An online novel by Gillette Edmunds

On the side of the lobby near the stairs and elevator is an alcove with a stand-up bar where the guests take Cinzano, Compare, or Amaretto before the big noon meal in what they are told is the Italian custom. The first floor above the lobby consists of a large dining room, the kitchen, and eleven small, inexpensive rooms, to be remodeled soon, which share the two bathrooms at the end of the hall. The second floor, completely remodeled under the new management, consists of 34 large rooms, each with their own bathroom. A male attendant stationed at the end of this hall behind a desk and telephone is available to meet any of the quest’s urgent needs, though he is rarely found anywhere except standing at the espresso bar across the street.

Mrs. Carla Fisher sat on a white couch in the Hotel Alfredo lobby reading a guidebook. It was just before noon. A short, stout, curly gray haired lady who always wore gray plaid or patterned suits, Mrs. Fisher was actually waiting under cover of her guidebook for someone to join her for an aperitif. She looked up just as Barbara Ashe and Michael Clarke swung through the arched glass door.

“Well, isn’t it a lovely day,” she said to Barbara.

“I suppose so,” Barbara said. She and Michael looked at each other and smiled.

“We have all been very worried about you two,” Mrs. Fisher said.

“That’s a nice thing to say,” Barbara said, still looking at Michael.

Mrs. Fisher stood up and took Barbara’s hand in hers. Barbara felt the soft, silken wrinkles of her hand. “My dear,” Mrs. Fisher said, “you’ll be better off in the long run, I assure you.”

“Michael and I are going to cry on each others shoulders for a while,” Barbara said.

“And you may use mine as well,” Mrs. Fisher said. “But enough of this talk. Johnny has kept both the Ashe’s and Clarke’s rooms at my insistence. If we can find him, you’ll get your keys.”

“How did you know we would be coming?” Michael asked her.