“So Andrej, where does that leave the two of us?” asked Kristina nervously. He drank some more coffee, then kind of stared off into space before looking at Kristina and smiled. “I still believe that you are very beautiful Kristina,” he said, “our jails are no place for the two of you. No need to worry about those police officers, I will redirect them elsewhere for a time.”

He then pulled out a piece of paper and drew a small map. “If someone wanted a better way to leave our country they might think about this road which leads to our border fence, but then they would find it electrified. Though I am sure a resourceful person could find a way to deal with that.

But then there are patrols along that fence, following this road here, every two hours, which schedule changes every day. No one knows that today the schedule begins at 9am and every two hours thereafter. And tomorrow it changes to half an hour later. The regular way will be shut tight if your vacation is successful.”

He then gave it to Kristina. “I see that is the third time someone is trying to call you,” he said to Kristina, “you may answer after I am gone.” Kristina had not even noticed it was the third time, she was nervously watching Andrej. “When I was 8, I was home with my mother, that is best. That waitress over there, she is a wonderful young woman.

It would be very nice if someone could take her away from here where she could live a normal life. I wonder if that could be possible?” “Everything is possible, Colonel,” said Sky, “I know of a couple people who would be happy to help her, providing she could be ready to leave quickly as those people come back this way.” “I am sure she could be ready,” he said.

He then got up, apologized for the police mistaking them for someone else and wished them a very happy stay in his country. He then bade them good bye and the girls thanked him, smiling and saying good bye as well. He then stopped and talked with the waitress for a few minutes before leaving.

The girls watched through the window as Andrej talked with the police who then saluted him again and drove away. Andrej got in his car and drove off also. The waitress came to ask if they wanted anything more. The girls said no and paid for their breakfast. The waitress brought the change and said, “Yes, I will be.”

The girls went to their room, turned the scrambler on and called Annelie. “Where have you been?” she asked, “Steve and the others have been waiting, they climbed the cliff overnight and are ready to get going.” “What?” said Sky, “they are crazy! We were detained by the police for a while, but Kristina knew the top man and I think he has helped us out with information.

Kristina believes he was being honest with us and I will go with that.” She then told Annelie what they learned. Annelie could hardly believe it, but on Sky’s word she sent the information to us. Meanwhile, we go back a bit to us waiting for Annelie to call.

“What do you think is wrong Steve?” asked John, “we can hardly stay here, if that helicopter comes back, we are all dead.” “Yes, I know it,” I said, “but we really have no choice. If we go in to get the boy without Sky waiting to pick us up, we will be dead anyway.” “Yep, true enough, got to wait,” said Mac casually, “in my former life, waiting was something I did a lot. Takes a lot of patience sometimes.”

“Yes,” I said, “Annelie will contact us soon.” The only way to contact us is through the cats and their transmitters so it cannot be traced. We waited, and waited, for over an hour. I think everyone was starting to get nervous, except Mac, Lars, Catalina and Kat. Meow,meow.=Message come now.

Girls delayed. Police. Boy, 2 guards room, 2 guards hallway. Floor 3, gray room. Sky waiting. “If the police are watching them already, that is not good,” said Mac. John and Lars agreed with that. So did I. “But Annelie gave us some good info which will make things easier,” I said, “must ask how she did that.” We shot a couple of grappling hooks up over the wall and the two lightest girls went up first.

Then they made sure the hooks were on something more solid so the rest of us could climb up more quickly. There were iron bars on all the windows, but at least we were level with the third floor. Catalina jumped across the 5 foot gap, grabbing onto the iron bars quickly so she would not fall. Then she looked inside.

The room was empty which made the rest of us feel more relaxed. She went to work, wrapping something around each of the iron bars, except one on each side which we can use to help us all jump across. “That stuff really work good?” asked Mac. “Just like a cutting torch, but faster and easier to carry,” I told him. Suddenly I got dizzy and fell…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.