(Still don't own anyone having to do with the CA movies. I hope you enjoy
this chapter.
The song is called "Angel of Berlin" sung by Martin Kesici the winner of
the first German Star Search competition. Normally I don't like those
reality shows and anything having to do with them but this is a beautiful
song.)
*-*-*-*-*
Breakfast was uneventful, again traditional fare but also in buffet style
so the staff didn't have to work as hard. Katja avoided the angels. It was
obvious that she was still angry from the night before. It appeared that
she was avoiding her fiancé as well. Andreas looked as though he hadn't
slept well and none of the angels could blame them. Who could sleep well
knowing that they were a target for a killer?
Michael went up to him and whispered something in his ear and they both glanced at the angels. Andreas approached the young women and asked them to join him in his study. "What's going on," asked Natalie.
"The police are here, they need us to tell them what happened last night. The coroner was already here first thing and took Helene's body." He pushed the door to the study opened and allowed the angels to enter before him. Already inside wearing their bright Kelly green jackets and khaki pants were the local Polizei. They stood upon seeing the count.
"Graf von Buchholz" said the older man.
"Guten Tag", answered the Count.
"Können Sie uns der Stall zeigen?"
"Can we speak English? It would be easier on my guests," he said signaling toward the three girls.
"Oh? Of course, we would like to see the stable, please." The count, changed into what looked like a black bee keepers outfit with full gloves and a hat with a veil that tucked into the neck of the overall and led the way out the back so the other guests couldn't see, to the barn. The place smelled of the warm summer morning and fresh cut hay that the stable boy was spreading in the stalls.
"So Fraulein Cook, can you tell us what passiert? I mean happened," said the short pudgy officer correcting himself. He sat on the edge of the desk and waited for her to begin.
"I came out here to look at the fox. I asked the stable boy and he didn't understand so I found the fox back here," she walked to the area of the stable where the fox had been the night before. "I sat down so I could see in the kennel better and talked to the fox, I don't know how long probably ten minutes at the most, then I heard someone talk to the boy and then the lights went out. I was getting up and suddenly there was a pain in my head. I woke up when Dylan came in and found me."
"Gut aber, that doesn't explain who killed the Gräfin," said the older man. "But it does clear you. And you," he said turning to Dylan, "Can someone tell me where you were? Have you and alibi?"
"I can," said the count. "I saw when she left."
"Very well, we just need to talk to Günter and then we will look around a bit then go."
Andreas called the stable boy, Günter, in and he and the angels left. "Will Günter be alright with the police," asked Natalie nervously.
"He will be fine; the short pudgy man is his uncle. I noticed that Katja never took you out for costumes."
The angels looked at each other. "I guess we were so involved in other things here that we never had time," said Alex.
"Don't worry I have taken care of it. I had my maid Helga be a bit nosey. She checked your sizes and I sent out for costumes. They may not be perfect but they will get you through the evening. I expect them to arrive around two or so, that should give you enough time to let me know if they fit."
*-*-*-*-*
Anthony slipped back to the hotel early and slept until a knocking at his door woke him up. He half expected the owner's wife to be bringing breakfast but it was his employer who stood on the other side of the door. "Aren't you going to invite me in," she asked with her eyes full of venom.
He stood back and opened the door wider, "Last night was a disaster! Getting rid of the countess was fine, one less problem but those 'Angels'", she said their title with disgust, "have to go. Karl told me you almost had one last night, too bad you didn't it would have defiantly demoralized the others."
Anthony looked at her; she obviously had underestimated the detectives she hired. He knew that the death of one would rally the other two even stronger to finding out who the criminal was. "And if the old woman hadn't screamed when Andreas started choking, they would be gone by now in defeat." She paced the room punching her fist into the palm of her hand until he could see how red it was. "I'm not giving up though. There are three of them, and three of you. It should be simple. I'll let you know what to do tonight Zorro. Until then go back to the Schloss and keep out of sight. If you have an opportunity to remove one of the bimbos before tonight take it. I'll just tell Andreas and her friends that she decided to go into town or something. You don't look very happy, not that you ever do but today you seem different. Is there a problem?"
He shook his head "no".
"Good I can't afford my hired assassins to have problems. If you have one you should tell me now." He didn't answer and she took his silence as a negative. "Wonderful. I'll see you later," she said patting his cheek and leaving. He stared after her and watched her climb on her bicycle and ride away. He thought about the money should the job go as planned. Promised was three hundred and eighty thousand. He had never earned that much on one job before. It was a sure thing. He thought about Dylan sleeping in the large bed wearing his medallion. He didn't want to think about that or what it might mean. Three hundred and eighty thousand for killing the count and the angels, that is what he wanted to focus on but somehow it became harder after last night.
*-*-*-*-* The costumes were delivered promptly at two o'clock. Helga the maid was the one who answered the door. She was an older woman with neatly coifed silver hair and wore a black dress with a white apron. Helga took the three garment bags up to the rooms and knocked on the door that she heard voices behind. "Entschuldigung I don't mean to disturb you but your costumes are here."
"Thanks Helga," said Natalie jumping off the bed and taking the outfits from her. The maid gave a small bow and left walking down the hall. On the way she ran into Karl. "How's it goin' Helga," he asked
Helga didn't like the fat American man; he made her nervous. "I am good Herr Mills."
"The detectives in there?"
"Ja," she said and tried to go on her way but Mills grabbed her arm. "What they going as tonight?"
"No one is supposed to say, its- how do you say it - masked."
"Aw come on Helga, between us servants."
She looked at him suspiciously and replied, "I am not a servant, we are members of the family."
"You believe that sister, I'll sell you the Brandenburg Tor," he said laughing.
"But the Count.."
"But the Count.." He repeated her in a mocking tone. "Listen at your age you should know there's us and them. Plus I heard good ol' Katja saying she wanted to bring her own staff in you maybe on your way out, lady. So you tell me what the girls are wearin' tonight an' I see what I can do so you keep your job."
Helga looked at her hands and back at the large mans face and she told him their costumes. Once he got the information he wanted from the maid he let her go and apologized for being so rough with her.
Back in Natalie's room the angels were going over their costumes. "A ballerina," cried Natalie excited. "Its beautiful, look at the bead work on the leotard," she gasped and ran to the bathroom to try it on.
Alex pulled hers out next, "A Russian military uniform? I think I like it," she laughed. Dylan then unzipped the bag she was given which was larger than the others. Inside was a pale gold dress with long flowing bell sleeves, the bodice was highlighted by crisscrossed braid work in gold with pale green highlights. Also in the bag was what a halo made of gold colored vines and a pair of wings covered in feathers. "An angel," asked Dylan in surprise looking at the costume.
"It's gorgeous," said Alex reaching out to touch the shining material. "It's not that mine isn't good but yours is great."
"Want to trade?"
"I doubt it would fit me in the bust," stated Alex flatly as Natalie stepped out of the bathroom. The ballerina costume fit her perfectly. "Wow," she said as she saw Dylan's dress. "That is incredible! Try it on, try it on," Natalie urged.
"Okay," said Dylan as she picked up the dress and headed towards the bathroom, "but I don't know about this."
*-*-*-*-* Anthony didn't know about this, he wasn't comfortable with the chance someone could spot him but there were so many cars showing up he doubted that anyone would even notice him. There were more guests at the Schloss for the costume ball than there was for the fox hunt the night before, plus there were caterers and wait-staff as well. He estimated that there were roughly two hundred people invited.
The angels walked down the stairs, Dylan holding the bottom of her dress up so she wouldn't trip over it. "Ah, ladies," said the Count. "I see the costumes fit, do you like them?"
"Thank you for taking the time to order them," said Alex.
"They are wonderful," said Natalie
"Great," added Dylan.
"I almost forgot," said the count reaching into a bag, "the masks." Each angel took one and out it on. "Most of the guests seem to have arrived early. Please excuse me." As he left Bosley arrived with Katja on his arm.
"Well," she said smiling, "don't you three look cute."
"Thanks," said Dylan sarcastically at her off handed compliment.
"Perhaps you three should mingle, check out who might be here to kill my fiancé instead of talking to each other all night."
"You know Ms. James; after his sister died Andreas had every right to know what was going on."
"No, I hired you for your discretion and discreet you weren't. I just hope you handle the rest of your vacation with a bit more subtlety and decorum." A guest caught her eye and she waved, "Frau Schmidt, Frau Schmidt." Frau Schmidt saw her and waved. "You girls just remember what you are here for," Katja said angrily and went to her friend.
"Looks like she has a bee in her butt," said Bosley.
"What we get for doing our job," said Alex, "But she is right let's split up." And with that the four went their separate ways.
Anthony watched the crowd trying to determine who the third man was. He hadn't seen the angels yet but no doubt they were there. He had spotted Karl Mills though in his gorilla suit. He seemed to like staying close to the bar. He saw the Count, dressed as a vampire, mingling with his guests and he spotted Katja James speaking to an older woman dressed as Queen Victoria. Then he saw a spark of red hair, Dylan.
Dylan walked around the crowd a glass of champagne in her hand. She wondered between what was drunk the night before and tonight how much each part set the Count back. Then she spotted Michael the butler. He was over by the French doors that led out to the back garden. Their eyes met and he smiled and began to walk towards her. "Hello Dylan, you aren't dancing."
"No, I'm working."
"Well let me take you on a spin around the floor and I will tell you who is who. Ja?"
She hesitated a moment then smiled and took his hand, he was cute, "Sure let's dance." The music was something slow that she had never heard before:
Met her on an stormy Monday
Coloured in the mist within myself
She was on the road to nowhere
And I was on the road to nowhere myself
I wants her to know
Our paths would cross
How do I deserve
All the love that she gives yeah
They had just started swaying to the music when a man dressed as Zorro tapped Michael on the shoulder. Zorro made a sign that he wanted to cut in and Michael disappointed stepped away from the angel.
Where have you been
Where was I going
Angel of Berlin
Angel of Berlin
you've been so close
But I didn't see you
Angel of Berlin
Angel of Berlin
Dylan closed her eyes and listened to the lyrics and inhaling as familiar scent that she couldn't quite place, he smelled of vanilla and rich tobacco.
How many lonely ways I wandered
How many lonely days I must have missed
I wouldn't wanna miss another
So let me a better man this time
She makes me sing
She sets me free
And after all
I've got somewhere to be
She looked up at her partner and saw something; perfect cool blue eyes, that stirred a memory inside of her. He looked down into her eyes and threaded his fingers through her hair of ringlets.
Where have you been
Where was I going
Angel of Berlin
Angel of Berlin
You've been so close
But I didn't see you
Angel of Berlin
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Dylan gasped in recognition. "Shhh," he hissed at her and continued to hold her in his arms. She didn't struggle as he feared she would once she recognized him. Natalie heard Dylan's sharp intake of air, "Dylan, are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," replied Dylan still looking into the eyes of her partner. How she had silently privately mourned his passing a year ago and now she stood with his arm around his waist and one hand in her hair.
She likes the night
I've never been so alive
This couldn't be a better day
She calls me up
It calms me down
And round and round it goes
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Anthony reached up and touched her cheek where an errant tear ran and she placed her hand on his chest where O'Grady had pierced with the sword.
Where have you been
Where was I going
Angel of Berlin
Angel of Berlin
You've been so close
But I didn't see you
Angel of Berlin
Angel of Berlin
Anthony decided it was now or never and leaned down and kissed the angel in his arms. He had held on to the memory of the rooftop the best he could, but like all memories it had faded, but this was better than the first kiss had been. He opened his eyes and regretfully moved away from her losing himself in the crowd.
Searching for nothing
I finally found you
Angel of Berlin
Angel of Berlin
I still can't believe
How I could ever breath without you
Angel of Berlin.
Dylan stood there while the song ended and Michael approached her again. "Come let us take a walk, I will show you who everyone is later." Dylan still stunned walked away with him and led her out to the garden. "Do you often kiss strangers," he asked.
"What," she said finally awakening from the spell Anthony's kiss had her in. "Oh no I don't," she replied suddenly realizing what Michael had asked.
"Good I wouldn't want to think not nice things about an angel," he said and they approached the maze. Anthony watched from a distance, a cigarette in between his fingers. He took a drag and suddenly knew who the third man was.
"The maze," she asked.
"Well its private, secluded, we could talk and not have the noise from inside. Come we won't go far inside."
Dylan hesitated. "You warned me away from there before."
"So? It is cleaned up and safe. I trimmed the hedges myself. Come." He coaxed with a smile. She took his hand and they entered the maze.
*-*-*-*-*
"Have you seen Dylan," asked Alex into her molar mike?
"Last I saw she was dancing with some guy dressed like Zorro. Why is she missing," asked Natalie concerned and looking around the room.
"I don't know. I had seen her with Michael not too long ago and I have had a bad feeling about him." Alex looked around too just in time to see the Dylan and the butler talking on the patio. "It looks like she is on the back deck with him talking."
"Good, I'm moving over to check out Mills, he is the big gorilla. It kind of suits him don't you think?" Mills watched the blonde angel make her was over to him. "This is going to be too easy he thought."
"Having a good time, Karl," she asked.
"Yeah a real blast," he said appearing disinterested. He thumped his glass on the bar, "Hey bartender another one of them beers and a Jägermeister chaser. The bartended set up another round for the man in the gorilla suit. "A ballerina huh," he said attempting small talk.
"Yes, so you're a big ape?"
"Yeah, it gets hot in here though," he said lifting the mask to take a drink of the beer. His face was ruddier than usual because of the suit temperature, "ya know when the frigging unmasking is?"
"I heard it was midnight," replied Nat.
"Ya, know I don't feel so good. Do you think you could help me upstairs? I think I'm gonna be sick." He removed his mask and didn't look well at all. He staggered a bit and Natalie caught him under his arm. "Combination of drink and heat," he said. "I'll feel better after I lay down."
"Sure lets get you upstairs," said Nat.
Alex who had been listening to their conversation nodded at her from across the room and continued talking to a gentleman who was CEO of Berenberg Bank, one of the oldest in Germany from the 1500's. She glanced at the deck that led out to the garden and noticed that Michael and Dylan we no longer there. Excusing herself she made her way over to the French doors and was about to leave but Katja called her name. "Alex, there you are, there is someone I want you to meet."
"But." began the angel as Katja dragged her for an introduction across the room.
*-*-*-*-*
"Isn't this much nicer now I have the bushes cut," asked Michael as he picked a rose from one of the bushes and handed it to her. "Ouch," cried Dylan. She had pricked her finger on a thorn and drew blood. She placed her finger in her mouth and sucked on it. "It's lovely."
"Not as lovely as you," the butler said charmingly. "Too bad it will wither and die soon. Come we will sit awhile." He led her deeper into the maze, a right turn, straight, a left turn, another left, followed by another right. Dylan realized that they had gone farther than she had alone the other day. Soon they came to a stone bench.
"You know the maze pretty well."
"That I do. I used to rendezvous here with Helene that was before she was with Helmar, did you know that. She broke up with him said that he was too loyal to her brother and came to me. Then she left after her brother found out about us," he said sadly. "Its so quiet and peaceful here; like another world, like Heaven."
"Weren't you angry at the Count?"
"Oh, I was. Then I met another woman who won my heart. Actually I had known her for years. Thanks to her I wont be a butler much longer," he said mysteriously. "I plan to marry her soon. We have discussed a honeymoon in the US, maybe Los Angeles. You see she would like to show her ex-fiancé who called off the wedding that she has moved on."
"Really," she asked feeling nervous. Her angel sense had kicked in and something didn't feel right, in fact to her it felt a lot like right before McCadden shot her out the window. She stood slowing and tried to remember how they got into that part of the maze. "I should be heading back to the party, I am working you know," she said trying to sound playful. "Don't go Dylan," he said as she turned around and began to walk off. "I really would like to show you something." Dylan heard a soft click behind her of a hammer of a gun being pulled back. She froze in place and tried to get her molar mike to work with her tongue. It was receiving but not transmitting. Dylan turned back to Michael slowly, "Okay, I'll stay. What did you want to show me?" She tried to act as though he didn't just pull a gun on her.
"How it feels to be a dying rose, mein Schatz," he said leveling the gun equipped with a silencer at her heart.
.
Michael went up to him and whispered something in his ear and they both glanced at the angels. Andreas approached the young women and asked them to join him in his study. "What's going on," asked Natalie.
"The police are here, they need us to tell them what happened last night. The coroner was already here first thing and took Helene's body." He pushed the door to the study opened and allowed the angels to enter before him. Already inside wearing their bright Kelly green jackets and khaki pants were the local Polizei. They stood upon seeing the count.
"Graf von Buchholz" said the older man.
"Guten Tag", answered the Count.
"Können Sie uns der Stall zeigen?"
"Can we speak English? It would be easier on my guests," he said signaling toward the three girls.
"Oh? Of course, we would like to see the stable, please." The count, changed into what looked like a black bee keepers outfit with full gloves and a hat with a veil that tucked into the neck of the overall and led the way out the back so the other guests couldn't see, to the barn. The place smelled of the warm summer morning and fresh cut hay that the stable boy was spreading in the stalls.
"So Fraulein Cook, can you tell us what passiert? I mean happened," said the short pudgy officer correcting himself. He sat on the edge of the desk and waited for her to begin.
"I came out here to look at the fox. I asked the stable boy and he didn't understand so I found the fox back here," she walked to the area of the stable where the fox had been the night before. "I sat down so I could see in the kennel better and talked to the fox, I don't know how long probably ten minutes at the most, then I heard someone talk to the boy and then the lights went out. I was getting up and suddenly there was a pain in my head. I woke up when Dylan came in and found me."
"Gut aber, that doesn't explain who killed the Gräfin," said the older man. "But it does clear you. And you," he said turning to Dylan, "Can someone tell me where you were? Have you and alibi?"
"I can," said the count. "I saw when she left."
"Very well, we just need to talk to Günter and then we will look around a bit then go."
Andreas called the stable boy, Günter, in and he and the angels left. "Will Günter be alright with the police," asked Natalie nervously.
"He will be fine; the short pudgy man is his uncle. I noticed that Katja never took you out for costumes."
The angels looked at each other. "I guess we were so involved in other things here that we never had time," said Alex.
"Don't worry I have taken care of it. I had my maid Helga be a bit nosey. She checked your sizes and I sent out for costumes. They may not be perfect but they will get you through the evening. I expect them to arrive around two or so, that should give you enough time to let me know if they fit."
*-*-*-*-*
Anthony slipped back to the hotel early and slept until a knocking at his door woke him up. He half expected the owner's wife to be bringing breakfast but it was his employer who stood on the other side of the door. "Aren't you going to invite me in," she asked with her eyes full of venom.
He stood back and opened the door wider, "Last night was a disaster! Getting rid of the countess was fine, one less problem but those 'Angels'", she said their title with disgust, "have to go. Karl told me you almost had one last night, too bad you didn't it would have defiantly demoralized the others."
Anthony looked at her; she obviously had underestimated the detectives she hired. He knew that the death of one would rally the other two even stronger to finding out who the criminal was. "And if the old woman hadn't screamed when Andreas started choking, they would be gone by now in defeat." She paced the room punching her fist into the palm of her hand until he could see how red it was. "I'm not giving up though. There are three of them, and three of you. It should be simple. I'll let you know what to do tonight Zorro. Until then go back to the Schloss and keep out of sight. If you have an opportunity to remove one of the bimbos before tonight take it. I'll just tell Andreas and her friends that she decided to go into town or something. You don't look very happy, not that you ever do but today you seem different. Is there a problem?"
He shook his head "no".
"Good I can't afford my hired assassins to have problems. If you have one you should tell me now." He didn't answer and she took his silence as a negative. "Wonderful. I'll see you later," she said patting his cheek and leaving. He stared after her and watched her climb on her bicycle and ride away. He thought about the money should the job go as planned. Promised was three hundred and eighty thousand. He had never earned that much on one job before. It was a sure thing. He thought about Dylan sleeping in the large bed wearing his medallion. He didn't want to think about that or what it might mean. Three hundred and eighty thousand for killing the count and the angels, that is what he wanted to focus on but somehow it became harder after last night.
*-*-*-*-* The costumes were delivered promptly at two o'clock. Helga the maid was the one who answered the door. She was an older woman with neatly coifed silver hair and wore a black dress with a white apron. Helga took the three garment bags up to the rooms and knocked on the door that she heard voices behind. "Entschuldigung I don't mean to disturb you but your costumes are here."
"Thanks Helga," said Natalie jumping off the bed and taking the outfits from her. The maid gave a small bow and left walking down the hall. On the way she ran into Karl. "How's it goin' Helga," he asked
Helga didn't like the fat American man; he made her nervous. "I am good Herr Mills."
"The detectives in there?"
"Ja," she said and tried to go on her way but Mills grabbed her arm. "What they going as tonight?"
"No one is supposed to say, its- how do you say it - masked."
"Aw come on Helga, between us servants."
She looked at him suspiciously and replied, "I am not a servant, we are members of the family."
"You believe that sister, I'll sell you the Brandenburg Tor," he said laughing.
"But the Count.."
"But the Count.." He repeated her in a mocking tone. "Listen at your age you should know there's us and them. Plus I heard good ol' Katja saying she wanted to bring her own staff in you maybe on your way out, lady. So you tell me what the girls are wearin' tonight an' I see what I can do so you keep your job."
Helga looked at her hands and back at the large mans face and she told him their costumes. Once he got the information he wanted from the maid he let her go and apologized for being so rough with her.
Back in Natalie's room the angels were going over their costumes. "A ballerina," cried Natalie excited. "Its beautiful, look at the bead work on the leotard," she gasped and ran to the bathroom to try it on.
Alex pulled hers out next, "A Russian military uniform? I think I like it," she laughed. Dylan then unzipped the bag she was given which was larger than the others. Inside was a pale gold dress with long flowing bell sleeves, the bodice was highlighted by crisscrossed braid work in gold with pale green highlights. Also in the bag was what a halo made of gold colored vines and a pair of wings covered in feathers. "An angel," asked Dylan in surprise looking at the costume.
"It's gorgeous," said Alex reaching out to touch the shining material. "It's not that mine isn't good but yours is great."
"Want to trade?"
"I doubt it would fit me in the bust," stated Alex flatly as Natalie stepped out of the bathroom. The ballerina costume fit her perfectly. "Wow," she said as she saw Dylan's dress. "That is incredible! Try it on, try it on," Natalie urged.
"Okay," said Dylan as she picked up the dress and headed towards the bathroom, "but I don't know about this."
*-*-*-*-* Anthony didn't know about this, he wasn't comfortable with the chance someone could spot him but there were so many cars showing up he doubted that anyone would even notice him. There were more guests at the Schloss for the costume ball than there was for the fox hunt the night before, plus there were caterers and wait-staff as well. He estimated that there were roughly two hundred people invited.
The angels walked down the stairs, Dylan holding the bottom of her dress up so she wouldn't trip over it. "Ah, ladies," said the Count. "I see the costumes fit, do you like them?"
"Thank you for taking the time to order them," said Alex.
"They are wonderful," said Natalie
"Great," added Dylan.
"I almost forgot," said the count reaching into a bag, "the masks." Each angel took one and out it on. "Most of the guests seem to have arrived early. Please excuse me." As he left Bosley arrived with Katja on his arm.
"Well," she said smiling, "don't you three look cute."
"Thanks," said Dylan sarcastically at her off handed compliment.
"Perhaps you three should mingle, check out who might be here to kill my fiancé instead of talking to each other all night."
"You know Ms. James; after his sister died Andreas had every right to know what was going on."
"No, I hired you for your discretion and discreet you weren't. I just hope you handle the rest of your vacation with a bit more subtlety and decorum." A guest caught her eye and she waved, "Frau Schmidt, Frau Schmidt." Frau Schmidt saw her and waved. "You girls just remember what you are here for," Katja said angrily and went to her friend.
"Looks like she has a bee in her butt," said Bosley.
"What we get for doing our job," said Alex, "But she is right let's split up." And with that the four went their separate ways.
Anthony watched the crowd trying to determine who the third man was. He hadn't seen the angels yet but no doubt they were there. He had spotted Karl Mills though in his gorilla suit. He seemed to like staying close to the bar. He saw the Count, dressed as a vampire, mingling with his guests and he spotted Katja James speaking to an older woman dressed as Queen Victoria. Then he saw a spark of red hair, Dylan.
Dylan walked around the crowd a glass of champagne in her hand. She wondered between what was drunk the night before and tonight how much each part set the Count back. Then she spotted Michael the butler. He was over by the French doors that led out to the back garden. Their eyes met and he smiled and began to walk towards her. "Hello Dylan, you aren't dancing."
"No, I'm working."
"Well let me take you on a spin around the floor and I will tell you who is who. Ja?"
She hesitated a moment then smiled and took his hand, he was cute, "Sure let's dance." The music was something slow that she had never heard before:
Met her on an stormy Monday
Coloured in the mist within myself
She was on the road to nowhere
And I was on the road to nowhere myself
I wants her to know
Our paths would cross
How do I deserve
All the love that she gives yeah
They had just started swaying to the music when a man dressed as Zorro tapped Michael on the shoulder. Zorro made a sign that he wanted to cut in and Michael disappointed stepped away from the angel.
Where have you been
Where was I going
Angel of Berlin
Angel of Berlin
you've been so close
But I didn't see you
Angel of Berlin
Angel of Berlin
Dylan closed her eyes and listened to the lyrics and inhaling as familiar scent that she couldn't quite place, he smelled of vanilla and rich tobacco.
How many lonely ways I wandered
How many lonely days I must have missed
I wouldn't wanna miss another
So let me a better man this time
She makes me sing
She sets me free
And after all
I've got somewhere to be
She looked up at her partner and saw something; perfect cool blue eyes, that stirred a memory inside of her. He looked down into her eyes and threaded his fingers through her hair of ringlets.
Where have you been
Where was I going
Angel of Berlin
Angel of Berlin
You've been so close
But I didn't see you
Angel of Berlin
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Dylan gasped in recognition. "Shhh," he hissed at her and continued to hold her in his arms. She didn't struggle as he feared she would once she recognized him. Natalie heard Dylan's sharp intake of air, "Dylan, are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," replied Dylan still looking into the eyes of her partner. How she had silently privately mourned his passing a year ago and now she stood with his arm around his waist and one hand in her hair.
She likes the night
I've never been so alive
This couldn't be a better day
She calls me up
It calms me down
And round and round it goes
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Anthony reached up and touched her cheek where an errant tear ran and she placed her hand on his chest where O'Grady had pierced with the sword.
Where have you been
Where was I going
Angel of Berlin
Angel of Berlin
You've been so close
But I didn't see you
Angel of Berlin
Angel of Berlin
Anthony decided it was now or never and leaned down and kissed the angel in his arms. He had held on to the memory of the rooftop the best he could, but like all memories it had faded, but this was better than the first kiss had been. He opened his eyes and regretfully moved away from her losing himself in the crowd.
Searching for nothing
I finally found you
Angel of Berlin
Angel of Berlin
I still can't believe
How I could ever breath without you
Angel of Berlin.
Dylan stood there while the song ended and Michael approached her again. "Come let us take a walk, I will show you who everyone is later." Dylan still stunned walked away with him and led her out to the garden. "Do you often kiss strangers," he asked.
"What," she said finally awakening from the spell Anthony's kiss had her in. "Oh no I don't," she replied suddenly realizing what Michael had asked.
"Good I wouldn't want to think not nice things about an angel," he said and they approached the maze. Anthony watched from a distance, a cigarette in between his fingers. He took a drag and suddenly knew who the third man was.
"The maze," she asked.
"Well its private, secluded, we could talk and not have the noise from inside. Come we won't go far inside."
Dylan hesitated. "You warned me away from there before."
"So? It is cleaned up and safe. I trimmed the hedges myself. Come." He coaxed with a smile. She took his hand and they entered the maze.
*-*-*-*-*
"Have you seen Dylan," asked Alex into her molar mike?
"Last I saw she was dancing with some guy dressed like Zorro. Why is she missing," asked Natalie concerned and looking around the room.
"I don't know. I had seen her with Michael not too long ago and I have had a bad feeling about him." Alex looked around too just in time to see the Dylan and the butler talking on the patio. "It looks like she is on the back deck with him talking."
"Good, I'm moving over to check out Mills, he is the big gorilla. It kind of suits him don't you think?" Mills watched the blonde angel make her was over to him. "This is going to be too easy he thought."
"Having a good time, Karl," she asked.
"Yeah a real blast," he said appearing disinterested. He thumped his glass on the bar, "Hey bartender another one of them beers and a Jägermeister chaser. The bartended set up another round for the man in the gorilla suit. "A ballerina huh," he said attempting small talk.
"Yes, so you're a big ape?"
"Yeah, it gets hot in here though," he said lifting the mask to take a drink of the beer. His face was ruddier than usual because of the suit temperature, "ya know when the frigging unmasking is?"
"I heard it was midnight," replied Nat.
"Ya, know I don't feel so good. Do you think you could help me upstairs? I think I'm gonna be sick." He removed his mask and didn't look well at all. He staggered a bit and Natalie caught him under his arm. "Combination of drink and heat," he said. "I'll feel better after I lay down."
"Sure lets get you upstairs," said Nat.
Alex who had been listening to their conversation nodded at her from across the room and continued talking to a gentleman who was CEO of Berenberg Bank, one of the oldest in Germany from the 1500's. She glanced at the deck that led out to the garden and noticed that Michael and Dylan we no longer there. Excusing herself she made her way over to the French doors and was about to leave but Katja called her name. "Alex, there you are, there is someone I want you to meet."
"But." began the angel as Katja dragged her for an introduction across the room.
*-*-*-*-*
"Isn't this much nicer now I have the bushes cut," asked Michael as he picked a rose from one of the bushes and handed it to her. "Ouch," cried Dylan. She had pricked her finger on a thorn and drew blood. She placed her finger in her mouth and sucked on it. "It's lovely."
"Not as lovely as you," the butler said charmingly. "Too bad it will wither and die soon. Come we will sit awhile." He led her deeper into the maze, a right turn, straight, a left turn, another left, followed by another right. Dylan realized that they had gone farther than she had alone the other day. Soon they came to a stone bench.
"You know the maze pretty well."
"That I do. I used to rendezvous here with Helene that was before she was with Helmar, did you know that. She broke up with him said that he was too loyal to her brother and came to me. Then she left after her brother found out about us," he said sadly. "Its so quiet and peaceful here; like another world, like Heaven."
"Weren't you angry at the Count?"
"Oh, I was. Then I met another woman who won my heart. Actually I had known her for years. Thanks to her I wont be a butler much longer," he said mysteriously. "I plan to marry her soon. We have discussed a honeymoon in the US, maybe Los Angeles. You see she would like to show her ex-fiancé who called off the wedding that she has moved on."
"Really," she asked feeling nervous. Her angel sense had kicked in and something didn't feel right, in fact to her it felt a lot like right before McCadden shot her out the window. She stood slowing and tried to remember how they got into that part of the maze. "I should be heading back to the party, I am working you know," she said trying to sound playful. "Don't go Dylan," he said as she turned around and began to walk off. "I really would like to show you something." Dylan heard a soft click behind her of a hammer of a gun being pulled back. She froze in place and tried to get her molar mike to work with her tongue. It was receiving but not transmitting. Dylan turned back to Michael slowly, "Okay, I'll stay. What did you want to show me?" She tried to act as though he didn't just pull a gun on her.
"How it feels to be a dying rose, mein Schatz," he said leveling the gun equipped with a silencer at her heart.
.