Page 63 - Three Adventures

The Nazarene Foreskin

Messer frowned. “Yes, such an attractive young woman does
attract notice, particularly if attired or behaving inappropriately in this
country. And one does answer to that description. But her name is
different, and so, I would think, was her business here. Let me make
one more call.” He again made a rapid inquiry. This time he nodded
while frowning.
“Well?” Scoop contained himself, a fatally flawed vessel.
“She checked out about an hour ago. That does not make sense.
She was part of the Tour Gastronomique, or so she claimed. Their
gala feast is at noon today, here in the Omayyad Room. Then they fly
to the Gulf States for a taste of species elsewhere protected.”
“Her name?”
“Mauve A. Schantz. Unless she has more than one passport, that’s
who she is—or was.”
Reedle stood, a smirkish smile twisting his lips and wrinkling his
stubbled cheeks. “Or so she was, Hans? You would know who is or
isn’t in a tour group. The list is in your hands long before the plane
lands. Sounds to me like she threw herself on your mercy same as she
did on mine.”
The manager shrugged. “She was very persuasive. We were totally
booked when she arrived. Fortunately we always keep one room for
VIPs.”
“Say no more. I just stopped caring about her. She also conned my
photographer into helping her, and I don’t know if he is alive or
dead. We got off easy.”
They shook hands, shaking off a bittersweet spell. Scoop went out
of Hans Messer’s office, walked straight through the hotel lobby and
took the first cab in the rank, deep in thought. Where had Manur
placed his call? He had an idea of where he lived, but it would not be
easily described to the driver. The hospital closest to Saint Elias? It
would be a start. He leaned forward to give the address. Then he saw
the cab already had another passenger: Salim E. Ofidian.
“My client does not wish to wait until noon. Let us go see him
now.”
“Look, Mr. Ofidian—if that is your name—I have no interest in
your client or his interest in an old pot. I am looking for a friend of
mine who might be mixed up in this, Manur Chovel. My destination
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