The Cuckoo's Song

Chapter Ten

Abe couldn't get Keller out of his head. The things he said. The things he's done. The way he'd looked at Anna... That cocky degrading smirk had crawled right under his skin.

The other men had also been involved at the camp. Major Hatcher caught up with the boys later and explained how pleased and grateful he was for Anna's assistance. Anna hadn't really said much. She just wanted to give into her need to sleep.

Abe had walked her to her door, then promised he'd come to see her in the evening. He'd popped back earlier in the day just in case she was awake. But she wasn't there. Gabby said she'd gone for a walk and still hadn't come back. He'd thought a lot about that on patrol. Where on earth could she be?

Afterwards, he went for a drink with the boys. Everyone waved at him as he approached, Frenchie, Ewie and Sam all sorting a chair out for him. Hollywood and Harrison were deep in conversation as he sat down, both of them looking at him uneasily.

"What you two starin' at?"

Hollywood poured him a bourbon. "Before you get your panties in a twist," he said, attempting to keep his voice calm as Abe stared at him, "Harrison was only following my orders."

"For what? Stop bein' so dramatic and just tell me!"

Harry and Hollywood glanced at each other, then back at Abe. "Anna came lookin' for you earlier," began Hollywood. "She wanted to go and see that blonde fucker."

Abe's blood ran cold.

"What on earth-" began Sam.

"Why in the hell would she wanna do that?" Abe breathed.

"Seems like they had unfinished business. She didn't wanna wait... clearly had herself hyped up. You were busy, and I had a meetin', so Harry took her."

"What happened?" barked Abe, the poor boy jumping a little.

"Abe, calm down!" said Ewie.

"Did he hurt her? Is she all right?" he continued, ignoring Ewie.

"He tried to touch her a few times," said Harry. "You know, like, hold her hand and stuff. But I made sure he couldn't."

"What did they talk about?"

"How in the hell should I know? I don't speak German!" There was a pause. "She mentioned someone called Freddie," he said finally.

"That's her friend that he killed," mumbled Abe.

"She looked real angry. And she cried when he gave her answers."

Abe breathed deeply as if to contain himself. "Did she seem scared?"

"No, but she did seem disgusted. And sad."

"She shoulda waited for me!" Abe downed his bourbon. "I could have protected her!"

"She's a big girl Abe," said Hollywood. "She can handle herself."

"It's not right!" There was a long silence. "He needs sortin' out."

"Then why not just go and kill the fucker," said Frenchie, everyone shooting him an exasperated look. "Me and Lord are on duty there tonight, relieving Andy and TT. I'll let you sneak in."

"Maybe don't kill him," said Hollywood, "but roughin' him up'd be just fine."

"Are you sure that's what Anna's gonna want?" ventured Sam.

"Yes, she fucking would!" said Hollywood. "What you sayin', that she's sweet on him? Just cause she went to talk to him-"

"Of course not!" protested Sam. "But you've heard her talk about how she wants to leave the past behind her. How is more violence gonna let her do that? She's clearly said her piece to him. Leave it at that!"