David pulled the same ploy several times since it always worked and kept him out of any connection with the prostitutes. He waited till he saw a transaction completed by a man of Han’s stature and then walked up to the girl and said in front of the guy, “Hey, Karla, what about me?” He used the same name every time too. He discovered it was fifty-fifty on who got indignant first, the guy or the gal.
However, one heavily made up girl responded, “Hey, where were you, Fritz?” and turned to the guy and said, “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go now. Here’s your money back.” She immediately took David’s arm and said, “Thanks for rescuing me. What’s your name? Mine’s Yvonne. Do you want to go have a drink?”
“I would, but my wife is in this crowd somewhere. I’m Steve. So were you really having trouble back there?”
“No. You’re just a hell of a lot better looking. You are definitely my type, honey. Hell, I’d give you it for free. Sure you can’t ditch your wife?”
“Well…so where would you take me, Yvonne?”
“Right around the corner. My room’s on the second floor, and we won’t have no problems. I’m clean.”
“I’ll tell you what. Next time I can get away, Yvonne, I’ll look you up, okay?”
“Definitely. Sure you don’t want that drink? I need to sit down a while anyway. I’m bushed. I’ve already done five guys tonight.”
“Sorry, but here, have one on me. And good luck, Yvonne.” David handed her a ten. She took it and walked away. He looked through the crowd for Miriam but didn’t see her.
Then David spotted a guy who really looked like he could be Hans. He was alone and scanning the crowd but not really looking at the prostitutes passing by. He glanced at David, but his eyes kept moving. He was looking for someone. The man turned, stared toward David again and then walked quickly in the opposite direction. David tailed him untill he stopped and looked around again. He looked at David and moved away again. David stayed with him. The man turned off on a side street and continued walking. Half a block later, the man stopped, turned around and abruptly asked David why he was following him. David made up some excuse about him looking like a guy from Munich University. The man assured him he was not. He told David to quit following him. David asked him what difference it made. He said he was too heartbroken to talk about it. Otherwise, he’d go with David somewhere. He hoped David understood because he looked like a nice guy. He said he would meet David tomorrow night when he felt better, if David wanted to meet him by the Star Café. David said he might just do that and said he’d leave him alone for now. The man thanked him and said he liked David’s understanding. He’d see David tomorrow night. David said okay.
When they got home, David asked Miriam if she thought Hans might be gay. He’d never thought about it before. She asked what difference would that make, so he told her about the brokenhearted gay guy he met. He could still be Hans, although he didn’t seem scared. If he was into disguises, he could disguise himself that way too. Maybe David should check him out again. What did she think?
“Hey, to each his own. So are you trying to distract me from asking you about your affairs tonight with all the prostitutes, David?” She smiled, and then it faded from her face when he answered seriously and told her about his possible date with Yvonne and that he gave her a ten.
“David, I hate to admit this to you, but that time on the street tonight made me a little horney. I think it’s time for me to go to bed.” She looked over her shoulder, blew him a kiss and walked into the bathroom.
David got undressed down to his kaki underwear, pulled back the covers and crawled into his bed. Miriam returned, turned out the light and got into her bed.
“Goodnight, David.”
“Goodnight, Miriam.”
Unable to sleep, David wondered, what if… Oh to hell with it, Got up and crawled into bed beside Miriam.
CHAPTER 21
Tam was taken through a nondescript side door and quietly admitted to the University Of Munich Hospital. The phone rang at the central registration desk and Dr. Chen Yang’s nurse, Lin Moon answered. Hans, standing nearby, overheard the striking oriental woman say, “Yes, Dr Yang, Mr. Stratton has arrived and is in stable condition. He is in 412, but still somewhat sedated from his transfer from Geneva. In addition, there is someone here that has requested to see him, a relative, I think. Yes, Doctor, I understand. Thank you.”
Wearing a European-cut, dark, pin-striped business suit, Hans was disguised with a pencil-thin mustache, horned rimmed glasses which sat on a Roman nose above a sharp cleft chin. He was carrying a black Pineider leather briefcase. His shoes reflected a high polish from the overhead lights of the reception area. He waited patiently in front of the reception counter and glanced at his wrist-watch. When Lin Moon hung up the phone, he spoke up, quietly. “Pardon me, nurse. Actually, I’m from Global Health Insurance Company. One of our policyholders, a Mr. Tam Stratton, has been transferred here I understand. I will need to verify his identity and medical condition.
“I’m sorry, sir, we cannot give out that information except to relatives.”
“I understand,” Hans said, looking down his glasses, peering at her nametag, “…Nurse Moon,” trying hard to maintain a soft and eminently reasonable voice. “I am the European representative for Global health and I was on business here in Munich of another nature. My company notified me to see if I could get this validation for them. It is just to save the company the money it would cost to send someone else, as coincidentally, I am already here. I won’t take more than a few moments with Mr. Tam. I hope you understand and will indulge me. I personally have met the gentlemen on several occasions, so with my verification my company can proceed with the disbursement of our funds, which I am sure the hospital will appreciate.”
“Well…I’m not sure, Mr…?”
“Horst, Julian Horst. I promise you it will take but a few minutes, but I do need visual verification. I also need a statement on his current medical condition. If you could help me, I would be much obliged.”
“OK, I suppose…He’s in room 412. I’m not supposed to allow you in, but the patient is still somewhat sedated from his trip, so I guess it will be alright.”
“You are very kind. Describe his condition, please.”
Picking up a file from the desk she read: “He has multiple fractures: both legs, both arms, three ribs, his pelvis, and a concussion. We are doing all we can for him at the moment, but he’s in quite serious condition. Go in but don’t stay long.”
Taking the elevator to the fourth floor of the hospital, Hans walked down the corridor and stepped inside a semi-dark room 412. He was just a few feet from the bed when he heard a voice hiss, “You can’t come in here!” Hans swung around, thinking he was alone. A nurse stood in the shadows, her piercing eyes staring authoritatively into his.
“Get out of this room…now!”
Instinctively Hans began to reach behind his neck for his dagger. In a flash the nurse crouched into a Wushu defensive position, and for a moment, they glared at each other. Hans finally spoke, “There must be some mistake here, nurse. I have permission to be in this room.”
“Who are you?”
“Horst, ma’am, Julian Horst, from Global Insurance. The nurse at reception, I believe it was Nurse Moon, said it would be all right, just to verify Mr. Tam’s identity for my company.”
“Insurance Company, my ass! You are not an Insurance agent! What do you want?”