A half an hour later, they parked the car at the Embassy.
Annie opened the door and got out of the car and realized that Eyal wasn't doing the same. "Aren't you coming"?
"My cover might come in handy, I don't want to blow it, and if my hunch is right, Hans won't be here".
Annie rolled her eyes at him. "Why do you say that"?
"I'm telling you, Hans has Ella and I will bet you that he left the country during the night, the minute she was taken".
Annie frowned as she closed the door and headed to the Embassy doors where Joan was waiting for her.
"Where's Eyal"? asked Joan slightly concerned.
"He's staying in the car. He's convinced that Hans already has Ella and he's not even here".
"You don't think it's possible"? asked Joan as they walked inside the building.
"I'm more hoping it's not the case".
Max met them both inside the main hall. "Joan, it's a pleasure to see you again. You mentioned over the phone that it was important. How can I be of assistance"?
Joan shook his hand. "Max is Hans here"?
"No, he took a couple of days off".
"Do you happen to know when he left and where he was going"?
"Let me think. He left yesterday and I believe he was heading for the French Riviera".
Annie looked at Joan and raised an eyebrow.
Max noticed their glance. "Is something wrong? Has something happened to Hans"?
"Not that we are aware of", replied Joan. "When Ella came to the Independence Day gala, did you notice anything strange during the evening"?
He furrowed his eyebrows. "In regards to Ella"?
"Not really. She came alone and her fiancé met up with her here".
"Decker"? asked innocently Annie.
"Yes, I believe that was his name Decker Schmitt".
"How were things between Ella and Hans? I know he can give Ella a hard time", said Joan.
"Actually from I witnessed he was quite descent with her. Although I heard through one of the guards that there was a slight incident".
"What kind of incident"?!
"Ella and Herr Schmitt were caught in quite an awkward situation in Hans' office. Hans asked to speak to Ella afterwards. I felt bad, it was partly my fault".
"What do you mean"? asked Annie.
"Ella came to me and asked where she and Herr Schmitt could spend some time alone, he was only in the country for a couple of hours. I told her to go into Hans' office. I had no idea he would leave the gala and head back upstairs".
"Did the guard go into the room with Hans"?
"No. He stayed at the door and waited there for them to exit".
"Is the guard here today"?
"Yes, but what is going on"?!
Joan looked at Max. "Max, I promise you that once I've spoken to the guard, I'll give you more details".
Eyal fidgeted in the car. He felt helpless and they were losing time. Two things he hated the most. He got out of the car, took his phone out and walked around.
"Auggie, can you do me a favor"?
"Anything, I'm restless waiting for some lead to find Ella back".
"Can you check out of the various airports in and around Washington DC to see if any private planes left a couple of hours after I spoke to Ella"?
"You think he took her out of the country"?
"I think so".
"Alright I'm on it. I'll call you back when I've got the intel".
As Eyal hung up, he saw a man in a guard suit, jump out the window quietly. He blinked a couple of times then ran after the guy, it was obvious he was trying to get away from something or someone.
Eyal caught up with him and jumped him. He lifted the guy and aimed his gun at him. Annie arrived by their side and joined them.
"Thanks".
Eyal looked at the guard and it dawned on him. "He's the guard that was with Hans' that night".
They looked at him.
"What happened to your face"? asked Annie pointing at the scratch marks on his cheek.
"Cat", replied the guard impassively.
"Big cat", replied Annie as she looked at it closer. It was evident that they had been done by someone. "Looks to me like you got into a fight with someone. You want to change your story"?
The guy sneered at her and it sent Eyal's blood boiling. He grabbed the guard and pushed him against the wall, planting the barrel of his gun on his forehead.
"Where is she?! Where is Ella Peeters"?!
The guard snickered. "You're too late, you'll never find her".
Eyal leaned in towards him and Annie feared the worst. "When I find her, and I will find her, I'll make sure you rot in the worst possible jail ever".
Annie cuffed him and brought him to Joan.