TIME-TO-SEE-77
Jerome and Jimmy washed and serviced the cars all before they even thought about eating.
"My goodness, the morning has been passing quickly," Jerome said. "I'm glad that there is no agenda to meet today: just a leisurely drive back to Dublin... And have you noticed what wonderful drivin weather we're havin, Jimmy.... such a lovely day."
But there was intrigue going on back up at the Castle in the Murphy suite:
"Oooooow!" Hugo could be heard howling, waaaay beyond any annoyance that had been perpetrated upon him.... "You thought I was foolin: I'm gonna catch whoever did that and give them a whackin they won't forget!"
Still the boys just laughed and thought it great fun to tease and tempt Hugo.
But they didn't calculate that Hugo was no force to be reckoned with. He grabbed Jilder by the waist in one arm and Nicky by the waist in his other, picked them both up off the ground and carried them like two sacks of laundry across the room to a bed, with both kicking and screaming in delight.
Murph, not to be left out, took another towel and swapped Hugo on the butt while he was occupied with Jilder and Nicky!
"OOOWWW!" Hugo howled in pretend agony. "There's another varmit in here that I have to exterminate..."
At which, Hugo unceremoniously dropped Jilder and Nicky in the floor and lunged at Murph and began tickling him. Murph screamed again in sheer delight... "No, NO!... Don't tickle me.... Hugo, PLEEEEASE don't tickle me..." interrupting his pleas with rounds of giggles and laughing... "I can't STAAAAAND it! Nnnnooooooo!" Murph yelled amid tears of laughter.
"You won't ever swat my butt again, will you?" Hugo asked, continuing to tickle Murph relentlessly..."Otherwise, I'm not stopping....EVER!"
"No, NO.... PLEEEEESE! Stop Hugo, I can't STAND IT!" Murph yelled out yet again....
"Only if you'll promise!" Hugo held out...
"OKay, Okay, Hugo, you win! I PROMISE, I PROMISE!!!" Murph screamed.
Upon which Hugo relented and let Murph drop to the floor in a heap with Jilder and Nicky....
"NOW!" Hugo began.... "You guys ready for today's business?"
Everyone got the picture of who would be runnin the show; so they crawled to safety and commiserated with one another, still laughing and plotting when they might be ready to regroup and get Hugo some other time...
However, they all yelled: "Yes, Sir..." and they all complied, realizing indeed that they would have to get organized to start their trek back to Max's estate today.
"I'd like everyone to be packed up in an hour. It's ten now. So by eleven we all need to be ready. Then, everybody will have brunch together here at the castle before we hit the road. Is this a plan???" Hugo asked.
"Yes, Sir. We'll be ready...."
Sean and Artie asked: "Where do you want us to put all our things, Hugo?"
"Just leave them right here. Some of the Castle staff will carry them out to the cars while we're eating; and Jerome and Jimmy can pack things up however they think is best."
Artie said, still holding Spirit, "What about Spirit? Who will keep him while we eat?"
"Hummm?" Hugo paused to consider... "I didn't think about that... How about you carry him with us to the dining room and hold him. Then when you're ready to eat, someone else can hold him... I don't want Jerome to be distracted with caring for Spirit while he's getting the cars ready for the drive back.... Or maybe one of the castle staff would like to hold Spirit while we all eat? We'll have to see how that works out."
"Are we going straight home?" Artie asked.
"Yes, unless you know of something I forgot..." Hugo replied.
"Well, I wanted to go to the pet shop, and I wondered whether we could stop there before we go home," Artie asked.
"Hummm?" Hugo clearly hadn't thought of that possibility either... "Can we talk about that at lunch, Artie. I'll ask your mom and dad then whether they would like to do something special with the pet shop visit. Then we'll know what must happen before we leave Dromoland... Will that be alright with you, Artie?"
"Yes, sir. I just don't want to be without a puppy if I can help it..." Artie said.
Hugo understood, and he wanted to be helpful to Artie, but he had no idea what Mr. and Mrs. Donnally would want to do; so he had to stall Artie a bit.
The Castle Dromoland staff were delighted to be placed in charge of Spirit for the short time their guests required for lunch. They found a little drawer in the Concierge's desk for Spirit to sit in with his blankie.
At the table Hugo asked, "Mr. Donnally, Mrs. Donnally, have you thought further about Artie's visit to the Pet Shoppe just outside of Dublin?"
"My goodness, has he started with that already?" Mr. Donnally asked.
"Well, boys being boys, it's not surprising really," Hugo replied. "I just wanted to know whether you'd need for us to stop with you at the Pet Shop; so that you and Artie could look for a puppy. I certainly hope that there are more Alaskan Malamutes there..."
"That would be very kind of you, Hugo, given all of the special care you've given Artie already," Mr. Donnally commented.
"Oh, we're not pressured at all today; so it's absolutely no trouble. I just don't want to put you in a position of having to shop for the puppy today if it weren't convenient to do so..." Hugo said.
The adults discussed the full logistics of the trip home and the shopping stop, and Artie turned out to be the winner: they would stop near Dublin at the pet shop. You can't imagine how thrilled Artie was to hear that!
Everyone hovered around the town car as Jerome suggested the seating. The car would easily carry all of the east bound passengers; so everyone loaded up. Spirit was thoroughly involved in the loading... He had an opinion that he expressed with little squeaks that for now would have to pass for barks. And in no time at all Hugo and Kevin passed along Max's, Brandy's and their own appreciation to the Dromoland staff for a marvelous stay. The boys all gave their last good-bys and warm hugs to Ian, their guide on the lake, and both cars slowly pulled out of the Dromoland main gate and left for home-- with a stop scheduled for the pet shop on the way, of course. At least that's what everyone intended.
The town car sped silently along the Irish countryside, again passing idyllic, rolling landscape and picturesque cottages and roaming livestock.
"It is such a beautiful country, isn't it Hugo?" Kevin said idly.
"It is..." Hugo replied; then he added: "So green and peaceful."
The boys were buzzing in conversation near the front of the car, passing little Spirit around (who seemed to enjoy being jostled and tussled about), and speculating on whether Artie would find a Malamute too.
The drive was such a soothing and pleasant relief from the busyness of the past several days.
Then, Jerome buzzed Kevin and Hugo's seats from the front. "Mr. Kramer, I have Mr. Murphy on the cell phone. He is most eager to reach you or Hugo, but he does not want to call you directly on your cell phones. Could you take the call on my cell phone, which I'll pass by way of the boys, back to you?"
"Sure, Jerome..." Kevin answered.
The little window separating Jerome's driving compartment from the rest of the vehicle opened, and the cell phone moved from hand to hand until it reached Kevin.
"Hello?" he anwered smiling and in a most happy mood. "Kevin here. Can I help you?"
"Kevin,.. Max here. Listen, I've got BIG problems..." and Max paused for a moment for his characterization to sink in.
"Yes? WHAT is the matter, Max?" Kevin asked feeling his heart speed up in his chest.
"I will explain more fully when I meet you in Heidelberg in a few days, but right now you and Hugo and the boys must NOT go back home to Dublin-- ESPECIALLY THE BOYS!"
"What? What are we supposed to do, Max?" Kevin said with alarm: "What's going on?"
"I'm going to tell Jerome to turn the car around and take you all to the Galway International Airport. There, you and Hugo will find airline tickets to Heidelberg for yourselves and the boys. At the Galway Airport, you will be met by two agents from Interpol who will identify themselves with the password SPIRIT, provide security, and travel with you to the Frankfurt Airport. Once there, they will go on with you to your Hotel in Heidelberg, where Brandy and I will join you on Friday." and then Max paused once again...
"Max, excuse me for asking again: But 'WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON???" Kevin asked with considerable forcefulness...
"Okay, Kevin. I realize that you can bail out of this at any moment you want, and I certainly would not blame you, but if ever I needed you-- or Murph and Sean, in particular-- needed you, it's now." Max continued.
Totally uncommitted as yet, Kevin didn't question further but continued to listen "Go on...." he said.
"Brandy and I discovered the cause of our system problems here in Athens last night. Someone was hacking into our systems repeatedly and sabotaging whatever servers they could interact with... And they left multiple messages from the defunct Northern Irish Republican Army addressed to ME: "That they were going to finish the job they began in Sean's village: SLAUGHTER SEAN! and kill Murph, Brandy, and me for helping him!" Max gasped for breath before going on...
Kevin interrupted, "Max, they want to KILL SEAN AND ALL OF YOU?! So, in how much danger are the other boys and Hugo and I also?" Kevin asked.
"Well, yes, SEAN and Murph (by association with me) are known to be involved. There is no indication that you and Hugo or your boys are known to the terrorists at all. And Artie and his parents are completely off the radar, as far as we know..." Max replied.
Then Max continued..."You see, Kevin, Interpol is placing two decoys to impersonate Sean and Murph, along with Jerome in the town car for the trip back home to Dublin. All of you will have escaped to Heidelberg, which is unknown to anyone except Interpol and ourselves... That is... IF you decide to go along with us..." and again Max paused for Kevin's reply...
"Max, I HAVE TO TALK TO HUGO ABOUT ALL THIS FIRST... I HAVE TO! Kevin said.
"I understand, Kevin. May I hold the line here for you two to consult with one another?" Max asked contritely.
"If you like, Max.... hold on.... wait a minute, Hugo's right next to me."
And then Kevin put his hand over the cell phone; so that his conversation with Hugo would be private.
In a very low voice Kevin explained to Hugo as best he could what Max had just told him, then he looked into Hugo's eyes waiting for a sign as to whether to leave Sean and Murph on their own, or take the boys on to Heidelberg with them... Kevin didn't push Hugo at all. He merely waited, searching Hugo's eyes for the truth.
Hugo looked back at Kevin, shocked at the dilemma that had just been thrust upon him and Kevin. He had no idea what he should do. But he just stopped in his terrorized thoughts and waited for some sense of connection with sanity-- a holy instant... and it finally came.
"Kev, I could struggle with the details all day, but in the end, our friend's lives are in danger. There is no way but to help them if we can." Hugo said. "What do we need to do???" he asked.
Kevin said, "We have to go to the Galway Airport immediately, meet up with Interpol security, and see that all of the boys get to Heidelberg safely today."
"Then let's do it," Hugo replied.
Kevin went back to the cell phone. "Max, tell Jerome whatever you have to pass along to him to get things moving. We're going with him to the Galway Airport, and we'll be in Heidelberg sometime this afternoon.... But it occurs to me, you didn't want to call us directly on my cell phone, lest we be located by the terrorists also... How will we connect with you in Europe?"
"I won't be able to telephone or email you directly, Kevin, because I don't want any leaks that could fall into the hands of those men. They obliterated Sean's family, and they won't rest until they KILL Sean... No, I can't risk contacting you..." Max answered, and then he paused to think... "Is there a third party email in the United States that you could trust to relay our most critical email communications?"
"I think so... Yes, for sure. Let us contact them to set things up. I know that our communications would be secure, if this third party is used." Kevin replied.
"Excellent. I'll telephone Jerome back in 40 minutes. Will that be enough time for you to contact your associates in the US and set things up?" Max asked.
"It should be. We'll have to stop and get our laptops out of the trunk of Jimmy's car, and then wait until we connect with a wifi system when we arrive in the vicinity of the Galway Airport. By then we ought to have something to tell you, say in maybe half hour?..." Kevin replied.
"Good. Oh... And Kevin. Be very circumspect about how you explain matters to the boys... I don't want Sean to bolt and run. He will just certainly endanger himself more than if he follows our plans. Can you "improvise" a reason for this change of plans?" Max asked...
"I'll sure try, Max... We'd better let you get Jerome and this car turned around and headed to the airport right now; then you can call him again later to speak with us before we get out of the car..." Kevin said.
"Yes. Until later.... AND THANK YOU, KEVIN... PLEASE THANK HUGO AS WELL... I can NEVER repay the two of you for this..." Max said.
"Just come out of it alive-- WITH THE BOYS ALIVE TOO! Good-luck, Max." Kevin said.
"Thanks...Good-by... Kevin. Please pass the cell phone back to Jerome."
The cell phone made its way through the hand off back to Jerome, and Kevin addressed the boys immediately.
"Hey, guys! I need your attention for an important announcement. We've just gotten a change of plans from Dr. Kavanaugh," Kevin began...
"Aw... Do we gotta do some business right now," Murph complained...
"Well, not exactly. The seminar has been moved up, and all of us will have to head to Heidelberg immediately. Airline tickets have been set up for all of us, and we're flying out of Galway International Airport today; so we can be in Heidelberg tonight."
Sean spoke up first, "But what about Spirit? What are we gonna do with him?"
"He'll be flying to Heidelberg with us, of course, Sean!" Kevin said. "He'll have to ride in a cardboard kennel in the baggage hold (that's a box with screen windows in it), but he'll join us with our baggage when we land," Kevin improvised...
Kevin just hoped that his explanations would hold up enough that the boys wouldn't suspect that there was any danger or urgency.
"Oh, yeah!" Kevin said, as an after thought..."Dr. Kavanaugh is sending two of his staff to travel with us; so that we find our way directly to the hotel in Heidelberg...."
Then Kevin turned to face Sean and Murph and spoke with them directly, "Your dads, both Max and Brandy, will still be meeting us the end of the week in Heidelberg, like we planned earlier... There shouldn't be any problem there, I don't anticipate."
Murph spoke up first, "Cool. I don't mind going for an airplane ride today." and he squirmed a bit in his seat.
"This isn't so bad, I don't think," Sean said. "As long as we all get to go together, it ought to be fun..."
Artie didn't quite know where he fit in, especially since it appeared that he wouldn't be able to visit the pet shop today like he expected..."I can't go to the pet shop today, can I." Artie commented without any enthusiasm.
Kevin understanding his disappointment answered him immediately, "Well, I suppose not. We'll have to delay a visit to THAT pet shop, but there's nothing that says we can't go to pet shops in Heidelberg. Maybe you'll see something there that you like even better..."
"Ohhhh, all right." Artie acquiesced, not happy about this detail, but not unhappy about going shopping in some other pet shops either. So all and all, Kevin had improvised sufficiently to get the entire brood to Europe-- (He hoped...) SAFELY! Which was the operative word....
Kevin realized that he would have to move very quickly. So he took out his cell phone and placed a call directly to San Diego-- no matter that it was 14 hours earlier there, and Jake and Craig would be sleeping...
The telephone rang for a very long time at the other end. By the eighth ring, Kevin was beginning to worry that perhaps they were out of town. Then a very sleepy Jake answered, "Hello...."
"Jake! This is Kevin. We're still in Ireland."
"KEVIN!" and a little crispness and clarity infused Jake's voice... "What are you doing? Are you Okay?" Jake asked...
"Oh, Yes. Jake. Hugo and I and both boys are safe and sound for the moment, but I have to admit that I am calling for a rather urgent reason: to ask for your help... rather, the help of both you and Craig..." Kevin said.
"What's going on, Kevin? Are you SURE you're alright?" Jake pressed the point.
"Well, you know me well enough to realize that I don't play games at midnight half-way around the globe unless there's a damn good reason... So, Yeah, I've got-- or rather WE (our friends and ourselves) have got BIG problems, and we need you to provide a safe communications link. I can't explain the details, that will certainly make a riveting travel story when we get back home, but for now, PLEASE JUST TRUST me!" Kevin said.
"So far I don't know or understand a fucking thing, Kev.... Again, WHAT IN THE FUCK IS GOING ON OVER THERE?"
"Okay, Jake. Our friends are the object of an international murder vendetta, and their sons who are both traveling with Hugo and I right now are targets for murder as well. Hugo and I are taking all of the boys on to Europe within the hour, with the help of security from Interpol, where we hope to hide our friend's boys from the terrorists who are hell bent on killing them both. The terrorists don't know that we are in the picture...."
"Oh, my God, Kevin! Can't you get away from all of that danger?" Jake said, trying to solve the problem long distance.
"Thanks for the brain storming, Jake, but our fate is cast. We're in this, and the only way out of it is through it... Which is where YOU & CRAIG come in--- that is, if you are willing to help us all out?" Kevin said and then paused for Jake to bail out or throw his support behind him...
Kevin didn't have to wait long, "Of course, you dumb Asshole, you needed to ask? We'll do whatever we can... But what can we do half-way around the world?" Jake asked...
"Okay. Listen carefully, Jake. Our friend can't call us on our cell phone directly, because it would identify us and our location to the terrorists who would then come after the boys here. Those guys have launched a cyber attack against our friend's business enterprises-- and those enterprises are considerable, Jake, just trust me...."
"Well, what do you want us to do?" Jake asked.
"Oh. We need you to be an email intermediary for our friend and us. They are supposed to meet us in Heidelberg this coming Friday, and they'll need to reach us. But they can't contact us directly. Therefore, if our friends could email you and Craig, and then-- without any connection to our friend's email, from a different email account entirely-- you could send the information to us via that separate email, then we could function." Kevin explained.
"That would sure be no problem, Kev. I'll explain to Craig later. He didn't wake up when the phone rang, but he'll want to know who called as soon as I hang up," Jake said.
"Alright, Jake. I can't begin to thank you enough, and our friend's lives and their boys lives are in your hands as well. I'll explain everything in detail when I see you, Jake."
"And WHEN WILL we see you guys, Kev?" Jake asked.
"Oh, very soon, Jake. Our current lecture schedule finishes this weekend; so we could be returning to the States in a little over a week-- and leaving this fucking Irish political terrorism shit behind, I hope." Kevin said.
"Damn right. Leave it over there!" Jake said.
"Well, we just pulled up at the Galway airport, Jake. I gotta go. We'll be flying from Galway to Heidelberg very shortly... I have no idea what the details are. I'm trusting Interpol to lead the way..." Kevin said.
"INTERPOL! What are you doing with THEM?" Jake screamed into the phone....
"Oh, God, Jake... I really don't know... I just have to trust that the plans will work out. I'm going to leave you. I'll be emailing you just to get the communications link started. I'll have to pass along your email address to my friend who's in danger, when he contacts the airport. Look for a message from him..." Kevin said.
"What's this guy's name?" Jake asked.
"Uh? I don't know whether he's going to use his name; so I'd better not say. He'll identify himself with the code word "SPIRIT." That's how you'll know you are corresponding with the REAL friend. Anyone else will not know the answer to the question: "Who's the dog?" Answer: "Spirit." Okay, Jake... I'm outta here. Thanks loads..." and Kevin clicked his cell phone off.
Everyone piled out the town car at the airport, and Jerome and Billy unloaded the suitcases and packages and assisted processing it through baggage, including Spirit, who was frantic and crying with the commotion. They needed to get that airline kennel asap!
Shortly after Hugo and Kevin walked into the airport with the boys, a page was broadcast over the intercom system. "Will Mr. Hugo Ramirez or Mr. Kevin Kramer please report to the Information Kiosk? Mr. Ramirez or Mr. Kramer..."
"Well, I guess that's our next step," Kevin said to Hugo. And the two of them led the way to the Information Kiosk at the head of their entourage.
When he arrived he said, "I'm Mr. Kramer. Did you have a message for me?"
The clerk at the Kiosk looked at the crowd of boys and Jerome and Jimmy and Hugo all standing around him, and she said, "Uh... Yes, Sir. I have a message to pass along. You and your party are to proceed to the Lufthansa counter where you may pick up your tickets and join up with Mr. Kravitz and Mr. Grueber."
"Thank you, Miss." Kevin said with a smile. Then he turned to everyone and said, "Follow me: we've got to find the Lufthansa ticket counter. Does anyone see where that is?"
Jerome replied, "Yes, Mr. Kramer. I've been in this airport many times. Lufthansa is to our left, a rather considerable distance along the line of ticket counters."
"Will you lead the way for us, Jerome?" Kevin asked.
"Indeed, Sir." and Jerome began leading the group to the Lufthansa ticket counter.
Just as the entourage arrived at the Lufthansa counter, two men, both dressed neatly in quite nice grey suits approached the group. The taller man spoke: "This must be the Ramirez/Kramer party, is it not?"
"Yes." Kevin replied, steely-eyed and humorless, somewhat suspect of what was taking place.
Then Kevin pre-empted the conversation and asked, "What do you have to tell us?"
The taller man replied, "You must have the SPIRIT to continue with this journey. I'm told that it will be extremely beneficial."
"And whom am I speaking with," Kevin inquired no less circumspect of the men.
The tallish man said, "I'm Keil Kravitz, and this is Hans Grueber," the tall man replied, likewise strictly business and without a hint of cordiality.
Not really any more at ease, but- for some reason- without an explanation for his own discomfort, Kevin spoke again, "Yes. We have the Spirit, but we need knowledge of the details that our friends have been unable to give us. Do you have information for us?"
The boys stood by hearing the strange conversation but not making a sound nor even allowing their feelings to register in their faces.
"Yes, Sir. We do have some information. First, you should identify yourselves to the Lufthansa ticketing personnel and receive your boarding passes. Your baggage, including the pet, must be checked through the Lufthansa gate."
Then removing an envelope from his suit coat breast pocket, the man continued, "And this is information concerning your lodging once you arrive in Heidelberg. In as much as we will be accompanying your party to Heidelberg and lodging at the same hotel, we can assist you should you have problems along the way. Please allow us to remain close by in order to expedite our assistance."
Kevin listened carefully and reached across to accept the envelope. Quickly opening it he found typed name and address of the Heidelberg Hotel on Alfred Strasse, and room numbers for Hugo and him and all of the boys-- all five of the them.
Kevin looked up at the man and asked, "And when will you be leaving our side?"
"When we are directed to do so by our higher authorities..."
Kevin interrupted Kile's sentence and continued it for him "... who are...." and paused for Kile to identify his higher authorities.
"Shall we just say they have been employed by your firm to provide travel assistance?"
Kevin pressed the point, "and their name is...." Then he waited searching the eyes of the tall man...
Kile looked at Kevin for a long moment and without blinking replied, "Interpol."
Kevin relaxed somewhat and replied, "I see."
Kile, the taller man, then said, "I think we ought to proceed with our ticketing and boarding. We do not have a great deal of time and yet quite a lot to do..."
"Yes." Kevin said, still not quite sure why he continued to find these men not quite believable... "We'd better be on our way."
Kevin turned to the boys and directed them to the baggage check-in counter, then he looked into Hugo's eyes, not saying a word but nodding toward the ticket counter...
Hugo said to Kevin, understanding Kevin's mistrust without even having to be told, "I have our papers in my briefcase, but what do we do for Sean and Artie?"
"I don't know," Kevin said. "Let's see what Lufthansa requires...
***** At the ticket counter a lovely young, blond woman smiled and asked whether she could be of assistance.
Kevin began to explain, but before he could finish identifying himself she interrupted and said, "Oh, yes, Mr. Kramer. We've been expecting you. We have your paperwork here already. Everything has been processed, and all passports and visas were apparently provided in advance. Thus, your boarding passes are all ready," she said with a smile.
Kevin was dumbfounded. Never has he passed through international travel with no questions... "Well," he thought "that's SOME evidence that Interpol really is on the job... But, still... Kile and Hans... I don't know what it is..." Then he spoke to the young lady: "Wonderful, can you direct us to the boarding gate?"
The Lufthansa employee said, "Yes, Sir. We'll send one of our staff to lead your party through the security and boarding process. And thank you for flying Lufthansa..."
The entire entourage and puppy were cleared for direct flight to Frankfurt, Germany, where they would board helicopter shuttles to Heidelberg...
Kevin turned to Jerome and reached for his hand, "Jerome, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help and good humor. I am sure that there is no more hospitable place on earth than Ireland as you have shown us."
"And I hope you will be returning soon?" Jerome said.
"Well, Jerome, as you know, there is a great deal of uncertainty in our path at the moment. I do hope we will be seeing you again... very soon. Please tell all the household staff how much we enjoyed meeting them, and how much we appreciate all that they did for us."
Kevin paused and handed Jerome a scrap of paper with the email address for Jake & Craig written on it. Quietly he said to Jerome, "Make sure Max gets this at once.. The boys' lives depend upon it..."
"Yes, Sir. And safe travels..." Jerome replied.
Hugo and Kevin and five bouncing, inquisitive, boys with undaunted spirits made their way along the concourse to their waiting aircraft, each boy patting the green wall tiles as they passed but not the black ones.....
There were 178 green tiles in all between the ticket window and the boarding gate.