Occupation

by Jeff L. Dawson

  Svetlana slowly made her way out of the dark. Since she was well covered up, her appearance and physical features would not distract his mind or eyes.

  "Herr Captain...”

  He interrupted her with the ice cold reception he had just doled out to the private. "Why are you not with the other whores?" His words were sharp and harsh, like listening to Nikoli berating her like a child. Good, he would need that attitude for the mission he would more than willingly accept. No man could resist her charms.

  "Excuse me, Herr Captain. I am not one of the local whores," she obediently replied. "I am from Warsaw and came to see an aging uncle. It has been many months since he wrote us, and I decided to come to check on his health and well-being." The captain was not impressed. "Fraulein, let me see your papers.”

  Papers! Papers? What is he talking about? Neither clan knew that the Germans had issued identity papers to all of the inhabitants, and without the proper documents one would surely be thrown in prison then shipped west.

  "Papers, Herr Captain? What papers?" The Captain’s eyes turned steely cold.

  "Whore, if you don't produce your papers immediately I shall have you....." Svetlana’s mind recalled an event many years ago where another officer was in the process of accosting her for not having proper documents. She deflected the officer’s inquisition by unbuttoning her blouse. The questions immediately ceased.

  "Herr Captain, I apologize, I must have left them with the horse. If you will follow me, I'm sure I can satisfy your request." Captain Brown was unmoved by the gesture at first. He lit up another cigarette, inhaled deeply contemplating the proposal. I shall have my way with this whore then send her to headquarters.

  "Fraulein whore, I hope for your sake you have the proper papers. Lead the way." Svetlana bowed her head, hiding the evil smile creeping up the corner of her mouth.

  She turned and walked towards the old wooden door leading into the storage building.

  “Fraulein, I warn you. No tricks, or you will regret the day we met.” A brief feeling that he was being lead into a spider’s web crossed his mind. He dismissed it; this area had long since been secure with no local resistance. No one would dare to assault an SS Captain in this area. It must just be the dark night giving him childish visions.

  Svetlana held back any sign of contempt in her voice. His arrogance would play well in her hands and once the deed was done, she would reward herself with the rich, thick Aryan “Master Race” blood.

  “No tricks, Herr Captain, I promise.” She opened the door as any good subservient woman should do for a man of his standing and influence. All he could think of as he cautiously entered the large room was she will make for a good night’s pleasure. His nostrils found the smell of the molding wheat and straw offensive.

  The room was dimly lit with only kerosene lamps. Svetlana had lit the only two that were not damaged. He was pleased to see the room was empty, with the exception of the mare feeding from the last grains of wheat scattered about the floor. One lamp was stationed on a small desk, possibly where the past owners had tabulated the kilos of wheat that were being received from the local farmers. The second was to his left on a counter where payments for the crops were issued. Each was actually strategically placed. The light would provide the proper shadows for her unveiling.

  The captain lit another cigarette with a bit of impatience. He inhaled deeply, turned around and announced to her, “Whore, I am a busy man. I suggest...” his words trailed off. She had removed her worn overcoat and untied the scarf which had held her full length auburn hair. It cascaded over her shoulders and rested just below her full breasts. His eyes transfixed on the dark green emerald dress, which fit perfectly in order to complement her enticing figure. His eyes followed the desired path, taking in every detail. He couldn’t control his eyes. They were moving on their own and resting on hers. The cigarette slid out of his fingers falling onto the barren dirt floor.

  “Herr Captain, do I please you?”

  The words of shock were trapped in his dry throat. Of course he was enjoying the sight before him, but he could not speak. There was something hypnotic about her eyes.

  “Herr Captain, is there something you would like to say?” The words slid out of her mouth like a python wrapping around its victim before the kill.

  “Herr Captain?” Again, no response. It had been decades since she had used her eyes to lure a man into a trap. It was comforting to know she hadn’t lost her touch. She could now move forward, but first a tease. She walked to within ½ a meter of the captain. She gently took both of his hands and rested them on her breasts. The feeling of a man’s hands on her soft skin thrilled her. The captain’s expression did not change. Inside, he was bursting to fondle and press her full breasts, but his brain was paralyzed by her eyes.

  “Herr Captain, there is something I need for you to perform, an act of kindness you might say. There is a man who is threatening my very existence. I need you to help me eliminate this threat. In return, I shall give myself to you completely.”

  A long silence passed as the words sunk in. The only words Captain Brown could hoarsely utter were, “Jawohl Fraulein, it would be a pleasure.” The response pleased her tremendously. She hadn’t lost the touch of luring men into a trap and willingly agreeing to her terms for a moment’s pleasure.

  “Herr Captain, I shall return within a week. Be prepared to meet me here between 10:30 and 11:00pm. The target will be with me. You will need to bring a wooden stake for the act, bullets will have no effect on him. When I instruct you to plunge the stake into him, do not think, act. If you hesitate, your mission will fail and my pleasures will be held safe for another.” Once again, the only words he could muster were,

  “Jawohl Fraulein, I shall not fail.”

  Pleased she had picked the perfect candidate, she gripped his hands, and squeezed her breasts with his one more time. She exhaled heavily with their combined touch. To seal the deal, she leaned up and applied a very small kiss. She felt Captain Brown’s body tremble as she applied the kiss. Good, all is set. She slowly led the captain out of the storage room and into the cold gloomy night. She applied one more kiss to his lips. “Until we meet again, Herr Captain." She turned and went back into the building.

  If she correctly remembered, her effects would last another thirty minutes and he would remember nothing until they met again. She would be able to gain a few hour’s sleep, then head back to Tarnow. Now, how to convince Kirilli to accompany her into town? Her eyes would have no effect on him. She would have to come up with something more enticing than the pleasures of her body. What could she propose to lure him to town? She fell into a light fitful sleep. How to convince Kirilli to join myself in Krakow?

  “Herr Captain. Herr Captain, are you all right?”

  The words broke his trance. His eyes refocused in the dark night. “Herr Captain, are you all right? It has been over an hour since you stepped outside. I came out to make sure nothing had happened.” It was his trusted aide, Corporal Schneider. He was actually irritated by Schneider’s interference.

  “Schneider, I am fine. I am a Captain of the Third Reich. No one would be foolish enough to disturb me. I need another beer.”

  “Jawohl, Herr Captain, I shall order two.” Without a second thought Corporal Schneider disappeared back into the smoky Hofbrau.

  Where had the time gone? I only stepped out to have a smoke. Schneider must be mistaken, Brown thought to himself. He looked at his watch, 11:30pm. Where had the time gone? He dismissed the time lapse. He must have been thinking about the upcoming ventures that would launch the new regime deep into the heart of Russia.

  Chapter 9

  The Trap

  The return trip to Tarnow was as uneventful as the one to Krakow. It had given her the time to ponder how to get Kirilli to accompany her to town so Captain Brown could put an end to this utterly insane treaty. There was no way Dmitri was going to mount Nicole as long as she was alive. Her loving husband, Nikoli, seemed to be uninter
ested in his wife’s views. He was peddling their daughter like a common whore. And even though it had been her profession so many decades ago, she never considered herself a common whore. She was a woman who provided entertainment and pleasure for clients and herself. But what Kirilli had proposed was unthinkable. She would decide when, where, and with whom Nicole would give herself to. Nicole would not be the pawn for two overbearing, intellectual fools and their preposterous plan. If her plan worked, she would only have to deal with the other overbearing fool.

  For the next phase of her plan, she picked Yakov for his inability to read and his silence. He never talked much, talking was detrimental for a full-time thief. Through her messenger Yakov, she delivered a written invitation to Kirilli.

  Dmitri ushered Yakov into Kirilli’s study. The room was filled with the past; heavy and thick. The furniture resembled a museum from Warsaw or Moscow, not a place where real men worked. The furniture was perfectly glossed and dusted. The portraits which adorned the walls were of ghosts from the past. Yakov noticed one in particular, Josif Boirarsky, the first of the new clan. He had heard stories of this vile man and restrained from spitting on the floor. Josif was responsible for the death of their leader Marco over three centuries ago. The Romanov would never forgive or forget this loss.

  Kirilli motioned him into the room. Yakov said nothing. He reached into his vest pocket and produced the message he was carrying.

  Kirilli opened it and started reading. My dear Kirilli, I have located the German who is causing us our current problem. We should travel to Krakow together and eliminate the foe. Our survival depends on your response.

  He placed the note on his desk. Why would Svetlana want me to accompany her? Why would she not ask Nikoli? He thought long and hard on her proposal. If she has truly identified the man responsible and we can eliminate him, would peace be restored to the area? Could he trust her? That was the main question he dwelled over. Her feminine wiles and prowess were well known by all. She could not be underestimated for a minute. The word survival kept spinning in his head. Yes, the current situation was becoming critical. The food supply was rapidly dwindling. The Germans must be disposed of and if killing this German would ensure their survival, then he must accept her proposal. He took out a piece of stationary and quickly wrote the following,

  My dear Svetlana, I accept the offer. We shall leave within the week.

  He folded the note, applied the seal of the Boilermaker’s, summoned Yakov back into the study and handed him the note. "Yakov, deliver this to Svetlana posthaste." Yakov said nothing. He removed the paper from Kirilli’s hand and roughly placed it in his vest pocket and left.

  * * *

  Svetlana was thrilled at Kirilli’s acceptance. She would indeed be at Kirilli’s palace in a week. The timing was perfect. Captain Brown would be waiting to implement his part of the plan. Upon executing Kirilli, she would allow the captain to taste the pleasures she had promised. While he was enjoying her feminine wiles, she would introduce him to a new life. She would feast on the mortal’s blood, it would be her bonus for a job well done. Her actions would also make sure that the truce would never occur, and Nicole would be spared the shame of being bred by a Boirarsky.

  ***

  The anticipated day arrived. The day that she would eliminate the man who thought he had an answer to all her questions and concerns, Kirilli. Kirilli would meet his just end. When she mentioned to Nikoli that she needed to visit Krakow again, he dismissed her interruptions as she knew he would. Bastard. After today, you will be next, my beloved husband.

  Kirilli had mentioned his trip to Sasha. She was not pleased with his decision but trusted his wisdom. She too, was not overly excited about the decision and fate bestowed on Dmitri, but she never questioned her husband. He had held the clan together with his wisdom and knowledge through many difficult times. She knew he would succeed with this mission also.

  Svetlana arrived at the palace of decadence. She shuddered at the thought of having to enter the palatial monstrosity. She despised everything about the estate, the neatly trimmed hedges, the gleaming black iron gates that surrounded the property, the spotless windows, and the highly polished brass door knocker. We are vampires, not aristocrats. How dare they flaunt the past with such opulence. Those days are long gone. They should live like the Romanov, lean and mean. Even in her heyday as a lady of the evening, she never splurged her earnings on herself. She was waiting until she had accumulated enough gold and wealth to move to a place worthy of her accomplishments. Unfortunately for her, because of the night Nikoli brought her into the fold, she would never have the opportunity to taste the good life she had envisioned.

  She walked up to the massive oak door, grabbed the highly polished knocker and struck it twice. Dmitri opened the door. Her green eyes met him like daggers. He will never touch Nicole. “Is Kirilli in? He is expecting me."

  Without hesitation and ignoring her glare, Dmitri led her into the study. The patriarch was sitting at his well-polished and organized desk, rifling through a few papers.

  "Svetlana, please take a seat. I have a few matters left to clear up." He signed a few more documents, mentioned a few inaudible words to Dmitri, placed a few papers in the top drawer, turned the lock and placed the quilled pen back in its pot. "Svetlana, are you sure this German will be in town?"

  "Yes Kirilli, he will be there, I have seen to it."

  Kirilli thought about this for a moment. "How can you be so sure?"

  "Kirilli, I have taken great risk and pains to see that he will be waiting for us. I haven't forgotten how to use my charms." She flashed an evil smile as a sort of enticement.

  It had no effect. He ignored the advance and continued, "Does Nikoli know of this trip? Is he aware that if this mission fails, the joining must go forward?"

  Svetlana mulled over the questions for only a short moment. “Yes, he understands."

  Pleased with the response, Kirilli stood up and called Dmitri.

  “Yes, Father?"

  "Is the carriage prepared?"

  "Yes, it is as you requested."

  "Good, then it is time to depart." And with that, they exited the study and walked to the doorway in silence.

  The carriage was as immaculate as she remembered it. The leather seat and the wheels shimmered in the prevailing sunlight. The horse was well groomed and rested. Kirilli (being the gentleman he was) offered his hand to help Svetlana board the carriage. It was a huge improvement over the one she was used to. The seat was a plush deep red and the cushion felt as if it had just been reupholstered. She could not feel the hard boards that supported it. So this is what wealth feels like? If my plan works, we might be able to lay claim to all that is theirs.

  “You are such a gentleman, Kirilli. Sasha is very lucky to have you at her side."

  Sasha was standing in the doorway watching the events.

  “Do take care, dear husband. Return safely."

  Kirilli walked towards his wife, lightly kissed her lips and replied, “Do not worry Sasha, if all goes well, life could return as we know it. We shall return by tomorrow afternoon."

  The sight of him kissing his wife was almost more than she could fathom. How long had it been since Nikoli had touched her? It mattered not. She would push that thought from her mind and address her problems with Nikoli later. She needed to stay focused on the current plan.

  "Kirilli, we must leave at once. The journey is long and we must reach Krakow before the captain has partaken of too many spirits."

  Kirilli hugged his wife, briskly walked to the carriage, took his seat, released the brake, and with a small crack of the whip turned the carriage north and headed off.

  They spoke very few words as they rode towards their destination. Kirilli was thinking of how he would handle the captain when they were face-to-face and what he would do with the body when he was finished. It would be too risky bringing it back. They could be stopped by some overzealous guard who might not appreciate one of their own being cart
ed off. Yet, if the body was discovered, the city would be put on high alert which could lead to a combing of the surrounding towns. The thoughts filled his head as they drew closer to Krakow.

  "Svetlana, you are sure the captain will be in town?" he asked again.

  "Yes, dear Kirilli. He is expecting us." Yes, Captain Brown was waiting for them. He was waiting to taste the pleasures of her ample body and all he had to do was kill one man for a simple night's pleasures. "Yes, he is more than assuredly expecting us."

  They arrived just past sundown. The town was quiet with the exception of a few soldiers milling about in the cold dark night. None took notice of the two passengers in the carriage. They were more interested in staying warm or partaking in a few deserved beers to wash away the dreariness of the town. Svetlana directed Kirilli to the storage building. He was still wondering what to do with the body when the task was completed.

  "Kirilli, we shall go in through the back door and allow ourselves a little rest. The captain is scheduled to join us between 10:30 and 11:00pm. Kirilli opened the unlocked storage doors, pushed them aside and led the horse inside. He unhitched the harness and allowed the mare to graze on the meager leftovers on the floor. Svetlana lit the kerosene lamps, still properly placed in their strategic locations, then lay on the floor and fell off into a quiet peaceful slumber.

  Kirilli took a quick look in her direction before nodding off himself. He still wasn't sure how to dispose of the body without raising an alarm. As he fell asleep, he couldn't help but notice the small smile on her face. His brain continued to plot and plan as his body rested.

  Her plan was simple. Svetlana would lure the captain into the building and pretend she was going to let the German bed her. Kirilli would come up from behind and Captain Brown would pull out the wooden stake and drive it deep into Kirilli's heart.