(A/n I own no one. I want to thank my reviewers once again. I hope this is
holding you attention. Do you know who did it yet? Well I was stuck I
didn't know what to do with them, well last night it came to me in a dream
so I hope to have this finished soon, Im thinking 2-3 more chapters?)
*-*-*-*-* Helene von Buchholz was a charming woman with wavy blond hair and bright blue eyes. She smiled and introduced herself to Dylan and Natalie, shaking hands. "It is a pleasure to meet friends of Katja's, you are the first ones I have heard of I was beginning to think she didn't have any," she giggled her voice tinkling like a bell.
"Don't you like Katja," inquired Natalie.
"I don't really know her well enough to like her or not to like her. I think my brother could do better but that is just me as his older sister being protective." Just then Michael passed by with a try of hors d'oeuvres. She reached over and took two canapés and touched him on his arm. "We must talk later Mica," she said to him affectionately. He gave her a polite nod and walked on. "Michael and I at one time had a relationship," revealed Helene quite openly. She noticed how the two younger women were looking at her and smiled, "Oh don't worry it's a well known fact, nothing that was kept secret, Andreas of course didn't approve and that eventually forced me to leave. I invited Michael to come with me to Zurich but he declined. He is very loyal to my brother," she sighed a sigh of regret. "Please excuse me, I see an old friend. I am so pleased to meet you," and with that she scurried off.
"Hmm do you think she is still suspect," asked Natalie.
"She doesn't seem the type but I would keep Michael on the list. There was something out in the maze he didn't want me to get near."
"I like her," said Bosley. "Its not often you see a full bodied woman who is comfortable with herself."
Dylan and Natalie mingled with the other guests keeping an eye on their suspects. Karl Mills stood off to the side by himself most of the evening occasionally speaking to people who spoke to him with polite distance. Helmar played doorman to the late guests since Michael was serving. Katja flittered around the room like the lady of the manor making small talk with the female guests and flirting with the men who hadn't gone on the hunt, older wealthier men. .
It wasn't long before the hunting party arrived back. "Andreas," said Katja gushing over her fiancé, "who caught the fox? Was it you?"
Andreas was beaming from ear to ear, "Actually my dear Alex is the winner this evening," then Michael came out and handed a small cup to the Count and passed champagne all around. Andreas picked a small spoon off the buffet table that had been laid out and clanked it against his champagne glass, "Attention, Attention." The din of the surrounding conversations silenced. "Tonight's traditional fox hunt was a success in more way than one. The sly creature was caught, and as a first for the family von Buchholz the winner was a woman, I would like you all to raise your glasses to Alex Munday. Frau Munday, you are a fine equestrian and since you are tonight's champion I present you this small trophy for your accomplishment."
The room broke out in applause. Alex thanked the Count and joined her friends. Dylan gave her a big hug, "Congratulations!" Nat who was bouncing up and down in happiness for her friend suddenly stopped and looked upset.
"What's wrong Nat," asked Alex
"The whole fox hunt. I can't believe that you killed that beautiful animal."
"Who said I killed any animal. The fox was brought by a breeder who reintroduces them into the wild. It rode in a dog kennel on the back of a golf cart that had a ten minute head start on us."
"So you didn't hurt the fox?"
"He's fine. The breeder left him in the stable and if you want to see that he is ok yourself go on out and take a look."
"I can see him," asked Nat bouncing around again.
"Yes, go on," said Alex. Nat then took off for the stable.
*-*-*-*-*
Natalie walked into the stable. The light was still on and the stable boy was rubbing down the horses. "Hi," she said perkily.
"Hallo," replied the boy. Once she got closer she could see he really was a stable boy not more than eleven years old.
"Do you know where the fox is?"
He looked at her not understanding, "Es tut mir leid, Ich spreche sehr wenig Englisch."
"Fox? Oh well I'll find him." With that she looked around the stable. She went around the corner of the farthest stall and saw the dog kennel. The fox looked out at her with bright eyes. As she sat there and talked to the animal she heard someone come in and say something to the boy. She couldn't make out if it was a man or a woman then the stable went dark.
*-*-*-*-*
Anthony arrived at the small family run bed and breakfast just after two in the afternoon. He parked the green jaguar, that his employer "loaned" him on the street and prayed that it wouldn't be recognized. The family that ran the house was nice and showed him to a very country style bedroom made up of checks and flower patterned material and pale wood unfinished furniture. He supposed it was tolerable for a few days. "She gave me the car to make up for the difference in hotel quality," he thought to himself.
He once again neatly unpacked and put away his belongings. "Sir, Sir," called a voice from outside his door. He opened it and there stood a girl about nine years old. "Ein Brief" she said holding out a small white envelope. He reached down and took it from the child. Still she stood there anticipating something. He looked at her again and she stuck out her hand. Anthony reached into his pocket and grabbed a handful of change and gave it to the little girl. She looked at the pile of glimmering gold colored coins in her hand and gave him a big hug. He had never openly received affection, at least not since before his parents died. He looked with wide eyes at the child and her auburn locks, "just like Dylan's" he thought. He wanted to take her hair so badly but once again resisted. The mission had to go as planned. The girl turned and ran down the stairs with the five euros in change he had given her.
He sat on the bed and opened the letter; another contact from his employer. The paper smelled like her perfume. "Hello, go ahead tonight to the address below. Check out the layout but be careful. You don't need to be seen." He looked at the address and pulled out his laptop. He used a map program to determine exactly where this Schloss was. He didn't want to ask for directions which would only draw more attention to him.
A few hours later he was wandering the grounds of the Schloss von Buchholz in the dark. It didn't matter to him. He had excellent night time vision. He leaned against an apple tree and smoked a cigarette the fiery tip glowing, as he watched the stable boy brush out the horses. Then something caught his attention, he knew that bounce and giggle. He tossed the cigarette to the ground and ground it out with the toe of his shoe. He had been right at the airport although he wanted to deny it at the time. He had excellent facial recognition skills, and was even better at recognizing mannerisms and the young woman who had entered the barn was Dylan's friend. He thought a moment and remembered her name, Natalie.
He watched Natalie speak to the boy who just shrugged his shoulders at whatever she said and then she continued to look around. He then saw someone else enter about ten minutes later, a larger person who he didn't recognize. They spoke to the boy but due to the distance, and how they were dressed, it was impossible to tell if it was a man or a woman. The boy ran out and the man turned out the lights. Anthony ran forward, his angel would be crushed if anything happened to her friend.
He entered the barn and looked around, his eyes still adjusted to the night. "Whose there," called Natalie but there wasn't any answer. He could see her rising off up the ground stiff from having sat there awhile, and the figure raising an object to hit her. He took out his sword and just as the man brought the weapon downward he ran the assailant through with his sword. The person fell to the ground with a gasp.
He didn't turn the light back on; the moonlight of the full moon was enough as it came though the small window in the back of the stable. The blond was bleeding, he carefully examined her and determined it to be a shallow head wound, she would survive. He then crept back into the gardens and hoped that he wasn't seen.
*-*-*-*-*
"Hey Alex," called Dylan. Alex, who was in the process of being swept around the ballroom by an older man, excused herself and joined her friend.
"What's wrong? Did someone make a move on the Count?"
"No, but Natalie isn't back yet from looking at the fox," said Dylan worriedly.
"You know Nat; she is probably out there naming it and making plans on taking him home."
"You are probably right but I think Ill go out and check on her."
"Okay one of us needs to keep an eye on the Count."
"I'll be back soon." With that Dylan left and headed for the stables. Walking the dirt and gravel path to the stable was a tricky job in heels. The air was chilly and dew was forming on the grass twinkling like diamonds in the moonlight. She shivered as she approached the barn and noticed that the lights were out. "Natalie," she yelled. There was no response.
Across the yard behind a bush the silent assassin heard her. Anthony's heart sped up at the sound of her voice. He chastised himself for getting so worked up over the angel. "She probably doesn't even remember you:" he thought to himself, then he corrected the statement to, "She probably only remembers you trying to kill her and her friends."
Carefully Dylan approached the barn, she could hear the horses snorting and pawing the ground. With the lights out and everything looked different eerie. "Natalie," she called again more urgently. There was no answer but the fox barked. She followed the sound and came upon the scene as left by Anthony. "Nat!" Dylan crouched down next to her friend not caring about the dark green evening dress she wore. She patted Natalie's face gently and the blond began to come around. "Are you ok," asked Dylan anxiously. Nat sat up and gingerly touched the bleeding lump on the back of her head. "Ouch! I think so. Some one turned out the lights then hit me over the head."
"Is that the person," asked Dylan signaling to the dead body not far from where they sat.
"Could have been but who killed him?" Natalie got up and went to the main part of the stable and turned on the light.
"Oh my," said Dylan pressing her finger tips to her lips eyes wide.
"What is it," asked Natalie kneeling beside of her.
"He was stabbed with a sword."
Natalie looked more closely at the body. "It wasn't a he," she said reaching over and removing the moustache, it was Helene von Buchholz. "I'm going to get Alex."
Dylan sat in the straw looking at the fox and the body of the now deceased countess. The sword. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine how the scene that evening played out but all she could see was the rooftop where Anthony died. She remembered the way Seamus was choking her on the edge, her hair hanging over the side of the building blowing in the wind, and the sudden release of pressure as Anthony pulled the hulking Irishman off her. She remembered him kissing her and her insides feeling like Jello, she had never been kissed like that. She remembered his lips as he tried to say something to her, then the look of pain and surprised that overcame him, toppling him over the edge. She touched the medallion and wondered, "Why?"
Alex and Nat approached and Katja was in tow. "What happened," yelled the future Countess von Buchholz. "I hired you and you have to tell me!" She stopped at the body and she looked down. "Helene?"
"Who would want to kill Helene?"
"I don't know answered Natalie but she is the one who hit me over the head. Why do you suppose she would want to do that?"
"How do you know," asked Katja. "Are you sure she hit you? Maybe it was whoever the beast was who stabbed her. Maybe someone found out you are detectives and wants you out of the way." Katja was hysterical. "This will kill Andreas it just will. We can't tell him, not yet, not until the wedding. We can put the body in the basement and tell him that she went to bed early."
"We have to call the police," said Dylan calmly. "But from the look of the body how she is holding the rock that has Natalie's blood on it, and where I found Natalie when she was unconscious, I would say there was another person here."
"If we call the police I will have to explain to Andreas what this is all about, who you all are. I don't want to worry him."
There was a scream from the main house. Katja turned running, the angels followed, "We'll be back soon Helene," said Nat as they went to the house.
(Es tut mir Leid, Ich spreche sehr wenig Englisch= Im sorry I speak very little English Ein Brief = A letter)
*-*-*-*-* Helene von Buchholz was a charming woman with wavy blond hair and bright blue eyes. She smiled and introduced herself to Dylan and Natalie, shaking hands. "It is a pleasure to meet friends of Katja's, you are the first ones I have heard of I was beginning to think she didn't have any," she giggled her voice tinkling like a bell.
"Don't you like Katja," inquired Natalie.
"I don't really know her well enough to like her or not to like her. I think my brother could do better but that is just me as his older sister being protective." Just then Michael passed by with a try of hors d'oeuvres. She reached over and took two canapés and touched him on his arm. "We must talk later Mica," she said to him affectionately. He gave her a polite nod and walked on. "Michael and I at one time had a relationship," revealed Helene quite openly. She noticed how the two younger women were looking at her and smiled, "Oh don't worry it's a well known fact, nothing that was kept secret, Andreas of course didn't approve and that eventually forced me to leave. I invited Michael to come with me to Zurich but he declined. He is very loyal to my brother," she sighed a sigh of regret. "Please excuse me, I see an old friend. I am so pleased to meet you," and with that she scurried off.
"Hmm do you think she is still suspect," asked Natalie.
"She doesn't seem the type but I would keep Michael on the list. There was something out in the maze he didn't want me to get near."
"I like her," said Bosley. "Its not often you see a full bodied woman who is comfortable with herself."
Dylan and Natalie mingled with the other guests keeping an eye on their suspects. Karl Mills stood off to the side by himself most of the evening occasionally speaking to people who spoke to him with polite distance. Helmar played doorman to the late guests since Michael was serving. Katja flittered around the room like the lady of the manor making small talk with the female guests and flirting with the men who hadn't gone on the hunt, older wealthier men. .
It wasn't long before the hunting party arrived back. "Andreas," said Katja gushing over her fiancé, "who caught the fox? Was it you?"
Andreas was beaming from ear to ear, "Actually my dear Alex is the winner this evening," then Michael came out and handed a small cup to the Count and passed champagne all around. Andreas picked a small spoon off the buffet table that had been laid out and clanked it against his champagne glass, "Attention, Attention." The din of the surrounding conversations silenced. "Tonight's traditional fox hunt was a success in more way than one. The sly creature was caught, and as a first for the family von Buchholz the winner was a woman, I would like you all to raise your glasses to Alex Munday. Frau Munday, you are a fine equestrian and since you are tonight's champion I present you this small trophy for your accomplishment."
The room broke out in applause. Alex thanked the Count and joined her friends. Dylan gave her a big hug, "Congratulations!" Nat who was bouncing up and down in happiness for her friend suddenly stopped and looked upset.
"What's wrong Nat," asked Alex
"The whole fox hunt. I can't believe that you killed that beautiful animal."
"Who said I killed any animal. The fox was brought by a breeder who reintroduces them into the wild. It rode in a dog kennel on the back of a golf cart that had a ten minute head start on us."
"So you didn't hurt the fox?"
"He's fine. The breeder left him in the stable and if you want to see that he is ok yourself go on out and take a look."
"I can see him," asked Nat bouncing around again.
"Yes, go on," said Alex. Nat then took off for the stable.
*-*-*-*-*
Natalie walked into the stable. The light was still on and the stable boy was rubbing down the horses. "Hi," she said perkily.
"Hallo," replied the boy. Once she got closer she could see he really was a stable boy not more than eleven years old.
"Do you know where the fox is?"
He looked at her not understanding, "Es tut mir leid, Ich spreche sehr wenig Englisch."
"Fox? Oh well I'll find him." With that she looked around the stable. She went around the corner of the farthest stall and saw the dog kennel. The fox looked out at her with bright eyes. As she sat there and talked to the animal she heard someone come in and say something to the boy. She couldn't make out if it was a man or a woman then the stable went dark.
*-*-*-*-*
Anthony arrived at the small family run bed and breakfast just after two in the afternoon. He parked the green jaguar, that his employer "loaned" him on the street and prayed that it wouldn't be recognized. The family that ran the house was nice and showed him to a very country style bedroom made up of checks and flower patterned material and pale wood unfinished furniture. He supposed it was tolerable for a few days. "She gave me the car to make up for the difference in hotel quality," he thought to himself.
He once again neatly unpacked and put away his belongings. "Sir, Sir," called a voice from outside his door. He opened it and there stood a girl about nine years old. "Ein Brief" she said holding out a small white envelope. He reached down and took it from the child. Still she stood there anticipating something. He looked at her again and she stuck out her hand. Anthony reached into his pocket and grabbed a handful of change and gave it to the little girl. She looked at the pile of glimmering gold colored coins in her hand and gave him a big hug. He had never openly received affection, at least not since before his parents died. He looked with wide eyes at the child and her auburn locks, "just like Dylan's" he thought. He wanted to take her hair so badly but once again resisted. The mission had to go as planned. The girl turned and ran down the stairs with the five euros in change he had given her.
He sat on the bed and opened the letter; another contact from his employer. The paper smelled like her perfume. "Hello, go ahead tonight to the address below. Check out the layout but be careful. You don't need to be seen." He looked at the address and pulled out his laptop. He used a map program to determine exactly where this Schloss was. He didn't want to ask for directions which would only draw more attention to him.
A few hours later he was wandering the grounds of the Schloss von Buchholz in the dark. It didn't matter to him. He had excellent night time vision. He leaned against an apple tree and smoked a cigarette the fiery tip glowing, as he watched the stable boy brush out the horses. Then something caught his attention, he knew that bounce and giggle. He tossed the cigarette to the ground and ground it out with the toe of his shoe. He had been right at the airport although he wanted to deny it at the time. He had excellent facial recognition skills, and was even better at recognizing mannerisms and the young woman who had entered the barn was Dylan's friend. He thought a moment and remembered her name, Natalie.
He watched Natalie speak to the boy who just shrugged his shoulders at whatever she said and then she continued to look around. He then saw someone else enter about ten minutes later, a larger person who he didn't recognize. They spoke to the boy but due to the distance, and how they were dressed, it was impossible to tell if it was a man or a woman. The boy ran out and the man turned out the lights. Anthony ran forward, his angel would be crushed if anything happened to her friend.
He entered the barn and looked around, his eyes still adjusted to the night. "Whose there," called Natalie but there wasn't any answer. He could see her rising off up the ground stiff from having sat there awhile, and the figure raising an object to hit her. He took out his sword and just as the man brought the weapon downward he ran the assailant through with his sword. The person fell to the ground with a gasp.
He didn't turn the light back on; the moonlight of the full moon was enough as it came though the small window in the back of the stable. The blond was bleeding, he carefully examined her and determined it to be a shallow head wound, she would survive. He then crept back into the gardens and hoped that he wasn't seen.
*-*-*-*-*
"Hey Alex," called Dylan. Alex, who was in the process of being swept around the ballroom by an older man, excused herself and joined her friend.
"What's wrong? Did someone make a move on the Count?"
"No, but Natalie isn't back yet from looking at the fox," said Dylan worriedly.
"You know Nat; she is probably out there naming it and making plans on taking him home."
"You are probably right but I think Ill go out and check on her."
"Okay one of us needs to keep an eye on the Count."
"I'll be back soon." With that Dylan left and headed for the stables. Walking the dirt and gravel path to the stable was a tricky job in heels. The air was chilly and dew was forming on the grass twinkling like diamonds in the moonlight. She shivered as she approached the barn and noticed that the lights were out. "Natalie," she yelled. There was no response.
Across the yard behind a bush the silent assassin heard her. Anthony's heart sped up at the sound of her voice. He chastised himself for getting so worked up over the angel. "She probably doesn't even remember you:" he thought to himself, then he corrected the statement to, "She probably only remembers you trying to kill her and her friends."
Carefully Dylan approached the barn, she could hear the horses snorting and pawing the ground. With the lights out and everything looked different eerie. "Natalie," she called again more urgently. There was no answer but the fox barked. She followed the sound and came upon the scene as left by Anthony. "Nat!" Dylan crouched down next to her friend not caring about the dark green evening dress she wore. She patted Natalie's face gently and the blond began to come around. "Are you ok," asked Dylan anxiously. Nat sat up and gingerly touched the bleeding lump on the back of her head. "Ouch! I think so. Some one turned out the lights then hit me over the head."
"Is that the person," asked Dylan signaling to the dead body not far from where they sat.
"Could have been but who killed him?" Natalie got up and went to the main part of the stable and turned on the light.
"Oh my," said Dylan pressing her finger tips to her lips eyes wide.
"What is it," asked Natalie kneeling beside of her.
"He was stabbed with a sword."
Natalie looked more closely at the body. "It wasn't a he," she said reaching over and removing the moustache, it was Helene von Buchholz. "I'm going to get Alex."
Dylan sat in the straw looking at the fox and the body of the now deceased countess. The sword. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine how the scene that evening played out but all she could see was the rooftop where Anthony died. She remembered the way Seamus was choking her on the edge, her hair hanging over the side of the building blowing in the wind, and the sudden release of pressure as Anthony pulled the hulking Irishman off her. She remembered him kissing her and her insides feeling like Jello, she had never been kissed like that. She remembered his lips as he tried to say something to her, then the look of pain and surprised that overcame him, toppling him over the edge. She touched the medallion and wondered, "Why?"
Alex and Nat approached and Katja was in tow. "What happened," yelled the future Countess von Buchholz. "I hired you and you have to tell me!" She stopped at the body and she looked down. "Helene?"
"Who would want to kill Helene?"
"I don't know answered Natalie but she is the one who hit me over the head. Why do you suppose she would want to do that?"
"How do you know," asked Katja. "Are you sure she hit you? Maybe it was whoever the beast was who stabbed her. Maybe someone found out you are detectives and wants you out of the way." Katja was hysterical. "This will kill Andreas it just will. We can't tell him, not yet, not until the wedding. We can put the body in the basement and tell him that she went to bed early."
"We have to call the police," said Dylan calmly. "But from the look of the body how she is holding the rock that has Natalie's blood on it, and where I found Natalie when she was unconscious, I would say there was another person here."
"If we call the police I will have to explain to Andreas what this is all about, who you all are. I don't want to worry him."
There was a scream from the main house. Katja turned running, the angels followed, "We'll be back soon Helene," said Nat as they went to the house.
(Es tut mir Leid, Ich spreche sehr wenig Englisch= Im sorry I speak very little English Ein Brief = A letter)