Perfect Payback by Bill Briscoe

Author:Bill Briscoe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bill Briscoe
Published: 2021-12-07T16:47:07+00:00

Chapter 22

der 27. Fubruar 1937

Augsburg, Germany

My head is sore from the attack last night, but I did not get stitches. The wound should heal quickly on its own. I will call Hoermann Monday morning about the incident. Right now, I am looking forward to my date with Anna…

Another snowstorm had moved into the area. From my hotel room, I could barely see the buildings across the street. I closed the curtains and eased onto the bed.

The Augsburg bell tower clock struck ten. My head still ached from the assault. Just as I’d thought the spy operation was no big deal, last night happened. Now I had reservations again. But it was too late to back out.

Should I carry a weapon? A lot of good that would do when I couldn’t hit an advertising poster ten feet in front of me. I suppose with practice I could learn to shoot. Did I want to? I was an engineer, not a marksman.

I gently touched my head wound. I had to tell Anna. She’d see it anyway. Maybe I should call her. She might want to cancel because of the storm. I pushed off the bed, dressed, and went downstairs to use the phone.

The lobby was fairly empty. So was the bar. I blamed the storm for the lack of people as I walked across the marble floor. The empty silence made the usually crowded space feel cavernous. I waved to Elsa, the registration clerk. “How’s Dieter?”

Making two fists in front of her chest, she jabbed twice.

I gave her a thumbs up. A few weeks ago I’d taught her four-year-old son to take a fighter’s stance. Cute kid.

Someone was in the phone booth, so I had to wait.

Outside the front windows, huge flakes drifted aimlessly to the ground and disappeared among the other ice crystals. The falling snow was so peaceful it seemed to cleanse the world of all its dirtiness. An illusion, I was sure. War clouds appeared to be gathering over Europe once again. I prayed that catastrophe wouldn’t happen.

The person in the phone booth finally left.

Taking his place, I pulled some coins out of my pocket, closed the door, and dialed Anna.

“Anna Beck, guten morgen.” Her tone came across as chilly as the morning.

“Guten morgen. This is Hans.”

“I was thinking about you.” Her voice softened with joy. “This snow. Ah, it’s so much. Why don’t we… ?”

“I understand. It’s too much to put up with. We can have dinner another night.”

She laughed. “Hans, I was about to say why don’t we stay in. I’ve already picked up veal and a bottle of Schnapps. How does that sound to you?”

While she couldn’t see my happy grin reflecting off the phone booth glass, I could, and it made me smile bigger. “That sounds perfect. What time?”

“Hmm… six. Are you catching the train?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t worry about the last train back. You won’t need it.” Her sultry voice excited me.

Heat sizzled down my body making me completely forget my headache. I still picked up ice from the bar.

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