Chapter 11

The call disconnected, and I looked at the cell phone display. “Private Number.” What the...

“Who was that?” Bobbie asked.

“I wish I knew...” I muttered. “Bloody idiot!” And before I could say anything my phone chimed an incoming WhatsApp message.

“Excuse me a minute...” I apologized, and I got up and walked out of the hangar.

Why did I not say anything about that the call? Was it the reference to “Miss McGee”? Something was afoot, and I could not lay my finger on it.

Outside the hangar I opened the WhatsApp message. It was from a hidden number. Just a few laughing face emojis in a row, but the picture attached send a chill down my spine.

It was a picture of John and Jenny, tied up, and there was grey-silver duct tape pasted across their mouths. The caption read: “Return Miss McGee, or else... ”

“Dammit! Is Dezz trying again, and where did she get my private number?” I thought without voicing my thoughts.

Suddenly I had a brain-fart. If they could send a message to me, I could respond to it! Yeah! Not a brain-fart after all, but a good idea.

I started to type a return message: “Tell Dezz McGee to release John and Jenny, unharmed. Now!” I pressed send and thought of something. Then I added: “Or Else!”

It took a few minutes, and my cell phone chimed. I looked at the display: “You are in no position to threaten US. If Miss McGee is not returned to US, you will bear the consequences.”

“Dammit, dammit, dammit!!!” My day is turning to shit.

I texted back: “Without Miss McGee you have nothing. Tell Dezz to go fuck herself!”

“You’re not dealing with Dezz now. You are dealing with US!” They texted back.

“Hmm...” I thought.

“Where must I deliver Miss McGee?” Send.

“At the Yacht Club, Knysna Lagoon, Thesen Island Harbour. Further instructions will follow... “ Came the answering text, and as I read it, the sender went offline.

I walked back into the hangar. “Sorry guys and girls, but we won’t be flying again today. Something came up, and I need to attend to it forthwith.”

That led to a few groans, and disappointment clouded Bobbie’s face.

“You look troubled, Louis. What’s wrong?” She asked, seeing distress on my face.

“Just a little something I need to attend to, Sweetie. But I need to go back home and deal with it.” I responded, not wanting to startle her or let on about John and Jenny with the flight school gang here.

“Well, we better let you off the hook, then. Some other time, perhaps?”

“Yeah. Sorry, but I’ve got to go.”

“No problem, buddy. Thanks for the coffee.”

“It was a pleasure...” And with that the flight school crew left. Bobbie looked at me.

“Spit it out! I’ve not seen you like this before.”

“Bobbie, remember when we said, no secrets?”

“Yes...”

“Well, Sweetie Pie, trust me for just a little while longer, and then I’ll tell you.”

“Is it something bad?”

“I don’t know yet ... Let me first verify some facts. Okay?”

“Okay. Let’s go home...”, and she came over to me, then she reached out and placed her arms around my waist. “Whatever is troubling you, I’ll be there for you.”

Then she stepped up on her toes and kissed me on the cheek. “Let’s go fix your troubles.”

She let go of me and walked over to the car. I watched her departure and wondered how I was going to resolve this problem without upsetting her.

I sighed, switched off the hangar lights and closed and locked the doors. Then I joined her at the car.

Back home Bobbie had the good mind to take leave of me and went to make coffee in the kitchen while I went off to my study. I closed the door and phoned Jeff’s brother.

“Louis! What a surprise! How are you and Miss McGee doing?”

“Not too well. Okay Bobbie is fine, I am fine, but some voice called me from a private number and told me that they have Jenny and her husband John. If I don’t return Bobbie to Plettenberg Bay and them, I will not see John and Jenny again...”

“When were you called?”

“About forty minutes ago.”

“And you only call me now!”

“I did not want Bobbie to know and had to get her occupied somehow, so I can speak to you.”

“Okay. So, she doesn’t know yet?”

“No.”

“Are you two still in Pretoria?”

“Yes.”

“Okay ... And you say this, ah, voice said you must return Bobbie to them?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Stay put until I call you.”

“Do you think this is that bitch of a mother of hers again?”

“I have my theories ... Bobbie is a redhead?”

“Yeah ... with blue eyes. Why?”

“Give me a half hour or so. I’ll call you back ... I have an idea.”

“What?”

“Wait until I call you. Stay put. And Louis, if they call again, just play along.”

“I already did. I asked them where to deliver Bobbie.”

“And?”

“They said at the marina, Thesen Island, Knysna lagoon.”

“Right! Stay put. I’ll call you just now,” Jonah said and disconnected.

I sat back in my office chair. What is Jonah going to do? Well, I suppose I will find out in a few minutes. Ah, well, let me go find Bobbie.

Somewhere in a five-story red brick building on the eastern city limits in Pretoria a telephone rang.

“Brigadier Franks,” Came the curt answer.

“Brigadier, Colonel Dawson, Organised Crime, Cape Town, speaking.”

“Go ahead Colonel. How can I help?”

“I have a problem, Brigadier. An abduction involving an international group.”

“And you want the help of Interpol?”

“Brigadier, I need your help.”

“My help? Not Interpol’s help?”

“Yes, your help. Let me explain...” And Jonah Dawson gave an outline of the problem, the previous abduction, and his plan going forward. Joe listened with attention. Slowly a smile formed on his lips.

“And how do you know this?”

“Oh, come on Brigadier, no offence, and with due respect, but there’re rumours on the corners ... if you need good information ... you’ll listen to the word of mouth...”

“I thought it was a secret?”

“This secret is like that brother in jail, we know of him, but we just don’t speak about him.”

“Do you suspect that the crooks are in Plettenberg Bay or Knysna?”

“They did tell Louis that he must deliver Miss McGee to the marina in Knysna. So I suppose they are there.”

“And they deny the fact that the mother is involved again?”

“I have my doubts. She tried once, she’s bound to try again.”

“Colonel, I might just know someone, that knows someone, that can help you.”

“Thank you, Brigadier. I would appreciate that.”

“Do you want me to have Interpol start proceedings to have the mother arrested on suspicion?”

“Can you do that, Brigadier?”

“Watch this space! And, Colonel, give me ten minutes. I need to make a call.”

“Again, thank you, Brigadier.”

“Call you in ten minutes,” and Joe broke the connection.

Joe Franks sat back in his office chair and looked out the window. It was a clear day in Pretoria. The sky was that pale blue that foretold the coming heat, but not too much. It was still winter, but the daytime temperature will be good.

Joe sighed, picked up his cell phone and dialled a number that was on speed dial.

“Hello, Blue. Are you missing me?” A female voice answered.

“Hi Mai-Loan, I need the Angels. Now! The full crew...”

“Where are we going?”

“Cape Town.”

“Two are in Cape Town, Roxy and Darya. The rest are here with me. Leah is scheduled to fly out to Frankfurt tomorrow with cargo on the seven forty-seven, but send me the details, and we all can fly out within the hour. Dave or Don can stand in for Leah on the flight to Frankfurt.”

“No! I need Nadia first. I want her to go to an address that I will text you shortly. And Mai, have Nadia change her eye colour to sapphire blue!”

Giggle. “Anything for you, Blue...”

“Thanks, Sweetie, I knew you would come through, again!” Joe said and disconnected. Then he called Colonel Dawson in Cape Town.

It was approaching lunchtime. Bobbie was reading the book on the Harvard construction and history while reclining on the patio couch.

I have not given her any more information; just that the problem is being resolved, and I would fill her in when I had more details. She was not really satisfied, but willing to abide with my explanation.

Those more details came by car: specifically in a Jeep Cherokee that stopped at the steps to the patio and disgorged four young women.

Bobbie became excited as she recognised Leah, the German girl who flew the seven forty-seven. “Hi Leah! What brings you here?” she greeted as she raced down the steps to welcome the visitors.

“Oh, just a little visit! Hi, Louis! You did not think you would see me this soon again...”

The now five young women, including Bobbie, ascended the steps, and I gasped as I saw Bobbie next to the forth girl in the group. In the group was Bobbie’s twin sister! Bobbie looked perplexed as well.

“Well, you guys, let me introduce my friends,” Leah said. “This is Mai-Loan, and the other blond is Olivia. Me you know.” Then she turned to a small frame girl with ginger red hair, freckles and ... sapphire blue eyes! “And this beauty is... Barbara McGee, known as Bobbie!”

I dropped back onto the couch and Bobbie sat glued to me. “How...?” I croaked.

“Let us sit down and then I will explain,” The black-haired girl, Mai-Loan, replied.

“Louis, you received a call this morning. Does Miss McGee know about it?”

“No!” I replied.

“Well, tell her. We are all here for support,” Leah interjected.

“Tell me what? That I have a twin sister with the same name?” Bobbie stammered.

“No, Bobs. There has been a little development. We suspect your mother is trying to get you to go to the USA again,” I started.

“I’M NOT GOING!” Bobbie, spat, and I could see the flush of anger on her face and neck.

“You are correct; you are not going,” Mai-Loan stated. “Tell her the rest, Louis.”

“Someone kidnapped Jenny and John and want to exchange them for you...” I spilled out the sack of potatoes, or like others say, let the cat out of the bag.

“WHAT!” Bobbie exclaimed. Her eyes narrowed, and she started fuming. “She kidnapped Jenny and John ... and wants to exchange them for me! Why? Can’t she get it in her thick skull that I don’t want to go to America?!”

“Slow down, Bobbie.” Mai-Loan soothed. “We are going to give you to them ... only it will not be you, but Nadia here.”

“Nadia, I thought...” The Bobbie burst out in a nervous laugh. “Oh cute, you are going to substitute me with her, and...”

“ ... Get Jenny and John back!” Nadia said, placing her hand on Bobbie’s shoulder.

Seeing the two next to each other, I had to blink. The resemblance was striking.

“But ... but ... they will hurt you ... They will take you away ... to America!” Bobbie stammered.

“No, they won’t.” Nadia replied. “They don’t know me...”

“How?” I asked. “How can this small girl take on those creeps that abducted John and Jenny?”

“Ever heard of the Angels?” Mai-Loan asked.

“No. Who’s ‘the Angels’?”

“It is better you don’t know, Louis. Just trust us.”

“I heard that before!” Bobbie replied. “Just trust me ... And look where we are now ... Poor Jenny and John!”

“Bobbie, listen to me,” Nadia began. “Those people that took John and Jenny, they don’t know you. They have maybe seen a photo of you. An old photo. They will not recognise that I’m not you. And trust me girl, I can deal with them. I’ve dealt with that sort of scum before.”

“Okay ... Now, what now?” Bobbie asked.

“Yeah, what now?” I repeated Bobbie’s question.

“You, dear Louis, you are going to go through the motions of exchanging me for John and Jenny, then you are going to get out of the line of fire and watch the fireworks!” Nadia spat out the words.

“Okay. And Bobbie here?”

“Bobbie is going with us to a safe place.”

“Where is that?”

“Oh, somewhere where we can give her a ride in an Impala, or a Buccaneer, or maybe in a Mirage or two...” Mai-Loan chuckled.

“Huh?”

The Angels burst out laughing.

“Oh, let’s just get this over with. Now, Louis, how are the two of us going to get to Cape Town?” Nadia asked.

“I have a Cessna 402 we could use,” I replied.

“Oh, goody! I can get some stick time, maybe,” and she fluttered her eyelashes at me.

Bobbie giggled. “Louis, just don’t get too fresh with the new Bobbie!”

“Now Louis, what’s your plan going forward?” Mai-Loan asked, and I looked at the girl with the long black hair and slight Asian facial features.

“On this moment, I have no plan. I’m waiting on instructions from a Colonel Dawson from the SAPS.

“Hmm...” Mai-Loan muttered. “He’s not the one that contracted us.”

“Who contracted you?” I asked.

“It’s need to know, and you don’t need to know. It makes life safer for you.”

“Oh...” I replied. “Well keep on treating me like a mushroom!”

“How? Keep you in the dark and feeding you shit? Sorry Bobbie...” Mai-Loan teased.

“It’s okay,” Came from the twins, Bobbie and Nadia. Then they looked at one another, giggled and high-fived.

“Oh, for ducks fake!” Leah sighed. “Nadia is already into the Bobbie character!”

More giggles from Nadia and Bobbie.

“Okay,” I interjected. “It seems like Nadia and I will be winging it to Plett in the 402, and we need to leave soon, as it’s a four hour thirty minutes flight.”

“First we go to Don and Dave’s place in Northwest.”

“Why?”

“To see that Bobbie is settled in with Tracy.”

“Oh, brother! Not Tracy!”

Chuckle. “Why not? Tracy is close to Bobbie in age and is a sweet harmless girl,” Mai-Loan said.

“Oh, yeah! You’ve not been on that flight from George to here with her!”

Leah chuckled. “What about the flight? Tracy was good and proper and in line, AND she behaved like an angel.”

“Yeah, yeah. A little black wing angel! Go ask what’s-his-name, ... Arno, the poor thing,” I countered.

“Okay now. If you need to be in Plett by this evening, we better get a move on,” Mai-Loan instructed.

Leah looked at me and placed her hand on my arm. “Go fetch the 402 and bring it to our field. We can depart from there. Besides, we still need to pack, and we are going with you.”

“Right then, let’s move.”

Mai-Loan, Leah, and Olivia climbed back in the Jeep to take it to the field in Northwest. Bobbie, Nadia and I went back to Wonderboom to fetch the 402.

Forty minutes later, we were all seated on Don’s front patio. And so help me, there were THREE redheads giggling away: one green-eyed and twin sisters with blue eyes. I made a comment about that and was rewarded with Nadia taking out one contact lens, showing me one blue eye and one green eye.

“If I need to look like Bobbie, I must become Bobbie!”

“Okay now, pipe down,” Dave said. “Louis, you say it’s a four, and a half hours flight to Plett?”

“Yeah.

“Can we use the 402 when you’re gone? “Don asked.

“I don’t understand...”

“Okay here’s the deal; You leave the 402 here for us to use, and you take one of the Platypusses. ZS-AAW is prepped and ready to fly: true airspeed of 289 knots; fuel for the trip of 119 gallons or 799 pounds; climb to Angels 20 in twelve minutes at 1285 feet per minute; so tie-down to tie-down, two hours thirty-three minutes. That saves you two hours. What say you?” Dave offered.

“You did not ask if I’m rated...” I chuckled.

“Of course, you are rated. I landed at Wonderboom after you one time. It was one of those rare moments when two PC-12s were in the landing pattern. Nowadays they are like ten a penny.”

“Yeah ... Thanks I will take that offer, and you are welcome to slow coach Undyliner! But, hey ... it’s all I could afford at the time.”

“But a reliable plane on short hauls. Now, girls, go pack and meet us at the hangar,” Don instructed.

“I was wondering about what the girls need to pack besides clothes.

Together Olivia and I did the preflight of the PC-12. She won the match draw against Mai-Loan and Leah to see who will fill the co-pilot seat.

I still struggled to understand this blond beauty and her southern U S of A accent. I hear she is originally from Louisiana and cut her teeth flying F-18s and a list of other warbirds. And she can handle a crossbow and some rather fearsome guns.

I came to understand that Mai-Loan was the undercover operative, the organiser, and the girl of many colours. Sometimes Chinese, sometimes Iranian, but in reality, Vietnamese. She speaks Vietnamese, Mandarin, Arabic, Farsi, French and Russian. She holds passports from five countries and has investment and economic interest in seven.

Leah, the German girl was just as versatile, speaking seven languages besides German, and has investments in five countries, and good with flying fighter jets and helicopters.

Nadia was an enigma, Polish by birth but Russian by association. Also, a girl with various economic interests, but trained as a demolition and explosives technician. And, according to Don, deadly with any gun.

It was an emotional goodbye for Bobbie. For more than a month now, we had been together almost daily. Sometimes on the odd Saturday, Jeff, Sue and I have attended her hockey matches, and cheered wildly as she scored goals for her team. And if there was a problem on the field, and an opponent denied her the chance of scoring, a chocolate malt and a hug made everything good again.