Chapter Seven: A Surprise
It was well in the afternoon when Julie reached the fork of the road after turning away from the highway. She eased her motor bike on the path that would lead her to a cabin she found two summers ago. She was not a snoop but accidentally watched three boys do their exercises in their karate gi and beautiful painted masks. She was intrigued that day as their grandpa imparted their heritage to his grandsons. She parked her motor bike off the one side decided to walk the rest of the way. She took a deep breath. She had no idea why she really wanted to come here. But since that day of her last visit, it left her a feeling of completeness that she couldn't understand. She felt a part of the cottage and the people she watched during those times. She wagged her head. She still has no explanation why she was here now either. She was lost in her thoughts and didn't notice she was already near the wooden bridge. She stopped on her tracks as if someone jolted her out from her reverie. Somewhere behind the cottage, there were shouts then they later stopped too.
Couple days ago after the supermarket incident, she knew that they guys whom she briefly met at the parking lot and at the highway were the same guys living here. They looked familiar but she just wasn't certain. Julie swallowed her nervousness; it wasn't a normal thing to do for a girl to go about someone else's house that one doesn't know of but somehow she felt like coming back here. It felt like…home.
She took time in walking and up ahead she saw now the cottage, the bridge, the orchids and the leaning to one side of the cottage were the boys' the bikes.
A low insistent beep sounded through out the cottage that interrupted the boys' training. Their grandpa looked away slightly irritated at the distraction. They were finishing their kicking exercises when the alarm went off. The boys ceased kicking and stood at an attention in front of their grandpa.
"This will do for now." Their grandpa told them. "Were you expecting someone boys'?" His brow going up as he half expected a wise remark from either the three grandsons.
"No, of course not, Grandpa." Rocky answered in a serious tone but has relaxed his posture.
"How about you, Grandpa?" Tumtum directed his question to him as he remembered an adventure long ago that involved Snyder.
"No one." Came the reply, eyeing the little boy with fondness. He went inside with his grandsons in tow. Their grandpa has reached the front door and has gone outside when Rocky gasped. He saw the last person they would expect to come to this place. Beside him was Colt who did a double take while Tumtum bumped into Colt. The youngest Douglas turned to his brother with a quizzical expression on his face.
Mori Shintaro stepped down from the three short steps of his cottage without noticing his grandsons bewildered expressions.
"Hello!" Mori called out in greeting. "Are you lost?" he asked as he walked towards the bridge. He looked over his shoulder and noticed his grandsons weren't following him. How odd, they usually be bounding down the steps without thinking. Perhaps they're learning to be cautious. He thought and turned to look back at the girl standing by the bridge.
Julie's throat went dry from nervousness as she saw the nimble elderly man coming her way. What am I going to say to him? I'm not really …lost. She breathed in and slowly released it. She has to tell him something. Then she made her decision. She resumed walking onto the bridge and met the old man halfway.
"Hello. I'm Julie Davenport," introducing herself. She looked a little puzzled when she saw the startled expression of the elderly man.
"I'm not really lost," she continued. "But thank you for your concern. I was riding in my motorbike and happened to be curious where this road leads." Thumbing behind her for emphasis.
"I see." Mori nodded and has now become curious about the girl, who resembles someone he knows. They talked further.
"Hey, Rock, isn't that Julie?" Colt asked for a confirmation.
"That's her all right!" The boy nodded.
"What she doing here?" asked Tumtum as he eyed their grandfather and Julie talking on the bridge.
"We're about to find out." Rocky announced when their grandfather and Julie began walking towards the cottage.
"My grandsons have told me about what you have done at the parking lot two days ago." Mori started.
"I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have put everyone in danger but the boys' mother needed help. Besides, I saw Tumtum threw the ball and I knew they also had a plan." She explained.
Mori sighed inwardly. His grandsons have always demonstrated that they could handle tensed situations as a team and are resourceful in times of need but his concern like any grandparent was always their safety when they face these adventures head on.
" Come on," Rocky urged his brothers to follow him outside and meet Julie. "Hi Julie!" Rocky greeted as he met them
"Hello, Rocky…" she smiled and turning to the other brothers. " Colt and Tumtum."
"Julie, we're surprised to see you here." Colt remarked in bewilderment.
"Yeah, what brought you out here? Tumtum piped up.
"Well, I was curious what I would find at the end of the road and never expected to see a nice cottage and beautiful orchids." Her gaze momentarily fell on the flowers. She also knew she partly told them the truth.
"Thank you." Mori said. "Would you like to come in and have some orange juice with us." He invited her in as he herded the young girl into the cottage. Julie accepted the invitation without protest since she was indeed feeling thirsty and she was still curious of the feeling she was having. Following the boys inside with the grandfather bringing up the rear, they directly went to the kitchen. Rocky gestured for a seat to Julie in the dining area. He prepared two glasses down on the table while Tumtum took out a plateful of chicken sandwiches. He took a seat beside Julie. Colt handed other glasses while their grandpa brought a pitcher full of orange juice. As they all sat down Julie asked after noting the boys' uniform. "Were they training? Because I heard shouts coming from the back of the cottage." She added while taking a sip from her glass.
"Yeah, we were." Tumtum butted in immediately. "By the way, are you a ninja yourself?"
"Yes, " She replied looking down at her fingers and was slightly embarrassed.
"Hey, hey it's okay." Rocky tried to make her feel at ease. He didn't think she wasn't bragging at them at all.
"Then it's really true." Colt wanted to be sure.
"Yup." Answered Julie, as she looked back at the brothers', her cheeks were still flushed.
"That's cool!" Colt was excited. "Who taught you?" continued his grilling season.
"Katsumi. She's a close family friend and has taught me when I was four years old, I think." She shrugged.
"Wow!" Colt and Tumtum exclaimed in unison.
"That's quite a long time." Rocky commented.
"Then you must be really good." Tumtum said, his voice filled with admiration.
"I would like to think I am but just like you I'm still training." Julie said humbly.
"Guys, I have a great idea…" Colt started, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Julie, why don't you join us in our training…" He stopped as he looked at his grandfather who seemed to have kept quiet for so long.
"Colt, are your trying to be a show off again?" Rocky asked in a slight reprimanding tone.
The middle brother turned to him. "No." he shook his head but was offended by the remark.
"That was nice to invite me to train with you but I have to decline." Julie began. "It wouldn't be right. But it would it great if I can visit once in a while and watch you train." She said amending Colt's plan. She hopes the boys' grandpa will permit it.
The four kids all turned to the elderly man who was standing near the kitchen sink. He had been observing the interaction a while ago and now, a decision have to be made it seems. Mori noticed the girl was earnest and had that quiet dignity in her that reminded him of his own daughter, Jessica when she was in her age. Wait a minute. He thought. Mori blinked again.
"Grandpa?" Tumtum asked when he didn't speak.
Mori shook himself as if he was convincing his own that it was impossible where someone not related to the family would resemble his daughter.
"Julie can visit and watch you train, on one condition, that you'll do your exercises, properly." Wagging his forefinger at his sometimes-notorious grandsons.
The three boys laughed and enjoyed keeping Julie in their company. An hour later Julie prepared to leave. It was early dusk.
"Maybe you should stay?" Colt was concern. It was getting dark pretty fast as he looked out from the window.
"Oh, no.no." Julie hastily replied. "I'm expected back home and I'm going to be in hot water if I don't go home tonight."
"I'll drive you Julie." Mori offered.
"Thanks but it's not necessary." Turning to their grandfather. " I have to get my bike anyway." She was moving towards the door.
"Well, let us accompany you back to where you parked your motorbike." Rocky said. Like his brother, Colt, he also didn't like the idea of her going alone in the dark.
Julie smiled. "Sure." With that, she thanked the boys' grandfather for his hospitality and letting her come by in the future to his cottage.
The three brothers and Julie walked out of the cottage and went to where they placed their bikes.
"Julie, you can use my bike." Rocky offered.
"Thanks," Julie replied and together with the brothers wheeled the bikes past the bridge. Rocky in the meantime took Colt's bike as his brother stood on the bike's wheel bars. Tumtum rode in his own bike.
Inside the cottage, Mori watched the kids rode beyond his sight.
"You know, its still would be great if you can join us." Tumtum remarked who was biking beside Julie.
"Yeah, it would be a nice change." Colt agreeing. "We like to invite Miyo too," coughing a little as Tumtum snickered.
"Colt!" Rocky called out.
"What!" he said so innocently. From what she could understand from the banter, the other two were teasing Rocky. This greatly interested her. She listened to Colt's story.
He continued. " I doubt Miyo will find the exercises daunting. We should know, we saw her creamed the bad guys back in Japan." He reminisced.
"Who's Miyo?" she wanted to know.
"She's a Japanese girl who won the Ninja Tournament a year ago." Colt answered.
"Wow, I would love to meet her." Julie remarked.
"I'm sure you two would hit it off quite well." Colt replied.
"You think?"
"Yeah, she's a great girl." Letting a series of guffaws. Colt just couldn't help remarking. "Whoa!" He exclaimed as he grips his brother's shoulder a little tighter when Rocky made zigzag runs with the bike.
"Aren't we touchy today." Colt stated when Rocky came to a full stop. He knew it was a little warning.
"Well, there's my motor bike." Announced Julie as she stopped besides it. She got on, strapped on her helmet and waved good bye to the boys. Soon she was out of their sight. The boys returned to the cottage and prepared for bed.
Julie arrived at the estate and noiselessly slipped into the house. "Hi, Martina." She greeted and took a sliced potato at the same time. The middle- aged woman jumped plus several others in the kitchen.
"Julie," she slightly admonished the girl while putting a hand on her chest. "Don't ever do that. You almost gave me a heart attack." Mrs. Brown told her off.
"Sorry," she sheepishly looked around the room and took out a plate and had some dinner. The rest of the staff, who had finished their dinner, was now tidying the kitchen.
"Where have you been this time?" Tina McGovern, another maid asked.
"I've been out." She passively told her and stuffed her mouth with food. She was hungry and didn't want to go into details. Besides there were few people from the house staff she can trust. Which brought her to ask. "Where's Katsumi?" while half downing an orange juice. Just then a 'new' guy came into the kitchen. Everyone went about his or her own business. Julie noted the change. The 'new' chauffeur took a beer from the refrigerator and went out of the kitchen. Sighing in collective relief, the house staff relaxed and continued milling around the room doing some little things before they all retire back to their respective living quarters.
"What's going on?" Julie asked in a hushed tone as Mrs. Brown set another bowl of salad in front of the girl.
" I don't know Julie." The other woman shook her head and tried to move away but Julie held her back.
"What is it?" she insisted.
Mrs. Brown sighed and began to speak. "This morning when Elliot and Leo were over the staff housing trimming the hedges, a blue sedan came and parked outside the building, driven by that new guy," Nodding her head to the direction of the door while taking a seat across from Julie.
"I later found out he's the new chauffeur." Surprise etched in her voice.
" I think he's name's Yuri…something. I can't pronounce his last name. It was too foreign sounding to me. Anyway, they said four men came out from the car and headed inside. A few minutes later, they saw two men dragging Gus to the sedan and they drove away." Mrs. Brown ended her story.
Julie's brow furrowed as she digested the information. "Didn't anyone try helping Gus?" she asked as she took another bite of her food.
"Leo tried but those other two men walking from behind the first two, flashed their guns and it prevented Leo from doing anything." She answered.
"Did you tell this to my father?" asked Julie.
"Yes, we did at lunch and he told us that he was disappointed with Gus. He said he was caught stealing very important papers in the study. The security camera was activated the moment the safe was touched. So, your father called the police. Though I'm surprised they weren't in uniforms." Mrs. Brown lastly commented.
"Elliot told your father just that and Mr. Davenport told him that they were plainclothes men he hired.
"I also don't know where Katsumi is. No one has seen her since this morning either." Mrs. Brown said and finally stood up.
It was well in the afternoon when Julie reached the fork of the road after turning away from the highway. She eased her motor bike on the path that would lead her to a cabin she found two summers ago. She was not a snoop but accidentally watched three boys do their exercises in their karate gi and beautiful painted masks. She was intrigued that day as their grandpa imparted their heritage to his grandsons. She parked her motor bike off the one side decided to walk the rest of the way. She took a deep breath. She had no idea why she really wanted to come here. But since that day of her last visit, it left her a feeling of completeness that she couldn't understand. She felt a part of the cottage and the people she watched during those times. She wagged her head. She still has no explanation why she was here now either. She was lost in her thoughts and didn't notice she was already near the wooden bridge. She stopped on her tracks as if someone jolted her out from her reverie. Somewhere behind the cottage, there were shouts then they later stopped too.
Couple days ago after the supermarket incident, she knew that they guys whom she briefly met at the parking lot and at the highway were the same guys living here. They looked familiar but she just wasn't certain. Julie swallowed her nervousness; it wasn't a normal thing to do for a girl to go about someone else's house that one doesn't know of but somehow she felt like coming back here. It felt like…home.
She took time in walking and up ahead she saw now the cottage, the bridge, the orchids and the leaning to one side of the cottage were the boys' the bikes.
A low insistent beep sounded through out the cottage that interrupted the boys' training. Their grandpa looked away slightly irritated at the distraction. They were finishing their kicking exercises when the alarm went off. The boys ceased kicking and stood at an attention in front of their grandpa.
"This will do for now." Their grandpa told them. "Were you expecting someone boys'?" His brow going up as he half expected a wise remark from either the three grandsons.
"No, of course not, Grandpa." Rocky answered in a serious tone but has relaxed his posture.
"How about you, Grandpa?" Tumtum directed his question to him as he remembered an adventure long ago that involved Snyder.
"No one." Came the reply, eyeing the little boy with fondness. He went inside with his grandsons in tow. Their grandpa has reached the front door and has gone outside when Rocky gasped. He saw the last person they would expect to come to this place. Beside him was Colt who did a double take while Tumtum bumped into Colt. The youngest Douglas turned to his brother with a quizzical expression on his face.
Mori Shintaro stepped down from the three short steps of his cottage without noticing his grandsons bewildered expressions.
"Hello!" Mori called out in greeting. "Are you lost?" he asked as he walked towards the bridge. He looked over his shoulder and noticed his grandsons weren't following him. How odd, they usually be bounding down the steps without thinking. Perhaps they're learning to be cautious. He thought and turned to look back at the girl standing by the bridge.
Julie's throat went dry from nervousness as she saw the nimble elderly man coming her way. What am I going to say to him? I'm not really …lost. She breathed in and slowly released it. She has to tell him something. Then she made her decision. She resumed walking onto the bridge and met the old man halfway.
"Hello. I'm Julie Davenport," introducing herself. She looked a little puzzled when she saw the startled expression of the elderly man.
"I'm not really lost," she continued. "But thank you for your concern. I was riding in my motorbike and happened to be curious where this road leads." Thumbing behind her for emphasis.
"I see." Mori nodded and has now become curious about the girl, who resembles someone he knows. They talked further.
"Hey, Rock, isn't that Julie?" Colt asked for a confirmation.
"That's her all right!" The boy nodded.
"What she doing here?" asked Tumtum as he eyed their grandfather and Julie talking on the bridge.
"We're about to find out." Rocky announced when their grandfather and Julie began walking towards the cottage.
"My grandsons have told me about what you have done at the parking lot two days ago." Mori started.
"I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have put everyone in danger but the boys' mother needed help. Besides, I saw Tumtum threw the ball and I knew they also had a plan." She explained.
Mori sighed inwardly. His grandsons have always demonstrated that they could handle tensed situations as a team and are resourceful in times of need but his concern like any grandparent was always their safety when they face these adventures head on.
" Come on," Rocky urged his brothers to follow him outside and meet Julie. "Hi Julie!" Rocky greeted as he met them
"Hello, Rocky…" she smiled and turning to the other brothers. " Colt and Tumtum."
"Julie, we're surprised to see you here." Colt remarked in bewilderment.
"Yeah, what brought you out here? Tumtum piped up.
"Well, I was curious what I would find at the end of the road and never expected to see a nice cottage and beautiful orchids." Her gaze momentarily fell on the flowers. She also knew she partly told them the truth.
"Thank you." Mori said. "Would you like to come in and have some orange juice with us." He invited her in as he herded the young girl into the cottage. Julie accepted the invitation without protest since she was indeed feeling thirsty and she was still curious of the feeling she was having. Following the boys inside with the grandfather bringing up the rear, they directly went to the kitchen. Rocky gestured for a seat to Julie in the dining area. He prepared two glasses down on the table while Tumtum took out a plateful of chicken sandwiches. He took a seat beside Julie. Colt handed other glasses while their grandpa brought a pitcher full of orange juice. As they all sat down Julie asked after noting the boys' uniform. "Were they training? Because I heard shouts coming from the back of the cottage." She added while taking a sip from her glass.
"Yeah, we were." Tumtum butted in immediately. "By the way, are you a ninja yourself?"
"Yes, " She replied looking down at her fingers and was slightly embarrassed.
"Hey, hey it's okay." Rocky tried to make her feel at ease. He didn't think she wasn't bragging at them at all.
"Then it's really true." Colt wanted to be sure.
"Yup." Answered Julie, as she looked back at the brothers', her cheeks were still flushed.
"That's cool!" Colt was excited. "Who taught you?" continued his grilling season.
"Katsumi. She's a close family friend and has taught me when I was four years old, I think." She shrugged.
"Wow!" Colt and Tumtum exclaimed in unison.
"That's quite a long time." Rocky commented.
"Then you must be really good." Tumtum said, his voice filled with admiration.
"I would like to think I am but just like you I'm still training." Julie said humbly.
"Guys, I have a great idea…" Colt started, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Julie, why don't you join us in our training…" He stopped as he looked at his grandfather who seemed to have kept quiet for so long.
"Colt, are your trying to be a show off again?" Rocky asked in a slight reprimanding tone.
The middle brother turned to him. "No." he shook his head but was offended by the remark.
"That was nice to invite me to train with you but I have to decline." Julie began. "It wouldn't be right. But it would it great if I can visit once in a while and watch you train." She said amending Colt's plan. She hopes the boys' grandpa will permit it.
The four kids all turned to the elderly man who was standing near the kitchen sink. He had been observing the interaction a while ago and now, a decision have to be made it seems. Mori noticed the girl was earnest and had that quiet dignity in her that reminded him of his own daughter, Jessica when she was in her age. Wait a minute. He thought. Mori blinked again.
"Grandpa?" Tumtum asked when he didn't speak.
Mori shook himself as if he was convincing his own that it was impossible where someone not related to the family would resemble his daughter.
"Julie can visit and watch you train, on one condition, that you'll do your exercises, properly." Wagging his forefinger at his sometimes-notorious grandsons.
The three boys laughed and enjoyed keeping Julie in their company. An hour later Julie prepared to leave. It was early dusk.
"Maybe you should stay?" Colt was concern. It was getting dark pretty fast as he looked out from the window.
"Oh, no.no." Julie hastily replied. "I'm expected back home and I'm going to be in hot water if I don't go home tonight."
"I'll drive you Julie." Mori offered.
"Thanks but it's not necessary." Turning to their grandfather. " I have to get my bike anyway." She was moving towards the door.
"Well, let us accompany you back to where you parked your motorbike." Rocky said. Like his brother, Colt, he also didn't like the idea of her going alone in the dark.
Julie smiled. "Sure." With that, she thanked the boys' grandfather for his hospitality and letting her come by in the future to his cottage.
The three brothers and Julie walked out of the cottage and went to where they placed their bikes.
"Julie, you can use my bike." Rocky offered.
"Thanks," Julie replied and together with the brothers wheeled the bikes past the bridge. Rocky in the meantime took Colt's bike as his brother stood on the bike's wheel bars. Tumtum rode in his own bike.
Inside the cottage, Mori watched the kids rode beyond his sight.
"You know, its still would be great if you can join us." Tumtum remarked who was biking beside Julie.
"Yeah, it would be a nice change." Colt agreeing. "We like to invite Miyo too," coughing a little as Tumtum snickered.
"Colt!" Rocky called out.
"What!" he said so innocently. From what she could understand from the banter, the other two were teasing Rocky. This greatly interested her. She listened to Colt's story.
He continued. " I doubt Miyo will find the exercises daunting. We should know, we saw her creamed the bad guys back in Japan." He reminisced.
"Who's Miyo?" she wanted to know.
"She's a Japanese girl who won the Ninja Tournament a year ago." Colt answered.
"Wow, I would love to meet her." Julie remarked.
"I'm sure you two would hit it off quite well." Colt replied.
"You think?"
"Yeah, she's a great girl." Letting a series of guffaws. Colt just couldn't help remarking. "Whoa!" He exclaimed as he grips his brother's shoulder a little tighter when Rocky made zigzag runs with the bike.
"Aren't we touchy today." Colt stated when Rocky came to a full stop. He knew it was a little warning.
"Well, there's my motor bike." Announced Julie as she stopped besides it. She got on, strapped on her helmet and waved good bye to the boys. Soon she was out of their sight. The boys returned to the cottage and prepared for bed.
Julie arrived at the estate and noiselessly slipped into the house. "Hi, Martina." She greeted and took a sliced potato at the same time. The middle- aged woman jumped plus several others in the kitchen.
"Julie," she slightly admonished the girl while putting a hand on her chest. "Don't ever do that. You almost gave me a heart attack." Mrs. Brown told her off.
"Sorry," she sheepishly looked around the room and took out a plate and had some dinner. The rest of the staff, who had finished their dinner, was now tidying the kitchen.
"Where have you been this time?" Tina McGovern, another maid asked.
"I've been out." She passively told her and stuffed her mouth with food. She was hungry and didn't want to go into details. Besides there were few people from the house staff she can trust. Which brought her to ask. "Where's Katsumi?" while half downing an orange juice. Just then a 'new' guy came into the kitchen. Everyone went about his or her own business. Julie noted the change. The 'new' chauffeur took a beer from the refrigerator and went out of the kitchen. Sighing in collective relief, the house staff relaxed and continued milling around the room doing some little things before they all retire back to their respective living quarters.
"What's going on?" Julie asked in a hushed tone as Mrs. Brown set another bowl of salad in front of the girl.
" I don't know Julie." The other woman shook her head and tried to move away but Julie held her back.
"What is it?" she insisted.
Mrs. Brown sighed and began to speak. "This morning when Elliot and Leo were over the staff housing trimming the hedges, a blue sedan came and parked outside the building, driven by that new guy," Nodding her head to the direction of the door while taking a seat across from Julie.
"I later found out he's the new chauffeur." Surprise etched in her voice.
" I think he's name's Yuri…something. I can't pronounce his last name. It was too foreign sounding to me. Anyway, they said four men came out from the car and headed inside. A few minutes later, they saw two men dragging Gus to the sedan and they drove away." Mrs. Brown ended her story.
Julie's brow furrowed as she digested the information. "Didn't anyone try helping Gus?" she asked as she took another bite of her food.
"Leo tried but those other two men walking from behind the first two, flashed their guns and it prevented Leo from doing anything." She answered.
"Did you tell this to my father?" asked Julie.
"Yes, we did at lunch and he told us that he was disappointed with Gus. He said he was caught stealing very important papers in the study. The security camera was activated the moment the safe was touched. So, your father called the police. Though I'm surprised they weren't in uniforms." Mrs. Brown lastly commented.
"Elliot told your father just that and Mr. Davenport told him that they were plainclothes men he hired.
"I also don't know where Katsumi is. No one has seen her since this morning either." Mrs. Brown said and finally stood up.