SINS of the FATHER

by Marshall Huffman

  **

  Saint-Lô wasn’t what Alan was expecting. It was much bigger than he imagined it would be. It was modern and clean. It didn’t look like a city that had been bombed to little more than dust during World War Two. The battle for Saint-Lô had destroyed nearly 95 percent of the city. Thousands of civilians as well as military on both sides lost their lives during the campaign to capture this strategic city.

  Saint-Lô had seen many rises and falls since it became part of France in 1202. It was sacked and burnt to the ground by the English during the Hundred Year War and then almost annihilated during the plague.

  When the Germans occupied France in June, 1940 it became heavily fortified. Because of this, thousands of bombs were dropped on Saint-Lô before a breakout could occur to drive the Germans out after the invasion at Normandy.

  “Have you been here before,” Alan finally asked.

  “A long time ago.”

  “Any preference where we stay?”

  “None. Except…”

  “I know, No big hotels.”

  “No big hotels,” she agreed.

  They drove for a few minutes more before he saw a sign that indicated a bed and breakfast. It was down a small single lane road and when he pulled in, he wasn’t sure it was the right place.

  “Le Fraîchette. I like it,” Kate pronounced.

  “Then this is where we stay. I only hope they have WiFi.”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised,” she said pointing to a satellite dish.

  “You've got to love it. The old and the new.”

  “It’s the way of the world,” Kate said.

  “So. Let’s go check it out,” Alan said.

  They didn’t even get to the door before a lady came out to greet them.

  “Bonjour. Welcome,” she said.

  “Bonjour. We would like a room for at least tonight.”

  “No problem. I have three available. Please, come inside and I will show you the rooms. You can chose the one you like best.”

  The house was charming. Red brick and white stone made up the exterior with a slate roof. The flowers and landscaping were impeccable. Obviously they took great pride in the place. They were shown all three rooms and all were well decorated and spotless. Kate took the one with the largest bathroom.

  They signed in and Alan put the room on his American Express Card although Kate objected since he had paid the night before. Even with the VAT, Value Added Tax of 7 percent, the cost was more than reasonable and included breakfast again.

  After they were settled in, Alan got out his computer and started the hunt for the new coordinates. He showed Kate how he was going about it.

  “Can’t you just type them in?” she asked.

  “Probably, but honestly I just don’t know how to do that. Every time I try I get a message that tells me to check my spelling.”

  “There must be some way.” Kate said.

  “Hey, you’re welcome to take a crack at it.”

  “Okay,” she said and flopped on the bed next to him.

  She went to the ‘help’ menu and within minutes knew exactly how to do it.

  “Give them to me and I’ll put them in,” she said.

  No answer.

  “Alan? Alan? Oh for heaven's sake. Are you looking at my butt again?”

  “Sort of.”

  “Just give me the coordinates then ogle,” she said.

  “Okay. Latitude is 49 degrees, 4hours, 45minutes, and 97 seconds.

  “44944597 got it and the longitude?”

  “1 degree, 5 hours 34minutes and 46 seconds.”

  “153446.”

  “You got it slick,” he said.

  They watched as the little place mark went to the exact spot.

  “Son of a gun,” Alan said.

  “No, Kate. She is the genius here.”

  “No fair. You used the help menu.”

  “So?”

  “That is like so cheating. I mean anyone can do that,” Alan protested.

  “But you didn’t, did you?”

  “Well I have a reason.”

  “Oh? And what would that be?”

  “The missing male ‘I need help’ gene,” he answered.

  “Men. You are pathetic. Now that I have done all the work, feed me boy,” she said hopping off the bed.

  Downstairs they talked to the husband who was now home.

  “We can make you something to eat here if you like.”

  “Is there a nice place within a short distance?” Kate asked.

  “Yes. But they are usually very busy. Let me call and get you in,” he said and went off to make a phone call.

  “These people are unbelievably helpful. All you have to do is act like you need something and they go out of their way to accommodate you,” Alan said.

  “Nothing like the horror stories you hear about the French in the US. They are actually quite content with their lives. They are not after the almighty buck like Americans. They enjoy life a lot more and they do it without Game Boys, X-Boxes and all that crap Americans think they need.”

  “Well, it has certainly opened my eyes,” Alan agreed.

  A few minutes later the proprietor returned with the name and address and instructions on how to find it.

  “Car?’ Alan asked.

  “Let’s walk,” Kate suggested.

  “Deal,” he said and they started off.

  They looked in store windows along the way. At one pastry shop, Kate had to practically drag Alan away. Each shop was unique and was pretty much specific in what they carried. They did pass one that was sort of like a convenience store. It had a little of everything.

  They had just crossed over a small bridge when Alan spotted the restaurant.

  “There it is,” he pointed out.

  “Good. I didn’t wear the right shoes for a long walk. I like the looks of these but they give me blisters if I walk too far in them,” Kate told him.

  “Women,” was his only reply.

  They entered the place and found it was long and narrow. Booths were situated down one side and tables and chairs on the other. The isle ran right down the center. They were shown to a two top and handed menus.

  “To drink?” the waiter asked.

  “Bring us a bottle of the Chateau de Vlandraud Saint-Emilion Grand Cur,” Alan said slightly slaughtering the pronunciation.

  He used his finger to point as well. The waiter was gracious enough not to laugh at the attempt.

  “Alan. Do you know what that costs per bottle?”

  “Roughly.”

  “Close to two hundred and ten dollars,” she said.

  “Well when we find the treasure we will be rich so who cares.”

  “We?”

  “Hey, we are partners in this now I figure,” he said.

  “Really? You would just hand over half the loot?”

  “Oh hell, what loot? This is probably just a wild goose chase anyway.”

  “You’re a very complex man Mr. Lang.”

  “And you are a very beautiful woman Ms. Gerber.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “I feel like a bloated dead yak,” Alan said when they were done.

  “Good thing we have to walk back,” Kate agreed.

  “Walk or waddle?”

  “Whatever. I’m going to the bathroom then we can pay the bill. We are splitting this one buster,” she said sternly.

  “Sure, no problem,” Alan replied.

  “I mean it.”

  “Okay. Okay, we split it.”

  While she was in the restroom he paid and got up and waited for her. When she came out she looked at him skeptically.

  “Where is the check?”

  “It was on the house. Evidently our hotel proprietor took care of it.”

  She slapped him on the arm.

  “You are a very bad liar. I told you we were going to split it.”

  “You can get the next one,” Alan said as he opened the door for her.

  They held hand
s and looked in the shops on the other side of the street on their way back to the hotel.

  “How was your meal?” the owner asked when they got back.

  “Excellent. Thank you for sending us there.”

  “That was quite some bottle of wine you bought,” he said.

  Alan and Kate looked at each other.

  “How do you know that?” Alan asked.

  “Well, it was his most expensive bottle of wine in the restaurant. It was a 2005 Vlandraud Saint-Emilion Grand Cur. This is the first one he ever sold.”

  “Yes but how do you know about it?” Kate inquired.

  “I would imagine everyone in town knows. We are a very small village. Something like this is big news. He called me to thank me for sending you to him.”

  “Who would have thought?” Alan said shaking his head.

  “The waiter said you were very generous as well. The gratuity is already included and yet you left another ten Euros on top of that.”

  “Amazing.”

  “Well, goodnight. I hope you enjoy your stay. If you need anything at all, just come down and knock on the door that says ‘Proprietor’.”

  “I’m sure we will be just fine. Goodnight,” Kate said and they went upstairs.

  “Who would have thought a meal would be big news,” Kate said as she opened the door to their room.

  “Not me, that’s for sure. Listen, let’s look at those coordinates again. I didn’t see a damn thing around there,” Alan said.

  “Sure,” Kate replied and pulled up the screen

  “Okay, I don’t get it. There is nothing there except a hedge row. What the hell does that have to do with anything?” Alan said studying the screen.

  “Maybe that’s where it is buried,” Kate said.

  “In a field? How would he know it would still be there? What if someone built a house right over it?”

  “Good questions, unfortunately we won’t know until we get there,” Kate said as she stood up and started taking her clothes off.

  Alan just sat there watching her and she didn’t make any attempt to cover up.

  “Unbelievable,” he said, reaching out to touch her breast.

  “Come in the shower with me,” she said taking both of his hands and leading him into the bathroom.

  She made him stand there as she slowly took his clothes off.

  “My, my. Is that a rabbit in your shorts or is this turning you on?” she teased.

  She slid her hands into his waistband and slid his underwear off.

  “Now that is beautiful,” she said reaching for him.

  They got in the shower and took turns washing each other from head to toe. Alan had never been so charged in his life. They spent time drying each other off before she led him to the bed.

  “I’m too sore from last night but since you paid for dinner the least I can do is find some way of repaying you,” she said starting to kiss his neck and working her way slowly down.

  **

  When Alan woke up, he looked over and found Kate gone. He sat up and smiled. Wow was his only thought.

  “Kate?” he yelled.

  “In the bathroom. You can come in. I’m just brushing my teeth.”

  “I’ll wait. I’m pretty happy just sitting here thinking about your payment for the meal.”

  “I’m not sure who enjoyed it more,” she said coming in and kissing him.

  “I’m pretty sure it was me,” Alan replied.

  “Don’t be too sure,” Kate said.

  Alan went into the bathroom and took care of business while Kate went down to get some tea. Five minutes later he joined her.

  “We'll eat first then see what we can find.”

  “Works for me,” Kate replied.

  “Do you really think it could be buried there?” Alan asked.

  “I don’t have a clue but it has a certain logic to it. If all of this is true a field would be a pretty good place I suppose,” Kate answered.

  “I guess we will know in another hour or so.”

  “Alan. What happens if you don’t find anything and absolutely nothing comes of this? Will you be mad? Unhappy? What?” Kate asked.

  “That’s a fair question. First let me say that no matter what happens, having met you and our time together means more than any of this other stuff. I mean that. As for the other I don’t really know how I will feel.”

  “You mean I’m more important than the gold and diamonds?”

  “Gold. Diamonds. Those are just ‘things’. Valuable for sure, but Kate you are the greatest thing to ever enter my life. I know. I know. That’s pretty darn quick but nevertheless it’s the way I feel.”

  “Alan.”

  “I’m sorry Kate. I shouldn’t have said that. We have had two nights together and here I am talking like a school boy.”

  “Actually Alan, I was going to say that is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me in my life.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  “Kate,” Alan said while they were driving along.

  “Hum?”

  “I think someone is following us,” he said glancing out the side mirror.

  “What? Why would anyone follow us? We don’t know a thing.”

  “Yeah, that may be true but the black Mercedes Benz has been behind us on more than one occasion. I saw it when we came out of the McDonald's. I saw it again on the road to the cemetery and now it is behind us again.”

  “Alan. Do you know how many Mercedes Benz there are in France?”

  “Yeah but this is a black one that I keep seeing.”

  “Look, this isn’t like the states. Mercedes only come in two colors in France. Black and Silver. You will hardly ever see any other color unless it is a taxi. Look, if it will make you feel better, there is a gas station ahead. Pull in and fill up. We are down to a quarter of a tank anyway.”

  “Yeah, that should work,” Alan said and pulled in.

  As he was getting out Kate said, “Well?”

  “He went right on by.”

  “See?”

  “Okay. Just being paranoid I guess.”

  “Hey, don’t forget this is a diesel.”

  “Good thing you reminded me,” Alan said getting out to fill the car.

  He stood by the pump looking it over for several seconds before Kate lowered the window.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Where do you put the card?”

  “You pay inside after you fill it.”

  “Which is diesel fuel? They don’t say.”

  “Yellow is diesel, green is gas,” she told him.

  He filled the car then went inside and paid with his card.

  “You want anything before we take off?” he asked.

  “Find a nice place to eat. I need to use the restroom and service stations are not very sanitary here in France. It doesn’t seem to be a big priority,” Kate said.

  Less than a kilometer down the road Alan saw a restaurant and stopped. They found a table and Kate ask him to order a cappuccino for her. She went off to the restroom. Alan ordered getting Kate the cappuccino and a Coke Light for him. She was back a short time later.

  “How do we find this place?” Alan asked when she sat down.

  “Well, we need to find the road it’s on. Les Sauvagines. Then we will have to follow it. I wrote down the names of the two roads that border it. Le Petit Breboeuf is one and Les Valliées is the other. It is someplace in between those two roads,” Kate told him.

  “You want to eat now or go find this place first.”

  “Let’s move on. I’m not really hungry yet.”

  “Good. Neither am I.”

  **

  They were traveling roadway D86 which was also Le Petit Brebeuf when Alan suddenly said, “Crap.”

  “What?”

  “The black Mercedes is back there again.”

  “You’re sure it’s the same one?”

  “I don’t know for sure but it looks the same,” Alan said.

  “All Mercedes l
ook the same. Our turn is coming up in just a little ways. It will be on the right. Turn and see what happens,” Kate said.

  Alan continued to watch the mirror and when they got to the turn he waited until the last second and turned with no signal. He floored it and looked back. The Mercedes had turned as well.

  “Not good,” he said.

  Kate turned to look behind them.

  “It’s just one person,” she said.

  “Look, I’m not going to stop. I’m going to go on and turn on the other road. What was it called?”

  “Les Valliées.”

  “Okay. I’ll turn there and then I’m going to gun it as fast as we can safely go. If he is following us we will know for sure,”

  “Just don’t wreck us. I don’t want to get killed over this,” Kate said.

  “I hear you. I won’t be reckless but I will pick up the pace,” he told her.

  He maintained a steady speed all the way down Les Sauvaugines.

  “See anything?” Alan asked.

  “Maybe. Off on the right. There are some huge boulders just sticking out of the ground. I don’t understand how they could have gotten there. It’s like they were shoved out of the earth somehow. I see a cross on the top of one of them.”

  “That must be the place. Okay, we are getting close to the turn off. Once I make the turn, hang on.”

  “Please, all I ask is that you don’t get us killed,” Kate said.

  “I promise.”

  **

  As soon as Alan turned the corner onto Les Valliées he floored the Volkswagen. It was not exactly earth shattering but it handled well and he tore down the road as fast as he thought was safe. Not wanting to take his eyes off the road, he asked Kate where the Mercedes was.

  “Back a ways but definitely coming our direction.”

  “Man I was hoping you were right that it is just another Mercedes. I don't think so.”

  “But I don’t get it. Why? I mean we still don’t really know anything more than we did when we first started out,” Kate pointed out.

  “Maybe they think different.”

  “But just one man? Wouldn’t they send a bunch of guys? Why just one guy?”

  “Maybe he has a gun. How many people do you need when you have a gun and the other person doesn’t?”

  “I don’t think so Alan. Look, he is gaining on us anyway. Let’s just stop and see what the guy wants.”

  “Geez Kate. That’s a good way to get killed.”