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“How about an evening in the mountains? Here is the address of the chalet.”
I frown and smile at the same time. On one hand, it’s quite presumptuous of my Ukrainian lover to suggest I drive for half a day to meet him and to be certain of an answer. On another hand, a weekend in Swiss Alps does sound nice. Frankly, it would be a welcome respite. The integration of π-3 into the workforce is not going as well as one might hope. People are leaving, and the people who are hired in their place have different values. I’m bothered by this, and I want a break.
So, I drive to a minuscule mountain village to meet Hedgehog. As always, seeing him fills me with playful anticipation. The Ukrainian takes me to the chalet where we sit, drink and chat, enjoying the stunning views and each other's company. There is something strange, however. I can tell the Ukrainian is slightly tense. Is he worried? Annoyed?
Before long, Hedgehog asks me to accompany him for a walk. There was a guy he was supposed to meet today, he says, but the man didn’t show up. Hedgehog was waiting for his call all morning. The call never came, but maybe the dude left whatever he brought in a secret place. Hedgehog knows what the object should be, and he knows the place where the man has supposedly stayed. We'll go there together and check. Maybe we'll be able to find the package. The plan is to pick it up and come back.
The walk starts pleasantly enough. Mountain views, excellent weather, a good companion. We soon reach a small shack. Here, shepherds stay during the summer months while cattle grazes on the nearby slopes.
No shepherds here now. The shack looks empty. Something about it gives me chills. I check the pistol in my purse. Hedgehog notices it but doesn’t comment. He is edgy himself.
We enter the shack and my welcome respite turns into my regular work day.
( The guy Hedgehog was supposed to meet is dead on the floor. )
(to be continued...)
Here is what the main characters look like.
( Deirdre Buchanan )
( A Ukrainian sorcerer who goes by the nickname Hedgehog )
I frown and smile at the same time. On one hand, it’s quite presumptuous of my Ukrainian lover to suggest I drive for half a day to meet him and to be certain of an answer. On another hand, a weekend in Swiss Alps does sound nice. Frankly, it would be a welcome respite. The integration of π-3 into the workforce is not going as well as one might hope. People are leaving, and the people who are hired in their place have different values. I’m bothered by this, and I want a break.
So, I drive to a minuscule mountain village to meet Hedgehog. As always, seeing him fills me with playful anticipation. The Ukrainian takes me to the chalet where we sit, drink and chat, enjoying the stunning views and each other's company. There is something strange, however. I can tell the Ukrainian is slightly tense. Is he worried? Annoyed?
Before long, Hedgehog asks me to accompany him for a walk. There was a guy he was supposed to meet today, he says, but the man didn’t show up. Hedgehog was waiting for his call all morning. The call never came, but maybe the dude left whatever he brought in a secret place. Hedgehog knows what the object should be, and he knows the place where the man has supposedly stayed. We'll go there together and check. Maybe we'll be able to find the package. The plan is to pick it up and come back.
The walk starts pleasantly enough. Mountain views, excellent weather, a good companion. We soon reach a small shack. Here, shepherds stay during the summer months while cattle grazes on the nearby slopes.
No shepherds here now. The shack looks empty. Something about it gives me chills. I check the pistol in my purse. Hedgehog notices it but doesn’t comment. He is edgy himself.
We enter the shack and my welcome respite turns into my regular work day.
( The guy Hedgehog was supposed to meet is dead on the floor. )
(to be continued...)
Here is what the main characters look like.
( Deirdre Buchanan )
( A Ukrainian sorcerer who goes by the nickname Hedgehog )
