteria and get you something decent to eat,” Laura said. “My treat!” Green eyes lit up like floodlights.

So, having only that stupid hospital gown on, it was a mission to get Tracy out of bed and walking with some sort of modesty intact. Carting the drip bag thingamajig with us, another mission. But we made it to the Cafeteria.

Our order was placed for three Farmhouse Breakfasts, two coffees, and a blue bubble-gum flavour milkshake for Tracy. Tracy was in heaven.

Tracy devoured the farmhouse breakfast and had half of my toast and sausage as well. I still maintain that growing teens are stomachs from their throats to their knees! Made to be filled.

Before we left the Cafeteria, Tracy wanted a Fruit & Nut chocolate, for her friend in the ward. It seems as if Tracy was healing quite well.