Charlotte Bergmann's Story

Abegail had chosen not to go back to Marshal. She had turned down the offer for South Africa and despite her hearts longing did not return to Ireland. She desired a change of scenery and time to get used to her new....way of life.

Her hand found the piece of material, fingers clutching it. Abegail had taken the flag and made a few items from it. She had to have a piece of it on her at all times so in order to alleviate any fear of losing it Abegail had formed it into a few things. There was a piece in her pocket, a piece in a locket at her neck and a few other pieces she had hidden around her person.

She looked out across the water. The sun was bright and high. Abegail was hidden in the shade of an umbrella on the terrace of the villa in Spain she had rented. She had come to work on a few books and to get away from all things occult. Somehow the sun and beaches here seemed like they would help. As if they could keep the rest at bay.

She picked up her pen again and worked once more on her letter to Walter. The two had gone their seperate ways after Austria, though it pained Abegail slightly.

"...forty pages in before I realized that the man knew nothing about the subject of banshees. Imagine thinking that I wouldn't notice that it was pure shite."

Abegail chuckled to herself. The man's manuscript had been nothing but falsehoods and make up stories with nothing at all to do with Irish myths.

"I received an odd letter yesterday. From a woman. She wanted to interview us both for a book on the Bloodstone. All these years and someone is doing a book about it? What shall we tell her, that we buried it all under a mountain? I will send her a polite note with my regards and that I have no way of contacting you."

Abegail took a sip of her drink. Her eyes scanned the water again. The wind blew her loose aubun hair. She rarely pinned it up now.

"Walter, you really should come and visit. It is peaceful here. I understand you are working but it has been two years and it would be nice to see you again.

Yours,
Abegail"

She picked up the paper began to fold it. She slipped it in an envelope. A quick hand addressed it and followed it with a quick note to the woman declining to speak to her or divulge Walter's whereabouts due to work contraints.

She picked up both envelopes and exited the villa. Abegail walked the street, her basket for the market on one arm and her letters in her other hand. The wide hat kept the hot sun from her pale skin as she strolled between vendors booths.

Ducking into the post office she sent both letters off and head back into the street and into the market. As she shopped for some fruit the hair on the back of her neck began to stand up. Abegail stopped and stood straight. It had been a long time since she had felt the sensation of being watched but it was undeniable. Turning slowly her eyes scanned the crowd. She looked for shadows or alcoves but found nothing.

Her mouth was dry as she hurriedly finished up her shopping and walked quickly back home. The door was locked behind her and a glass was filled with whiskey to help calm her nerves.

It was three hours later the phone rang. Confused, Abegail answered it. Very few had the number here and even fewer of those people called.

A woman's voice, American with....a slight accent that Abegail couldn't place, "Hello, Miss McHugh? Apologies, Professor McHugh?"

Abegail hesitated, "Yes. May I ask who is calling and how you got this number?"

"Oh I am sorry. I am Charlotte Adams. I wrote to you about the book about the Bloodstone? I was wondering in addition to talking to you about it would you or preferably Dr Rivers be willing to assist in a new endeavour?"

Abegail barely contained her sigh and clenched teeth, "I replied to you today Miss Adams but this works just as easily although I am still unsure how you got my number here....I have no interest in a book on the bloodstone and both Dr River's and I have long since put our adventuring days behind us. I will not divulge his information as he is a very busy man. Thank you and I apologize for your trouble."

Abegail hung up the phone but a general unease fell over her. "Damn it."

Abegail fumed as the man refused to answer her question, instead almost dissmissing her and standing. He walked away and Abegail turned, watching him leave.

"What game is he playing at?" She was trying to calculate exactly what was in it for him to help her and if this was actually help he was offering.

Her head cocked to one side, auburn hair falling slightly over her shoulder. He seemed to know an awful lot about everything surrounding this treatment. Abegail could not wrap her head around why he wanted to help her, what benefit it would have to him and why not just hire someone to take what he wanted? If he had it he could sell her treatment for any price, should she want it. Something about the whole situation sat wrong in her stomach.

Abegail shook her head at the back of the curious man as he left the cafe. Her coffee arrived and Abegail sipped it while she thought on this unusual meeting. Her fingers drummed the papers on the table.

Her cup was empty and Abegail stood, she had a clear plan in her head. First she needed to contact Walter, second she needed to leave here and third, she needed to make some calls to find out about this Franklin.

Abegail left the cafe, bag and papers in hand. Heading to her villa quickly she kept an eye out over her shoulder. "I thought I was done being concerned about what lurked in the shadows...." she muttered to herself.

The door was locked behind her, gun extracted from its hiding place in her bag and papers were brought to her desk as she sat. Abegail picked up the receiver and began dialing Walter's number. "Ye better pick up...."

She flipped through her mail as she listened to the ring in her ear of the phone trying to connect.

----

She walked through the streets, approaching the front door of the residence she was looking for. Charlotte fixed her hair and pressed the ringer on the door next the little label that said Miller.

There was no difference of time between South Africa and Spain, thus enabling Abigail and Walter to converse at the same time of day, even though they were physically separated by vastly different locals. Walter had arrived home several hours ago, with only a single meeting to attend that day, the mid-afternoon hours were quickly vanishing from the skyline over Pretoria as the living room phone began to ring.

Water had been relaxing in his favorite chair ever since coming home, he had been fallen in and out of sleep for the last hour, only to be awoken by the double assault of a ringing phone and the sudden oncoming of knocking at his apartment door.

"Kak, Altyd wanneer I'm slaap." Walter cursed the phone and door that interrupted his desire for rest.

Walter reluctantly climbed from the warmth of his favorite recliner; it was far more imperative to answer the phone before making a dodge for the door, the person behind the wooden barrier could stand to wait, but the person on the phone might hang up if it were not answered with some urgency.

Walking over to the black, shiny phone Walter picked up the receiver and placed it against his ear and mouth. "Ja, dokter Miller hier."

Before the person on the end of the line could respond. "Een oomblik."

Walter asked the person to hold on for a second, he had assumed that the individual calling was doing so from some other part of South Africa, and as this was only logical he didn't think twice about speaking Afrikaans to the person calling.

Arriving at the door Walter reached out and turned the doorknob, pulling the door open but slightly he inquired as to who was there.

Abegail jumped when she heard Walter's voice. She rolled her eyes. "Walter, it's...." She heard him say something and then the clunk of the receiver on a hard surface. "Really Walter...." Abegail huffed into the phone. Her foot began to tap impatiently as she waited for him to come back.

At the door, Charlotte stood and looked up at Walter. "Dr Miller?" Her large eyes looked into his, her sweetest smile accompanied her psuedo-American accent.

"I do hope I have the right place. I'm so very sorry if it isn't....I am looking for Dr. Walter Miller." Charlotte knew she had the right man but found this particular ploy always worked best when talking to a mark. She knew all she needed to know about him save where he was and Abegail's letters had given that away. Charlotte had been tracking them for a while and at first it still proved elusive. The contact with Abegail by phone and the letter Charlotte got in response were both of no help but the last letter Abegail had sent Charlotte was able to get before it left the post office in Spain.

Charlotte had gotten here has fast as she could.

On the phone Abegail grew impatient. "Walter, I donna care what yer doin' I need to talk to ye!"

Walter was surprised to see the beautiful blond at his door with her charming smile and lovely American voice. "Yes, I am....huh." Walter tried to continue his introduction but was suddenly stopped by the realization that some was awaiting him on the phone. "Shoot, please hold on one moment." Walter said before dashing for the phone. "Yes, who is this?" When Walter picked the up the receiver for the second time he had answered it in English, mostly due to the fact that he had just been speaking in that language upon answering the knock from the feminine caller.

Charlotte smiled more, her eyes lighting up. "Oh wonderful! Dr. Miller I would love just a few moments of your time if you could spare...."

She frowned as he darted away and began speaking. Charlotte ducked her head into the open door way. Her eyes took in the room and she quietly stepped up the last stair and entered Walter's home. Quietly, she closed the door behind her and stood patiently by the door.

Listening, Charlotte did her best to hear Walter's conversation.

Abegail, exasperated sighed into the phone, "Ye right ass. What is the meanin' of puttin' the phone down on me?" She hadn't realized how much Franklin's visit had shaken her but the tears forming in her eyes and the catching of her words in her throat made Abegail pause.

"Walter...Walter somethin'...something is going on." Abegail did her best to calm her self but there was still a waiver in her voice. "Are you free to talk? I need to ask you something."

Abegail's eyes darted over to the dossier that sat under her now shaking hand. "Damn it Abby, get a grip."

In the room Charlotte, bit her lip thinking. She needed Walter to focus on her. "Dr. Miller, I let myself in. I won't be in the way will I? I just figured while you were on the phone..." She smiled sweetly, her eyes large and innocent.

Abegail almost dropped the phone when she heard the female voice come from the receiver. She recognized it and it sent a chill up her spine. "How? Why? I told her not interested....oh no..."

Abegail grew insistent, "Walter, did you get my last letter? That woman...the one in your home? She has been pestering me about finding you. Something about the Bloodstone but look...Walter a man tracked me down. Said you told him about what happened with the flag and that you told him how to find me. Did you? I didn't tell that woman anything, I do not know how she found you but something is very wrong Walter."

She waited anxiously for Walter to respond, doing her very best not to become too angry or upset.

There was definitely something wrong with Abigail, Walter could hear it in her voice, he certainly knew her well enough to know that it took quite a bit to get her acting the way she was now. Walter barely had enough time to respond to Abigail's first inquiry before she switch to a second in the matter of single breath.

It wasn't until she had mentioned the mysterious lady who had just entered his home that Walter finally got a chance to respond to Abigail's concerns. Walter could hear everything that the blond woman in the next room was saying but he felt the need to stick with Abigail on the phone.

Abby had mentioned something about a letter that he was suppose to have received from her, he tried hard to think but simply could not remember any letter about a woman or the Blackstone of Lucifer, at least nothing in the last few years.

"Abby, a letter? I haven't received anything from you since.....Christ, four months ago when you wrote me about that abstract painting that you've had your eye on."

Walter was totally confused about the conversation that he was having, the only thing that was making any sense was what she had said about the man who had approached him little over a week ago.

"Yes, I talked to him a bit. He gave me a file folder filled with information, it all checked out. Why? Is he bothering you?"

Abegail almost dropped the phone. "Nothing? Nothing for months? But...I sent..." Her hands began to shake. Something was going on and had been in the works for months. Abegail did not know what it was but she knew it wasn't going to stand.

Charlotte sneered a little when she heard Walter say the name Abby into the phone. "Blasted woman."

Abegail shook her head, "You talked to him? Did you tell him where I was? Walter...he knows about the flag, that I need it. There is no way for him to know that unless someone told him. He said you told him, told him everything."

She was trying very hard to keep her composure but at that moment Abegail didn't know if she should be angry, scared or upset. The three warred inside of her.

Charlotte took two steps further into the house. "Dr. Miller, I really just have some questions that I would love to ask you. I won't take up too much of your time. Could we talk over lunch or maybe dinner tomorrow?" Her voice was raised in hopes of getting his attention away from the phone. If he spoke too long with Abegail he might learn that the Irishwoman had already attempted to get rid of her. Charlotte needed Walter to want to talk to her, to help her...

On the phone Abegail went quiet while she waited for Walter's answer. Her eyes darted around the room. "I need a drink...."

Her free hand left the dossier and reached for the nearby bottle of scotch on the desk. She reached a little further and found a glass. A healthy drink was poured out and half of it was swallowed immediately. Abegail sighed as the liquid burned her throat.

Walter was beginning to sense that he had a made a terrible mistake by telling the man about Abigail and her condition. His intentions and heart were in the right place. He had been keeping an eye out for any kind of danger for the last few years, but never once did he find any evidence that either he or Abigail were being monitored.

He had even asked some of his friends in the government to do a little spying for him. Non of this turned up any results, but now it seems that he had been mistaken all along, and now he had to face the consequences.

"Yes Abby I told him about your problem, I thought he could help and all the information I got in regards to his identity and his past had checked out. Its been years and Ive never found any proof that we are under surveillance. I am truly sorry. Say the word and Ill catch the next flight out."

As Walter talked to Abigail on the phone he heard the lady in the next room ask him about dinner or something. The woman was worried that Abigail might tell Walter that she had already tried to contact him through Abigial and that she refused to give the strange woman any information regarding her colleagues whereabouts-If only Walter had been so diligent.

"Hold on a second."

Walter managed to get the words out to the blond standing in his living room as he conversed with his friend on the phone.

Abegail went silent. it was like her heart stopped as Walter told her he had told the man about her...condition. She heard the woman's voice again and Walter telling her to hold on, although for a moment Abegail wasn't sure who it was meant for.

Charlotte scowled. She could hear Walter explaining that he didn't think they were under surveillance, that he had told someone about Abegail, that he would take a flight out if she so desired it. Charlotte couldn't have that.

She took a few more steps towards the other room. "Oh I can wait Dr Miller. I would love your company though."

Abegail took a slow breath in and then let it out while she took a large drink from her glass again. "Aye Walter. I am sure ye thought ye were helpin'."

Her fingers traced the dossier again. "I think we need to meet. Walter, I am scared. Somethin' is na right." She was angry for being so weak but she didn't want to face the man alone again and she wanted to talk to see Walter in person before he discussed anything with the woman.

"When can ye fly out?" Abegail's voice was quiet as she gave in to her fear and concern and asked Walter to meet her.

Walter hadn't seen Abigail quite like this before, he could tell that she was very upset by what he had brought upon her, all without meaning to, of course. Still, the damage had been done and now Walter must make moves to correct his mistake.

"I can be there in the next 13 to 15 hours, allowing time for acquiring tickets and of course the flight itself." Walter hoped this would calm Abigial down and perhaps give her some relief from her worries. Now it was time to turn his attentions to the lady in the next room.

"Don't worry anymore, I ll be there soon. Goodbye Abby." Walter said his final words of reassurance to Abigail before hanging up the phone.

The fact is that Walter was so involved with solving Abigail's problem he had totally forgotten about her warning concerning the blond. "I am so very and truly sorry if it seemed I was ignoring you. Bit of a crisis."

Walter had picked up a pen and began writing a note to himself, at that exact moment a black clad male stranger entered Walter's home.

Charlotte had brought him in case the professor was already aware of her contacting Abigial and of the professors refusal. Charlotte was taking to long and so the officer was made suspicious, he had come into the building to see what was going on.

After Charlotte had whispered to him, the man hid behind the door leading to the kitchen to wait for Walter.

"I think I have to catch the next flight to Spain." Walter attempted too apologize as he walked back into the living room.

Before the professor could take three steps into the next room Walter was attacked from behind-Hit over the head with a heavy object. Walter fell to the floor unconscious, there would be no flight to Spain for him, at least not for several hours.

"Für diese Sinn machen, ich fürchte, ich muss Ihnen eine ähnliche Behandlung."

The disguised SS officer walked over to Charlotte pulling tightly on the black gloves which covered his clenched fist, as if to signify what needed to be done to solve this little problem.

Back in Spain another problem was about to be solved.

No sooner had Abigail set the phone down it began to ring. Picking it up she heard a mans voice.

"Dr Abigail Mchugh? I am an associate of Franklin Belmont. Dr Belmont is on his way to Germany, he has given me the task of informing you. He also said that the offer is still open to you. If you should change your mind, the tickets are in the folder, he says. Thank you Mrs Mchugh."

Abegail sighed in relief, "Yes, thank you Walter....thank you."

He hung up the phone and Abegail did the same at her end. She sat for a moment, her head in her hands and just tried to breathe. Thoughts whirled in her head, things to do, things she knew and things she needed to find out but right now at least Walter would come and they could tackle it together.

Her hand wrapped around her glass and she took a drink. Swallowing, Abegail put her head back and let the scotch work its way down.
---
Charlotte glanced as the man entered quietly. She whispered some details to him and remained where she stood while he hid. Her face was the mask of patience and sweetness as Walter came into the room apologizing. Her smile remained as the figure appeared behind the professor and knocked him unconcious.

Charlotte's smile fell away, "This was not supposed to go this way. That woman is a pain. He will be delayed from going to her but I need him to help me." She shook her head at his comment. "Let me think this out."

Her foot tapped the floor impatiently.
---
The ringing of the phone made Abegail jump. She picked up the reciever immediately. "Hello?"

She had hope the voice would be Walter, confirming something or asking her another question. Abegail knew that woman was there and it made her stomach churn not knowing what was really going on or if Walter would be able to get rid of her quick enough.

Abegail shook her head and frowned. "I told your associate that I am not interested. I also do not appreciate him giving out my number to people I do not know. May I have your name?" She was barely holding her anger in check. She flipped open the folder. There was in fact airline tickets. "Too much...too many holes..."
---
Charlotte looked at the man. "You will leave. You will take something...I do not care what. I will remain here. When he wakes I will fake unconciousness as if he and I were attacked and his home broken into. I will see if I can stall him even longer and convince him to forget the red-headed bitch and help me."

The phone clicked and Abegail hung up her receiver. She began to pace the floor. She sat on her couch and it was here that she fell asleep. Eight hours later, stiff and chilled Abegail awoke. It was only a matter of time now before she would hear of Walter's arrival. Perhaps he'd call her for a ride from the airport. She smiled, feeling better then she had yesterday.

Bathing quickly, donning fresh clothes Abegail set about breakfast. Four hours later, the food and coffee sat cold and Abegail was worried again.

Her phone rang to life and Abegail jumped up to answer it.

"Hello?"

She eagerly awaited the sound of Walter's voice. Her stomach dropped when she heard Franklin's voice.

"May I ask why you are calling?"

----
Charlotte propped Walter's head in her lap.

"Dr Miller, oh Dr Miller please wake up."

She did her best to sound concerned. Her fingers lightly tapped his cheek.

"Dr Miller, someone broke in...they knocked you out...please wake up."

She had rubbed her face, making it appear that she had been crying. Her make up lightly smeared, her cheeks red, her nylons had a run and she held her free hand to her head.

"They...I think it was just one person but I don't know...they pushed me down. I hit my head. They hit you with something. I do not know what they took." Charlotte sniffled as if about to cry again.

"Dr Miller please wake up..."

Her act hid her real intentions well. On the outside she was a pretty but frightened woman, inside a conniving and devious woman who needed Walter's help. She was not above using any tactic to get it.

She tapped his cheek lightly again. "Soft man...." she thought. Charlotte barely contianed her sneer. "Wake up already...."

Abigail was now speaking to Klaus on the telephone, though the chameleon maintained his identity as that of Franklin Belmont, the charming and polite British antiquarian.

"Professor McHugh, I have received some rather disturbing news concerning your colleague and friend professor Walter Miller. One thing I had not yet divulge to you is the interest that certain other parties have in the mechanism which I seek, and which I had ask your assistance in retrieving. It seems that these same individuals have abducted Walter, several hours ago I received a communique and a photo image of the professor and his captors. They insist that you help me in locating the device and return it to them in exchange for your friend."

Franklin stopped his rather rushed revelation to listen for a reply from Abigail, receiving no response from Abigail hinted to the success of his lie.

"I promise you Professor McHugh, help me. We will retrieve the machine and bring it to them as ransom. And I am still certain that you may be healed by its use. This is a chance for you and Walter."

In an attempt to make his con complete Klaus had the actual photo and communication sent to Abigail.

"Within the next hour or two you will receive that same communique and photo image. We must save professor Miller."

There was nothing to do now but wait for Abigail's reply to his seemingly selfless offer of charity.

______________________________________________________________________________________________


Walter grumbled to consciousness, finding himself with his head resting on the soft, pale thigh of this stunningly attractive blond stranger. His first thought was not focused on the ringing pain in his head, but upon the possibility that such a blow and the pain issuing from it might be a small price to pay for waking up in such a position.

Walter's hair, which was of considerable length for that particular era was partially covering his features, clearing the strands from his face Walter acknowledged Charlotte's concerns.

"Oh I am fine." Trying to maintain his manhood.

".....I think, and you? Are you Okay!'

Abigail was now speaking to Klaus on the telephone, though the chameleon maintained his identity as that of Franklin Belmont, the charming and polite British antiquarian.

"Professor McHugh, I have received some rather disturbing news concerning your colleague and friend professor Walter Miller. One thing I had not yet divulge to you is the interest that certain other parties have in the mechanism which I seek, and which I had ask your assistance in retrieving. It seems that these same individuals have abducted Walter, several hours ago I received a communique and a photo image of the professor and his captors. They insist that you help me in locating the device and return it to them in exchange for your friend."

Franklin stopped his rather rushed revelation to listen for a reply from Abigail, receiving no response from Abigail hinted to the success of his lie.

"I promise you Professor McHugh, help me. We will retrieve the machine and bring it to them as ransom. And I am still certain that you may be healed by its use. This is a chance for you and Walter."

In an attempt to make his con complete Klaus had the actual photo and communication sent to Abigail.

"Within the next hour or two you will receive that same communique and photo image. We must save professor Miller."

There was nothing to do now but wait for Abigail's reply to his seemingly selfless offer of charity.

______________________________________________________________________________________________


Walter grumbled to consciousness, finding himself with his head resting on the soft, pale thigh of this stunningly attractive blond stranger. His first thought was not focused on the ringing pain in his head, but upon the possibility that such a blow and the pain issuing from it might be a small price to pay for waking up in such a position.

Walter's hair, which was of considerable length for that particular era was partially covering his features, clearing the strands from his face Walter acknowledged Charlotte's concerns.

"Oh I am fine." Trying to maintain his manhood.

".....I think, and you? Are you Okay!'

Abegail sat. She had no words, nothing to say for what Franklin had told her.

"Walter....abducted. But...." Abegail remained silent as the voice continued.

"Can I trust him? I have to help Walter." She shook her head as he assured her she could be helped by the device. She didn't care, she could live out the rest of her life with the Blood Flag, it was Walter she worried about more.

Abegail licked her lips, realizing just how dry her mouth was. "Mr. Franklin, I do not understand why they are contacting you. Yes you want the device but why abduct Walter and send the ransom to you? What connection you have to Walter other than talking to him about me I am failing to comprehend but I will help you. Not for you, not for me. Once I receive the photo and communication I will meet you at the cafe and we will discuss the next part of the plan. Understand something. I have no reason to trust you and if I think this is a fraud I will be going to the authorities."

Abegail clenched her hand. She began to form a list of things to pack in her head.
---
Charlotte smiled sweetly down at Walter. She brushed his hair from his face. "Dr. Miller I am fine. They did not hurt me so much. A small bump to the head." She lightly brushed his cheek.

"Shall we get you up and set about finding what was taken?" Her eyes were wide, still red as if she had been crying.

Internally Charlotte was urging him up, to get moving, to stop slowing down her plan.

She brushed another piece of Walter's hair from his face. Her head tilted and she smiled again at him.

Klaus had worked it all out prior to asking the switchboard operator to connect him to Abigail's residence in Galicia, Spain. Immediately after Abigail picked up the receiver Klaus, who had once again adopted his fake British accent, dove right into his prepared speech about the abduction of Walter Miller.

He could tell by her voice that Abigial was still hesitant about joining him on the expedition into occupied Germany. Abigail questioned him as to the reason why the abductors would contact him to negotiate Walter's release.

"It is actually very simple professor, someone must have informed them that you weren't too keen on my proposal. The simple fact is that they want the device for themselves."

Klaus thought he might fair better if he played on Abigail's vanity, knowing that she had much pride in securing such a lofty position and reputation in her field.

"I guess they are under the impression that I would fair better in my locating and securing of the device if I had someone of your caliber and position to assist me."

After receiving Abigail's acceptance to meet back at the same cafe where they had met the other day, he hung up the phone.

_______________________________________

"Right." Walter spoke in a ached voice as he tried to get to his feet.

Walter stumbled to the couch and sat down.

"So.....Hey I never asked you why you wanted to see me." Walter leaned back.

Abegail frowned at the phone as Franklin hung up.

She immediately began pacing. She waited for the papers to arrive from Franklin, the whole time considering what to do about Walter.

Two hours later, when the messenger knocked on the door Abegail took the envelope, added it to the dossier and headed out to the cafe.

She arrived, took a seat at a table in the corner with her chair facing the door and opened the dossier. Abegail flipped through the papers once more and then took the newly arrived envelope. She opened it and immediately began looking it all over for signs of tampering.

The waitress came over and Abegail absentmindedly ordered a strong cup of coffee.

Fifteen minutes later a cup was placed on the table and Abegail's eyes were still on the papers and pictures.

"Should I go? I canna just let Walter be stuck...what if it is a trap? Walter would go after ye if he thought ye were in trouble..."

Abegail reached into her bag and touched the gun for reassurance. She'd hear Franklin out and she would go with him. She looked up at the door and waited for him to arrive.
---
Charlotte stood once Walter extracted himself from her lap. She brushed her skirt off and walked over to where Walter sat.

"Well wouldn't you like to get this whole robbery and assault taken care of first? If not then I would be happy to tell you why I came looking for the great Dr Rivers. I am working on some research that I could use your expertise on. That is if the subject matter interests you. I don't suppose you have heard of dragon's teeth?"

Charlotte looked coyly at Walter, her lashes batting a little in hopes of drawing him in. She reached out and touched his hand.

"Of course this can wait Dr Rivers until you are feeling better and this is all taken care of." She reached up and touched her head gently. "I should get some ice I think." She made her tone a little sad and pained. Charlotte intended to get his sympathy and to keep his attention.

Abigail didn't have to wait long before Franklin arrived at the secluded and trendy cafe, Franklin came over to the table where Abigail had sat, pulling out a chair for himself. Even before he had taken a seat he started to fill his brunch date in on what was going on with Walter.

"I know that you are having a hard time trusting me, I don't blame you considering all you've been through in the last few years, during your many adventures. In fact, as I already stated, that is precisely the reason why I sought you out."

Finally Franklin sat in his chair, placing the folder he was carrying on the table. "Here is the simply truth." Opening the folder to reveal a stack of papers, much like the ones contained in the dossier Abigail had in her possession.

"We are in grave danger, there is a chance that we will be seeing another world wide war in our lifetime."

Turning over several pages he continued.

"One day from this very hour, the machine mentioned in that dossier, will be crated and boarded onto a plane headed for for East Germany. I'm sure you know about the Russian cutting off all supplies going into the occupied section of Germany? Well, our boys....along with some American chaps have been flying missions in and out of the occupied zone. The item which we seek is being hidden about one of these flights. In short, we must prevent the Russians from getting their hands on what could possible the most destructive force ever conceived in war, a veritable army of Metal warriors. Forces which will sweep across the lands of our failure country and eventually the world."

Klaus lowered his head as if he was truly upset, this of course was mere pretense.

Exhaling. "We need to get that device for our side...at least that was the plan. Now that professor Miller has vanished we need the machine for him. His life depends on us securing it, we must not fail Walter."

Klaus hoped that last sentence would clinch the deal, hoping it had sufficiently pulled on Abigail's heartstrings.

____________________________________________


Walter's eyes and mind went wide. "Dragon's Teeth!!"

Forgetting everything but those two words.

"To hell with a few stolen trinkets, tell me everything." She definitely had Walters attention.

Abegail's shoulders slumped a little. The last war had not been over that long, the prospect of another was disheartening. her eyes flashed and her head snapped up as Franklin mentioned Walter and that his life was hanging in the balance.

"Know that I do not trust you. Too much has happened for me to trust anyone fully, especially when they tell me that they know things about my life that they should not know."

She sat back in her chair. "I will go with you. First sign that something isn't as you say and I will be in contact with the authorities." She took a drink of her coffee.

"I will go home and pack. I will meet you at the airport in twenty five minutes."

Downing the last of her coffee, Abegail stood, the dossier under her arm and left the cafe.

Once home she packed a small suitcase, a new briefcase and some notebooks and other books. Sliding the dossier inside her briefcase, Abegail sighed. "Walter, what kind of trouble are we in now?" She talked to the walls. One last check ensured she had her numerous pieces of the Blood Flag, that which was keeping her alive and then she headed out the door.

A cab took her to the airport where she arrived twenty minutes after she had left the cafe. Her hat, coat and gloves on, Abegail stood with her ticket in hand and calmly waited for Franklin to appear. The gun rested in her briefcase as well. Not her typical accessory, Abegail felt it prudent to bring it.
---

Charlotte's eyes twinkled and she moved closer to Walter.

"You know of them? Oh, I am silly, of course the great Dr Rivers knows of dragon's teeth."

She reached out and touched his hand, giving him a coy smile. "What if I said I was trying to find them? What if I told you that I had pinpointed a location and with your help we could find and retrieve them? What if I said that we could stop others from hunting them down first?"

Charlotte batted her eyes, "Would you be interested Dr Rivers? In working with me? In finding them?"