Ominous cloud cover, misty and threatening rain the next morning, a horrific day to be driving south toward Seaford. The windshield wipers keeping slow time to whipping away the fine falling rain, a good day to stay in bed and not be headed back to a haunted mansion but that is unquestionably what Eyal and Annie were doing - going to find the ghost that haunted Trotter Castle.
"We are driving right into a storm." Annie could see the dark clouds rolling in and flashes of lighting in the distance.
"Could be a fast moving one and we'll drive through it. At any rate we are on a mission to find your ghost." With a matter of fact tone to his voice, Eyal keeping his eyes on the road.
"My ghost. You heard it too."
"I don't believe in ghost or spooks, there is an answer for everything that happen out there and we are going to get to the bottom of this obscurity."
"Guess that what makes you a good spy, search for the truth." Annie looking at Eyal as his eyes were focus on the road ahead. She could picture him as Sherlock Holmes with a pipe and very British looking Windsor cap made of Welsh wool - yeah her super detective uncovering clues and solving the hardest mysteries. Did that make her Dr. Watson? Nope.
"Makes us Annie, makes us good spies and you have the strongest determination to find the truth." Eyal turning the windshield wipers a notch higher as the rain begin to fall in earnest.
"Yeah super spies huh... Like 007."
"I'm no James Bond." Eyal corrected her quickly with a stout unemotional tone.
"As you say." Annie turning her head looking at the storm they had driven into, the pounding rain, thunder and flashing of lighting made her shaver a bit. She wasn't afraid but for sure she didn't cherish being on the road during such a heavy down pour. Switching her mind off the storm and to Eyal - oh yeah he is the Ian Fleming living in real life 007. James Bond the player and incredible spy of many talents.
"What are you thinking Neshema?" Eyal breaking Annie's thoughts about comparing Eyal to 007.
"Not much, just kind-of watching the storm and wonder what or who we'll find."
"Some answers I hope." Eyal never taking his eyes off the road.
Annie again looking at Eyal and once more start her muse. He is an unapologetic ladies man, a player who enjoyed the company of beautiful women but was that about to change? They were on the verge of taking their relationship to the next level. Yeah he had his faults, Eyal processes a quick tempter express in verbal Hebrew cursing and once finish with his eruption, Eyal was quick to returned to matters at hand in a rational manner - being angry for any length of time was not his nature. But he had his good qualities too, he is caring, kindhearted to only a few but stills holds respect for others as long as they don't cross his path. He can be ruthless and cunning and in a split second become a charming, humors person. At times she could be angry with him and at times love him but he is a man of mystery, never allowing his inner feelings be known and she was starting to have deep feelings for this Israeli.
"Yeah on all accounts." Annie not realizing she had uttered those words softly aloud.
"What... Didn't hear what you said."
Annie quickly recovering her thoughts, "I said yeah to finding answers. Just thinking about all of it and we have more questions than who is living in the watch tower."
"Still think Blair is right in the middle of all of it. She knows a lot more than being said. I still have a big problem with Jordon Vogel's reported death, something isn't adding up there. The plane wreckage was found but no body. I saw pictures of the wreckage and the seat belt wasn't fasten and the throttle was push in to full power with the flaps still up. Now if the plane was going down with a pilot on board the person would try to slow down the decent, not speed it up."
"You saying the plane crash was staged."
"That is what the investigators at Mossad believe. The scenario around HQ is Vogel staged his own death and is now in Russia very much alive and well."
"You think Blair might know this? What part would she have played?"
"Another unanswered question. Well we are here and in one piece. How about a bite to eat before we head out Trotter Castle?" Eyal stopping the car beside a little restaurant/pub just as they entered Seaford.
"Think we missed breakfast didn't we? I'm famished."
Finding the restaurant a cozy homey type place with pictures of different buildings of Seaford and festivals from years pasted gracing the walls. A long bar to the back of the room with stools and one man there eating a meal. Pale green table clothes and each table hosted a tiny vase of autumn color flowers.
"A hot cup of coffee or tea is what you folks need on a day like this." The greeting from a stout woman with salt and pepper curly hair cut short and rosy cheeks. She showing Annie and Eyal to a table to one side of the restaurant. "You good folks need a menu?"
"Yes to the cup of coffee and we would like to eat, what do you suggest?"
"A hardy full brunch would be in order. Take the nib of chill out. I get you the coffee and menu." The woman heading to speak with another customer and then into the kitchen, returning immediately with two mugs, a pot of coffee and menus.
"The full Monty will suit us just fine." Eyal looking up from the menu. "It has enough to keep us going for hours." He was laughing by this time.
"That is a lot to eat Eyal. Think I have a half Monty, cut out the baked beans." Annie also chucking at the choices on the menu.
Brunch ordered, poached eggs, back bacon, grilled tomatoes and fried mushrooms with fried bubble and squeak and baked beans added for Eyal. A real hardy meal indeed with a plate of fried bread with butter and jam to share. The food was surly filling and tasty as Eyal and Annie enjoyed the down home British traditional cuisine.
"Pardon me sir." A tall older man approached Eyal and Annie's table.
"Yes may I help you?" Eyal looking up at the gentleman.
"I hate to disturbed your meal but I think you would like to speak with me at some point. I'm Busby Ferguson"
Eyal reaching his hand toward Busby in a friendly manner, "Yes you are right. I would like to speak with you, please take a seat."
"Thank you. I understand you have an interest in the old Trotter Castle." Busby sitting in a chair between Annie and Eyal.
"More in the owner of the estate. Blair Vogel." Eyal nodding to the gentleman.
"I hear it is tired in a lengthily court battle with the relatives all wanting the fair share." Busby motioning for a cup of tea.
"That's true. What do you know about the place."
Shaking his head in thanks for the hot tea to the woman who had severed them. "It is haunted or that's what the people around here are saying."
"We don't believe in ghost. There is a reason for the rumors and I think you know the full reason." Eyal continued as Annie listened.
"Maybe so but I would recommend you to stay clear."
"That isn't going to happen. Now you can help us and before you answer I have seen your trip with boxes of food and supplies to the castle."
"Spying on me now were you?"
"I was going to the same place you were heading but only in front of me. Decided to let it be for the time being. My question is who is paying you to keep up the yard work and bring supplies and I know for a fact it isn't Blair Vogel." Eyal leaning a tad close to Busby and looking him square in the eyes.
"You and the misses are not going to let this drop are you?"
"No we are not. Both of us are government agents and it is our job and we need your co-operation." Annie added, thinking it was time to pull out the all the stops if Busby Ferguson was going to be of any help or hindrance.
"Knew it would come to this sometime. Three years now it has been going on."
"What has been going on for three years?" Annie asked.
"Well if you must see for yourselves I should be the one to take you there. Hate to have your blood on my hands."
"That my friend will not happen. Yes thank you for offering to take us to meet this ghost of Trotter Castle."
By the time Eyal and Annie had followed Busby Ferguson to the McMillan estate the rain had slowed to a steady ground soaking drizzle. A faint ray of sun light trying to break through the clouds gave an eerie feel to the low hanging misty fog sounding the stone watch tower. Busby slowly opens the main door, a well oil door without any squeaking and yelling out to identify his presence. "It's only me. Busby." He shout again. Stopping to listen but no sound.
They entered a round room with a stone floor, an old oak table flank by two chairs in the Jacobean style giving the mood of real Gothic interior. On the wall hung four carved sets of Cloak of Arms, Trotter - Matthews - McMillan - Delaney.
"I feel like I'm stepping into the circle of the knights of King Arthur and the Table Round." Annie looking at a tapestry of a rendition of the Lady of the Lake of medieval literature, also hanging on the wall facing the oak table. "The Cloak of Arms are they family arms?"
"All family arms and all have a sordid history. Come now to the second floor." Busby leading them to the stone spiral stairway encircling the inter walls of the watch tower.
The second floor room also open and round was clean, free of any cobwebs and furnished with nice period furniture in the Chippendale style and a few more modern pieces. A comfortable looking room but the walls were absent of any decorations.
"We wait here and not go any further up." Busby offering Annie a seat.
The two men were looking out a narrow slit of a window at the English Channel beyond and as Annie watch she felt something move and as quickly as she felt the sensation and cold hand rested on her shoulder. With a shrieking scream she jumped to her feet at the same time Eyal turned with the once concealed gun in his hand. A split second later Annie also held a gun.
"What the hell." Annie looking at the man who just scared the life out of her.
"Don't shot I'm unarmed... Please let us talk." The man with a raspy voice holding his one good arm in the air, a cane in hand. "Look Busby call me to say you were government agents and on your way out here. I'm tired of hiding and now willing to go quietly.
"Jordon Vogel I presume." Eyal with a low calm voice and slowing lowing his gun.
"That's right."
"You are alive?" Annie with her questing glance at Eyal as she spoke.
"Yes but barely. Please put your gun down it makes me nervous. My I ask your names."
"Eyal Lavin with Mossad and this is Anne Walker with the CIA."
"Not British police... That is surprising. I would have thought MI6 or Scotland Yard would be the one to find me."
As Jordon Vogel took several steps toward a chair and Annie recalled the same sound - Step, slide - tap, the footsteps she had heard on Halloween night, the night in the so called haunted mansion. "You were the one making those strange sounds and making things flying about."
"Busby and I invented the haunted story to keep people away and up until now it has worked. Treasurer seekers believing there is buried expensive jewelry and gold stashed here by Malcolm McMillan."
After Jordon had taken a seat, followed by Busby and then Annie and last Eyal. About that time a large black cat with piercing green eyes joined them as he jumped onto Vogel's lap wanting his head rubbed.
"Your pet huh..." Annie looking at Vogel and then at Eyal, "Told you the cat look too well feed to be a stray."
Eyal didn't acknowledge Annie's remark but just looked at the frail old man sitting there holding his pet cat. Jordon Vogel had lost the use of one arm and showed signs of a broken ankle unset and other impairments as if he had been badly beaten. His left eye was glazed over, Eyal guess going blind also noticing the thinning snow-white hair and the raspy sound when he breathed. Jordon Vogel was no threat but an old man in deteriorating health. There was a long lull, and eerie period of stillness before Eyal spoke.
"You are a dead man by all accounts and from what I can see something terrifying has happened to you. You were never in that plane, am I right?" Eyal leaning back in his chair and resting his gun on one leg.
"No. That plane crash was staged and I'm sure you already know that. It was Blair's doing to cover up what happened. I read about my memorial service in the newspaper and the grieving widow. What a lie she portrayed. The only person Blair ever love was Blair."
"We know a little about your background and your marriage to Blair Stewart but we have the time now to hear your side of the story." Annie slipping her gun back into her jacket pocket and out of sight. "Why are you living here... I mean in hiding?"
"I should start from the reason I am in England in the first place. During WWII I was born in German and soon found myself living under Soviet rule in East Berlin. Now my family had position and title which no longer matter in today's Germany but to Blair it was the key to her entrance into British elite upper class. I am the tenth Earl of Kleinbruck where upon my marriage to Blair she became Lady Vogel. Once the Berlin wall came down and Germany was unified I join the Bundesnachrichtendienst or BND for short - the Federal German Intelligence Service and was quickly routed back to East Berlin and some connections with the Soviet Intelligence Agency. I was recruited by the KGB and found myself working as a double agent."
"For German or Russia?"
"Both I'm sorry to say. Might say I had divided loyalty. Well to continue, Malcolm McMillan came on the KGB's radar as a person of interest to turn for the benefit of Russia and my assignment was to get close to him. That part was easy, his niece Blair Stewart was a social climber and wealth seeker and I fit the bill even though I was twenty some odd years older than her. Things moved along nicely between Blair and myself and she not being the most attractive woman walking it was uncomplicated and before I realized what happen I had proposed to her. The wedding was an elaborate affair and very high profile which didn't set to well with the KGB and I was put on a tight leash."
"With your marriage to Blair did you finally turn McMillan?" Annie questioning.
"Not at first. Only after I found out the family's dark secret. Blair wasn't McMillan niece but his daughter. He had just become Deputy Chief of Defense for the UK and any breath of scandal would destroy not only him but Blair and I used the knowledge to my advantage. He turned out to be a wealth of great intel that I was feeding to both Russia and Germany."
"For how long did the flow of intel go on?" Eyal asked.
"Several years but McMillan starting feeling the pressure and in time he started... shall we say womanizing and pickup up a bad gambling habit. Wasn't long after that Blair also started following in her father's food steps, gambling and one affair after another. Not real sure how Scotland Yard found out McMillan was feeding government information to a Russian agent but he was arrested and within two days murdered."
"They never connected you as the Russian agent he was talking with." Annie intensely listen to Jordon's story and it was believable.
"They question me yes but found another source, a low-level employee in the Defense Department as a mole and arrested him. I was lucky on that one."
Annie was taking the lead on interrogating Vogel with Eyal's blessing. "So after McMillan's death your mission was over and you could return to German but chose to stay, why?"
"Maybe by that time I had grown to love Blair or maybe I was a bit too comfortable in my British life style." He paused looking away, contemplating what he should tell next and decided the truth would be the best. "Guess the real reason was another woman in my life, one I had been seeing for a little over a year."
"Love have strange effects on men's thinking processes." Eyal with a quip and Annie shot him a glare to piped it down. But Eyal continued. "But there was another reason wasn't it?"
"Think you know since you asked, yes there was. Anyway for the next two years Blair was quite busy trying to overcome her father scandal which gave me the opportunity to really get close to the woman I was seeing. An Israeli living in London with a brother who was with the Israeli embassy in intelligence information exchange with MI6."
"What was your leverage there?"
"Money. Pure and simple hefty payments for intel. Instead of hiding the new found wealth he spend it openly which caused Mossad to send in an agent or two. I can't be sure but I think it was a Mossad agent that Blair had an affair with just before my target was shipped back to Israel. Blair never could keep her mouth close while in bed." Looking over at Annie, "Sorry to be so blunt. With Mossad closing in like lightning, well that kind of pitched a monkey wrench into the works and the KGB had order me back to Russia."
"But you didn't return." Annie returning to her line of questions for Jordon.
"No, I didn't want to go to Russia so I got in touch with my contact at BND to return to Berlin but that went up in a pile of smoke because I was spying on Israel. Germany was hard at work making long-term amends for Hitler's actions and any report of spying on Israel would be very harmful to their ongoing relationship. I became a wash-up, burn out spy with no homeland to return too. So I pulled a vanishing act, moved out here until Blair found me. That's when she concocted the story of my death and staged the plane clash to save face, her reputation."
Eyal standing and putting his gun away. "With what you have told us I'm sure you know very well what going to happen next."
"I'm ready to go. I've got many health problems and the English dampness isn't helping by injured joints. The Israeli sun and warmth will be a welcome change. I'm also ready to give up names, dates and places, to fully cooperate with Israel."
"We'll drive back to London tonight and I'll have an agent meet us at the airport and by tomorrow morning you will be in Israel with health care and some warm weather."
"Good." Jordon handing the large cat to Busby, "Take care of Rufus for me. He really likes salmon." He also walked over to a chest and pulled out a metal box, handing it to Busby also, "This should pay for any trouble I might have caused you. You have been a good friend Busby Ferguson."
"I will my friend, I will take good care of Rufus and thank you." There was a small tear in Busby eye as he watch Eyal and Annie lead Jordon Vogel out the door.
(There is more to come. The mystery is not over yet.)