Milo Moon: It Never Happened
Page 21
‘At the hospital.’
‘I didn’t.’
‘That’s because you were sleeping, Milo.’
‘Oh. I wish I had seen him too.’
‘So you’re sure who this is?’
‘Oh yes Sylvie. This is George Smithe. The man who helped us leave Sootere.’ Milo said.
‘Will he visit us, Sylvie?’ Mary asked.
‘Oh, I don’t really know, Mary.’
‘Will Marie visit us?’ Milo asked.
‘I’ll see what I can do. Okay?’
While Mary and Milo went about the excitement of discovering their new apartment, Sylvie sent a text to Ernst Gehrig.
‘Both confirmed him as George Smithe.’
‘Okay you two. What’s for dinner for your first dinner guest?’
‘Who’s coming for dinner?’ Mary asked.
‘Me of course!’ Sylvie said with a big smile.
*****
When Marie arrived for her shift, there was a message for her to contact her commander, Pierre André. She rang his office, and his secretary arranged a five o’clock meeting for her. As she hadn’t seen Pierre André since her return, she was anxious to find out what he wanted. Then she went about trying to fill three hours and not think about Pierre André or whether Jean-Paul would agree to move. She knew it was too soon in their relationship, but something inside her kept telling her that he was the one. Luckily, her thoughts were interrupted by her sergeant.
‘We’ve got a drunk causing a ruckus at the station Dupont. Can you handle it?’
‘On my way sir.’
Chapter 26 - The Evening News
‘Nice to see you back, Dupont’
‘Thank you sir. Nice to be back.’
‘I hear you did a very good job on your secondment.’
‘Oh, it wasn’t a difficult assignment sir. In fact I quite enjoyed it.’
‘So you’re not disappointed that it ended?’
‘No sir. It was an experience, but I knew it was only for a short period.’
‘And the spooks in Bern?’
‘Well, if I may say so sir, it is very different from the Geneva Police that’s for sure. I don’t think any one of them told me their name. It made it a little embarrassing when trying to address them, sir.’
‘I understand Dupont. A very different force indeed.’
‘Yes sir.’
‘Look, the reason I wanted to see you is just to tell you that you’ve been recommended for promotion.’
‘Well, thank you sir. I didn’t expect….’
‘You’ve performed very well in recent years, Dupont, and my superiors and myself believe it to be well overdue.’
‘Thank you. I appreciate your confidence in me, sir.’
‘So, the paperwork will come though in the next few weeks, and we’ll find a place for the new Sergeant Dupont in the coming months.’
‘All I can say is thank you again sir. I don’t know what to say.’
‘That’s fine, Dupont. I know you’ll do a very good job. So, back to your shift then.’
‘Yes sir.’
When Marie left her meeting with André, she checked her phone. She had felt it vibrate during her meeting.
‘Barbara is missed by two M’s. Do you wish to contact? No obligation. Martin.’
Marie closed her phone, and let the idea digest for a while.
*****
‘So, where are we at with this CERN business?’ Françoise Klausner asked Henniger and Gehrig.
‘The transfer has started, and we’ve granted easier access for the Americans,’ Henniger replied.
‘And how long to complete the transfer?’
‘Hard to say for sure, but a few weeks I would imagine.’
‘Are we assisting in any way?’
‘No m’am.’
‘Well, use your discretion. But the quicker it’s done the better. If you can help the US people in a low key way, go ahead.’
‘Yes m’am.’
‘And Seaton and Moon? How are they doing, Mr. Gehrig?’
‘Very well indeed m’am. They’ve been transferred to a centre near Brunnen and I have word that they’re settling in well.’
‘So all is going as planned?’
‘There’s one matter m’am,’ Henniger said.
‘Yes?’
‘It’s Dr. Wilhelm Mueller. We’re still holding him.’
‘Why? A problem?’
‘We’re not sure as yet. He’s been identified by Seaton and Moon as the man who assisted their escape.’
‘I’m sorry, Mr. Henniger, I don’t understand.’
‘Well, both Mr. Gehrig and myself have noted from their file that they received assistance and documents from a Mr. George Smithe. The file we gained from Moon contains documents that he says were supplied by this George Smithe. By chance, Mary Seaton recognised Dr. Mueller as George Smithe during her surgical procedure at HUG. We’ve since asked both Moon and Seaton to identify photos of Mueller and they’re both adamant that Mueller is in fact this George Smithe.’
‘So, what you’re saying here is that, Mueller, the head of the human experimentation program under CERN, is the same man who aided the escapees in a clear attempt to have the facility discovered and probably closed?’
‘That’s the way we’re going with this m’am.’
‘But why Mr. Henniger? What possible reason would he’ve had?’
‘He was going to be retired off soon m’am. I have a suspicion he was annoyed about it.’
‘And do you regard Moon and Seaton as reliable in their identification, Mr. Gehrig?’
‘I’ve got no reason to doubt them m’am.’
‘And their general condition and state of mind?’
‘They’re making excellent progress, but we’ve got disturbing information from them.’
‘Go on.’
‘Well, since the implants were removed, they seem to have had a dramatic improvement in their longer term memory. It’s of course very disjointed, but there is a disturbing pattern developing.’
‘Yes, Mr. Gehrig?’
‘Their recollections seem to be based around a place called Klinik Siebzehn. We’ve done some initial checking and we believe that this was a Nazi human experimentation clinic that was operational from 1943 to 1945.’
‘So you’re saying they have memories of being there?’ Klausner said, with incredulity in her voice.
‘Yes m’am.’
‘What the hell are we dealing with here?’ she asked.
‘We’re not sure m’am, but it’s certainly becoming more complex by the day.’
‘Mr. Gehrig. How could this be at all possible?’
‘Both Moon and Seaton refer to an Ariel and a Hilda as if they were childhood friends. It is through these two that they have given us the information.’
‘Jews?’
‘We’re not sure yet m’am. Too soon to jump to conclusions.’
‘Okay, keep working on it and keep me informed, Mr. Gehrig. Now, back to Mueller. What are your plans for him Mr. Henniger?’
‘I’d like to keep him in custody and find out more. My only concern is that there may be some pressure from the Germans or Americans to have him released.’
‘Well I’ve had no word from anyone, and I can’t see any mention in Mr. Staheli’s files. So I would say go ahead. I’m sure the German government won’t want anything to do with him. Maybe the Russians and Americans. Who’s in charge of the transfer operation?’
‘Dr. Agnes Carruthers is my contact. I met with her and the US ambassador regarding access and transport routes.’
‘And no mention of Mueller?’
‘No. None.’
‘Right gentlemen, keep me informed. You have my direct line and mobile?’
‘Not your mobile m’am,’ Gehrig said.
‘Get the numbers from Patrick on you way out, and daily updates for the time being please.’
‘Yes m’am,’ they said, almost in unison.
*****
‘No Mary. I’ve got my own home. I’m going back tomorrow.’
‘So, I’ll be alone.’
‘No Mary. You’ve got Milo now.’
‘I think he likes the television better than me,’ Mary said, and looked towards Milo glued to the widescreen television, tuned to the travel channel.
‘It’ll be fine Mary. It’s new for him. He’ll be here for you.’
‘He hasn’t asked to see my breasts for days.’
‘Oh, I’m very sure he’ll be back to his usual self very soon in that regard Mary,’ Sylvie said, a little embarrassed.
‘Will we ever go back to Sootere?’
‘No Mary. Why?’
‘Because we thought George had been terminated. And he hasn’t so he must be in Sootere.’
‘You liked George then?’
‘He was kind to Milo and me. Really.’
‘What did he do for you Mary?’
‘He let me keep Hilda and Milo keep Ariel. No one else in Sootere kept their old friends. And he helped us leave Sootere.’
‘What about Anne and Michael?’
‘Now, I think George gave them to us. To help in the ducts. They were both experts, you know.’
‘So you think George took care of you.’
‘Oh yes. I told you. He gave me breasts!’
‘Yes. Yes Mary, I recall you told me about that.’
‘Look, there’s sky on the television too!’ Milo said.
‘Sky, sky, sky. Is that all you look at now Milo Moon?’ Mary asked.
*****
Marie arrived home a little after ten. Tired, but still excited about her promotion. There was a note on the table. Her heart sank when she realised Jean-Paul was not around, and she knew the note must be from him.
‘Got a gig tonight. A trial for my new career. Still thinking about your real estate proposal. Call you tomorrow. xxx JP.’
‘Shit, shit, shit.’ she thought to herself. ‘I’ve scared him off.’
*****
His mobile was ringing and Luc Fleury looked at his bedside clock. One-fifteen.
‘Errhh...Hello, Fluery.’
‘I’m sorry Luc. It’s Sylvie. Milo’s missing.’
Chapter 27 - Same Problems Different Depth
‘Start with the grounds. Keep in a line down to the lake, then work your way back in two teams on the flanks of the grounds,’ the police sergeant ordered, as his team began the search. ‘Take your dogs up from the back of the building,’ he ordered, through his radio.
Other police officers set up lighting for a small command post in the lawns of the home as a police helicopter with a searchlight hovered above, searching surrounding roads.
‘I’m so scared, Sylvie.’
‘It’ll be all right Mary. The police will find Milo. I’m sure he just went to look at the sky or something. You know Milo.’
‘But he’s not allowed out in the black.’
‘What do you mean Mary?’
‘That’s when you’re terminated. In the black.’
‘You mean at night?’
‘In the light it’s safe. But the black is when they come to terminate you.’
‘We’re not in Sootere now Mary. I’m sure Milo will be all right,’ Sylvie lied. Hoping against hope that Milo would be found.
*****
Marie soothed her body and mind and celebrated alone with red wine. Her shift was at two again tomorrow, so she passed the early morning hours alone with a bottle of Humagne Rouge. She picked up her mobile and found the message from Martin. She pressed reply and wrote, ‘Yes. If no problem. When, where and how? Barbara.’
She refilled her glass and took a good sized sip, and breathed out, but her mind was full of Jean-Paul. She wanted him, but knew she may have pushed too fast, and scared him. She reflected on the few men that she had had in her life. Nothing like this. If this was what love felt like, she thought it needed improvement. All she felt, apart from the glass in her hand, was doubt and emptiness. Today of all days. Her big day. Sergeant Marie Dupont. And no one to celebrate it with. She decided that the bottle needed finishing.
*****
‘Beats the hell out of banking hey, JP!’
‘Well, that’s not hard to do.’
‘So, you enjoyed it then?’
‘Oh yeah. Did I do a reasonable job?’
‘A great job. But you’ll react a bit faster when you’ve had more practice.’
‘So I missed something?’
‘No. Just don’t rely on the gauges and headphones. Get into it like the crowd and give them the sound they want.’
‘Sound’s a bit freestyle then?’
‘Sound is JP. It changes all the time. An open door and a breeze and sound changes.’
‘So, more feeling then?’
‘You’ve got it! Especially for open-air festivals. Forget the gauges then.’
‘Right. A lot to learn then.’
‘So, JP? Is it a goer for you?’
‘A few things to sort, but I’d like to. Really.’
‘Like what? Can’t do shit about the hourly rate.’
‘No, that’s okay. Just my flat and a woman.’
‘Oh, JP. Woman problems?’
‘No, in fact the opposite. No problem at all. That’s what worries me.’
‘She’s got you then?’
‘We’ll see. Can I let you know by say, mid next week?’
‘No later.’
‘Okay. I’ll call you.’
Jean-Paul looked at his watch as he left the concert hall. Two-fifteen. Too late to go to Marie’s, he thought. She’ll have work tomorrow.
*****
‘Any news officer?’ Sylvie asked, but knew it was in vain.
‘Sorry m’am. Nothing yet. It’ll be sunrise soon, so it’ll be a little easier for us.’
Sylvie went back to Mary. She found her crying on the sofa. Sylvie felt like crying too, but took two deep breaths before going to comfort Mary. At the same moment the doorbell rang. She went to open the door.
‘Oh Luc! Am I glad to see you,’ Sylvie said. ‘Mary, come and say hello.’
Sylvie made coffee for a very tired looking Luc, who had driven for hours to get to Brunnen. The first rays of light were making their way slowly from behind the mountains.
‘You didn’t have to come tonight Luc.’
‘Well, once I was awake.’
‘Sorry.’
‘That’s okay. Are you all right, Mary?’
‘I think Milo has been terminated.’
‘Oh no, I don’t think so, Mary. Let’s wait and see.’
The door of the apartment opened and Milo casually walked in.
‘I’m in the sky! I’m in the sky!’ he shouted.
‘Oh Milo,’ Sylvie said. ‘Where have you been?’
‘I’m in the sky. Milo Moon. Yellow and bright and beautiful.’
‘You’ve been looking at the moon, Milo?’ Luc asked.
‘Yes! The moon! Me, Milo Moon.’
‘Sylvie, let the police know he’s here will you?’
‘Sure Luc.’
‘Mary, I’m in the sky. Not when it’s blue, but when it’s black and the sky sparkles.’
‘I thought you’d been terminated Milo,’ Mary said, as she wiped away her tears.
‘No Mary. No. I saw it on the television. They said it was the moon, so I went to look for it. It was beautiful. You can come with me next time.’
‘Oh Milo, yes,’ Mary said with a smile.
‘We were looking for you Milo. Where were you?’ Luc asked
‘Up on the roof. It was so exciting Luc. I could see people and a plane in the sky that made a loud noise and stayed still with a big light and, and, and oh so many things.’
‘But we were worried about you, Milo. You didn’t tell Sylvie that you were going outside,’ Luc said.
‘She was talking to Mary, so I didn’t want to interrupt,’ Milo expl
ained.
‘Well, maybe next time you should tell Mary when you go out at night. She was very worried about you.’
‘There are a lot of rules to learn, Luc.’
‘No, not rules Milo. Just a new life for you and Mary.’
*****
‘He just wandered in a few minutes ago, officer.’
‘Did he say where he’d been?’
‘On the roof watching the moon,’ Sylvie said, just a little embarrassed.
‘Well, a good night for it. A full moon all night.’
‘I think we’ll have to be careful the next full moon then.’
‘We should’ve clicked. Looking for Milo Moon on a night of the full moon.’
‘Yes. We were all a little silly to miss that.’
*****
Françoise Klausner arrived early for her second day as president. Patrick had not arrived, so she went to make a coffee for herself. As she was about to go to the coffee machine, she heard her phone ring.
‘Klausner.’
‘Good morning, Madam President. It’s Agnes Carruthers. I was given your number by the US ambassador.’
‘Yes. What can I do for you, Mrs Carruthers?’
‘It’s concerning Dr. Mueller.’
‘Yes?’
‘We believe he is being held in custody and I wish to ask that you have him released immediately.’
‘Why?’
‘He came of his own accord to perform a surgical procedure, but we understand he was placed in custody after he had completed the operation.’
‘That is as I understand the turn of events.’
‘In that case then, there’s no reason he should still be held.’
‘I’m sorry Mrs Carruthers, but it’s my understanding the Dr. Mueller is assisting us with some related investigations.’
‘What do you mean, related?’
‘I’m sorry. I can’t discuss that.’
‘I must remind you that Dr. Mueller is the head of this program, and in the current circumstances, his knowledge would be of great value in assisting with the transfer.’
‘I was informed last evening that the transfer was proceeding smoothly under your supervision Mrs Carruthers, so I see no need for panic here.’
‘I do not wish to be rude Madam President, but there are those in much more powerful positions than myself who wish that you release Dr. Mueller immediately.’
‘And who are these people you’re referring to?’