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.
“Thanks,” Andrew said as she handed them their room key cards. They left the lobby and took the waiting elevator to their floor.
The day was near an end, when Otto and Fred were finally able to make it to the hotel.
Kara greeted Otto and Fred when she opened the door. From there they saw a table filled with a variety of food and beverages. A little further in the room was a laptop and projector screen set up in the seating area. Andrew, Talia and Nick were chatting by the fireplace. They were snacking on some of the food.
“We’re set up in the sitting area.” Kara stepped aside to let them in.
They entered and Kara closed the door.
Andrew and the others greeted Otto and Fred. Andrew put his drink and plate of food down. He went over to the laptop and called up the PowerPoint presentation. Soon the first slide was on the screen for all to see. First, Otto and Fred grabbed some food and a beverage. They sat down with Kara, Talia, and Nick. Andrew remained at the laptop to run the PowerPoint presentation.
“What you see is a digital copy of the map I found in the book at Kara’s home,” Andrew explained the first slide. “It was in a book about the Knight’s of VanHelsing.” He took a drink. Andrew pressed the button and the next slide appeared on the screen. The map from the book was super imposed over a map of Germany with a red star on it. “What I’ve done is superimpose the map from the book over a map of Germany,” Andrew said. “The red star indicates the location of the Gothica castle.” He changed it to the next slide that had zoomed in closer. “Gothica is located in the Ore mountain range. There are very few roads in the area. Gothica is only accessible by air.”
“They would see anyone coming,” Kara added.
“Exactly,” Andrew put up the next slide. It was a detailed itinerary.
“Tomorrow morning we take the train to Zwickau,” Andrew explained. “I’ve booked two compartments.” His throat was parched and he took a drink. Andrew continued, “Once in Zwickau we will meet with the local authorities.”
“All arrangements have been made with Captain Brewster,” Otto spoke up this time. “We are to meet him at the local police station.”
“So how do we get to Gothica?” Fred asked.
“From Zwickau we go by helicopter to here,” Andrew pointed to a place on the map about twenty kilometers from the castle. “They will drop us here and we go the rest of the way on foot.” Andrew called up another slide. It was a satellite photo of the Gothica castle.
“How did you get that?” Otto asked, nearly spitting out his drink.
“A friend of mine works at the CIA,” Andrew answered. “He owed me a favor.”
“How do we get inside?” Fred asked. He got up to get more refreshments.
“This is the plan,” Andrew finally said. “Talia will be the diversion. She will be in her Knights of VanHelsing clothing and gear.” Andrew stopped to wait until Fred returned with his food and drink. Andrew continued, “The rest of us will be entering the castle through the secret entrance here.” Andrew pointed to a section of the castle wall.
“Where will Talia be?” Otto asked.
“They will take me to the main hall,” Talia answered. “There I will meet with our leader. From there I will be taken to the debriefing room.”
“Talia will neutralize anyone in the room,” Andrew shot her a stern look, “And no one is to be killed.” He went on, “Talia will activate her locater beacon. And we will join her in the briefing room.”
“From there Kara and Nick are to open the main doors so the authorities can storm the castle,” Talia added. She recalled and went on, “Once the facility is neutralized everything will be fine.”
“And that’s where we come in,” Otto said.
“What about the rest of those Knights of VanHelsing?” Fred asked worriedly.
“If there are any there,” Talia smirked. “Andrew and I will take care of them.”
“What about tonight, here?” Otto asked all of them. “What are your plans?”
“We’re going out to dinner,” Andrew closed out the program and the screen went blank. “Our train leaves tomorrow at around noon. I think we need to have some much needed fun and relaxation.”
“We’ll take our leave of you then,” Otto stood up, and so did Fred. They put their empty plates and cups on the table. They said their good byes and left.
“So where are we going for dinner?” Talia asked. She gestured towards Kara and herself. “And what should we wear?”
“I had some dresses delivered to your room,” Andrew smiled. “So you can decide.”
“What about us?” Nick asked.
“I had several tuxes delivered for us as well,” Andrew answered. “I think we should get dressed for dinner.”
Kara and Talia immediately left to go and try on the dresses. Andrew laughed at how giddy they were. He and Nick also went to get dressed.
When Talia and Kara exited their hotel suite, Andrew and Nick were waiting for them. They smiled and each thought, Andrew and Nick looked very dashing, in their chalk stripe two button notch tuxedos, with snow white shirts and matching ties. The look was completed with square-tow, lace-up black shoes.
Andrew and Nick were waiting out in the hallway when Talia and Kara came out of their hotel suite. Both were just blown away at how stunning the two women looked. Andrew smiled at the choice of dresses each wore. Kara had chosen the red satin banded strapless cocktail dress. Its sweetheart neckline with a folded bow highlighted her features. Her hair was swept up and held in place with a matching hair comb. Andrew glanced at Nick, who couldn’t take his eyes off of Kara. She walked up to Nick and slipped her arm in his. Talia stood there as if waiting for Andrew’s approval. She had chosen a ruche black off-the-shoulder cocktail dress with cap sleeves, and a hemline that fell above the knee. The black ruche material flattered the curves of her shapely figure and the sparkling jewels created a stunning focal point on the neckline. Talia walked up to Andrew and he offered his arm to escort her.
“So where are we going?” Talia asked.
“The Vox,” Andrew answered.
The four of them got on the elevator and took it to the lobby. Andrew had arranged a limo for the evening. He thought they all needed a night to just have some fun and enjoy each other’s company before things turned serious. They thanked Andrew and got inside. Andrew instinctively looked around first. He didn’t know why he had done it. He thought it was probably from all those years of being an investigator, either way, nothing looked suspicious, so he climbed inside. The limo took off and easily glided into traffic. They were on their way to the Vox.
The Vox, located inside the exquisitely detailed Hyatt hotel, was the height of German fine dining. The tables were dressed in their finest whites and complimented with black lacquered chairs and soft table candle lighting. Patrons gathered to enjoy a grand meal and visit with each other. They were treated to the superior service by the wait staff. Each one of them was attired in crisp-looking white shirts adorned with black bow ties, along with neatly pressed black trousers and shiny flat black shoes. The waiters and waitress glided effortlessly through the room like swans on a smooth lake, all the time smiling and making sure everyone was taken care of.
Andrew and the others approached the hostess podium. She smiled and asked for the name of the registration.
“Name bitte,” Name please, she asked.
“Knight,” Andrew replied.
“Der Tisch ist fertig.” She told him the table he had reserved was ready for them. She motioned for their waitress, who walked up, ready to escort them.
“Kommen sie bitte, mit mir.” She told them to come with her.
They followed her to a table by the window, which gave them a grand view of the city of Berlin. Andrew and Nick seated Kara and Talia first and then took their own.
“Ich mochte die Weinkarte sehnen?” Andrew asked if he could see the wine list. She handed it to him. Andrew looked it over and soon selected his choice.
“Zwei Flaschen Hausweins bitte, abgekuhlt.” He ordered two bottles of the house wine chilled. “Danke,” he said. She smiled and left to fill the order.
“Where did you learn to speak German?” Talia asked amazed at how fluent he was.
“I studied with a friend of mine,” Andrew answered.
“So what are we going to eat?” Kara glanced over the menu. Luckily the lists were in both English and German.
“They serve French and German food,” Andrew answered. “What would you like?”
“I’ve never tried authentic German food,” Kara spoke up.
“Me too,” Nick agreed.
“How about we all try it,” Andrew suggested.
“Okay,” they all agreed.
The waitress returned with their wine and glasses. She opened the first bottle and poured a small amount in a glass and handed it to Andrew. He took the glass and sipped from the contents of the glass. Andrew held the wine in his mouth. It was a Bloom Riesling with aromas of peach and honeysuckle giving way to a pleasing palate full of sweetness and acidity.
“Sehr gut.” Andrew said it was good.
“English please.” Talia pleaded with a pouty look.
“Alright,” Andrew smirked. He looked up at the waitress, “Englisch bitte.”
“What would you like to start with?” she asked.
“May I order for us?” Andrew offered.
“Sure,” the others answered looking a bit overwhelmed with all the choices.
“One minute please,” Andrew said. He studied the menu and ordered an appetizer of Koeniginpastetchen (flaky pastry shell filled with veal ragout in Riesling sauce with mushrooms). As well, he ordered a Gurken Salat (cold cumber salad). And for the main course it was Jagerschnitzel (tender milk-fed Veal Cutlet, floured and sauteed in butter, topped with a Mushroom-Creme Sauce, served with Potato Pancakes and Red Cabbage).
“Very good,” their waitress smiled. She took their menus and went to fill their order.
Andrew poured the wine and passed a glass to each of them. He raised his glass and proposed a toast, “To friendship.” Each repeated his toast and drank from their glass.
“So will everything be ready when we get to Zwickau?” Nick asked.
“Everything we need will be there,” Andrew replied.
“Let’s change the subject,” Talia suggested. She just wanted to concentrate on the evening and not what they were going to face in the not too distant future.
The waitress returned with their salads and appetizers. Everyone was famished and quickly dug in when she left.
“This is delicious,” Talia said, taking a bite of her Koeniginpastetchen.
“Mmmm,” Kara murmured while sampling the Gurken Salat.
“So what are plans after dinner?” Nick inquired.
“Back to the hotel,” Andrew replied.
“Can’t we go dancing?” Kara and Talia flashed seductively looking eyes. Andrew moaned. He gave in, “Fine, we’ll go dancing, but after that it’s off to bed.”
“Yeah,” Talia and Kara happily clapped their hands.
The main entree arrived at the table just as they all finished their first course. The tender milk-fed Veal Cutlet, floured and sauteed in butter, topped with a Mushroom-Creme Sauce, served with Potato Pancakes and Red Cabbage, looked absolutely mouth-watering.
With more than 240 different sorts of whisky, the Vox Bar had one of the largest selections of whisky in Germany. The dark parquet flooring and the elegant lounge seating of Vox Bar created a warm atmosphere and one in which Andrew and the others were sure to enjoy. As they sat at the booth, Kara and Talia couldn’t help but notice the collage of oversize black-and-white photos of famous Jazz legends which provided an atmospheric background. When they first entered the Vox Bar, a floor sign noted that the top international jazz and blues performers, played live in the bar Monday to Saturday, from 10 p.m. onwards.
Andrew noticed the newly added smoker’s lounge. A glass wall with an intricately etched glass door and windows allows guests to not only see the bar at all times but also to enter it directly. Another entrance led into the lobby.
Kara grabbed Talia by the hand and practically dragged her to the dance floor. The band, Maxxl2, had just started playing.
Andrew undid the buttons for his tux coat and sat down. A waiter stopped at their booth. Andrew placed the first round order for drinks. A short time later he returned and delivered a tray full of drinks. Andrew tipped him before grabbing his own glass of scotch. Nick grabbed his whiskey and coke.
“Do you ever get nervous?” Nick asked.
“Sometimes,” Andrew answered. “Why?”
“It just hit me that we’re taking on some serious s- with these Knights,” Nick slammed down the rest of his drink. “And well it scares the s- out of me.”
“We have a plan and everything is in place,” Andrew tried to reassure Nick. “They have no clue that we are coming. So we have the advantage here Nick.”
“So you’re that sure?” Nick asked again. “I wish I had your confidence.”
“Talia has the tough part” Andrew answered, as he finished off his first drink. “She has to convince them she is still a member of the order. That, is the scary part, because I think Talia isn’t sure who she is sometimes. Her psychological condition is very delicate and she could snap at any time. There is even a distinct possibility that Talia may betray us all.”
“What about Kara?” Nick grabbed his second glass.
“Kara?” Andrew paused. He thought back to time he spent with her. She was amazing, powerful and very beautiful. He was drawn to her, and had almost given into her intoxicating charms. Andrew finally replied, “She’s amazing. I hope things work out for the both of you. I think you both need each other.”
“She is amazing,” Nick had a wide grin on his face. “I’ve never met any like her before.” He turned towards the dance floor and watched her dancing with Talia. Kara moved with such seductiveness, free-spiritedness, it made him want her even more. Nick turned back to Andrew. He raised his glass, “Thanks man, for bringing us together.”
“Your welcome,” Andrew raised his own glass.
Talia left Kara on the dance floor and walked back to the table. She sat down next to Andrew. Kara was now dancing with a tall, blonde stranger, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers. Everyone just stared at the provocative way they were dancing. Nick slammed down his glass and tore off for the dance floor. The two men started screaming at each other. Andrew bolted from the booth and stepped in between. Very shortly, he had defused the situation. Nick grabbed Kara by the hand and led her out of the room.
Andrew rejoined Talia back at the booth.
“I think we should go back to the hotel,” Andrew announced.
“Could we go for a walk?” Talia suggested.
“Okay,” Andrew replied.
He stood up. Talia rose up and walked over to him. She stopped for a minute. Her eyes met Andrew’s. Talia reached out with her hand. Would Andrew take it? It seemed like an eternity, but then it happened; Andrew took her hand. They walked out of the bar.
Kara and Nick walked closely arm in arm. Kara had apologized to Nick for the way she acted earlier in the Vox bar. He forgave her and they decided to make it up with a romantic walk.
The night air was crisp; the moon bright and full lay still in the velvet sky. Kara and Nick had discovered a small, wooded park not far from the Grand Hyatt. They decided to take a stroll and soon found a secluded bench to sit on. When they sat down, Kara pressed up against Nick and leaned in, waiting for him to kiss her. Nick did not disappoint her and filled Kara’s desire. As their lips drew apart, Kara looked intently at Nick and him at her.
“We should go back…” Kara started to say, but froze.
“What is it?” Nick asked seeing the horrified expression on her face.
“Nick!” Kara screamed.
From the dense bushes, three Knights of VanHelsing attacked. One of them took off after Kara. She tried to run but they quickly grabbed hold and restrained Kara. They covered her mouth so no one could hear her scream.
Nick tried to fight the other two off, but was no match for the deadly pair. With only a few moves, Nick was out cold on the ground. The last thing Kara saw was one had drawn a sword; then all went black.
“Nein, nein! Totet ihn nicht,” the other warned not to kill him. They pushed the blade away from Nick’s body.
“Sie werden uns verfolgen,” the second one cursed back. “Sie werden zu Gothica kommen.” They asked if they will come to Gothica. They put away their blade and asked about Andrew and that he must be stopped. “Was machen wir mit Andrew Knight? Er muss angehalten werden!”
“Wir werden uns mit Andrew Knight befassen, sorgen Sie sich daruber nicht,” the first one replied not to worry about Andrew and they would deal with him.
They joined the third one and then two of them carried Kara off. The third watched to make sure no one followed.
Andrew and Talia strolled along hand in hand. It was a perfect evening with the stars twinkling in the ebony sky above. The sights and sounds of Berlin were something Talia would not soon forget.
Talia wondered as they walked along, why she had hated Andrew so much in the beginning. She was glad they were closer, and that they now were actually friends. But Talia also found herself feeling more than that sometimes, especially recently. Andrew was very handsome, intelligent, and he had a certain air of assuredness about him. Was she falling for him? That was not possible; Andrew was married and his wife was going to have a baby. Yet she was falling for him; right or wrong. Did he feel the same?
“Look, there’s a park over there,” Talia said. “Let’s check it out.”
“Alright,” Andrew answered. Talia squeezed his hand tighter. He wondered why.
They quickly crossed the street and entered the park. Talia and Andrew took one of the paths and had just come around the corner when they saw a dark heap on the ground.
“Stay here,” Andrew let go of Talia’s hand. “I’ll check it out.”
Andrew walked over but suddenly froze. He realized that the heap in fact was Nick, all bloody and bruised and lying on his side. Andrew rushed over to him and knelt down. Talia had joined him now. She looked worried upon seeing the way Nick looked.
“What happened?” Talia worriedly asked.
“He’s coming around,” Andrew answered as he cradled Nick in his arms.
Nick opened his eyes, trying to gain his bearings. Things were still a bit hazy, but he could make out the shapes of two; one cradling him and the other towering over him. Nick closed his eyes to refocus. Now he saw Andrew and Talia.
“What happened here Nick?” Andrew demanded. He stopped as a horrible chill filled his very being. Andrew urgently scanned the area. Kara was missing!
“Kara’s gone!” Andrew shouted. “Call for help.”
Talia took out her cell phone from her purse and called the police.
Andrew turned his attention back to Nick. “What happened?” he asked again.
“There were three of them,” was all Nick had to say. Andrew knew who it was. His whole body sunk at the realization that the Knight’s of VanHelsing knew they were in Berlin. Andrew couldn’t worry about that. Right now he had to find Kara. Andrew ordered Talia to wait here until the authorities arrived. He knelt down and surveyed the area. Suddenly Andrew bolted off deeper into the park.
“Andrew, don’t!” Talia screeched after him. She saw him fade into the darkness. Talia was trembling so badly, Nick had to soothe her.
Andrew had tracked Kara and her kidnappers through the wooded park and to the river. He watched from cover as the three Knights of VanHelsing stopped beside a black van. They laid her down on the grass and proceeded to unlock the van. Andrew tossed aside his overcoat and made his move.
Silver Blade was unlocking the driver’s side door when he felt a tap on the shoulder. Thinking it was either Bronze Blade or Gold Blade, he turned around. Instead, it was Andrew who simply said good night. ‘Gute Nacht.’ He grabbed Silver Blade by the neck and delivered a knockout blow to his head. Silver Blade slipped to the ground, unconscious. Andrew moved to the side of the van and inched his way along. Fortunately for him, the open back doors of the van provided him cover.
Andrew heard the two of them talking. They were saying that they still needed to capture Talia. But they weren’t sure how to get to her since she was already at the hotel. One of them stopped suddenly. Perhaps they realized that Silver Blade hadn’t joined them yet. Andrew pressed up against the side of the van as Bronze Blade came around the side of the door. Andrew hit him quickly with a snap kick to the head and Bronze Blade was out cold on the ground. Andrew bolted around the door and came face to face with Gold Blade.
“Wie fanden Sie uns hier?” Gold Blade surprised, asked how Andrew found them.
“Ich folgte jemanden durch den park,” Andrew replied, he tracked them through the park.
Golden blade said nothing further but instead reached for his swords. Andrew had anticipated the move and with a front snap kick hit Gold Blade in the chest which sent him skidding backwards and to the ground. Andrew didn’t give Gold Blade a chance to react and rushed him and grabbed the two swords. He flung them some distance away. Gold Blade stood and was about to grab the crossbow from his belt. But again, Andrew anticipated the move and with a devastating double spin kick, hit Gold Blade first in the chest and then the head. Gold Blade crumbled to the ground.