Day 20

Brian and Amina had recently seen death up close and personal. Both had concerns about their life and future.  But to see them step off the train no one would suspect they were fugitives hiding dark secrets. As planned as, soon as the train stopped they got off separately and went in similar directions but by separate paths. In Cadiz, Brian found a hotel that would suit them  Amina disagreed and chose a different hotel.

This one is better. I’ll buy.

Is this a hotel you know?

Yes.

Then someone is likely to recognize you.

Not likely.  I know of the hotel but I’ve never stayed there myself. And it has multiple exits to the street.  But this time you get to go in the side door.

Ok. But why?

I am sure no one will know me. But it is one of the top 10 hotels in Madrid.  If someone recognizes me and tells Hasan it would be better if he thought I was traveling alone.

Why?

Because he will send 1 person maybe two for me. I think we can handle two. Even if he sends 4, we will have the benefit of surprise.

Brian walked around the hotel twice before entering. He found a way to go directly to the second floor to avoid the front desk. He was a bit intimidated by the interior. It was decorated with lots of marble, large paintings, plants and vases with fresh flowers not plastic or silk. The walls were painted with a two tone pastel motif that had a very calming effect.  Sedate was the word that came to mind to describe the place. This was not a trendy place.  It was the type of place you came to relax.

He found the fire escape and climbed until he found a scarf around the guard rail post. It was on the the fifth floor. He untied the scarf, entered the hallway and turned right. He traveled the full length of the hall and found nothing. They knew this was a possibility. He turned around nonchalantly and retraced his steps. He passed the fire escape and the elevator and kept going. He found what he was looking for at the last door on that floor. A tiny corner of another scarf protruded, maybe half an inch.  This was the marker. You had to know where to look and what to look for to find it.  It didn’t require a pager, a cell phone or a messenger to communicate the location. The only risk was someone taking the scarf from the fire escape. In that case he would start at the top floor and work his way down.

He knocked and stepped well away from the door. This was another signal.  If he knocked and he was right in front of the door, it meant someone was with him or he had been followed — best not open the door.  Standing there, he chuckled to himself.  There was something so fictional about their precautions. It was like living in a cold-war era spy novel.  He wanted to lift his watch to his mouth and whisper and random code phrase.  Amina saw his goofy grin when she peered through the peep hole.  She opened the door.

What? What?

I was just laughing at how this sneaking around and scarves under the door seem.  It’s like a spy movie.

Three men are dead. That’s not funny.

Sometimes you must take a step away and see the funny side of life, even or especially when it’s not funny.

Why?

It reduces the tension. It releases dopamine and serotonin which are great for health and recovery.

I’ve got to get out of here. I cannot stayed penned up in this gilded cage.

You picked the hotel.

I know. That’s not the point. A few days ago, I could go anywhere I wanted, wear what I wanted and drive or be driven where I wanted without thought.

Things have changed.

You state the obvious.  Now I must look around every corner and analyze every face. I feel hemmed in on every side. I am desperate to be free and to stretch my arms from the east to the west.

You will get through this. Don’t lose hope.

I have not lost hope. Hope drives me and pulls me forward. I’ve surrendered my pride and my dignity. But hope and love are fat inside me. I will be free or die trying.

You are indeed very unique.

No. Not all, the world is full of people who want to be free, just like me.  What makes me unique is that I have the courage, cleverness and persistence to obtain my freedom.

That’s intense.

It is. And yet hope fills me with joy of the possibilities. Come, let’s get out of here.  We need to do some scouting and shopping.

More shopping, oh dear Lord.

Amina had picked in nice hotel near the Puerta del Sol. A very popular place full of people. It would be very hard to pick them out of a crowd.  Amina wanted to be free so badly that she was willing to think and take action to reach her objective.  They each got a coffee and split a pastry. Their goal was to see what everyone was wearing.  They wanted to look as much like everyone else as possible.  In Morocco or Tangier she could have hidden underneath a burka but here that would just call attention to her.  She had to hide like an M&M in a bag of M&Ms.  They looked and they counted what people wore.  The men were easy, jeans or khaki pants, black or brown shoes and a polo or t-shirt.  The women, as one might imagine, were more varied. Kneed length skirts in a variety of colors paired with sandals or boots. And a loose or tight fitting top.   Amina was drawn to the skirt and boot look with a loose top. Iinstead she chose sneakers, leggings and a long shirt that could be a dress. She figured if she had to run the canvas sneakers would be better and they would be better for walking quietly. The sound of boots on hard services would make her easy to track. More importantly, she decided to make heavy use of makeup.  She lightened her skin a few shades and made herself look older and with thinner lips.  She made her eyes and eye brows look more pedestrian.

You ‘want’ to look old?  Brian said with surprise.

Not old, older.  To make myself look younger would require I either look like a tart or go punk.  I think both will attract more attention.

Good point.

Looking five to ten years older will make me fit in with the tourists better.

Most ‘older’ women would wear those sneakers.

I have to compromise somewhere.  I want to look like an older woman is trying to look like a younger woman.

Once in their disguised they walked freely through the streets around puerta del sol. Or sat in there and watch the children play and the old people watch them. They sampled food, had drinks, and walked and walked and walked. Around 11 or so, Brian started to urge Amina back to the room. I want to walk and dance and drink some more.  I do too but we don’t want to miss the train in the morning. Fine she said with a pout. As what seemed to be her custom, she bought a few more scarves.  When they got to the room, she immediately switched on the TV and found a music station like MTV. She started to dance.

I’m too hyper.  She can shower but I need to burn off some of the Tapas and nuts.

Sounds good.

He kicked off his shoes. The last thing he saw when he entered into the room was Amina dancing in the front of the TV.

He was not prepared for what happened when he came out of the shower.