An online novel by Gillette Edmunds

Chapter 12 – Tunnels and Bridges

Michael returned to his room and packed his bags. His forehead throbbed and sweat dripped from his temples when he noticed Barbara’s black jacket folded over her black flats on the little metal chair. He smiled and picked them up. She whirls around so fast, he thought, clothes, tears, confessions just come flying off her. After packing Barbara’s clothes, he wrote a short note to Hardwood which he left at the desk. The desk clerk asked him if he was a friend of Mrs. Ashe. He said he was.

“Could you give her this telegram when you see her?” the clerk asked. “I’m going off duty and don’t have time to send it to the States.”

She has left a trail of rubbish behind her, Michael thought. “What if I do not see Mrs. Ashe?” he replied.

“Should I leave it with Johnny Taylor?” the clerk asked.

“I will get it to her,” Michael said and stuffed it in his back pocket.

His headache intensifying, he carried his bags down the street to the Maggiore car rental. The rental agent asked him what his route would be.

“I’m not sure,” Michael said.

“We need to know where and when you will return the car.”

“What day is it?” Michael asked him.

“Today is Saturday,” the man said. “Would you like to look at the calendar?”

“Just give me a map,” Michael said. “I’ll return the car here in a few days. Put it on this credit card. You’ll get the car back.”