by Jim Reeves
Betine offered Joe a slip of paper. ‘Here is my telephone number. I want you to call me the moment you get back to England.’
Joe took the paper from her and studied it. ‘I don’t want to carry this. If things don’t work out, they might find it and come looking for you.’
‘You have to let me know what’s happened,’ said Betine anxiously.
Joe entered the number on his mobile. ‘I’ve put in the last five digits with a Birmingham STD code in front. They won’t recognise that.’ He left the slip of paper on the table.
‘Do you think you will ever return to Eichl?’ asked Betine.
‘Not sure if Mister Braun would be too happy to see me,’ Joe smiled.
‘I’d be happy to see you,’ Betine told him.
‘We’ll see,’ Joe said avoiding her gaze. They both knew he wouldn’t be coming back.
Betine got ready to leave soon after breakfast. They stood by the door and she looked at Joe with doleful, moist eyes. ‘Take care. And please call me when you can.’ They kissed briefly then she slipped out through the door and was gone.
Joe cursed Braun. He knew that he might never see Betine again and the ache he felt was far worse than any pain he had experienced in the previous few days. It did occur to him that if Bruno hadn’t grabbed him at the airport then he would never have seen Betine again anyway, but he was in no mood to feel grateful.
Chapter 26
Joe left for the bus station early in the afternoon. He was well rested, well fed and more or less thawed out but still, he walked warily down the road that led past Magda’s apartment building. He knew that he was almost unrecognizable in his new clothes but he had no wish to put the disguise to the test.
He had no need to worry, there were few people about and little traffic on the roads. He reached the bridge and crossed the river without incident. His confidence grew. Maybe there wouldn’t be any need for a Plan B after all.
Nevertheless, he proceeded with caution, half expecting Bruno to step out of a shop doorway at any moment. But there was no sign of Bruno, Karl or Meat Loaf. Maybe they had taken the hint and realised he didn’t much like their company. He doubted that it would be that easy.
As he arrived at the entrance to the station car park, Joe turned and walked quickly up the drive that led to the hotel overlooking the station. After about twenty yards he ducked left into the bushes and crawled carefully down the slope to his previous hiding place.
He couldn’t see any sign of anybody over by the bus loading bays but below him, much closer, was a blue Opel. The car was facing the bus stops at a slight angle. From his position Joe could see the man in the driving seat. It was Karl. He had his back to Joe and was smoking with his arm hung from an open window allowing the smoke to drift away.
Joe stayed where he was and waited. He wanted to see if anybody else was about before making any move. He remained crouched in the bushes for more than an hour. Buses and trains came and went. Karl watched people arriving and leaving. There was no sign of Bruno or Meat Loaf.
Karl wound the window up as the temperature dropped. Joe didn’t have his blanket anymore and the cold air and damp earth chilled him even though he was more suitably dressed than the previous time.
The light started to fade in late afternoon. The station car park was quiet. The latest Salzburg bus had not long departed and there were few people about. Joe decided that it was as good a time as any to make his move. He foraged around and unearthed a large stone that fitted snugly into the palm of his hand.
Then he allowed himself to slide slowly down the slope towards the car park. An avalanche of pebbles accompanied him and spattered onto the tarmac below. When he reached the retaining wall at the bottom of the slope, he perched for a moment while he took a last look around. His rapid descent hadn’t attracted any attention. Karl seemed unaware of him and remained in the car. There were a couple of people by the entrance to the ticket office, an old lady was standing at one of the bus stops and a couple of people were approaching the bus loading bays with suit cases but Joe wasn’t going to wait any longer. He jumped the four feet or so down to the car park level and strode purposefully towards the rear end of the Opel. When he reached the car he pulled open the driver’s door with his right hand and swung his left hand, holding the stone, towards Karl’s head. Joe saw Karl’s surprised face look up at him as the door opened then there was a resounding crack as stone met skull. Karl’s best plan would have been to retreat further inside the car to prevent Joe getting another good swing at him. However, he decided to get out of the car to meet Joe’s onslaught head-on. As Karl rose clear of the car Joe swung the stone again striking a harder blow to his head. Karl sank to his knees by the side of the car. Joe hit him behind the ear and he fell sideways against the car then slid all the way to the tarmac. The old woman and the approaching couple stared open mouthed as Joe crouched over Karl. He ignored the onlookers and quickly went through Karl’s pockets. He found a wallet and pushed it into his own pocket. There was a small gun in Karl’s jacket pocket. Joe pocketed that then opened the rear door and heaved Karl across the back seat. He looked over his shoulder. Nobody made any attempt to intervene as Joe bent Karl’s legs to force them inside the car. Joe slammed the rear door and jumped into the driver’s seat. The keys were in the ignition. He started the car and left the car park with squealing tyres.
He was aiming to find Otto Braun’s house. He wasn’t too sure which way he needed to go so he cruised slowly once he had left the station behind. His earlier run around the town had given him some idea of the layout. Nevertheless, he was surprised to realise he had made a complete circuit of the town centre when he cruised past the station on his right hand side a few minutes later. All seemed quiet on the car park. There was no sign of police activity in spite of his set-to with Karl. That was good news, at least. He craved obscurity more than anything. He wanted to get out of Eichl with as little kerfuffle as possible. He followed the road again until he saw the bridge that crossed the river ahead. As he reached the junction, he turned right and continued slowly with the river to his left.
He knew he had to travel uphill out of the town to get anywhere near Otto Braun’s place. He just had to choose the right road. He took the first right turn and followed the curving road only to find himself back on the road approaching the bridge that he had travelled barely a minute before. He approached the bridge and turned right again. This time he decided to get further out of town before making another right turn.
A car was following close behind him but he doubted if it would be anybody to worry about. Nobody could have got onto him that quickly. The only problem was the driver behind seemed to be irritated by Joe’s slow pace. He hugged Joe’s boot and his headlights lit up the inside of the Opel. Joe took the next right turn about a mile from the town centre to try to shake the car off. He heaved a sigh of relief when the car behind continued along the main road and left him to meander at his own pace. Then he continued his slow drive as he tried to decide if he was heading in the right direction. He was certainly travelling uphill and the gradient grew steeper which was promising. He arrived at a junction at the top of the hill. The road to the right ran down hill, probably towards the town, the road to the left continued upwards so he turned in that direction. The snow crunched under the tyres as he crawled forward, scanning the road ahead for anything he might recognize.
He passed a fork in the road after only a few hundred yards. Maybe all roads looked the same blanketed in snow, but he was pretty sure that was the road he had turned down on his flight from his near-death ordeal in Braun’s frozen garden. His spirits lifted. He guessed he must be getting close. He slowed even more, if he was right, Braun’s house would be on the right hand side not very far ahead. He saw the driveway on the left where he had hidden from an approaching car the previous night. Now he knew for sure he was on course.
He thanked his lucky stars that no cars were following close behind. He was able to continue at crawling pace
as he scanned the road ahead. Thoughts crowded his mind. What was he going to do when he reached the house? Should he drive past, park somewhere further up the road and double back on foot? That seemed to make sense. Driving the Opel up the drive to the house might announce his arrival to the occupants before he was ready. What would happen if Bruno was there? Joe had the gun he had taken off Karl but no real idea of how to use it. Just point it and pull the trigger sounded easy enough. But could he do it?
He saw the house down a long drive, unmistakable and bigger than most of the others. He slowed almost to a halt and peered through the half-light up the drive. There were three cars near the house, the Mercedes, the SUV and another Opel. That could be bad news. The worst kind. Bruno would most likely be there to greet him. He drove on slowly, considering his options. The fuel gauge showed the tank was nearly full. He could forget about Braun and head for Salzburg. He could seek out the police at the airport and tell them that he had lost his passport. Hopefully, they could sort things out for him. The problem was that, after the events of the last couple of days, Braun wouldn’t forget about him. Either Braun or Bishop would seek him out. Nothing was more certain. There would be no place to hide even if he got back to the UK. Like it or not, he had loose ends of his own to tie up before he could leave.
He passed what looked like a small guest house on the left about two hundred yards past Braun’s place. He drew the car to a juddering halt and reversed back towards the large gateway to take a better look. A drive ran down the side of the building to what looked like a parking area at the rear. He swung the wheel hard and the car slithered across the road into the mouth of the drive. The place looked quiet. A porch light lit up the entrance but nobody was about to witness his arrival. He cut the engine, killed the lights and let the car roll silently down the incline towards the parking area. There was an empty space ahead of him and he guided the car gratefully into it. He looked back at the house. Nobody seemed to be taking any interest in his arrival. He leaned across the seat to look at Karl. His left ear was a bloody mess. He groaned slightly when Joe touched his shoulder, but showed no signs of waking up. Joe was glad to see signs of life, but not too ecstatic. Joe hadn’t wanted to kill Karl but had no wish to see him again any time in the future. Karl had helped to strap him into the chair and carry him out into the garden to freeze to death but he would probably use the old get-out that he had just been obeying orders. Otto Braun was the man in Joe’s sights. He got out of the car and walked slowly back up the drive towards the road.
Chapter 27
All was silent as Joe approached Braun’s house. He could see dim lights in one or two windows but no sign of any movement. He pulled the gun from his pocket and looked at it. It looked very much like the gun Bruno had pointed at him on the journey from Salzburg. It felt snug in his hand. Joe didn’t really know how to use it but maybe just pointing it in the right direction would be enough to deter anybody who got any wrong ideas. He hoped that the gun was in working order. Karl didn’t seem like the type who would carry a gun that wasn’t loaded and ready for use.
Joe knew that if he came face to face with Bruno he would almost certainly have to use the gun. He worried about that. He would be stepping way out of his league if it came to a shoot-out but his simmering anger overrode any fears he had. Most important of all he wanted to meet Braun face to face. He had things to say, questions he wanted answered. Most of all, he wanted to see the man grovel.
He stopped ten yards from the house, watching and listening for anything that might offer a threat. There was something unreal about the whole situation. His reason for being there was to confront Braun. He thought it very likely that he would have to kill the man. Not something he had too much experience of. Normally, Tuesday usually meant a Chinese take-away and a night of television. A chill wind cut across his face. He cleared his throat, spat on the ground and moved slowly forward. His feet crunched on the crisp snow. A car approached from the direction of the town. Joe turned and watched as its headlights lit up the road. His mouth was dry, his heart pumping. He narrowed his eyes and watched its slow ascent up the hill. The last thing he needed was more company. He needed answers to questions and was hoping for a quiet tete-a-tete with Braun. Even from a distance he heard the tyres chewing the snow. The ground either side of the drive was heavily banked with snow. There was no place to hide. He would be a sitting duck if the car turned into the drive. He gripped the gun tightly, hoping he wouldn’t be forced to use it.
Joe held his breath and prayed as the car drew level with the end of the drive. It seemed like his prayers were answered. The car passed by and continued slowly on its way. He turned back and completed his walk to the house. There, he lifted a heavy knocker, banged the door a couple of times and waited. A light came on in the hall. Joe held the gun at his side pointing downwards. He guessed that Elsa might answer the door. He didn’t want to cause her any more upset than he already knew he was going to. However, his finger was on the trigger. If he came face to face with Bruno, he would shoot first and make with the small talk later.
He was right first time. Elsa opened the door and stared at him in disbelief. ‘What are you doing here?’ she gasped.
‘I have to see your Father,’ Joe said as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
‘You must go,’ said Elsa. ‘Before anyone sees you.’
‘It’s kind of urgent.’ Joe stepped forward, forcing Elsa backwards into the hall. He looked around as he crossed the threshold. The hall was empty.
‘Is Bruno here?’ asked Joe.
‘He’s gone to Salzburg with Klaus. I heard them talking. ‘They thought you might have got out of Eichl and gone to the airport.’
Joe assumed that Klaus was Meat Loaf by another name. ‘When did they go?’
‘About an hour ago.’
Joe thought for a moment and did a quick calculation. He wasn’t sure why they would go looking for him in Salzburg when they had his passport but if Bruno and Klaus had been gone for an hour it would take at least another hour for them to return. Probably much longer if they were checking out the airport. ‘Who is here?’ he asked.
‘Just my Father. He is waiting for news. He was very angry when they found that you had escaped.’
‘Did you get into trouble?’
Elsa shook her head. ‘He blamed Bruno and Karl. You should go before he sees you.’
‘I’ve got a few things to say to him before I go,’ Joe said. ‘I didn’t get to thank him for his hospitality.’ He took Elsa’s arm and led her to the first door along the hallway. He opened the door and looked inside. It looked like some kind of broom cupboard. ‘Get in there,’ he told her. ‘It’s better for you.’
Elsa didn’t seem convinced and struggled to free herself. ‘Let go of me,’ she demanded angrily.
Joe liked Elsa but didn’t have time for niceties. He pushed her roughly into the cupboard and closed the door. He grabbed a heavy chair that was standing against the wall nearby and wedged the back of the chair under the door handle. Elsa tried to turn the handle and banged on the door. He could hear her shouting something but he was sure she would stay snug inside until somebody let her out. Hopefully, he would be long gone by then.
As Joe turned away from the door, Otto Braun opened the door of his study across the hall. He must have heard Elsa’s raised voice and come to investigate. His jaw dropped when he saw Joe and he turned back into his study. Joe leapt across the hall and followed Braun into the room.
Braun was already behind his desk and opening the top drawer as Joe burst in. Joe guessed he might be reaching for a gun. He brought the gun he was holding upwards and pointed it at Braun, like he knew what he was doing.
‘I wouldn’t,’ Joe said. He was breathing heavily from the sudden exertion as he faced Braun across the desk. He held gun at arm’s length and pointed it at Braun’s chest. Braun froze for a moment but glanced furtively at the open drawer.
‘Just give me a reason,’ pleaded Joe, hi
s voice harsh from the rigors of the cold night. He knew the harshness added menace to his words and smiled when he saw a flicker of fear cross Braun’s face. ‘You and me have got some talking to do,’ he said.
‘Bruno will be here soon,’ said Braun recovering his composure.
‘Not soon enough,’ smiled Joe. ‘I hear he’s taken a trip to Salzburg.’
‘He’s due back.’
‘I’ll be long gone before he gets here,’ Joe said. ‘But first I want some answers to questions.’ He backed away from the desk slightly but kept the gun trained on Braun.
‘What questions?’ asked Braun.
‘What was so important that I had to die?’
‘I have had problems with George Bishop’s people in the past. I feel safer if I tie up loose ends.’
‘You feel safe now?’ Joe smiled. ‘Cause, believe me, you’re not.’
‘Maybe I was wrong,’ said Braun. He just looked at Joe wondering what was coming next.
‘Did George Bishop know what you had planned for me?’ asked Joe.
Braun shrugged. ‘You’re not the first. He knew.’
Joe nodded thoughtfully. ‘So tell me why I had to die. What was on the CDs I brought from Bishop?’
Braun looked like he was choosing his words carefully. ‘George and I have had a longstanding business relationship. We find a demand for something, we try to satisfy it.’
‘Like what?’ Joe asked.
‘It varies,’ said Braun. ‘Sometimes I help George. Sometimes he helps me.’
‘Spell it out for me,’ Joe said. ‘I’m slow on the uptake and I don’t have a lot of time.’
‘There are many people in Eastern Europe who want to move to the UK but are prevented from doing so by red tape. We cut a few corners for them. Oil the wheels. I provide transport from this end. George helps them to integrate when they arrive in the UK.’