Chapter 16

The morning was a bit of a surprise to me, as I woke up to an empty bed. I was sure that I went to sleep last night holding TWO beautiful women in my arms. Now, the bed and those arms, suspiciously, empty.

I could remember that last night I did insist that both got dressed before we went to bed. Reluctantly, they complied with the request to dress in their pyjamas. There was a lot of giggling involved in the dressing and drying and brushing of two heads, one honey gold, the other, ginger red.

Now, these two nymphs have disappeared. Curious. I looked at my watch and found it was just past six. My usual wake up and get up time. I was just about to get out of bed when the bedroom door slowly opened and two nymphs entered carrying a tray with breakfast and coffee.

“Ah No! His Highness is awake.” Tracy disappointedly said.

“Yes, we wanted to wake you with a kiss,” Laura said, making a long face. I didn’t say a word, but slid back down in the bed, drawing the covers up to my chin and closing my eyes. Laying on my back.

Huge mistake. Two girls jumped on me, competing for a space on my face to kiss. Arms and elbows swinging. I was thoroughly kissed.

“Good morning Don! Wakey-wakey. Time to get up! Kisses.

“Good morning Poppa-Don. Wakey-wakey!” More kisses. Giggles.

“Morning Girls!” I said.

“We’ve brought you breakfast!” Tracy said.

“Three plates?” I asked.

“YES! We’re having three-way breakfast in bed!” Laura said. I was commanded to prop up on the pillows. Served by the two pyjama-clad nymphs. Laura and Tracy each took a plate of breakfast and then slid in on the left and right of me. Lucky for the big king-size bed.

Breakfast was a blast with these two. Something I could get used to. Breakfast-in-bed will never be the same again. We munched and made jabs at each other. Just being joyful and relaxed. Not giving a thought to what the day may bring.

“Don’t you two think that with all the laughing and giggling, someone would not come to investigate, first, why we are absent from the patio and secondly, what you two are up to giggling in my bedroom?

“Nope!” Tracy said. “It’s still early. Those brats don’t get up till seven.”

“Well, it’s nearly seven now!” I said. Tracy looked at me. Laura consulted her watch. The two jumped out of bed, gathered the breakfast stuff, and scampered off.

“Best breakfast I had in a long time” I heard Laura say to Tracy as they closed the door behind them. Yes, I did enjoy breakfast too.

(Meanwhile: In Schloss Von Hertz, Gordons Bay, South Africa.)

Ludwig had been up since four o’clock this morning. Pooling his resources from around the globe. He came to an early conclusion, that not only is this Donovan Lambert a very clever adversary but that Lambert could not easily be bluffed, conned, or taken for a ride.

To not derail the exchange in the early stages, Ludwig has gathered the funds necessary to make up twenty-one million South African Rand. He, Ludwig, was confident that Lambert would part with the girls, once he had the money. Every man has a price. Twenty-one million is Lambert’s price.

Ludwig must now rely on Alex and his impromptu ‘Army’, to get the girls AND retain his money. Alex seems to be confident too. Only a matter of timing. He will let Lambert know, that he has the funds ready. This then will put the pressure on Lambert to provide the girls and the time and place for the exchange.

Alex would take care of all the details. He, Ludwig, will not even be at the exchange. Not on-site would mean: Not involved. If, and that is a big if, something goes wrong, Ludwig can claim plausible deniability. No one can and would lay a finger on him, not on Ludwig Hertz.

Ludwig looked at his watch. Seven fifteen. The time he acted. The time he tightens the screw on Lambert. Ludwig picked up his Royal Albert cup of Earl Grey tea. He smiled to himself.

He needs to get hold of the girls, quick. The news he received last night meant he was on a tight timeline. The crew of the yacht pleaded “Not Guilty”, on account of them only transporting the girls to a destination supplied by their Charter Employer. On further investigation, his name will be on the waybills and charter documents. Mistake!

The four Guys arrested for “Breaking and Entering,” In Bloemfontein, pleaded “Not Guilty” On account of them being sent to the house to “secure” it for their Employer. HIM. Ludwig Hertz. His name will surface, no matter what. If it cost him even two million dollars, so be it! He must depose of the bitches!

(About the same time, on the KZN South Coast.)

Okay, breakfast out of the way and the girls decided it’s time to brave the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Swim costumes on, sunscreen rubbed on young bodies, the pack made off to the beach, chaperoned by Suzie and her posse.

Charley and Aubrey were playing Swing-ball on the lawn. Tracy and Laura lounged on deck chairs next to the pool, reading. There was quite a selection of books here at the lodge. Mostly paperbacks, left by previous visitors and some supplied by Mister Little. Also, a selection of Aviation themed magazines. He was still a Pilot by heart, though now a Sugar Cane farmer.

I was paging through one of the magazines, trying to read an article by Guy Leitch on his experience with a test flight in a British Buccaneer. My phone buzzed. Ah, Ludwig.

“Good morning Mister Hertz, a fine morning isn’t it?” I said.

“Yes. Good morning to you. I just called to inform you that I have the funds secured. We can go ahead with the exchange.” Ludwig said.

“Good, good, Mister Hertz. I will ask you to please do an EFT to a bank in Canada. The Royal Canadian Bank of Canada in Montreal. I will text you the account number.” I said, prying to see how serious he was in getting his hands on the girls.

“Mister Lambert! I was under the impression that we would meet and exchange in a fair swap!” Ludwig hissed.

“Ah, Mister Hertz! And how do I know that you will honour your part, by either bringing the funds at all or by substituting the bottom of the cash with blank folio paper? I have no guarantee. So, you deposit the funds to the account specified, and I will make the merchandise available to you as I said.” I told Ludwig. He was quiet for a moment.

“And how will I know you will honour YOUR part by supplying the merchandise at all. Nobody knows where the merchandise is now, only you know.” Ludwig said. I could detect distress in his voice. He was in a corner, and I love it.

“Mister Hertz, I am a man of my word, as opposed to, other acquaintances, as of lately. Deposit the funds to the account supplied, and you will receive your merchandise within forty-eight hours. Good day, Mister Hertz.” I disconnected. Smiling. Hertz was in a corner.

I know what he intends to do with the girls. Either get them out of the country or...” I hate to think about what he intends to do. They, the girls, are considered witnesses by the Police. Witnesses need to testify. No witnesses ... No one to testify. I shuddered.

I got up and walked over to Tracy. I bent down and hugged her. Then got up and walked off to the beach.

“What was that about?” Laura asked.

“I want to know too,” Tracy said. Both girls, open-mouthed, sensing my mood, looked at me, as I walked off.

(So! What is now happening at Schloss Von Hertz, Gordons Bay, South Africa.)

“ALEX!” Ludwig shouted. Alex was reading out on the terrace. He could hear Ludwig calling. Alex got up, stretched, and then made his way to Ludwig.

“Yes, Boss?” Alex asked as he entered the lounge area of the house in Gordons Bay.

“We have a problem! A big problem. The imbecile wants the money upfront BEFORE he releases the Bitches!” Ludwig practically shouted. He was now really losing his cool.

“Calm down Ludwig. Calm down. Tell me what’s going on now.” Alex stated, sitting down on an easy chair.

“Lambert, the imbecile, wants me to deposit the funds into an offshore account in Canada. In CANADA!” Ludwig was now beside himself from anger, shaking as he struggled to open the Bourbon bottle.

“I can reverse the payment. No problem.” Alex said, lighting a cigarette.

“From the Royal Canadian bank of Canada?” Ludwig said. “One of the safest banks in the world! With an international safety score of 23 points? With assets of more than 1,021 billion dollars?”

“Oh ... Might be a small, little problem there. But can be done. You got the account number?” Alex asked, smiling.

“He ... he said he’ll text it to me...” Ludwig said, eventually stopped shaking enough to open the bottle and pour a stiff drink.

“Okay. No sweat. EFT the funds. After he verified it, I’ll have my associates reverse it.” Alex said.

“You can do it?” Ludwig asked.

“Yes! Let him verify the funds are in his bank, then hand over the girls. The moment the girls are with us, I’ll reverse the funds. He’ll probability will get a few thousand bucks’ interest, but that’s the price you’ll pay.” Alex said smiling.

“How would you do it?” Ludwig asked, taking a sip from his drink.

“Easy! I’ll have an algorithm dropped onto the account. The moment he accesses the account to verify the funds are available, ten or twenty minutes later the reverse transfer kicks in, stopping any notification to Lambert also. Like taking candy from a kid. He’ll verify. Initiate the transfer of the girls, and wham! We’ll have your money and the girls.”

“Good!” Ludwig said, draining his glass and proceeded to pour another.

(Well! Let us get back to KZN)

Tracy and Laura paused a moment. They were looking at my departing back. Then Laura got up and came after me, followed closely by Tracy. The two caught up with me, Tracy, breathing a bit heavily.

“So, what’s biting you?” Laura asked. I stopped in the shade of a huge tree fern.

“Nothing. I’m just going to see what’s the gang doing on the beach.” I said.

“Okay ... Tracy gets a hug. I don’t. What’s up Doc?” Laura said.

“Yeah! What’s up Doc? Why are you neglecting my sister?” Tracy puts in her nine pence worth.

“I was just thinking, on what Ludwig plans on doing with the girls ... or to be exact ... What does he plan on doing TO them?” I said. “Tracy has been hurt too many times. Even you, Laura. You both been hurt due to that German’s to do. I just ... Well, I just appreciate Tracy being here ... And alive ... You too, Laura, and the nine other little girls.”

Laura just stepped up to me, placed her arms around me, resting her head on my chest.

“If ... If it was not for that German, I would not have found you ... and killed ... my own demons...” Laura said. “You’re my salvation.”

“If it was not for that German, me would not have been found by you. You have shown me that there is still, kindness and love in the world...” Tracy said, joining our hug. I just place my arms around both these lovely girls and pulled them close against me.

“That’s why I love you both. I hate to lose you both. I will keep you safe.” I said. We stood like that for a while longer. My two loves and me.

The moment shattered as a riot erupted with a dozen female voices, talking all at once, came up the path from the beach. We stood to the side of the path as the girls came charging past. The words “Pool” and “Ice-cream” were heard among the chatter.

“Come on, Unca-Don! Suzie said we get ice-cream!” came from Amy in the passing.

“We better go back! Me also want ice-cream.” Tracy said. “No long walk on the beach for you two love-birds!” Giggle.

“We’ll do that at sunset,” I said. Laura just looked at me and smiled.

“Me invited, or I get me time tomorrow evening ... Hmm?” Tracy said, fluttering her eyelids. Laura laughed. Me, I kept my mouth shut.

We arrived back at the lodge, while a flurry of activity was taking place. Bowls of ice-cream were dispersed to happy hands, receiving the bowls with smiles and giggles. Tracy somewhere in between. I suppose she’s among peers. Girls in her age group, yet she somehow stands out.

“They’re happy,” Laura said, looking at the rowdy crowd of teenage girls. One or two, not being teenagers yet.

“A lot happier than a few days ago,” I said.

“Thanks to you. You’ve taken them out of that place of safety and gave them heaven.” Laura said.

“I don’t know about heaven I just gave them what a teenager would like. That and safety. I don’t think half of them even realize what they are up against...” I said, my voice trailing off.

Amy came past with a bowl of ice-cream, eyes shining, happy smile on her face. I got a hip bump as she went past.

Ooh! I better watch out! Look like someone else is looking for a sunset walk on the beach!” Laura said, giggling.

Ah, Laura, she’s just happy,” I said. “Get yourself some ice-cream and let’s go outside. It’s such a lovely day.”

Charley, Aubrey, Suzie, and Laura joined me on the patio of the lodge. We all were enjoying ice-cream. Chocolate-chip infused ice-cream. Such a delight on a warm summer day.

My cell phone beeped an incoming text. Funds transfer alert from a bank in Canada. This was expected, but not so soon. I thought that Ludwig would try to twist my arm some more. As I expected, Ludwig was desperate.

“Well, Guys and Girls, my holiday is over. I need to be back at the farm, tonight,” I said. Laura, Charley, and Aubrey stopped spooning ice-cream into their mouths.

“Why tonight?” Laura asked.

“Ludwig has made the transfer. I need to get going on delivery of the merchandise,” I said.

“So soon! The bloke must be desperate to lay his hands on the merchandise,” Charley said.

“So, what happens now?” Aubrey chimed in.

“You all stay here. Watch the kids. I will go and get things done. I’ll see you ... say the day after next. Maybe sooner,” I said. Laura did not look pleased.