When we left Bruce and Lilac, they had just had a very unwelcome surprise. The ring of criminals who they thought they had escaped, had managed to track them down.
Read on to find out if they will finally outsmart the bad guys once and for all!
Lilac gasped, amazed at the variety of rare, delicate plants in the well tended garden.
"Come on Lilac! We don't have time for this right now." Said Bruce urgently.
"There's always time!" Joked Lilac, already running at top speed again.
They found the gate and left the garden. "Do you know how to hotwire a limo? Asked Lilac.
"No clue, I'm a pilot, not a thief." He replied.
As they rounded the corner of the house, they saw thick, lush woods. Heading into it they immediately felt better. After a short while, they came upon a trail. There were faint horse tracks on it.
Bruce and Lilac followed the trail, being careful to watch and listen for danger. After a couple of miles, they emerged on to another estate. They could hear a dog bark lazily, and a horse replied with a nicker.
"Do you think we should phone the authorities? We must be far enough from South America by now!" Said Lilac.
"I think we need to call INTERPOL." Said Bruce.
The two friends walked up to the front door and Bruce knocked, using the old fashioned knocker. Nothing happened. Lilac noticed a doorbell, and pushed it. Bruce gave her a grin.
Soon a middle aged woman who was obviously a maid answered the door. They asked for the use of a phone. She invited them in.
"The house is empty at the moment except for the staff, so you are a most welcome distraction. The Lancasters are on a trip to Australia." She explained as she led them to an antique phone, either silver or silver plated.
"It still works." She smiled at their surprised expressions. She then said goodbye, that she would be back in about twenty minutes with some refreshments.
Bruce made some inquiries, and was connected with INTERPOL. He told them everything, except for details about Mike. He decided nobody was fully trustworthy. But he also knew that they needed help.
They said they would send someone immediately to the estate, and then he and Lilac would be placed in protective custody. They also said that Mr. Drozer had called the police from his garage, and the information had been forwarded to them. Agents were already on the way. Bruce thanked the agent, and hung up.
Gazing out of the window at the peaceful scene, he had a sad look on his face.
"What's wrong, Bruce?" Asked Lilac.
"Oh, I was just thinking of how much fun we could have touring Europe. But instead we will probably be on the next plane home, or worse yet stuck in a hotel for weeks."
The woman came back with a huge tray, on a rolling serving cart. Bruce got up to help her put it on the nearest table.
Lilac took his spot by the window. She smiled, thinking about the surprise present she would give Bruce for his next birthday. It would be a present for her too. They would fly first class to England, and then tour this area properly!
Just before she turned away to see what was on the menu, she saw a dark shape moving toward the house, from the very trail that they had used. It resolved itself into two shapes, one wearing a suit...
Uh, Bruce? Did you say you wanted to see more of the country?"
To be continued...
Originally published by me on Uptrennd, a now dead platform