Chapter 26

I started a 500 feet per minute climb to 5000 feet while Lorie was chatting to Captain Davie onboard the Ocean Wanderer. Davie reported that around 06:00 SAST, a blip on the radar screen came around the bluff in Spencer Bay and passed them while the fog was still blanketing the area. It headed south at about 12 knots. If this was Max and the Sea Swan, he would have about three hours head start on us. Three hours at a steady 12 knots would place the Sea Swan 30 or 36 nautical miles south of us. That translates to sixty-six kilometres. Halfway to Lüderitz by now.

“If we climb to 10000 feet, we might see him,” I said.

“Abort mission and go find a shower,” she advised.

“Good thinking. Let’s go to the ship,” and I started to circle the Ocean Wanderer, losing altitude. “Besides, I need to go show someone I care.”

Giggle. “Yip, you got Cupid’s shot good and solid, right through the heart. By the way, I need to ask you something.”

“Fire away,” I said.

“Last night, about as TC and I went to the tents, I saw Darya creep out of the ops tent and sneak towards her tent. Know anything about that?”

“She came to ask me for forgiveness for missing her target with Max and being too slow to keep Angie from being hurt,” I said, then looked out the side window, assessing the wind direction and the pitching of the deck.

“Oh. And did you forgive her?”

“Yes, yes I did.”

“Hmm...”

“Lorie, she came and confessed that she was sorry that Angie got hurt. That was all. I accepted her apology, and she was happy. Anything else?”

“Just, why could she not have done it in the open?”

“Lorie, let’s get this bucket on the ship, and when we are all relaxed, I’ll tell you about Darya’s visit. Promise.”

Giggle, “Your turn to come clean!”

“Oh, brother! Yes, but not much to come clean about. All was professional and in order.”

“Okay, Egghead, I believe you. Now, take us in and let’s find a shower!”

“Call altitude,” I ordered.

“Fifty feet ... Forty feet ... Steady at 5 knots indicated, thirty ... twenty ... Hold hover.”

I had one eye on the LSO and one eye on the pitching deck. Moments later we were down and solidly stuck on the deck. The ground crew scrambled to secure the helicopter and tie it down. Lorie and I started the shutdown sequence to a cold and dark configuration. Back at home base! This might just be the last time I will fly the Puma, so we’ll see to it that she is properly secured.

Angie’s cabin door was open, and I could see her in the bunk, lying on her back with her head turned away. I softly knocked.

“Go away! Leave me alone!” she croaked, without turning her head.

“Oh, okay, your majesty,” I said and made about to leave.

“Ash! No, no, come here,” she cried, and tried to sit up. “Ow!”

“Slowly, sweetie pie! Don’t hurt yourself.”

“Hi stranger, you look like shit.”

“Thanks, I feel it and desperately need a shower.”

Giggle. “I did not want to say anything! So, what gives?”

“Never mind me, how are you doing, sweetie pie?”

“They confined me to my bunk. Ooo!” she exclaimed, and I believe if she could stamp her tiny feet, she would.

“It’s best. Don’t want you to tear out those stitches.”

“It’s okay! You’re here now. I missed you.”

“How’s your knee?”

“My knee? I did not hurt my knee...”

“Oh! Last night you told me you fell off your bicycle and hurt your knee.” Chuckle.

“Oh, yeah, mom told me I was acting strange.”

“Nope, not you. It was that injection they gave you. That stuff is potent and will make paint peel off walls.”

“I can’t remember anything. Just that it was bloody sore, and that Ranger guy burned me with a red-hot poker.”

“Nah, it was some goo he poured on the wound to stop the bleeding.”

“Mom said I was bleeding like a slaughtered pig.”

“Well, it’s over now, and you’re going to be fine.”

“I’ll be fine as soon as I get out of this cabin and get some fresh air!”

“Let me see what I can arrange...”

“Oh, Ash, you’re such a darling. Will you? Arrange for me to go up on deck?”

“Yes, the fresh air will do you good. Fresh sea air is always good for healing,” I said. “Anyway, I heard through the grapevine that we are going to Swakop.”

“Why?” she wondered.

“Well, seems like the powers that be ain’t so much interested in the submarine anymore. They believe it to be too deep in the sand, and a new theory has arisen that Max’s grandfather did find the sub and ransacked it.”

“So, this was all for nothing?”

“Not quite.”

“Why?”

“Because in all this mess, I found a rare Desert Rose...”

“Come here,” she purred and slowly worked her way up on the pillows.

“Why come here?”

“So I can kiss the living daylights out of you, Doofus!”

“Okay, but don’t hurt yourself,” I murmured, and took her in my arms. We kissed, long and passionate. Then we had to come up for air and Angie dropped back onto the pillows.

“Wow! You make my toes curl!” she sighed, and blushed. “I do love you, you know?”

“Same here, sweetie pie, same here,” I chuckled.

“Why are you laughing at me?” she challenged, fire in her eyes.

“I just thought back to the day we met.”

“And?”

“You just walked into my room and said; ‘Let’s talk!’ No greeting, no ‘can I come in,’ just; ‘Let’s talk!’”

Giggle. “And you told me; ‘Sit down!’ And I did.” Giggle.

“And then the thing with your freckles and the war paint.”

“Oh, I know. That was for Roland’s benefit. By the way, what is happening with Roland?”

“I don’t know, but I will find out.”

“Another thing, Ash, I need to go back to Roland’s place and get all my stuff. Now everything is almost sorted, I need to go back to mom and dad in Swakopmund.”

“Let’s cross that bridge when we get there, sweetie pie,” I said; but I detected a cloud in her eyes.

“Where will you be going, Ash?”

“I haven’t thought about it. I’m still riding the rainbow.”

“Will there be a seat on that rainbow for little ole me?”

“Always, sweetie pie! There will always be a seat for you...” This time the blanket went flying and Angie was hugging me; standing on her knees on the bunk, and her arms choking my neck; little kisses raining on my face.

Giggle. Sniff. “You need a shower! And me too...” she stated, with a naughty light twinkling in her green eyes.

“Okay ... So, how do you propose we go about it? There are too many eyes and ears around this ship.”

Giggle.” We’ll take our chances; so what if we get caught?”

“You’ll never live it down.”

“Well, buster, I can’t reach my back with all this fishing line sewed into my side! So I need help.” Giggle.

“Okay. You’ve made your point, but your mom will see through it.”

“I can handle my mom.”

“Well, let’s get Angie cleaned up then.”

“Giggle. “And Ashie too!”

“Oh, brother! I’ll burn in hell for this. But who cares?”

I was just about to join Angie in the shower when Davie called me to the bridge. A ship to shore call was waiting for me. Of all the rotten timing there could be! I’ll make this quick.

“Ashwin Windsor,” I said into the handset.

“Took your time to get to the bridge?”

“Well, I just got back from the shore camp and need a shower.”

“Oh, is that what I smell.” Chuckle.

“Now, maybe you just farted, and that’s what you smell.”

“Touchy this morning, ain’t we?”

“Charley! Why did you call me?”

“Just to tell you to relax. Shadow indicates that Max is running for Lüderitz and home. And Adolf did not make it back to the Sea Swan. We suspect that Max took him out after an argument or something.”

“Okay. But that doesn’t conclude this mission.”

“Yes, it does. There will be some people waiting for him on the dockside: mutual friends of mine. He’s got some ‘splaining to do, especially about the disappearance of Adolf.”

“The WJRO?”

“Might be them ... Might be someone else, but Max is in for it.”

“So, how do I relax? Do you have anything in mind?”

“Nope, not now. Go to your penthouse in Southbroom and just go chill. Your fee will be paid into your usual account.”

“Gee thanks, Charley! What about the Rothmans? Can they relax now too?”

“You know? A miracle happened. Remember that fatal Cessna crash out in the bundu? Well, it seems that the pilot and her passengers got out with only a few minor scrapes and bruises. They went off in search of help and were found a few days later.”

“Well, that seems to be good news. What happened to the bodies that were reported in the newspaper?”

“There were no bodies. It was an overeager journalist fabricating stuff.”

Just goes to show, you can’t trust what you read in the newspaper!”

“True, very true. Newspapers are all about sensation. Sensation and propaganda sell newspaper copies. Make money; so why rely on the truth if you can bend the truth to sell a few more copies?”

“Yeah, I was always of the opinion that reporters are related to lawyers, who are related to the devil himself.”

“Watch it! I am a respectable lawyer...”

“You don’t say! You, a lawyer, Charley?”

“The best there is!”

“So now I have another image of you. Next time I’ll get my own lawyer to draw up our contracts. I don’t trust you anymore.” Chuckle.

“Ow! That hurt!”

“You know I don’t mean it.”

“If I did not know you like my own son, I would have been very hurt now.”

“So, the mission is over?”

“Let’s see. One: Gretah and Friederich Rothman were found, alive and well. Two: Roland Rothman is in custody for smuggling diamonds. Three: The DC-3 was recovered. Four: The sub is still missing, but not needed, as the cargo on the sub was recovered by Max’s grandfather, and some stuff is in the grandfather’s house in Lüderitz. Yeah. I think the mission is over. Good work from you three.”

“Wait, how do you know there is stuff in the house in Lüderitz?”

“An agent visited the site and found a secret passage out of the study that led to a closed-off part of the attic. There were some fine paintings and gold bars in a seaman’s trunk there; also, an assortment of jewelry that dates back to around the 1920s; all pieces that the WJRO were interested in. I suppose that is why they are waiting on Max to set foot on shore.” Chuckle.

“So, that is proof that Max’s grandfather did indeed go back to the sub, and took the cargo off?”

“Affirmative.”

“Why did Max and his father before him not find the stuff?”

“One might never know. But if Max did not start to search, in the wrong places I might add, we would not have got to the bottom of this.”

“There are still too many loose ends. What about the diamond route out of Angola?”

“Angola, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo? It will be plugged in time. That is for another time and another place.”

“I better go get my shower. Do we leave the Puma on-board the Ocean Wanderer?”

“Yes, she will be fine there until you might use her again. Do send my regards to the Redhead. I still have a proposition for her.”

“Charley?”

“What my boy? That I will pay for her studies? That she come and help me with a 75,000-year-old question?”

“You’re serious, ain’t you?”

“Dead serious. It is called ‘Investment in the future.’ Someday you will understand, my boy. Someday you will see things like I do. That day, you will be sitting in my chair...” And the line went dead.

For a long moment, I just stared at the handset before replacing it back on its cradle. What did Charley mean by; “That day you will be sitting in my chair?” Is Charley grooming me to take over the foundation? Will I be worthy of that?

I shook my head to clear my thoughts. Angie is waiting. Never let a woman wait; you will regret it.

And, what happened to Adolf? Did Max do him in? Where is the body then?

“Captain Davie, can we get TC on the radio?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Max returned to the ship without Adolf. Adolf might be still out in the desert.”

“Shit! Okay, I’ll notify TC and arrange for a search. But they must be snappy. I want to be out of here before lunch. Swakop is still a way off.”

“Okay, keep me posted. Now, for a shower!” I said, and Davie just smirked. Do I smell that bad?

As I’ve come to know, showering with Angie is fun. A giggling Angie, all soaped up and wiggling in the shower is much fun. Letting my hands roam is exciting. Having her melt into me and trade kisses under the water-spray is wonderful. Now! Get your mind out of the gutter!

We need to see to it that her wound doesn’t get soap-soaked. Although it is good for the wound, too much is a problem. After the shower, I redressed her wound for her. Another day, and we could keep it open to the air.

The redressing of the wound produced more giggles, as Angie laid on her bunk on her back. Stark naked. I told her to dress in panties and bra, but no. “You’ve seen it all, so why bother?” It took major restraint on my part to not just go all the way with this desert nymph.

I could see in Angie’s eyes that she was also moved by our togetherness in this situation, but she was not ready yet, and I respected that. The only thing I was allowed to do was to kiss her and rub those small a-cup titties. Yes, she did not mind, as I washed and soaped them a few moments ago.

Now, she moaned as played with her. I did not continue for too long because I saw the fire in her eyes and knew that before long she would be unstoppable. Let us refrain until Angie’s ready. Besides, mom or dad, or both could peek in any time.

“Get dressed,” I croaked.

“But I want you to go on,” she complained, lips pouting.

“When we are absolutely alone. Too many people about here.”

“Damn!”

“Angie!”

“Oh, sorry! Another write-up, maybe more spanking?”

“Maybe?”

Giggle.

“Come, get dressed, and then we go up on deck.”

“Ah, yes, fresh air awaits!”

“What shall I wear? My summer dress? It’s ruined...”

“Don’t worry. I’ll get you one like that dress. I liked it.”

“Really, Ash? You liked that summer dress of mine?”

“Yeah, made you look so innocent and pretty.”

Giggle. “I’m not so innocent.”

“As long as I believe it, it’s true.”

“That’s why I love you,” Angie said and crawled into my lap. Kissing me.

“Angie! Get dressed! Or else...”

“Ooo! Or else what?”

“Never mind.”

“Ah well, let’s get dressed,” she mimicked and got up out of my lap. “Now, what shall I wear?”

“Oh, brother!” I sighed. “Birthday suits don’t count!”

At 11:30 SAST, the rubber duck from the beach came alongside, and Darya Kalondarova came aboard with all her kit. The rubber duck went back to the beach in preparation for the departure of TC and his Rangers. They will be going back to Windhoek.

Darya came up to Angie and me where we were standing at the port rail. As usual, she was decked out in fresh, crisp desert camo fatigues, looking much younger than her twenty-three years of age.

“Good morning, Captain Windsor, Miss Angie. Major TC said to inform you that they found remains that could be that of the missing person, Adolf.”

“Okay, Darya, thank you. I will speak to the major later. But what does he mean by it could be Adolf?”

“Apparently the person was eaten by the desert lions,” she explained, and Angie went pale in the face. “Sorry Miss Angie, but it seems from the scraps of clothing found, that it could have been Adolf.”

“Thank you, Darya,” I said, while Angie grabbed my biceps and clung to me.

“May I be dismissed, Sir.”

“Ash, my name is Ash. We are at ease now, Darya. Yes, you may go and relax now. But later today, you must show Angie and me your Barrett rifle.”

“Thank you, S..., I mean, Ash. Miss Angie, please excuse me, I’ll catch you later, and, Miss Angie, if you wish, I’ll let you fire the Barrett. You will like that?” she said, smiled and winked at Angie. Then she turned, hitched up her kit, and headed to where Leah and Olivia had appeared out on the deck, waving at her.

“Ash?”

“I know it sounds gross, but yes, I think Max took out Adolf, and then the lions happened to come across the body.”

“I hope he was dead by that time...” Angie said and shuddered. I placed my arm across her shoulders and pulled her close. As I did, I felt the vibration of the deck beneath our feet.

The Ocean Wanderer was coming alive, her engines increasing the revolutions of the twin screws, frothing the water at the stern under the helideck. From the bow came the rattling of the anchor chains as the twin anchors were weighed. We were underway, slowly coming about to the north, towards Swakopmund.

Our journey would take sixteen or seventeen hours. If all went well, we’d be in Swakopmund by 05:00 SAST tomorrow morning. Sixteen or seventeen hours to relax and reflect.