(Copyright 2001. All rights reserved).
Dave drove slowly along the banks of The Mohnesee, joining with the steady stream of holiday makers and day-trippers who were going to make use of the many facilities on offer.
"You can see the twin towers on the Damm now." Dave pointed ahead as they turned a corner. "We blew that one up in the Second World War. My Dad had just seen the film about it on TV and decided there and then that we had to come out here and see it for ourselves. It would broaden our education. I was fifteen which would have put Nat at about ten or eleven."
"Don't you know how old she is?" Marianne joked.
It had been a long time since she could remember being this comfortable with a man. He'd touched her again whilst they had still been on the autobahn and she had responded and came. She had reached across and tried to free his cock but it had been too difficult to get him out. How she had wanted to do something for him in return. His quick understanding and acceptance had infuriated her at first. Her mood had darkened when she thought of Laurie riding up and down on his cock. It should have been her. It could have been her had she not been so coy about taking him to her bed.
He'd reached across and held her hand for a minute, gently massaging the side of her finger with his thumb. He'd smiled at her and she'd felt weak inside. He had a lovely smile.
"Shall we stop and call the Police?" She asked as they reached the large hotel and restaurant. Cars were pulling into its car park and others were pulling off the road and into the large car park cut into the side of the hill by the side of the damm.
"I don't think my Germans good enough to try to explain everything that has happened." Dave replied, increasing speed as the road ahead suddenly cleared. "We are only a couple of miles away. Let's see if we can find them first. If we know where they are it will be easier. It has occurred to me that there is the possibility that the Police will think that it's a publicity stunt and not take me seriously."
"Never."
"It's been done before."
The main road continued down the side of the Valley as Dave took a turn to the right, marked by a signpost.
" There is a small hotel in the village." Dave said, pointing it out and slowing down to pull up in its car park. "We ended up staying here for three weeks. I was bored to tears by the end. There was a nice young couple who ran it. We had two rooms. I shared with Dad and Mum with Nat. I remember I was forever having to take Nat for long walks in the woods around here whilst Mum and Dad had a lie down after lunch. I wonder if they still own it?"
"Mum and Dad have been back a couple of times I think and I think Nat once." Dave continued leading the way inside the hotel. "I don't know about you but I could do with a visit to the gents. Then we'll have a coffee and see if they have a map."
"I'm not using the gents." Marianne said, a serious look on her face.
"I didn't mean that you had too. You don't use that." Dave stumbled over the words.
Marianne smiled and kissed his cheek. He did fluster easily.
"I know." She said heading for the door marked Damen. "I was just joking."
"Two minutes." Dave said in German, holding up two fingers to emphasise the point to the girl behind the counter at reception.
The people who had owned this hotel the last time he had come had had a daughter. Heidi. That was her name. Dave thought as he closed the door to the washroom behind him and entered a booth. She would be about that girl's age as well. It had been ten years since he had been here but nothing looked to have changed.
He felt better after that and wondered briefly what Marianne was doing in the ladies. He washed his hands and splashed some water over his face. That felt better as well. He directed the hot air blower first at his face and then at his hands. He suddenly felt really tired. He must have been getting by on adrenaline alone. An hour on stage could certainly take it out of you. Then at best two hours sleep. Then Laurie and now all of this. He shook his head to clear it. It must be tiredness that wasn't making anybody think clearly. Of course they should inform the Police. He should also tell his parents. If something happened to Nat and they didn't know what was going on. But all that could take time. He needed to find them first then the Police could storm in and save the day.
He stepped back into the foyer of the small hotel. A flash went off in front of him. When his eyes cleared he saw Marianne standing at the small counter with Heidi, who was holding a camera, and a middle-aged couple.
"Welcome. Welcome." The man said approaching him and taking both his hands in his own. "It has been too long."
"Farter." Heidi called and Pietra, Dave had finally remembered his name, turned towards her.
"Do you mind if Heidi takes some photos? It is not often we have such a famous man as you visit. How long will you stay?"
"I cannot stay long." Dave replied, automatically smiling into the camera as he had been taught by the record company. The light flashed. "My sister is here and I have to find her."
It suddenly struck him as Marianne took a picture of the whole family with him that he didn't have a clue where to start looking.
* * * * *
Natasha pulled again at the chain and its fastenings. There was no way she could get out of the metal ring around her ankle with its small padlock and the other end of the chain was securely fastened to the wall.
They were in a large hanger-like building in a room, or more correctly a film set, made to look like a Doctors surgery. She looked at Geordie, asleep on what looked like a Doctors examination couch. It even had the rests for gynaecological work. There were a lot of lights suspended from the high ceiling and still more on stands. A camera stood on a tripod in the far corner out of her reach. What use it would have been if she could have reached it she didn't know. She just felt it would have been nice to break it.
She'd thought Frederick had been going to have her in the Buses toilet but the man in the suit had called him away.
