Chapter 23
640 Words
Chapter 23I knew the Palms only by reputation. In short, it is a beautiful hotel. As many hotels in Miami, it was built in the roaring 20s and recently refurbished in the Art Deco of the period. The lobby is a sight to behold. The twenty-foot dome-like ceiling is majestically supported by a set of four huge columns dividing the space into three parts. The red tiles of the floor bring out the whiteness of the surroundings. Every sofa and chair throughout the hotel (even in the rooms) is upholstered of beige or brown fabric over chestnut wood. Many of the rooms overlook the ocean, the swimming pool, or the gazebo-garden, and, of course, it is named ‘The Palms’ because of the so many palm trees populating the grounds.
Khalid had reserved a suite with two double beds in the one bedroom. He had said that Talya was not leaving his sight even when asleep. He was absolutely determined to ‘adhere’ to Talya until the crisis was over. And I wanted him out of the way sooner rather than later.
Pierre and John had taken another suite across the hall from them, with an extra room so that when Mark would join them, he wouldn’t need to register. Their cat was in for a lot of excitement in the weeks to come...
They met at the Veranda Bar a half-hour later after taking a very, very quick shower and changing. Khalid had been thoughtful enough to pack a suitcase for Talya and bring everything she needed. Yet she wondered how he got the apartment opened, let alone the front door. Oh well, no matter...
“Is there a possibility to get something to eat at this late hour?” Khalid asked of the tired waiter who came to the table as soon as they sat down in one of the corners of this contiguous but sedately decorated lounge.
“Yes sir, we have a few items that are available all night. I’ll bring the menu when I get your drinks. What will it be?” That last sentence must be written on a barman’s certificate the world over. They seem to be short on vocabulary but very long on listening ability.
“The lady will have a Courvoisier and I’ll have a large Perrier, thank you.”
“We’ll have two orange juices, please,” Pierre added.
When their meals finally arrived, it didn’t take Talya long to tackle her club sandwich and gobble down one French fries after another. Khalid was observing her.
“You see, gentlemen; Talya has this strange habit. She described it to me this way; when she’s worried or when she feels secure she eats. I never know which of the two she feels.”
Pierre and John were chuckling at Talya’s expense, although they were gobbling down their food as fast as she was. As for Khalid, he didn’t seem as hungry as his companions were. He was only picking at the dish in front of him.
“All right,” Talya exclaimed after swallowing another bite. “This time, My Dear Prince, I am simply hungry.” She smiled at him. “But tell me something, how did you manage to get me out of the consulate so quickly? Mr. Gillette seemed determined to keep me there until he got me to cooperate with the CIA.”
“That’s the point, Talya; I knew he wouldn’t be able to get your cooperation until you were released into my custody. So we made a deal...” Talya stopped eating.
“And may I ask what kind of deal you’ve made, since I’m supposed to be the object of this transaction?” Khalid was smiling and she was frowning. Pierre and John continued to listen with apparent interest, and eating...
“After meeting with James this morning, I placed a call to my uncle. I gave him a short version of what happened. He then told me that he would take upon himself to telephone the powers-that-be to get you released in my protective custody. The condition being that we would be available to discuss the matter of Mr. Slimane in the forty-eight hours following your release.”
- Writer
