The Abbeville Boys

Chapter 28: Zeus Joins the Family

      Hans and Niklaus walked in and saw Willamena. Hans turned to Niklaus, “Go call the station and tell them we need more officers and some investigative people. I’ll stay here and make sure nothing is disturbed.”

      Niklaus ran off and Hans told Gretchen, “Go to the coffee shop two doors down and I’ll check on you.”

      She nodded her head as she ran off towards the coffee shop. More officers arrived along with investigators. He left the scene and went to the coffee shop. He walked in and found Gretchen sitting in a booth. He walked up, “Do you mind if I sit down.’

      “Not at all. Please, sit down.”

      Hans sat down and looked at her, “You alright?”

      “I don’t know. She was a good friend. Does this happen often?”

      Hans motioned for the waitress to bring him some coffee, “No, it doesn’t. We haven’t had a murder in Zurich in almost two years, and that one was a husband and wife.”

      Gretchen was shaking as she lifted her coffee cup with two hands wrapped around it. She took a sip, “Do you think it has anything to do with the Nazis coming into the country?”

      “If it does, we’ll find out. I’m sure there is going to be a nationwide sweep to find them. Gretchen and Hans talked for a little longer, and he made her feel better. She walked home and went up to the bedroom. She just sat down and cried. Willamena was a good friend. After crying for some time, she decided to change clothes. She went over to close the shade and noticed the guy in the black trench coat and fedora at the park. She ran out of the apartment and Hans was right there. She yelled at Hans, “The guy that was watching me the other day is back over at the park.”

      Hans ran around the corner while Gretchen waited. He came walking back shrugging his shoulders, “There’s nobody there. I’m sorry. I’ll patrol over there more often.”

      Gretchen thanked him and went back to the apartment. She changed clothes and waited for Kurt to come home. He had two flights that day and was running late. One of the flights took him into German territory. There is a small German peninsula area going into Switzerland. He would only be flying over it for about ten minutes. It was intense because he could be attacked by the Luftwaffe. He made it over and delivered the mail. On the way back he had plenty of fuel and went around the German area. When he was coming back the plane was empty, and he started doing barrel rolls through the clouds. He dove the plane and then gained altitude turning upside down for a few minutes. He loved flying. He had the best of both worlds.

      Kurt finally got home, walked in and saw Gretchen on the couch. She was still crying on and off. He rushed to her, “What’s wrong sweetheart?”

      She started to cry gasping for breath, “Willamena was killed today.”

      Kurt was upset, “What? What happened?”

      “From what Hans said someone slit her throat. I'm worried about Nazis. I saw the guy in the black trench coat and fedora at the park again outside the window. I ran down and told Hans. He checked and the guy was gone. He said he would patrol over there more. What do you think, should we go somewhere else?”

      Kurt kissed her and contemplated the question, “The only place to go would be the United States. It would be dangerous to try and get there now. I think we should stay here and protect ourselves with the Lugar and the dog Joseph is looking for. The Swiss police seem efficient, and we must trust them.”

      Gretchen nodded and hugged him. She felt comfortable in his embrace. They hugged and kissed for a few minutes and Kurt went to call Joseph. He answered the phone and Kurt said, “Joseph, Gretchen’s boss at the shop was killed to today. Someone is out there. We need to get ready. Did you find a dog?”

      “Yes, I found two German Shepards. I got one for me and one for you. They’re about nine months old and still puppies but they’re strong and can take care of any threat. The dogs are sweet, but last night my neighbor came home from work, and they went to the door and started barking. They’re good guard dogs.”

      “That’s great Joseph. I’ll come get him tomorrow.”

      “No. I know you need him. I’ll bring him over tonight. I’ll have him for protection on the way over.”

      “Okay. I’ll walk back with you for cover, so you don’t have to worry about anything.”

      Joseph made it over to Kurt’s apartment without incident. They talked for a while and got to know the dog. Gretchen fell in love with him, and he with her. They played around and Gretchen went to the kitchen to get some roast. The dog scarfed it down. Kurt asked Joseph, “Does he have a name?”

      Joseph said, “The people I bought him from said it was Zeus. The one I have is named Hercules.”

      Kurt turned to Zeus and said, “Come here Zeus, come here boy.”

      He ran to Kurt with his tail wagging and jumped up to lick his face. Kurt was laughing at the dog’s affection. Kurt walked Joseph back home. Kurt talked to Joseph, “I’m concerned about this whole situation. I think you need a gun besides the dog. In a few days we’ll go the gun shop and get you one.”

      They talked the rest of the way to Joseph’s apartment and said goodbye. Kurt walked back and the dog was frisky. He wanted to explore everything. Kurt was already enjoying having a dog. They got to the apartment and walked around to the park so Zeus could do his business. As they came around the corner Zeus stopped dead in his tracks and got stiff. He was looking across the park where Gretchen said she saw the man watching her. Kurt looked but couldn't see anything. Zeus started barking and pulling at the leash. He restrained the dog, still trying to see what was out there. He pulled him back around the corner and went upstairs. He was thinking he shouldn’t have left Gretchen there by herself with no defense.

      He opened the door, and Gretchen was on the couch listening to the radio. He ran over and began hugging and kissing her. Zeus was right in the middle of them, licking and rubbing faces. They laughed and hugged him. It was finally time to go to bed. They got out an old blanket to put next to the bed. Zeus was an amazing dog. It’s as if he knew what to do. When Kurt and Gretchen got in bed, Zeus got in his bed on the blanket. The first night went well.