R. Edinger - Night Kill

Chloe was relieved to see Roxanne return. Roxanne retook her seat. Chloe sensed something was bothering Roxanne, but didn’t know what it was. Vlad moved back over by the fireplace.

“Where is Chad?” Chloe asked as she again reviewed her case notes.

“He chose not to accept our protection,” Vlad informed her. “He is with his mother.”

“Well,” Chloe said, putting her things away. “I think we are done for now.”

“Do you know where Wyatt is?” Vlad suddenly asked. Chloe found it rather weird that he waited until now to ask.

“My father knows,” Chloe answered. “And he is going after him.”

“Where?” Vlad pressed further.

“That information is confidential,” Chloe countered. “And you don’t need to know.”

“Rebellious, aren’t you?” Vlad added.

“Professional,” Chloe shot back. She grabbed her briefcase and walked out. Roxanne followed right behind her.

Andrew couldn’t sleep. It was still dark outside and hours before the dawn. He decided to get up and make some coffee. Andrew had just sat down at the breakfast nook and was about to take the first sip, when Megan came shuffling in the kitchen. She went to the cupboard and took a glass. Then she walked over to the refrigerator and took out the milk. Megan poured herself some and put the container back. She looked all warm and cozy in her pink fuzzy robe. She sat across from her husband.

“Couldn’t sleep?” Megan asked.

“No.” Andrew took the first sip.

“Why?” Megan asked.

“Stuff.” Andrew was withdrawn.

“I don’t like the fact that you are going after this Wyatt!” Megan just sort of blurted out. “Why does it always have to be you?”

“We’ve had this discussion,” Andrew grumbled.

“I know we talked about it eariler,” Megan snipped. “We’ve never been able to finish it, because you always make up some excuse.”

“You knew what I did when we first met,” Andrew shot back. “You knew the risks involved. Why are you bringing this up now? I don’t get it.”

“I’m bringing it up because we’re having a baby,” Megan reminded. “And that changes things for me; us. I want you to be around to raise your son or daughter.” Megan pushed aside her glass and reached out for Andrew’s hands. He moved his cup to the side and accepted her hands into his. “I don’t argue with that fact, because most of your cases are pretty normal stuff, you know.” Megan bit her lower lip and then went on, “It’s just that you’re going after these Knights of VanHelsing, and well, they’re trained killers. From what you told me, they wouldn’t hesitate to kill anyone, and that’s including you. That’s what I don’t like.”

“It not just me, you know,” Andrew answered. “There is a team of us going to Germany. We’re meeting with the authorities and are going to develop a plan of attack.” Andrew looked at her and squeezed her hands. “Yes, I won’t lie to you that there is some risk involved, but I can handle it.”

“I…I don’t want to lose you,” Megan broke free of his grasp. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Andrew got up and rushed to her side. He laid his head on her ever expanding tummy. Andrew felt the baby move.

“What do you want me to do?” Andrew spoke more calmly now. “Work retail security? Retire for good?”

“No I don’t want that,” Megan gently caressed his hair. “I just don’t want you to do something stupid and it ends up costing you your life. Besides, retail security would be too boring for you.” Megan teased. “You’d probably end up getting fired for taking out a shoplifter with your martial arts moves.” She laughed; Andrew joined her. He pictured bagging some middle aged shoplifter with a roundhouse kick combination. It made him laugh harder. Megan was laughing so hard it made her feel like she had to go to the bathroom.

“My mom called today.” Megan sobered up and changed the subject. She needed to so as not to think about the other stuff. “She wants me to come for a visit. Is that okay?”

“I think it would be a great idea,” Andrew agreed. Andrew opened up his arms and drew her into his loving embrace

“Ready for bed?” Andrew asked tenderly.

“Yes,” Megan answered him in the same way.

The Berlin airport was always a flurry of activity, with hundreds of passengers passing through. Lieutenant Otto Gunderson nervously paced back and forth as he watched the steady stream of passengers. He was interested only in the group disembarking from the United States flight. Would he recognize Andrew among the mob of faces?

“Lieutenant, you’re wearing a hole in the floor.” Detective Fredrick Schindler scolded.

“I’m just nervous,” Lieutenant Otto Gunderson answered his junior partner.

Otto stopped pacing for now. He recalled working with Andrew on the Jensen kidnapping case about ten years ago. It was the only time they worked together. So as you can imagine, Otto was quite shocked to receive Andrew’s call a few days ago.

“Lieutenant,” Fredrick broke the silence between them. “I think I can see him.” Each of them focused on the passengers getting off the plane. Otto spotted Andrew walking toward them, as well as another man and two women. All four were dressed alike in black clothing and long black trench coats.

Andrew saw his old friend Lieutenant Gunderson along with a younger man waiting for them at the departure gate. He was surprised at how much older Otto looked now. His hair was grayer and he had a lot more of it back then. Even Otto’s clothes seemed to fit more tightly now than before. The other man with Otto had peppered blonde hair with a trimmed beard that followed his jaw line.

He was dressed stylishly in a dark blue suit and tan full length trench coat.

Andrew and the others walked up to the two men.

“Guten Morgen,” Otto greeted Andrew.

“Guten Morgen,” Andrew greeted back. He asked who was with him, “Wer ist dieser mit Ihnen?” Otto switched to English.

“This is Sergeant Schindler” Otto introduced him.

“Hello,” Andrew shook hands with him.

“Fredrick.” He smiled. “But call me Fred.”

“Detective Nick Flannery,” Andrew introduced those with him. “And this is Kara Sadler and Sheriff Talia Delsmann.”

“Hello,” Fred answered.

“Hello,” Otto greeted them. He was caught off guard by Kara’s black hair with red streaks. She was very striking. The other woman looked too young to have such authority.

“Welcome to Berlin,” Otto spread his arms.

“We’ve booked you at the Hotel Augusta,” Fred informed them.

“We have to report at the station first,” Otto added. “We will rejoin you at the hotel.”

“Sounds good,” Andrew answered for the rest. The four of them went to retrieve their luggage as Otto and Fred waited. Soon the four returned, and with Otto and Fred, left the airport terminal. As soon as the entire luggage was squared away, they all departed for their separate ways.

Andrew and the others arrived at the Hotel Augusta. They exited the car as hotel staff greeted them and retrieved everyone’s luggage.

Once in the main lobby, they all walked up to the desk. The front desk clerk, a young looking woman with coal black hair and attired in a crisp, clean hotel uniform, greeted them with a wide smile, “Guten Tag.”

“Guten Tag,” Andrew smiled back. He asked if she spoke English. “Sprechen sie Englisch.”

“Ja, ich spreche Englisch,” she answered ‘yes’.

“Reservations for Knight,” Andrew continued.

“Just staying for tonight?” she said looking at the computer screen.

“Yes,” Andrew answered.

“The Hotel Augusta located in Berlin’s elegant Charlottenburg district, offers individual rooms and suites. All rooms include a safe, minibar and TV. Some also had a balcony or terrace. This family-run hotel offers free Wi-Fi access and free parking. It stands beside Uhlandstrabe underground station, just a few steps from the famous Kurfurstendamm shopping street,” she recited for all of them. She took a breath and continued, “Breakfast is served in the Augusta’s bright breakfast room each morning. Many restaurants, bars, cafes and shops can be reached on foot. The ICC (congress centre) and the exhibition grounds are a 10-minute bus ride from Hotel Augusta.” When she was finished, Andrew and the others chuckled.