The Abbeville Boys
Chapter 32: Gretchen the Gunslinger
Life went on normally for a few days. Kurt came home early one day, and Gretchen was off work. They hugged and kissed as Zeus got his licks in. Kurt said, “Let’s go get a gun. We’ll walk to the shop and make an afternoon of it.”
“That sounds great, let me get ready.”
Gretchen got ready and they headed to the gun shop, talking to Hans and Niklaus on the way. Both officers thought it was a good idea for them to get another gun. They walked down the street and around the corner to the store. Kurt approached the owner, “I need a Luger. I was in here a few weeks ago and bought one.”
The owner asked, “Needing more weapons, is everything okay?”
“Do you know Hans the police officer?”
“Yes, we’re good friends. He comes in here to get his guns and ammunition.”
Kurt was now examining a Luger, “He told me there’re still Nazis in Switzerland. Last night they burned a government building and killed a defecting German national. I just want to be ready.”
“Thanks, it’s good to know. I’ve got plenty of guns here and at the house. Hopefully it’ll be enough to take care of any threat.”
“Yes sir, sounds like you have things taken care of. I’m going to buy this Luger, a box of ammo, and the use of the pistol range.”
“Great, I’ll get you all fixed up.”
The shopkeeper prepared everything as Kurt and Gretchen went back to the range. They sat their unloaded weapons on a table. Kurt told Gretchen not to touch anything. He went down the range about fourteen meters and hung up a paper target. He came back and told Gretchen to watch. He loaded the gun with eight cartridges. He then stepped up to the firing line and aimed. He emptied the gun into the target. Kurt put his gun on the table, and they walked down the range to the target. He put seven in the bull’s eye and one extremely close to it.
They walked back to the table and Kurt said, “Okay, now it’s your turn. Can you load it?”
She didn’t say anything, she started loading the Luger. It took her a few minutes, but she got it done. Gretchen walked up to the firing line and stood there. Kurt came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. He grabbed her right hand and straightened it out. He whispered in her ear, “Now, aim the gun using the sight at the end of the barrel. Point it at the dead center of the target. Pick a button on his shirt or something small to aim at in the middle of the chest. Relax and gently pull the trigger. Reset quickly and do it again. Are you ready to give it a try?”
She smiled at him, “Yes, I can do it.”
Kurt stepped back, “Okay, you’re ready.”
Gretchen stepped up and aimed. She started shooting and shot the eight cartridges into the target in a relaxed manner. Gretchen put her gun on the table and they walked to the target for inspection. Kurt looked and was astounded. There were four in the bull’s eye and four close. Several of the close ones were closer than Kurt’s. He thought about the way she leisurely shot into the target. He stood there for a second and said, “This was a bad idea to come here today.”
Gretchen just looked at him perplexed, “What are you talking about?”
“I’m now concerned one day you might turn that thing on me, and I wouldn’t have a chance.”
She laughed, “That’s right mister, you better watch yourself.”
They shot several more clips before cleaning their guns and heading home. Gretchen decided it was time for dinner. She went to the bedroom to put her purse away and noticed a man at the park sitting on the bench Karl Braun was on. He dressed differently than Braun. He had on a blue collared short sleeve shirt and slacks. He appeared to be a big, well-built man in his mid-thirties. He seemed relaxed and wasn’t watching her window. She forgot about it and went to make dinner.
The next day Gretchen went into work. She was thriving at the jewelry store and Albert was giving her more and more responsibility. She told him about Willamena’s marketing strategy of ordering food and wine then telling all the locals about it. Albert was hooked and told her to set it up.
Kurt flew one or two mail flights a day. One flight had urgent medical supplies needed immediately. He got them there on time and the hospital called Bachmeier to commend Kurt. Bachmeier gave him a raise up to sixty five francs a week. Everything was going great.
Gretchen started the wine and food tradition at the jewelry store, and it was an instant hit. Sales soared. Gretchen was practically running things now. Albert was thankful to have her around. He gave her a raise to twenty five francs a week. Kurt and Gretchen had a good life. They socialized with Joseph and Helga. They went to community functions with Hans and his lady friend.
Kurt had trouble getting in touch with his and Gretchen’s parents. One day he decided to call an old friend from his school days in Leipzig. To Kurts surprise he answered. Kurt finally said, “Klaus, this is Kurt Reichard.”
Klaus came back with, “Kurt, it’s great to hear from you. How have you been?”
“I’m doing great. I can’t tell you where I’m at, but everything is fine. Are you alright?”
“We’re in the Russian zone and it’s not as bad as the Nazis but it’s bad.”
Kurt knew that’s what would happen, “Have you heard about my parents. Do you know where they are?”
“I heard they moved to Heidelberg a couple of weeks ago. They moved in the middle of the night. That’s all I know. I’m sorry I can’t talk to you. The Russians are always watching. It’s good hearing from you, my friend.”