Preparation.
He explained carefully. The movement was looking for a volunteer. He knew he had to sell this concept; it was a lot to ask of any woman.
He had gathered the prettiest women available. Now if only one of them would agree to take the risk.
"As I have explained, we need to smuggle these people across the border. The authorities are after them for subversive activities. Now the plan is that we need a volunteer to distract the border authorities. The smallest and easiest border has been selected so that the all the men on duty will be amenable to leaving me alone on duty. Once we have achieved that, we will smuggle the couple through the gate." He paused and took a deep breath.
"Okay, now the reason I am here is to find that volunteer. I need a pretty woman to distract the men." He proceeded to explain how the volunteer would be used to achieve their purpose. He spoke slowly and with feeling. When he had finished his presentation, he waited a minute for the full import to sink into their minds. Then he spoke once more.
"Here is my cell phone number. I don't expect any of you to volunteer right now. Call me tomorrow and we can iron out the details." The meeting broke up and a very quiet and thoughtful group of women wended their way out.
Stewart wasn't convinced that even one would call, much less offer him a number of alternatives to sort through. So he was amazed during the course of the day to receive four calls. He visited each of them before making his choice.
Cindy was a 26-year-old married woman, and she seemed very mature and cool under pressure. Also there was a feeling of suppressed excitement in her. She was a beautiful young lady and Stewart thought she was perfect for the part. She had shoulder length, shiny hair that framed her pretty face perfectly. Her figure was as near perfect as it was possible to be. She spoke well and obviously had a quick, intelligent brain.
They went over and over the plan, until it was second nature to them both.
"You do realise the possible consequences if I am delayed in any way? It will be tough enough for you if I can pull it off in the time allocated, but if I am delayed, things will get a lot hotter for you!"
"I am prepared to take that risk." Her poise amazed him. And he believed her.
"Fine. Then we go ahead tomorrow."
Application.
The couple were concealed in the trunk of the car. The idea was not to make any attempt to cross the border with the car. It would stop short of the border post.
Stewart, in his colonel's uniform, pulled over just short of the guardhouse. He climbed out, straightened his uniform, and opened the passenger door. He took Cindy by the arm and pulled her out of the car. The guards were looking at him, and they were amazed by her beauty and by the fact that her arms were handcuffed behind her.
As he approached they were quick to salute when they saw his ostensible rank.
"Sergeant," he addressed the ranking man. "I want you and your me to do me a service. This young lady I suspect of being a counter-revolutionist. I want you and your me to take her into the barracks and interrogate her." The men stared at him open-mouthed. They could hardly credit what they were hearing. And then he spoke again and they thought they had died and entered paradise.
"Use any and all means to get her to confess and provide information. Only do not hurt or harm her. There are to be no major bruises or any other injury!" He smiled at them. "Of course, little bruises on her more tender areas, wellβ¦" He smiled again, more broadly this time. "Search her well for hidden weapons or anything else she might be carrying anywhere on or in her person!" He looked at them carefully. "Do you understand? Can I trust you with this? I will watch your post while you are busy!"
"Yes, sir, colonel! You can rest assured we will interrogate her well and search her very, very carefully!" He stepped forward and grabbed Cindy's arm. She was dressed in a simple dress with buttons down the front. Stewart tossed him the handcuff keys.
The sergeant detailed one of his six men to assist Stewart. The colonel waved him away.
"No, no; you go and help the sergeant!" Gratefully the man followed the others as they followed the sergeant and Cindy into the guardhouse.
No sooner had they vanished than Stewart ran to the car and opened the trunk. Out stepped the young couple. He led them quickly through the gate and they disappeared into the trees. Just around the bend in the road, a car waited to pick them up and drive them through the friendly border post and on to safety.
Stewart glanced at his watch. It had all happened faster than they had estimated. There were still ten minutes to spare. He realised he could not retrieve Cindy too soon, before they had really even got her inside, as it would arouse suspicion after what he had told them. So he made his way to one of the curtained windows on the side of the barracks where he could peak inside as well as keep an eye on the road.