The Noble Mercenary

by Patrick John Donahoe

  “Yes, sir.”

  The Baron took a long draw on his cigar, and said, “Gentlemen, I’m proud of your efforts. We’re making fine progress. We don’t have to accomplish everything at once. I know some of our preparations may take years, for example, the longevity serum. The world is destroying itself as we speak; we are merely helping it along, and will do so to our advantage. Our goals are on track and we are conducting preparatory actions for future endeavors. We’ll conduct our first stealth drone attack on South Korea for practice and training, and to develop our technique. We continue to grow stronger and are expanding into all the areas which will ultimately see us take control of the world. Keep up the good work.”

  Fourteen

  Leora stood on the curb and waited for the ‘safe to cross’ icon to light up on the traffic signal. She had the clerk evenly divide the groceries into her two recyclable bags. It was difficult enough to navigate the sidewalks with her proud belly projecting out in front like a bowling ball under her blouse. She was familiar with the old wives’ tale that when a woman carries a baby all in front like she was, indicated a boy. Her latest sonogram showed a healthy developing baby boy with the appropriate plumbing.

  Leora noticed a black van coming toward her, but she knew she had the right of way, and was impatient to get home and fix Kurt’s favorite dinner, sauerkraut and kielbasa sausage. She had not developed the same level of enthusiasm for either, but today was Kurt’s 26th birthday and she wanted to help him celebrate. There was no good wine to go with such a meal, so she bought a heavy dark German beer, another of Kurt’s favorites, for which she also still had not developed any enthusiasm.

  Only three steps off the curb, with no other traffic in view, the van sped up toward her. Shocked at the impending collision, she froze like a rabbit in a spotlight, stepping neither forward, nor back, for the two seconds it would take to move out of the van’s direct path. The van veered slightly to the right and clipped her at sixty miles per hour, propelling her several feet down the street where she landed in a crumpled heap, the groceries flying in all directions. The last thing she saw was Kurt’s old school friend, Aloisia, behind the wheel of the van. She was dead before she hit the ground. The van roared off down the street fleeing the scene.

  Aloisia slowed down and tried to drive as though nothing had happened. She maintained her speed at five miles above the speed limit, made proper stops at every stop sign and red light, and did everything possible to not draw attention to her driving. She abandoned the stolen van on the same block as an auto dismantler, a local ‘chop shop,’ with the windows open. She walked the two blocks to where she had left her Audi, removed her lambskin gloves and tossed them into a trash receptacle. As she started the engine she thought, now we can get on with the plan. I hope Kurt is worth all the trouble.

  Kurt looked around at the medical buildings with the doctors and students scurrying to and fro, and felt happier than he had ever been. He loved walking home to Leora, and their miracle she was carrying. He would complete his internship in thirteen more days. He considered working on a specialty, whatever would help him to run clinics in the Brazilian jungle.

  Leora had completed her RN course of study, and would complete her medical training to become a doctor after they were established in Brazil. She still worked part time as a nurse in the hospital to keep her skills current, even though they didn’t need the money.

  Kurt stopped on the way home and bought one red rose. Leora was so uncomfortable with the baby in her last trimester he wanted to cheer up her day in any way possible.

  He would not be circumspect if he told anyone he had taken nearly 200,000 Euros out of his father’s safe before he returned to Munich with Leora. Kurt had used less than 7,000 Euros of the cash to purchase a flat panel HD TV for the apartment, a suite of baby furniture, and a few nice presents for Leora, including a small diamond ring. He felt that if he didn’t make any large purchases, or live too flagrantly, he could spend some of the cash. Besides, Leora deserved having a few nice things. Leora’s family in India had other children in college and couldn’t afford to support her in medical school any longer. Kurt offered to use some of their cash to continue her medical schooling, but she wanted to enjoy her pregnancy and not suffer the stress of college studies.

  The Board of Directors of the Tridente Pharmaceutical Company agreed to fund Kurt’s schooling, and provide a small stipend for living expenses, until the financial aspects of the company could be settled, since he now owned 70% interest in the company, 30% from his father and 40% from his grandfather. With his grandfather, Rolf, dead, and his father, Karl, in prison for crimes against humanity, the Board stipulated that Kurt take over the helm of the company as Chairman of the Board when he completed his medical training.

  Kurt would prefer to put up his shingle full time and provide medical care to the poor and indigenous peoples of Brazil to partially make up for the grievous sins his father, grandfather and great-grandfather had perpetrated against humanity. He had agreed to Tridente’s provisos, but now in less than three weeks he was obligated to follow through. He could sign up to take on a specialty, virology or pharmaceuticals were two areas they could not rail against. Besides, he had cash enough to pay his own way for specialty training, and for Leora to complete her medical training, if Tridente decided to not continue their support. So much had changed in his life during the three years he had spent in medical school and the two years of clinical internship coupled with continued studies.

  Kurt inserted his key in the apartment door lock and twisted. He opened the door expecting the earthy aromas of another exotic curry dish to make him drool like a bullmastiff puppy. Leora usually made delicious curry dishes and had more recipes than he could ever imagine, but she insisted on making his favorite foods to celebrate any special occasion. With today being his birthday, he was willing to be surprised. She could parlay a finite number of ingredients, curry, chicken, rice, and many he didn’t know the names of, into an infinite number of permutations, and combinations, of exotic dishes. Since they had been married, she had fixed only one dish more than once, lemon chicken curry, his favorite curry dish. He hoped that’s what she prepared tonight.

  “Leora, I’m home.” Kurt dropped his jacket on the living room sofa and laid his backpack containing his laptop on the kitchen table. There was no response. The kitchen was spotless and dinner had not been started. “Maybe you’re out shopping,” he said aloud, feeling foolish for having done so. He carried his backpack to the bedroom and dumped it on the bed, then returned to the kitchen. Maybe she’s out buying groceries and needs help carrying them home, he thought. Kurt took out his cell phone and speed dialed her number. Leora’s phone rang several times and went to voice mail.

  Before Kurt could leave a message, the doorbell rang. Kurt rushed to the door and flung it open only to greet two German police officers. He stepped into the hallway, and asked, “Can I help you?”

  “Are you Kurt Brandt?”

  Perplexed by their presence, he answered, “Yes.”

  “Please come with us.”

  Kurt hesitated.

  The older police officer looked Kurt in the eyes, and stated, “A woman fitting the description of Leora Brandt was involved in a hit and run accident today.”

  Kurt grabbed the officer’s arm. “My wife doesn’t drive.”

  The officer pried Kurt’s hand loose from his arm.

  “Did someone hit her?”

  “Please, just come with us. We’re not at liberty to discuss any details with you until you’ve ID’d the body. It may not be her.”

  Kurt stepped back into the apartment, picked up his jacket off the sofa and followed the police officers, closing and locking the apartment door behind him. Shock and fear for Leora began to settle in on him.

  Exhausted from his 3 twelve-on, six-off round of shifts, and depressed from his loss of Leora, Kurt looked forward to being able to return to his apartment for a full eighteen hours of rest before his next rou
nd. He was glad to be so tired. The apartment reminded him too much of Leora and his loss. He should move just to escape from the memories, but he hadn’t had time to even look for another place, much less move.

  Before the elevator door could close, Aloisia stepped into the elevator car and the door closed behind her.

  “Hello, stranger. How are you doing?”

  “Hi, Aloisia. I’ve been better.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Anything I can do?”

  “Not really, I just need to get some rest.”

  “I understand. You must be about done with your internship.”

  The elevator door opened and they both stepped out into the parking garage. “Yes, I am. Two more sets of rounds to go.”

  “I’m sure you’re still grieving over your loss, but how about joining me for dinner on your next 18-hour break? Some good food and company might cheer you up.”

  Kurt retrieved his car keys from his pants pocket, started to back away, and replied, “I don’t know. I . . . It’s too soon I’m afraid.”

  “Please. It will lift your spirits. All work is not good. You don’t want to be an exhausted Gloomy Gus for your patients. They deserve a positive cheerful doctor.”

  Kurt hesitated, looked into Aloisia’s clear blue eyes and felt like falling into her arms like a bawling schoolboy, but he restrained himself. “You’re right. I haven’t been much good for myself or anyone else lately.”

  “Now you’re talking. I’ll leave a note in your hospital mailbox with the time and place. You don’t have to do anything but show up on time. Deal?”

  Kurt fidgeted with his keys, anxious to leave. “Uh . . . OK. Deal.” He felt guilty and relieved at the same time.

  “See you in three days.” Aloisia turned and started to walk away.

  Kurt watched her for a moment. Her stride was a showcase for her shapely figure undisguised by the dowdy green doctor’s uniform.

  Kurt turned and headed to his car, his spirits somewhat lifted by the prospect of dinner with the gorgeous, intelligent, talented Aloisia. He would be grateful for the company.

  Kurt arrived right on time for dinner and asked the maître de, “Has Miss von Hapsburg arrived?”

  “Just moments ago. Jolie will show you to your table.”

  Jolie headed toward a less crowded corner of the restaurant, and Kurt spotted Aloisia seated at a two-person table dressed in a strapless sapphire gown. She wore a string of black pearls around her neck with matching earrings. If his father and grandfather had not had plans to match him with Aloisia, he might have pursued her of his own accord. He had only known her as a rich spoiled brat, but here she was a beautiful, intelligent talented woman.

  Aloisia stood as he approached her table, “A penny for your thoughts,” she said. “You look so serious.”

  Kurt held her arms and kissed her on the cheek like a long lost Uncle.

  “What are you, my grandfather,” she said, and hugged him a ‘more than friends hug’ and pulled him tightly against her firm breasts. “I can see my work is cut out for me. I have to loosen you up.” To the waiter she said, “Two steins of your best draft beer. . . two large steins.”

  Kurt eased her chair to the table and then sat down in his own. “Thank you for inviting me out. I have turned into somewhat of a hermit lately.”

  “I’m very sorry for your losses. You’ve suffered greatly, but you must move on.”

  The waiter arrived with two frosty steins of beer with inch tall freshly poured heads. Kurt took a large swallow resulting in a comical foam mustache.

  “That’s better,” Aloisia smiled, “the mustache looks good on you.”

  Kurt wiped the foam away with his napkin, and smiled, a sad puppy dog smile.

  Another waiter brought the appetizers, crab stuffed mushrooms.

  “We haven’t ordered yet,” Kurt blurted out.

  “Not to worry. I’ve taken care of everything.”

  “I place myself in your capable hands.” Kurt clinked steins with Aloisia and enjoyed another long swallow of the hearty dark ale.

  Somehow Aloisia knew Kurt’s favorite dishes. Their conversation remained light, the weather, the deliciousness of the food, until Aloisia asked, as they enjoyed an after dinner glass of wine, “What are your plans when you’ve completed your internship?”

  Kurt stared at the table and hesitated before answering, “I used to think I knew exactly what I wanted, but now I feel . . . lost.”

  “What did you want to do?”

  “Return to Brazil and help people, those who need help, tribespeople, disaster victims. . . you know. My family had, and now, I guess, I have, money, so, I would give back to the world with service.”

  “What do you think now?”

  “The world giveth and the world taketh away, my father is in prison, my grandfather is dead, my wife . . .”

  Aloisia placed her left hand on Kurt’s right hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Now, now, we’re here to relax and have a pleasant evening.”

  Kurt wiped a small tear from the corner of his eye, and gave Aloisia a ‘thank you’ look.

  The waiter arrived with the bill and handed it to Aloisia.

  “Aloisia, let me pay.”

  Aloisia handed the waiter her credit card, “Not tonight. Come to my place for a nightcap?”

  Kurt felt his emotions were all over the map. He was about to finish his lifelong dream to become a doctor. His internship was nearly complete, but his charitable inclinations to tend to the destitute were dampened by the bitterness of his own losses, and here was a desirable woman inviting him into her world. “I would like that.”

  A quick taxi ride and a two floor elevator ride later, they arrived at Aloisia’s apartment. She let them into her apartment, which was decorated in moderately expensive taste, copies of famous paintings in tasteful frames, trendy furniture and a modern kitchen. She turned on her sound system and played some romantic music that Kurt could not identify, except it included violins.

  “I make an out of this world Grey Goose martini. I’m going to have one. How about you?”

  “Sounds delicious.”

  “Have a seat and relax.”

  “Don’t mind if I do.” Kurt flopped down, or rather into, one of the most comfortable couches he had ever sat on. He thought, I don’t want to embarrass myself by dozing off, just before he did.

  Kurt woke to the aromas of freshly brewed coffee laced with vanilla. He was covered with a blanket on Aloisia’s couch; his outer garments had been removed. His clothes were neatly folded and lying on the matching love seat. Initially embarrassed, he sat up and watched Aloisia walk toward him, dressed in her negligee and revealing open robe, carrying a cup.

  “Well, good morning, sleepyhead. If you hadn’t stirred, I was going to wake you in a few minutes, while the coffee is still hot.” She handed Kurt the delicious smelling cup of coffee and set a coaster on the side table. “Use the coaster, I don’t want a ring on my table,” Aloisia gave him a stern look, along with a beguiling stare. “We need to hurry and get ready for our shifts. I don’t like to be late.”

  Kurt sipped his coffee, hot, black with a dash of vanilla and let his senses return. He must have fallen asleep on the couch and she let him sleep. He carried the cup and coaster to Aloisia’s travertine tiled bathroom where she sat at her oversize vanity applying makeup.

  “Go ahead, shower and freshen up. As soon as you’re ready, we’ll leave. Do you need anything?”

  “No, we can go directly to the hospital. I have extra scrubs and necessities in the intern’s locker room. I practically live there.”

  “Good. Hurry.”

  Kurt hung his underwear on the towel rack, entered the walk-in shower with its clouded glass enclosure, and took a short hot shower, dried off with a plush Turkish towel, put his used underwear back on, trotted back to the living room, and finished dressing.

  As Kurt buttoned his shirt, Aloisia walked in carrying her handbag.

  “I’m ready t
o leave, she said, “let’s go,” and headed for the door. She hesitated long enough for him to adjust his clothes, and they left the apartment.

  The sun was just coming up as they walked toward the hospital.

  Aloisia said, “We need to do this again.”

  “Are you sure? I’m afraid I was a terrible date,” Kurt apologized.

  “I understand. I only completed my internship last month, and I know how grueling it is under the best of conditions. It just shows you’re human.”

  “I’ll be done in another week. I took time off for Leora’s cremation. . . and to send her remains to India.”

  “I know.” Aloisia stopped on the sidewalk. “I want to talk to you sometime about your future.”

  Kurt stopped next to her, nearly touching. “I’ll be returning to Brazil.”

  “You decided against a specialty?”

  “Yes, at least for now,” Kurt started walking again.

  “What will you do?” Aloisia began walking beside Kurt again.

  “I have to pay at least a little attention to my father’s pharmaceutical company, since I control 70% ownership . . . plus, I plan to open a clinic in Sao Paulo to treat poor people.”

  “So you’ll have a foot in both worlds, CEO of a large medical company and servant of the people in a clinic.”

  “Something like that.”

  They approached the hospital’s sliding glass doors.

  Aloisia said, “Would you like some help running the clinic?”

  “Are you serious? You could apply to any hospital and be accepted, or you could start your own practice. Why throw in with me?”

  The sliding glass doors opened and they entered the hospital foyer.

  “We don’t have time, now. Join me for lunch on your next, eighteen-hour break and we’ll discuss it. OK?”

  “OK. Call me.” They parted ways to report to their respective assignments.

  Fifteen

  “Can you take a quick trip to Germany with me?” Serena asked Jacques on his cell phone.