The Abbeville Boys

Chapter 34: The Deadly Encounter

            The next morning there were storms and Kurt decided to stay home. There would be no flying today. Gretchen figured she would go in late and wanted to cook breakfast for Kurt. They sat around enjoying the eggs, bacon, and toast she made. Zeus was fed and it was time to take him outside. Kurt left with Zeus and had his Luger. He left Gretchen with her Luger. Unfortunately, it was in the bedroom.

      He walked out and talked with Hans for a few minutes then took Zeus around to the park. The man Gretchen had been watching was in the park but just before Kurt came around the corner he walked down the alley behind the apartment. It was the same alley Braun used to get into Willamena’s shop and kill her. He went to the back door of the apartment building and turned the handle. It was unlocked but the door was stuck. He used his shoulder to push it in. He walked up the back stairs to the Reichard apartment. Gretchen was in the kitchen cleaning up and thought she heard something. It was nothing. She didn’t think any more about it. The man was jiggling the doorknob, but it wouldn’t open. Suddenly he used his massive shoulders and broke down the door. Gretchen was surprised and came around the corner seeing the man. She screamed and ran back into the kitchen. He pursued her into the kitchen and pulled out a dagger. She grabbed a butcher knife and was still screaming. The man overwhelmed her and was about to thrust a fatal blow when Kurt and Zeus came up the stairs and heard the commotion. He immediately released the dog, and Zeus took off with Kurt following close behind. Zeus lunged at the man biting his arm first. The man screamed and stabbed the dog. Zeus let out a yelp and fell. Kurt came around the corner with his Luger ready to go. He aimed at a small spot on his chest and shot. There was a pop, and the bullet hit home. The man stopped and his eyes got big, he was stunned as he grabbed his chest. Kurt shot again and hit just above the chest towards the neck. There was a huge splatter of blood as he fell hard backwards on the floor gurgling.  

      Gretchen ran and hugged Kurt hard. He comforted her, “It’s alright. Everything is fine.”

      Hans heard the gunshots and came running up the stairs with his gun drawn. He came into the apartment and was shocked by the scene. He asked, “Is everyone alright?”

     Gretchen was still crying, and Kurt ran over to Zeus, Hans followed. It appeared the stab wound to Zeus wasn’t bad. Kurt got up and went to the sink getting a washcloth and rubbed the wound. Zeus licked Kurt’s hand slowly and then licked his wound.

      Niklaus came running up and Hans told him to go get an ambulance and investigators. The guy was dead, but he wanted to get him out of the apartment. Hans examined the body. He pulled the collar down and saw the SS tattoo on his neck. He found identification. His name was Ernst Voss. Hans walked over to Kurt, “We’ve been looking for this guy. He has sabotaged government buildings and killed a German national a few days ago. He’s one of the last ones we were looking for. Hopefully this ends it all.”

      Kurt nodded in acknowledgement as he and now Gretchen continued to tend to Zeus. The dog finally got to his feet and seemed okay. He started licking everyone including Hans. The ambulance arrived and said they don’t transport dead people. Hans ordered them to take him out right now to the morgue saying it was police business. They all talked for a while longer. As Hans was about to leave, he said, “I’ll check back with you later about the Nazi situation. The night shift officers will patrol. We’ll all patrol the park, the alley and make sure the back door is locked. Keep the gun by your bed. Try to have a good evening.”

      Kurt and Gretchen thanked Hans as he left. Kurt put Gretchen on the couch and turned music on the radio. He went out into the kitchen and mopped. When he was done the floor sparkled. He sat on the couch hugging and kissing her. She was still shaking and buried her face in his chest, “I don’t think I want to live here anymore.”

      “We can move if you want but it’ll be the same thing. If someone wants to find us they will. We just have to be vigilant. I believe we’ve got a good situation here, other than people trying to kill us.” He smiled; Gretchen wasn’t smiling. He continued, “I think this thing is almost over. The world has been in chaos but it’s settling down fast. We’ve got Hans and Niklaus checking on us along with the night officers. We’ve got two Lugers and Zeus. You’ve got a great job two doors down. I’m not far from work. We’ll soon be able to go see our parents, everything is going to get better. I think the best thing to do is stay here, but I will do anything you want my darling.”

      She continued to hug him, "You're right. We can stay here. I'll get over it." Gretchen was tough, physically and mentally.

      After a few weeks things got back to normal. Everyone became relaxed again and settled back into the routine they knew. Hans reported the crime had dropped to nothing, making Kurt and Gretchen feel safe. Kurt had his great life he dreamed of. He was flying and married to the love of his life. 

      The end of the war brought on a boom in the delivery business. They were busier than ever. There were deliveries being flown into and from Germany, Austria, and Milan, Italy. It was winter and flights were often cancelled because of weather. Kurt would stay home and take care of Zeus while Gretchen worked. 

      One night Kurt came home exhausted from three flights that day, two in Switzerland and one in Germany. Gretchen was sitting on the couch listening to the radio and Kurt went to sit beside her. He stretched out and put his arm around her as he kissed her.

      Gretchen said, "I was wondering if we could go out to eat tonight. It's been a long day, and we deserve a break."

      Kurt was tired but looked at her and smiled, "Sure, let me go change and we'll go to the new restaurant, what's it called, the doldermeister?"

      "Yes, that would be great. I'm so glad we stayed here. This is going to be a great place to raise a baby."

      He hugged her, “Yes, when we’re ready everything will be safe.” Suddenly Kurt stopped, “Wait a minute, Gretchen, are you pregnant?”

      She smiled, “Yes, I found out the other day. I was waiting for the right time to tell you. I love you Kurt Reichard!”

      Kurt jumped off the couch dancing around like a crazy man, “I can’t believe this. It’s amazing. I’m going to be a daddy!”

      As Gretchen got up to dance with him, he put her back down one the couch saying, “You’ve got to be careful. You just sit there, I’ll get ready, and we'll go celebrate!"

      Gretchen grabbed his hand, “I’m fine. Take it easy and go get ready.”

      Kurt was ecstatic. During the next few days, he told everyone. The people were great. Kurt told Hans and Niklaus and they were shaking hands and hugging. Bachmeier told Kurt with his connections whatever he needed he could get it. He could come in whenever he wanted and fly when he felt like it.

      Gretchen told Albert about the baby, and he said the same thing, “You can come in whenever you feel good.” The people in the community were great the way they helped the Reichard’s. Kurt and Gretchen knew they had found a home. Everyone looked after each other.

      As Hans said, the crime was back down to nothing. The Nazis had been neutralized, and it was peaceful. Things loosened up in Germany as well. The couple called their parents constantly. The kids told the parents they were in Zurich. The parents were happy to be in Heidelberg. Everyone was living a good life again.