Chapter 15

Maggie’s stunned gaze followed mine to the door, which was strangely ajar, then to the handle which was broken. I put my foot to the door and gently pushed it open, looking inside.

“What happened?” Maggie gasped as we gaped at the shambles that had been my hotel room.

“Looks like someone decided to drop in unannounced,” I replied. “Let’s tell the front desk. They can call the police.”

About an hour later, once we finished speaking with the hotel detective, I was moved to a new room. Despite the gracious accommodations of the staff, I was still quite shaken by the fact that someone had been in my room, going through my stuff.

Granted, there wasn’t much stuff to go through. Other than my shoulder bag, which I had taken with me when we went out, there were few personal items in my room. Still, the interloper had opened every drawer and pulled all the sheets off my bed, even pulling the mattress off.

The person obviously had been looking for something, but what? Even the detective seemed at a loss to understand what exactly I had that anyone would want. Perhaps someone had the wrong room.

Once in my new room, I made sure I turned the deadlock on the door and pulled the chain across as well. Better safe than sorry. My shoulder bag felt heavier than ever so I dropped it onto the bed and dumped out its contents, pretty well my only possessions at this point.

I looked over the items scattered across the bedspread. My wallet, a sweater, some chewing gum, pens, notepads, a tape recorder and what was this? A bottle of wine? I stared at the wrapped bottle, realizing it was the one Lena had given me in the palace cellar. No wonder my bag had felt so heavy. I picked it up, turning it over in my hands. If I had been in the mood, I probably would have popped the cork right then and there, but I didn’t feel like imbibing, so I carefully placed it back in the bag. I’d come this far with the thing. Might as well take it home and save it for a special occasion.

That night my sleep was uneasy, my dreams dogged by fears of invasions and violated privacy. I woke several times and flicked on the lights, just to be sure I was safe and nobody else was in my room.

The arrival of dawn was a true relief and I celebrated by calling down for an early breakfast. But my joy was short-lived. When I opened my door for the room service cart, Maggie was standing beside the waiter. She looked impatient. Not looking forward to spending another day with her, I exhaled rather loudly, telegraphing my frustration to her. She seemed taken aback at first, but then plowed into my room, undaunted.

“Oh my God,” she began her tiresome monologue. “I don’t know what to do with myself. I’m so worried about you. Why don’t you just share my room? It would be so much easier and I could keep an eye on you.”

“I don’t want you to keep an eye on me.”

“You say that, but I think you are just being stubborn.”

“OK, then. I’m stubborn.”

“Bianca …” she rolled her eyes and sighed.

“What?” I asked.

“Screw it. Nothing.” She sat on my bed, dejected.

I pulled a chair up to my cart and began eating my breakfast. She watched me eat, staring at me dumbly. I wished she would just leave but no such luck. Finally, my hunger sated, I knew I had to get out of the hotel for awhile. Of course, Maggie was bound and determined to come along, so we made our way down to the lobby. No sooner were we off the elevator than a loud group passed us in the hallway. I was amazed to see that Greenlee and Leo were among them, supporting a rather pale, staggering Edmund.

“Hey Binks!” Leo called out in a jovial voice.

“You’ve missed all the fun,” Greenlee smirked. She didn’t seem any worse for wear although it was obvious Edmund was drunk as a skunk.

“Yeah, where the hell have you been?” Leo asked. “You missed the Oliver Reed memorial pub crawl.”

“Edmund spent most of it face-down,” added Greenlee, trying to appear unimpressed as the group exploded into gales of laughter.

Unhhhhhh,” Edmond grunted.

“Better get him upstairs,” Leo said as the group headed for the elevator. I was glad we had missed the excursion. Drinking to excess was not my idea of a good time.

Once outside, Maggie was keen on exploring some of the underground tunnels and passageways that snaked throughout the island. She dug out a map and pointed to some entrances that were marked as being nearby.

“Come on, it’ll be fun,” she said. “We’re here aren’t we? Let’s see what we can before we leave.”

She had a good point. Who knew when or if I’d ever be back in Malta? Might as well enjoy the break. We found a series of stone steps that led down to a small beach and, once there, spotted the entrance to one of the old tunnels. My sense of adventure kindled, I quickly followed Maggie inside and soon we were headed down the cool, dark passageway.

That was when things took a turn for the worse.