“How did Willem know about what number to call?” I force out the question fast not wanting to be intimidated and hoping to get some answers now
“How did Willem know....?” Jörn repeats
“How is he involved?” I ask
“Duva....” but here in just two syllables I hear it —Jörn’s voice changes —it is in the silence that I hear it somehow, I don’t know how but it seems I ....feel....hear....like I can hear his thoughts somehow—without uttering a sound but it is there and there—again even in the subtle way he clears his throat as if to stall, too, for thought ....yes, and even though I know I hear it— I ignore it.... don’t trust it or somehow ....it is just doubt
and then he says,
“‘how is he involved’—duva, ask yourself....”
and it is there again ....in his silence
He sighs,
“he is here if you would like to ask him.....”
And I hear Willem’s voice in the background say something
“He’s there? where are you exactly?” I ask
But now it is Willem who I hear,
“hi, old friend,” he says in his heavy Dutch accent, “it’s Wil, glad you called the number —we were starting to worry.”
“Can you tell me what is going on?” I ask him
“They want the code, what do you think?” Willem says simply
“The guy in the ski mask?”
“You mean one of the guys,” Willem corrects me, “they are still there. They’ve surrounded the house. They’ve been watching. They had been watching you for days so ....they knew that you were there ....maybe they think you are hiding somewhere if not in the barn-house maybe in one of the other buildings. We’ve seen from the cameras. They have been camping there for days. These people don’t give up when they know they are on to something,” he says.
“On to something?” I ask, “you mean on to me?—is that what you mean?”
“You have the code. They know that.”
“How do they know that?” I ask, “I didn’t know I had the code— not really! I don’t understand how they could know that—I mean until recently I .... but I don’t know it! I swear, I don’t know! But —if they believe I know it—Willem, what will they do?”
“Don’t ask that question, I don’t think you want to know how they get this stuff out of people— we won’t let it happen, ja? ....but until one of us can get there you are safe where you are— there is no record of the underground base—nobody would know its existence — which is why it is important you stay there. Not that you could leave in that snow storm.”
—Snow storm? What is happening on the surface?—
“Until one if you gets here?” I ask, “where are you guys? You said in your email that Jörn has been detained—what did you mean ‘detained’?”
“It’s to do with —some government policies ....they don’t approve of some —well, certain things; you know red tape and so ....”
“Is that why he hasn’t tried to call or reach me?”
“If they knew he was in touch with you they .... he is trying to protect you —but they would go after you too, which is why he wants them to think things have ended with you —they took his mobile to check for your calls —“
“To check for —my— calls? They? Who is they? This is who—government? Whose? or —who are we talking about? —you can’t tell me they think I’m involved in international espionage or —Willem— are you both being held in some kind of governmental custody or whatever they call it? I mean—and if Jörn hasn’t got his phone, how is he watching the cameras?”
Willem laughs,
“you really have no idea about his work, do you? You want to know what is going on. I don’t blame you as you are somewhat now at the center of things .... look, what you need to know is—this goes back to a long time ago—I mean years ago....”
“You mean when I first met you in The Hague....?”
“I mean the Cold War. Your father— well, one of them—well , actually, both....”
“Both....” I repeat in a daze as something he said triggers something else in my memory,
“Willem— when we first met I was still in high school but you seemed to know details unrelated to any of this; things about me and my family, my grandfather.... why?”
“mijn oude vriend, who do you think hired me to protect you?”
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