by RL Edinger
Nick decided to search the room further for some clues as to what happened with Andrew. He started in the bathroom first. Nothing was out of the ordinary. Nick went next to the sitting area, but again nothing was out of order. He returned to the sleeping area and examined the pile of black clothing and that’s when Nick found a folded piece of paper. Nick unfolded it and discovered it was a note from Andrew that read:
Nick,
I had to leave in a hurry and will explain later You will get a visit from the police. Tell them only what you know and that you never saw me or know what happened. They will want to search the room, let them. They will not find any trace of me. After they have gone, meet me at the Berlin Train station.
You will be followed, so let me come to you.
Once you have read this note, destroy it.
Andrew
Nick had just refolded the note when the door flung open with a loud crash and police officers stormed the hotel room. They shouted out a warning with weapons drawn. Nick quickly jammed the note down the front of his shirt. He raised his hands in the air and the police swarmed over him. Two officers roughly grabbed Nick and pushed him face down on the bed while the third handcuffed him. Once Nick was secure, Lieutenant Gunderson entered the room. He strode briskly over by Nick.
“Sit him up,” Otto ordered. The officers immediately complied.
“Where is he?” Otto demanded of Nick.
“Who?” Nick answered back.
“Who do you think?” Otto was upset with Nick’s apparent indigence. “Andrew, where is he, Nick?”
“I haven’t seen him since earlier this evening,” Nick was more cooperative now.
“He was here,” Otto pointed out the open suitcase, strewn about clothing, and the pile of black clothes on the bed. “You never saw him. You are lying.”
“I was passed out on the sofa over there,” Nick nodded in the direction of the sitting area with his head. “I only woke just minutes ago, I swear.”
Otto looked Nick over from head to toe. He finally nodded that he agreed that Nick was telling the truth.
“Why are you looking for Andrew?” Nick asked, after being allowed to sit down.
“Andrew is suspected of the death of Sergeant Schindler,” Otto explained. He sat down next to Nick. He motioned for the officers to take off the cuffs. Otto looked sad as he continued, “Andrew fooled us all I’m afraid.” He turned towards Nick and went on, “All this time Andrew was a Knight of VanHelsing and we never knew it. I suspect that with the plans to attack this Gothica castle, Andrew was setting us all up to be captured.”
“That’s in…” Nick began, but remembered Andrew’s note. He switched to, “That’s incredible. I mean I never suspected.”
“Ya, ya,” Otto agreed nodding his head in agreement.
“Like I said,” Nick added. “I never saw him.”
“I believe you,” Otto said. He rose to his feet and motioned for the other officers to follow him. Otto turned to look back at Nick, “Let us know.”
“I will,” Nick answered.
“Good.” Otto smiled and closed the door.
Once he was out of the room, Otto turned to the officers that were with him. “Keep a watch on him,” Otto ordered. “I am certain that Andrew will try and contact Nick.” They nodded that they understood.
Nick was relieved when Otto and his officers left the room. He went to the bathroom and took some peptol bismol. His stomach was still rumbling a bit, but he felt a little better. He left the bathroom and went back to the bedroom. Nick grabbed his passport and coat. He glanced around the hotel suite once more, and walked out the door and closed it behind him.
The Berlin Central Train station was a monument that offered state-of-the-art conveniences for travelers and considered the biggest train station in Europe.
Nick stood on a row of seats to get a vantage point over the menagerie of travelers mulling about. Out of all the hundreds of people in the station that day, a few really stuck out to him. He saw a mother with pink streaked blonde hair talking on her phone while walking ahead of a screaming child. Nick turned in another direction and saw a group of Chinese businessmen in a rush to catch their train. He turned for the third time and saw a couple with black hair wearing jeans and navy blue pea coats. They were walking with their arms around each other and carrying duffle bags. Nick felt a tap on his leg. He looked down and saw a police officer.
“Komm, bitte, nach unten,” he asked Nick to get down. Nick shrugged his shoulders that he did not understand. “Komm, bitte, nach unten,” the officer repeated, this time motioning for Nick to come down from the chairs. Nick finally understood and did as the officer asked. Once he was down, the officer left. Nick felt sick again and made a dash for the restrooms.
Otto peered down from the second floor balcony. He was using the glass elevator for cover. He had received a call that Nick had gone to the train station. Otto suspected that Andrew had made arrangements to meet Nick and proceed with their plans to go to the castle Gothic. But so far Andrew was a no show. Otto moved a little further over when he saw Nick go into the rest room. A few minutes later, a dark haired couple stopped in front of the restrooms. The man kissed the woman and walked in the men’s room. She stayed outside and waited.
Nick was washing his face in the sink when the guy he had seen earlier walked in. He smiled at Nick. “Bonjour,” he said before going into an available stall. Nick simply nodded and continued splashing cold water on his face. He heard the toilet flush and saw the man come out and walk over to the sink next to him.
“Je vois que vous ont été suivies. Vous n’avez pas idée de qui je suis,” the man said.
“I have no idea what you just said.” Nick shrugged.
“Vous ne parlent pas francais,” the man said.
“French,” Nick recognized the word ‘francais’. “No I do not speak French.”
“Too bad,” he said. “You really should learn another language Nick,” the man replied.
“How do you know my name?” Nick was shocked.
“Kara and Talia are counting on us,” he continued.
“Andrew?” Nick took a closer look at the man with the black hair and full, trimmed beard. “Holy s—” Nick gasped when he finally knew it was Andrew beneath the disguise. “What the hell are you doing? The cops think you killed Fred. Did you?”
“Fred was a Knight of VanHelsing,” Andrew said. “Talia killed him to save me. I was knocked out and they set me up to make it look like I was a Knight of VanHelsing.” Andrew moved closer to Nick. “When you leave the restroom, I want you to get out of the station and take a cab. Have the driver take you around for a few minutes and return. By that time, the police will have left the station to follow you.” Andrew reached inside his coat and took out an envelope. “Here is your ticket. Don’t be late.” Nick took the ticket and put it in his coat pocket.
“Who is the girl?” Nick finally asked.
“Emma Strauss,” Andrew answered. “I met her when I came to the station early this morning. We sat down and started talking. Emma told me she attends the University of Berlin. She was on her way home to Zwickau. I asked if she would do me a favor. I offered her five hundred euros to help me out. She needed the money.”
“You are something else.” Nick shook his head.
“Now you’re going to leave first,” Andrew instructed Nick. “I will follow in a few minutes. Just meet us on the train.”
“Okay,” Nick agreed. Nick left the bathroom. Andrew followed a few minutes later.
Otto saw Nick come out of the restroom. A few minutes later the other man came out. He walked up to the girl and gave her a kiss and then they walked in the direction of the train platforms. Otto was disappointed. Andrew had never showed up to meet with Nick. Otto called on his radio to follow Nick and to keep an eye on him. The officers radioed back that Nick had gotten into a cab. Otto radioed back that they should follow him. Satisfied, Otto took the glass elevator to the first floor. He was head
ed towards the exit, but suddenly stopped. Otto thought back to the case he had worked on with Andrew. He recalled that Andrew always traveled with a suitcase with a variety of disguises, clothing, and identifications. Otto even witnessed Andrew’s transformation into a disguise on that case long ago. Andrew could blend in anywhere, anytime. Otto slapped his forehead. “Dummkopf! Andrew war der andere Mann im Badezimmer,” Otto realized that Andrew was the other man in the restroom with Nick.” Otto shouted in his radio to stop the cab Nick was riding in. He also told them he was going after Andrew. When the elevator doors opened, Otto took off in a full run towards the train platforms.
As planned Nick had managed to lose the police that were following him. He had just entered the station when he saw Otto running towards the train platforms. Nick also saw that Andrew and Emma had just boarded the “Red Train” Thalys for Zwickau
Andrew hustled Emma onto the train when he saw Otto rushing towards them. Andrew also saw Nick. The voice on the speaker announced that the train was now departing.
Otto saw Andrew and the woman board the train. He sped up his pace to get on the train and stop Andrew before he got away. He had just reached the steps when the train began pulling out of the station.
Nick was almost to the train when he was pounced on by several uniformed police officers. They pushed Nick to the floor to restrain him. He looked up to see Andrew moving towards the back of the train. Otto was closing the gap between them.
Andrew was practically at a full run. He glanced back for a second to see Otto getting even closer. The train was picking up speed and the scenery began to move past still faster as it headed on the way. Andrew had just reached the door of the last passenger car and was about to enter the sleeping compartments sections.
Nick’s heart sunk when he saw the train leave the station. Andrew was certain to be captured by Otto. There was no way he could escape. The uniformed officers shoved Nick along as they approached the exit. If Andrew did manage to escape Otto, he would have to face the Knights of VanHelsing alone. That prospect worried Nick greatly.
Andrew rushed past the sleeping compartments and paused briefly at the exit door. He looked back to see if Otto had caught up with him, but he hadn’t. Andrew exited the sleeping car, crossed the platform and forced open the door to the baggage car. He quickly closed it behind him. He threw down the duffle bag and began to strip off the beard and wig.
Andrew knew he only had a few minutes before Otto arrived.
Otto exited the last sleeping car. The rush of the wind from the speeding train almost sucked him out. He had to hold on tightly to the railing of the steps. Otto pushed open the door to the baggage car and jumped inside.
Andrew had managed to change his clothes and identity, but it was too late. When he turned around, Andrew saw Otto standing there.
Otto pointed his gun at Andrew. It was the end of the chase and he was glad. Otto moved away from the door, all the time keeping his distance but gun trained on Andrew. He was well aware of Andrew’s martial arts skills and wanted to keep as far away as possible.
“I have you now,” Otto spat out his disgust for Andrew. “How could you do that to Fredrick? How could you shoot him from behind like that? You are a coward!”
“I didn’t do it,” Andrew answered in his own defense. “Talia shot him to protect me.” Andrew moved closer, but Otto threatened him with the gun. Andrew retreated. “Fred was a Knight of VanHelsing. He and the two others with him were kidnapping Kara. I had trailed them to the place by the river.”
“Liar!” Otto cursed. “I knew Fredrick since he was a young boy. I would have known if he were one.”
“Was Fredrick ever gone for at least a year or more?” Andrew asked.
“Ya,” Otto answered. “But he told me it was for school.”
“That’s when he had his training,” Andrew said.
“Just shut up,” Otto threatened with his gun. He reached for a pair of handcuffs on his belt and tossed them at Andrew. “Put them on,” Otto ordered.
“I will not.” Andrew threw them to the floor.
“Pick them up,” Otto stared wild-eyed at Andrew.
The door opened unexpectedly, causing both of them to look. Before Otto or Andrew could react, they were attacked. Otto tried to fire his gun, but one sword blade tore it from his grasp and the other slashed him across the chest. Otto stumbled as blood began to seep through his once white shirt. Andrew had just managed to grab his duffle bag as a shield only seconds before the Knight of VanHelsing swung at him with both razor-sharp blades. Instead of Andrew being ripped to shreds, it was the duffle bag that was ripped to shreds instead. Andrew instantaneously tossed aside the bag and followed it with a round house kick. He caught their attacker in the back and the force of the blow sent them reeling towards the door. They hit the door with a loud thud and stumbled to their knees. Otto’s shirt front was drenched with blood as he rushed to get his gun. The Knight recovered quickly and with one final attack, ran Otto through with the blade. Andrew screamed out his anguish as Otto lurched forward when the blade was withdrawn. Otto stared expressionlessly at Andrew as he coughed up blood. The Knight of VanHelsing pushed Otto down to the floor with their boot. Andrew now faced them alone.
“Let’s make it fair,” Andrew bowed respectfully.
“Agreed,” she said. She tossed Andrew the sword.
Andrew looked over the blade he held in his hand. “I’ve never had much use for one of these,” Andrew lowered the blade.
“Then it will be over with soon,” she answered back.
Andrew immediately raised his blade to counter her first strike. She parlayed the blade to the right, but Andrew blocked it again. With each strike Andrew countered with his own move. They circled each other as the sound of clashing metal resounded throughout the baggage car. Andrew went on the attack with blade strikes and kick combinations driving her up against the luggage netting. She tried to counter, but with every thrust of her sword Andrew blocked, with his own moves. In desperation, she brought her knee up and caught Andrew unexpectedly in the groin. He tumbled to the floor, writhing in agony. Seizing the opportunity, she raised her blade and rushed forward. She drove her sword downwards towards Andrew’s unprotected chest. At the same moment Andrew drove his sword upward driving it into her, just inches below the body armor she wore. The sword slipped out of her hand and to the floor. She stared in utter disbelief at the sword protruding from her belly.
“I never said I didn’t know how to use one,” Andrew said withdrawing the blade. She crumbled to the floor mortally wounded. Andrew rose to his feet and tossed the sword away. He grasped hold of her mask and tore it off. Andrew recognized her. She was the hotel desk clerk that had checked them into the hotel.
“They…they know you are coming,” She choked up blood and it ran down the corners of her mouth.
“It doesn’t matter,” Andrew replied unemotionally. “Now it’s personal.” Andrew bent down on one knee in front of her. “All I wanted to do was to bring Wyatt back to Bayport. The Knights of VanHelsing made it worse by bringing him to Germany.”
“You…you will surely die,” She shivered violently.
“What’s your name?” Andrew asked.
“Hannah,” she gasped with a whimper.
“It didn’t have to come to this Hannah,” Andrew grasped her by the shoulders. “I’m…” Andrew didn’t even have a chance to say he was sorry. Hannah’s face lost all expression and she went limp, and gently slipped from his grasp to the floor. She was dead. Andrew rose to his feet again. He knew that Hannah already had to be on the train waiting for them to arrive. She couldn’t have been in the passenger cars, because he would have seen her. So that meant that Hannah had booked a sleeping compartment. It was the only possible way for Hannah to change unnoticed. So Hannah’s sleeping compartment had to be close to the baggage car. Andrew retrieved Otto’s gun and extra clips. He rummaged through his shredded duffle bag for his passport and a few other things he needed. Andre
w paused at the door and took one last look around. There was no sign of him being in the baggage car. Andrew opened the door and slipped out. He went to find Hannah’s compartment.
Andrew entered the sleeping car again. As he walked along, Andrew would pause at each door to listen. After several unsuccessful attempts, and when he was at the last door, Andrew heard someone about to exit the compartment.
The train was nearing the station in Zwickau and it was one of Günter’s duties as a porter to check the baggage car. It wasn’t one of his most important or favorite duties, but nonetheless important.
Günter had just exited the last sleeping car when he noticed that the lock on the door to the baggage car was damaged. He first called on his walkie talkie for assistance, opened the door and stepped inside.
The horrific site that greeted him caused Günter to immediately exit for some fresh air.
“Hilfe!! Hilfe!” Günter screamed into his walkie talkie. “Helfen Sie mir gleich jetzt!” Günter felt sick and dropped to his knees. He vomited. Never had he seen, in all his years as Porter, such a terrible sight.
Unexpectedly, the train came to a metal grinding stop and it nearly caused Günter to fall from the platform. Fortunately, he was able to grasp hold of the railing in time.
Günter heard the sirens of the approaching police cars. He was greatly relieved, and knew that now everything would be alright.
Captain Brewster of the Zwickau police department boarded the train. His officers had already secured the passengers and crew. Minutes earlier, they had received an emergency call from the Conductor that one of his Porters had discovered the bloody bodies of a man and woman in the baggage car. Captain Brewster disliked the thought of those suspicious deaths occurring within his jurisdiction. There hadn’t been anything like this in Zwickau for quite some time.
Some of the passengers wore angry faces at being inconvenienced by the whole mess. Captain Brewster strode with an air of authority through the passenger cars. Others looked concerned or frightened from not knowing exactly what was going on. One woman in particular struck an odd chord with him by her nervous behavior. She was seated alone and kept staring back in the direction of the baggage car. Did she know something? Was she still waiting for someone? Captain Brewster signaled one of his officers to stand guard over her. He continued towards the baggage car.