Günter's Stolen Briefcase
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...As they boarded the plane, Jacqueline was
stunned by how nice it was. It had eight seats and a center area with
couches and a television. Over to the side was a table with four more seats.
The interior of the plane was a beautiful blue and red. There were no
stewardesses on the plane that she could see, and it was Günter who opened
a globe bar and poured champagne for her. Dinner was under glass in the center
of the table. Wonderful white and gold china was set deep into grooves of the
mahogany table as permanent tableware. They all had begun dinner on the private
jet as she barely felt the plane take off.
While Günter and Rose talked quietly, they did not drink. Both seemed to be very serious about what was going on. Jacqueline did not listen too closely; she was in complete awe just looking around the plane, but she heard Günter tell Rose that the meeting was set and that they would talk in Washington. Suddenly out of the cockpit appeared Harry, the man who had driven the limousine to the airport. She had not even seen him board the plane. “Who else is on this flight?” she thought. They arrived in Washington late at night, and Günter announced, “We will be deplaning in a few minutes.” Another limousine was waiting for them. As they entered the limousine Harry was again driving. “Man,” she thought, “this guy does get around.” They were taken to a luxurious apartment in Washington. Rose and Günter did not give Harry any directions; he knew where he was going. When they arrived, it was as though Harry knew he was to wait. The apartment had all the signs of being Rose’s apartment. Jacqueline did not ask any questions. Rose told Günter, “Excuse us for a moment.” Rose walked Jacqueline into the bedroom. Rose asked quietly, “Are you okay? Remember that you are Mrs. Walters, okay?” Jacqueline told him, “I am fine. I have it.” He kissed her as he told her, “I knew you could handle this. Get some rest; you are completely safe. I will be back shortly.” She heard the door close and lock. As she began walking around the apartment, she was convinced that it was Rose’s apartment. Books he had at home were there in duplicate, but there was no Little Red Book of China! The reading glasses that were lying on the table were the same as Rose’s glasses. The choice of art on the walls was the same style as the art at home. The chessboard was set up, and the same chess clock Rose had at home was on the table. But there was nothing with his name on it! The clothes in the closet were blue blazers, white oxford button down shirts and the style of loafers he wore, all in sizes that Rose wore. All were the same kind of clothes he wore, except for a tuxedo. It was Rose’s size, but she had never seen one at home. She thought, “Who is my husband?” Her next thought was that she did not care; Jacqueline had agreed to live this part of their lives on a need-to-know basis, and her life with Rose had been wonderful. She decided to stop looking around and get some rest. About five a.m., Rose and Günter returned to the apartment. She did not get out of bed, in case they need to talk privately. She heard Günter apologize for keeping Rose so long and then he left. Rose came into the bedroom and kissed her softly. Then he looked so sweetly at her and said, “I want to be inside my wife.” They made love as the sun came up over Washington, and then drifted off to sleep. About two p.m., a call came from Günter. Rose told Jacqueline, “We will be leaving at six o’clock this evening.” “Are we going home?” she asked. Rose said, “No, we are attending a New Years Eve party at the State Department. Your clothes are in the living room,” he told her with a smile. Jacqueline dashed into the living room to find boxes with red bows on the sofa. “Oh, Rose!” she said as she began to open them. The veil of secrecy was wide and she knew her place. She asked no questions. Rose told her,” We will be attending a New Years Eve dinner party and you will be introduced as my wife.” That made Jacqueline happy! The thought of not being able to tell the world that she was Mrs. Rosenberg was devastating to her. Rose told her, “Just enjoy yourself at the party. You have nothing to fear. I will be next to you at all times except for about ten minutes. Do not worry in those ten minutes; I just have a quick meeting. When we return to the plane you will be Mrs. Walters again, understand?” “Yes, dear.” Rose continued to say, “by the way, Marie is fine. I checked on her from the Pentagon.” Jacqueline thought to herself, “My husband has spent the last few hours at the Pentagon!” Then she began dressing for the party. Someone had purchased a strapless dress of solid black, with a floor-length full skirt in a size four. The material was made of fine silk with tapestry trim. A diamond necklace and earrings were in a separate box. Black heels, clutch bag and a fur coat were there to adorn the dress! Everything she could need was in the bathroom; the packaging never opened: hair dryer, makeup, creams, nylons, and perfumes from France. She looked wonderful; everything was a perfect fit. Rose came into the living room wearing the tuxedo from the closet. She said, “It is your tuxedo!” He smiled and said, “Remember, ask no questions, my beautiful wife!” In his tuxedo, with his thin, long body and coal black eyes, he was the most handsome man she had ever seen. She wanted him inside her mouth; at that moment he looked delicious. She asked, “How long until we leave?” Rose replied, “Günter should be here any minute.” “Well, forget that idea,” she thought. Rose asked, “Do you have everything you need?” She smiled as she told him, “Yes, I can’t believe all these beautiful clothes are for me.” Rose said, “They are yours, precious. I hope you like them.” He kissed her and told her beautiful she looked. Jacqueline had put her hair on top of her head to go with the low back of the dress. Rose gently started removing the hairpins from her hair. He asked, “Do you mind?” She told him, “Not if it pleases you, Rose.” “My pleasure is to see your long hair flow as you walk. I am going to be so proud to introduce my wife to Washington,” he said. Günter arrived just then at the apartment. “Well” he said, “Jacqueline you look beautiful; you even make Rose look handsome! I am just kidding. Both of you look wonderful tonight.” They all left for the State Department with Harry again driving. Jacqueline knew that she would have to wait for what she really wanted for her anniversary! The limousine was different from the one Harry had driven from the airport. This one was even more amazing. It was much longer, a beautiful black on black. Gold adorned the champagne glass that Rose filled for her. Neither he nor Günter had anything to drink. The lights of Washington were on in full force as the limousine headed downtown. Dressed more beautifully than she had ever been, she felt like Cinderella on her way to the ball, but she already had her prince charming with her. As the limousine came to a stop in front of the State Department, Günter told them to have a good time, and then he thanked Rose. Günter watched from the car as Jacqueline and Rose walked to the building. As they walked through the door, the car slowly drove off. As they entered the State Department, Rose took Jacqueline’s arm. They were stopped at the main entrance to the reception area. Rose said, “They are going to announce our arrival, so just enjoy it.” “Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Rosenberg, Esquire,” a strong voice said. Rose was holding Jacqueline’s arm, then he placed his other hand on top of her arm for a little extra assurance. They glided down the steps together with all eyes on them. She could see the people watching as they whispered to one another. The State Department was filled with red and gold adornments everywhere. There were never-ending, mile-high ceilings, and fine tapestry furniture filled the room. Huge paintings and marble statues, like she had seen in the books Rose bought for Marie, were on the walls. Military men were all around the building, beautifully dressed in white uniforms. They wore shining brass Marine Eagle Globe and Anchor insignias and every one had a chest full of ribbons and medals. Many had Mameluke swords at their sides. Rose told her as they finished their entrance walk, “It has been a long time since I made that walk, Jacqueline. Never have I been more proud than I am tonight.” Rose stopped and kissed her as he told her, “Happy Anniversary.” She told Rose, “Happy Anniversary darling, but you did not have to go to all this trouble for me.” With a smile and his beautiful laugh he told her, “I love you, baby.” Everyone seemed to know Rose, and they all seemed delighted to see him again. They were given glasses of champagne as they mingled with what appeared to be old friends of Rose’s. Musicians playing violins roamed the rooms, filling the air with beautiful music. Rose never took a drink from his champagne, and placed it back on a server’s tray a few minutes later. The room was summoned to dinner by a man in black tie, standing tall and proud. As they entered the dining room, tables arranged to seat at least one hundred guests appeared before her eyes. Flowers of red and white filled the room; and red roses had been placed so carefully in the center of each table. Subtle sparkles of gold were in the weave of the massive tablecloths. Wonderfully comfortable tapestry chairs of gold and red with blue piping surrounded the tables. As they took their seats, Jacqueline had a sudden fear of making a mistake and embarrassing Rose. Then he pulled out Jacqueline’s chair and helped her to be seated, as he had done so many times before in their life. He kissed her as he took his seat. It was as though he had known she was having that moment of nerves and calmed her. At that moment she realized she could do nothing to embarrass this man who loved her so. Jacqueline’s body relaxed as though she were in Rose’s arms. Dinner was wonderful, with an array of seafood. The beginning was lobster bisque with a surprising Presidential Seal engraved at the bottom of the bowl. It was followed by a delightful shrimp cocktail served in bite-sized pieces, and a main course of Lobster Oscar with fine white asparagus. The meal concluded with fresh berries and red raspberry sauce adorning the finest of white chocolate mousse, served on gold-laced plates. Jacqueline’s glass was constantly being refilled with a wonderful white wine. Dinner was followed by cocktails and dancing; music from an orchestra filled the room. Suddenly the song “La Vie En Rose” began to play. Rose smiled as he took her hand to lead her to the dance floor. He took her in his arms and they began to float across the floor. Rose whispered, “Happy Anniversary,” in her ear and said, “I love you. This song was all I had time to arrange for you on this our anniversary, Jacqueline.” “All” she said. She could see the room full of people watching them, seeing their love, and enjoying the sight. Every little while Rose would look over at her during the evening, and say quietly, but not secretly, “I love you, Jacqueline.” He did not care who heard him. He was a happy man and wanted the whole world to know it. Rose introduced her to people she could have never imagined meeting in her life: ambassadors, senators, and all sorts of powerful people. Everyone was excited to meet the lady who captured the Rose, and they all seemed to know Rose well. She recognized many names and faces from the news, and here she was, seeing them and meeting them in the flesh! She thought to herself, “who is the man on my arm, the man I love so dearly?” Not that it really mattered to her – all that really mattered was their love for each other. Rose and Jacqueline danced away the New Years Eve of 1987 at the State Department in Washington. The entire time he was whispering his love in her ear. She had the time of her life. She saw how much he adored her that evening and how proud he was that she was his wife. Each and every time that he said, “This is my wife,” his eyes would light up. They were so happy that night, as though they did not have a care in the world. Rose walked Jacqueline down a long corridor and pulled her to him in a passionate, wet kiss. A few seconds later, a picture-perfect Marine guard came up to Rose. “Mr. Rosenberg, sir, would you please come this way? The Ambassador from Hungary is waiting.” Rose looked at Jacqueline and said, “Ten minutes, and then I will be back,” as he followed the Marine guard. She sat quietly on a tapestry sofa not five feet from where Rose had left her. In military white and gold, his sword flickering in the light, the most handsome Marine came down the corridor. His hair was black and curly; his eyes of emerald green almost appeared outlined by an artist’s brush. His skin was of an olive tone and revealed facial features that were perfectly formed. The muscled mass of a body builder was before her, reminding her for a fleeting moment of that young intern so long ago. She watched as he walked steadily toward her. Stopping near her, he introduced himself as Lance Corporal Kelly, and said, “I will be with you until you husband returns.” Then he asked, “Are you having a good time madam?” She said, “Thank you, yes I am.” “Would you like to dance, ma’am?” was his next question. She said, “No, thank you.” “Your husband would like me to stay with you,” the Corporal said. “Thank you,” she replied. Jacqueline was starting to become uncomfortable with this very handsome Marine standing next to her; she just wanted her husband back at her side. Within a few minutes, Rose returned with a briefcase in his hand. Rose thanked the Marine for keeping his wife company. Her eyes left the beautiful Marine at that moment and focused only on her handsome husband. The Marine said, “ I am sorry, sir, but your wife did not care to dance.” Rose said, “thank you,” again. The Marine saluted Rose and walked in front, leading the way, as Rose and Jacqueline followed him down the corridor, returning to the reception hall they had first entered at the party. Their host was there, and saying their goodnights, they left. Günter and Harry were waiting outside the State Department in the limousine. As the couple climbed into the limousine, Günter said “Thank you Rose!” Günter’s eyes were focused on the latches of the briefcase that Rose was carrying. “I see you had no problem disarming my case. I do not know how I let that damn Budapest woman get her hands on it!” Günter continued, “Thank God, no one took lightly the warning light by the latch of the case, and tried to open it. The compounds mix upon illegal entry and there was enough Astrolite A-W-1 in the lock to blow up the case and the person who opened it.” Günter was excited and babbling as he said, “If they had tried to bypass the failsafe on that case it would have exploded. When that damn girl from Budapest decided to sell it unopened to the Hungarian Embassy she saved her own life. Rose, your old friendship with Ambassador Kelman is the only reason it was returned quietly. But most of all thank you for going to that party. I know how you hate these parties.” Rose replied to Günter, “Don’t get any more of these ideas, just because they keep sending me these party invitations. I am retired remember. By the way,” Rose said, “Günter, please date women from countries far away from communist zones! We can’t afford for this to happen again!” The limousine pulled into the hazy lights of a rain soaked Washington night as they returned to the airport in silence. They boarded the plane for home. Rose asked that he and Jacqueline not be disturbed and Günter said, “I have intruded enough on your anniversary. You have my assurance, you will not be disturbed and I will announce our arrival at home from the cockpit.” Günter and the briefcase joined Harry in the cockpit of the plane. Jacqueline laid her head on Rose’s shoulder as the plane took off. They just sat quietly for a little while, the entire evening replaying in her mind. Then Rose pulled her face gently to his and said, “Even Shakespeare could not have written of a love greater than ours. Happy Anniversary, Jacqueline.” He softly kissed her as he laid her chair back. She felt his hand go under her dress. Quietly but intensely he asked, “Jacqueline have you ever heard of the mile high club?” “No Rose, what is that?” she asked. Rose replied, “Well baby, it has to do with altitude and cabin pressure. You like science don’t you?” With a smirk all his own he said, “I will show you!”... |
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WHEN YOUR LIFE IS IN BLACK, IT IS DOOM WHEN YOUR LIFE IS IN BLUE, IT IS SAD WHEN YOUR LIFE IS IN PINK, IT IS HAPPY |