Chapter 4
Sure thing, Bruno said. So let make the long story short, after initial feeling around I heard that Baalbek and Tripoli should be good to visit. Well as to be seen as just regular tourist I took the local minivan transport to Baalbek and hoped that the contact I’ve met praying at Our Lady of Harissa gave me the correct information and also hopefully his contact, who will meet me at Baalbek ruins.
So arriving in Baalbek and getting out of the minivan bus next to the café or better said tea shops as coffee is served on the road by guys pouring them directly into cups and handing to the drivers, either the one without sugar or one with oversweet with too much sugar to non Lebanese person. The coffee is like tar but it definitely give you kick, you are expecting from the coffee. So most shops are tea shops with some sweets, or breads and sweet black tea with mint, kind of fast food breakfast stations but with really good and healthy food, comparing to McDonalds. So mini bus station was kind of on the side of fork crossroads where two roads merged into one. One of the fork was the road we came on from Beirut and second was winding up to the mountains between the limestones houses on each side. Then the joined road headed directly to the ruins passing the tea shop, some tourist trinkets shops, not as much as in the other places since Lebanon is not really tourist destination but still they try to make the best from whatever condition they have.
I suppose to meet the contact at Baalbek ruins where I should go to visit to not be too suspicious tourist as there are not many of those around. Walked slowly towards the gate and cashier I looked around and deliberated, how shall I meet this contact, should I just hang around the entrance, which would look really suspicious or maybe just get in and hope that we will somehow meet. So I have purchased the ticket, looked around for few seconds to see if I see anyone hanging around who might look like searching for anyone as well as I located the restrooms just in case. Well I did not seen any specific person just couple of guys with the lanyard on their necks with photos and some sort of accreditation as Tourist Guide, as the TOURIST GUIDE was printed in large letters on top. Well since I want privacy I just passed them and approached gate to enter the ruins.
FIRENZE
Julia had arrived in Firenze and was now walking down the Via Degli Avelli from the Santa Maria Novella train station in sort of relaxed way, as she was not rushing to this meeting, based on the warning from Bruno. She had a nice tagliatelle with mushrooms at the Termini in Rome but since in Firenze, she might have a nice coffee and cornetti maybe filled with cream or chocolate hmm, some decisions are delightful, thought Julia and smile appeared on her face. Who knows if it was her to teach Bruno the appreciation of food or the other way round but for sure they both loved the food and the pleasure of eating. She blushed a bit as the word pleasure crossed her mind , since the food pleasure is not only one they enjoy or better said enjoyed as it had happened only once and then he pulled down the emotional shutters and told her in the morning that it was mistake. What a great mistake, she thought as her hearth raced and her checks burned red. She was trying hard to push the memory and images from her mind to calm down the hearth and regain composure so that she will be professional as they told her they want her to be when she was hired. Not so easy as with other ‘mistakes’ but they were meaningless sexual escapades a bit of fun, nothing more but this one with Bruno was the only one where the feelings overwhelmed or highlighted, multiplied the physical symptoms of sex and she never had anything like it before, it was like someone fucked her brain until the brain had orgasm. Damn, where is the coffee shop when one needs one. Yeah cappuccino and cornetti and cold water please pronto. She downed the cold water as if it was the tequila shot and immediately signaled to waiter for refill the water. Ahh better to be poured over her head to cool down but that would be a really strange so she just down second glass of cold water and took her cappuccino and cornetti to side of the bar to let someone take her space in the que.
BAALBEK / LONDON
As I approached the entry gate slowly someone had gently brushed my shoulder and I had shudder as even before I heard the voice my mind just pulled Julia image out of the memory bank of my grey matter and my hearth raced like Ferrari on start. Looking for tour guide sir, I heard suddenly as if I was listening to TV or was in cinema, kind of distant and not in present but this also got me down to earth and the image of Julia was slowly disappearing in my mind as it was replaced by real person front of me. It took me a moment or few to kind of focus on the face with beard and glasses talking to me but the sound was kind of muffled.
Hello my friend, do you need a guide from other world ? Came question from the bearded man while he took off his glasses and polished with the silk handkerchief appeared from one of the pocket of his contrasting caftan that seen many many years. Looked across to my eyes without hesitation he patiently waited for my answer. Yes I certainly do, I said and mostly for things that are here in this world from other world. Someone listening might found this greeting a bit strange, but thankfully and unfortunately Baalbek is not frequently visited by tourists. Grateful for his contact to set up this secret greeting I have lightly smiled and as it is tradition, he started haggling the fee for guide services.
Yeah yeah go on , Dan impatiently jumped into Bruno monolog. We don’t have all the time in the world, remember, time is an essence here in this case as our client mentioned few times. Ahh my friend Bruno said with mischievous smirk, details that is important in our job, that is what the whole world is about, you forget. O.K I will get the shorter version. So me and Mahmoud as he said his name was, we walked the ruins of Baalbek that are magnificent just let me add and definitely worth visit. So the so called guide actually was a guide but have a side business to help get few dollars on side for better life of my family, habib you know as he always added, to make sure I know better to pay him well. He offered some info that longtime ago when he was small and started in footsteps of his father’s guiding business he overheard him once arguing with his mother that quote (that silvery foot is devil’s thing and you should not ) then she stopped talking as she saw Mahmoud peeking into room through curtain. He remembers that very well he said as this was only once he heard his Mom raised voice on his father in his entire life. Also strangely his father just turned away from the arguments and smiled on him as he called him in, come on your rascal , you listening to parents hiding behind curtain. Mahmoud said, that he expected scolding and then usual hug to make up with kiss on the head and words I love you, from Dad and Mom. However this time there was no scolding, just sip of tea and sweet baklava and reminding that it is not polite to listen to other people conversation and left the house. However that silver foot thing, his Mom mentioned to father was non existing when Mahoud asked Mom that if devils’ have silver foot as she said she does not know what is he talking about and told him not to mention Devil in the house.
FIRENZE
Julia was ready to enter the Uffizi Gallery and look for her contact mingling in the flow of tourists, looking and admiring old world arts, when she felt something cold on her neck, before she lost consciousness.
BAALBEK
Accidently and strangely Mahmoud said that he heard the term (Devil’s silver foot) only few weeks ago, when sipping his tea with the rest of the guides / hustlers around the corner while discussing business and obviously trying to get some info what can be sell to whom, as everyone is trying to make those few dollars more for family of course. Someone mentioned that someone heard from someone that there was a big deal done in Tripoli for lots of dollars and apparently the silver foot of devil was the artifact sold. However usually these kind of things are done in silence and heard about months or years after the deal but. However this time the deal also left behind havoc and dead people.
FIRENZE
As she opened eyes, she thought, that she really went to heaven as all gold and white flooded her field of vison. As soon as her eyes adjusted she realized that the heaven is in the shape beautiful ceiling and Italian doctors who were bending above her and gently kept her down by holding palms on her shoulders. Signora, signora she heard but she cannot remember what the heck has happened to her and where is she. Signora come stai, come stai…. What the heck happened, why they speak Italian to me, she thought. Trying to sit or stand was useless as the strong but gentle palms of doctor, were on her as she suddenly felt the coolness of the floor on her back as she wore a nice summer dress with bare back. Well all around her were tourist looking at her, who were being slowly dispersed by gallery staff and the doctors, gently helped her on the stretcher and said something in Italian what she did not understand but the tone and warmth of the voice calmed her down as she was looking around on the beautiful, statues, paintings and other art items. Funny hospital she thought to herself as she was carried out.
TRIPOLI
Yeah the Tripoli and especially the Citadel of Raymond de Saint Gilles, was mentioned in the story as Mahmoud recollected after few green dollar bills disappeared in his hand. Apparently there was a dead body found in the Citadel, without any blood in it, grey as stone and nearby two people were found sitting and looking around like they landed in another galaxy. Apparently when questioned by authorities they did not remember who they are, where are they and how did they get there. This was a bit funny said Mahmoud as both of them were well know hustlers with artifacts in the second biggest city of Lebanon. Some people say that this must be work of devil, said Mahmoud but no one really knows nothing as those two are either fantastic actors or they really had no memory of nothing else that that they are hungry and thirsty. That was the nearly all but when I asked Mahmoud if there is anything else about the story, he made that face that is universal signal for (I might know if you pay more ) and since he finished kind of before the important part. Well as I was well educated in the world of guides / hustlers I came prepared and few bills exchanged owner and he mentioned that last thing that was going on the streets of Tripoli, was the rumor that very fine looking yacht left the port around the time the body was discovered and apparently it was heading to Italy.
FIRENZE
Why is everyone speaking Italian, Julia thought… not for long as she saw the signs on the buildings as she was carried out on the stretcher and then also sign on the door as she was carried through them was reading La Gallerie Degi Uffizi. She was perplexed as how the heck she got in Italy as she was having breakfast in London with Dan just moments ago. She was racing her brain but cannot figure it out and then the doctors were trying to talk to her in Italian so that confused her even more. Not long the one handsome doctor stepped closer to her while she was loaded to ambulance and said hello to her, she thought she is dreaming that someone speaks English but it was not a dream as he touched her arm and repeated Hello, how are you doing ? She was happy to hear English and hoped that he will be able to explain to her what is happening and maybe stay with her a bit longer, handsome one she thought. Signora Julia do you hear me, he said as the door of the ambulance closed with gently thud behind him. Oh yes yes I can hear you well, thank you, just don’t understand why everyone is speaking Italian and that sign said something like Uffizi was it ? He leaned closer to her and with his smooth deep bass voice said with smile, that’s because you are in Italy in Firenze or as you English speaking calling it Florence. She was just staring at him for what seems like eternity as his facial expression changed from smile to concern and asked her, are you o.k again ? Yes, yes I’m o.k, well actually I’m not sure as I was having breakfast in London with Dan and then I woke up in Italy. Hmm his voice and eyes were genuinely concern as much as she can say but still not making any sense. He was just holding her wrist and she realized that he is measuring her pulse and his focus was on her as patient, what am I thinking, Julia thought. I woke up after breakfast in Italy and I’m thinking of this man, as potential boyfriend, am definitely not all right. He looked at her and said don’t worry we will take you to the hospital and run some tests to make sure you are. O.K. Doh did I said that out loud, Julia thought, hope only that and not the whole conversation I was thinking. The rest of the journey was short and handsome doctor was just politely informed her, that they were called by gallery to attend visitor who collapsed in gallery. Her name he learned from her ID that was in the purse which was near her and she instinctively search for it with hand, so handsome doctor whose name tag said Luca, reached on the shelf above her and passed her purse. AS she held it close to her chest the ambulance bumped and they both jumped a bit, she let out a squeak and he laughed. Don’t worry Julia we just arrived to hospital and that was speed ramp. You are going to be all right. She hoped that he is right as at the very moment she was not all right at all.
LONDON
Well Dan, are you happy with the short report now, asked Bruno as they reached the tea shop at Greenwich station, shall we sit down for cup of tea and scone ? ahh what, yeah why not, I need to think about what you said and you need a snack as we had not have enough food in Little Italy. Go order something and I will wait here holding this table with nice view and a bit of privacy, said Dan. Bruno returned with two scones, strawberry jam and cream so thick that spoon can rest on it. Big pot of Earl Grey tea with milk jug and honey on side, now all resting on the table, while they poured the tea for themselves. Hmm interesting, said Dan sipping the earl grey with milk and honey as true British that he was, so that is why Julia went to Italy so sudden and mysteriously. Ahh yes I forgot to mention that we had some conversations on my way from Lebanon and met her in Rome, hope she is enjoying the Italy and don’t shop too much as you know fashion center of the world is the Italy, said Bruno. What the heck did you told her, she was happy here and actually started to enjoy summer in London before she hurried to Rome to rescue her Bruno. Ahh that’s uncalled for Dan, I’m not her Bruno, just coworker you know that, right. Ahh come on who are you lying my fried, when you two are together I could light as cigar from the sparks flying between you and I’m not mentioning the night of passion you two had in Rome last year. Whaaat, you know about it ? My friend, who do you think you are talking to. ? We are friends for about twenty five years and I know you as well as you know me. Let’s not get sidetracked here with your private life as that is a piece worth salvage too, but that is story for another conversation. So what is with that yacht sailing to Italy from Tripoli, any news ? Not as much but since I was coming to meet you and client I just slipped this to Julia and she mentioned that she has some contacts in Rome, that might help us, so I’ve met here there on my stopover flight and she mentioned that she will see what she can dig out and come back here so we all can sit down and make some plan. Hmm stopover in Rome and you still denying that you have feelings for her, unbelievable but at least she might shine some light on that mysterious yacht. Finish my scone and let’s go to meet the client, hopefully you will not need to stop and eat again, you dumpster truck, laughed Dan as he pointed on the remains of the two scones laying in front of Bruno on the coffee table, while he licks his finger, from the left over cream and strawberry jam he cleaned sophistically on both plates with index finger.
FIRENZE
Julia was sitting on the bed and waited patiently on the results from few tests that handsome doctor mentioned her in the ambulance. He was actually stopping now and then and talk to nurses some orders, then smiled on Julia and always said the same no worries, all will be good. She was still trying to think how the heck did she change countries 900 miles apart in one morning, actually in three days as she spotted calendar hanging in the nursing station and numbers are the same in Italy and UK. What the heck it is July 21 Sunday, impossible I had breakfast with Dan on Friday as we were talking about weekend plans. What plans dd I have…. Where is my phone, lets ring Dan and see what the heck he knows. As soon as she started fishing phone from her purse door open and handsome Luca came in with not so handsome face expression. Julia just left the purse where it was and pulled her hand out, support herself on the bed with both hands as she felt that what she is going to hear now from Luca might need support. Hey Julia, nice name, kind of Italian if you think of it, Julia & Romeo you know, with a smile that must be professional courtesy of all doctors, learned in University as important part of any medical professional curriculum but that did not fool me, thought Julia. Lay it on me Luca, I’m not Italian and I can handle the truth and hate lies. Well, we did not found anything wrong with you, except some sort of skin bruise on your neck, that is something like you were burned and frozen at the same time. None of the test showed anything wrong but since you cannot remember anything for few days, we will need to keep you here under observation, just to be sure you are o.k and will not have any further blackouts.
Like the heck you will, I’m leaving and that is it. Who do you think you are, prison, you handsome jailer. Oh she did not mean to say this out loud, thought appeared simultaneously as the words left her mouth. For Christ sake I cannot even control what I’m saying out loud and what I’m thinking, shit I might have something wrong with my brain at the end, Julia thought before she registered that Luca is genuinely smiling and really trying hard not to laugh out loud. What ? she asked, am I funny to you ? Luca regained his composure and said that, well if you speak aloud what you think is only in youth head that might be concern from medical point of view with your amnesia and on the other hand you just sounded as any Italian woman, so you might look around your family tree if no Italian was involved in your family, he added with smile in his eyes and on his face. Julia went furious as he was speaking but then when he finished and smiled she was speechless and thought came to her head , that it might not cause any harm to stay in his presence for a bit longer. O.K she said I will stay for day or two to convince you that I’m ok but I need to make phone call to let my friends know I’m allright O.K ?
LONDON
Why we have to wear the black capes Dan, you know I don’t like that and all that ear muffles, blindfolds, it is like we were kidnapped and not going to business meeting. Sure Bruno, you know what the real kidnapping looks like, so tell me, do they whisk you in Jaguar on leather seats, get you sip of Glenlivet, ask you to put on seat belts and then apologies for putting on blindfold and ear muffs ? Hmm, still don’t like it. Let’s get out of the car now as driver is already out and waiting for us, said Dan as he exit the car. I still don’t like it and this secret funky business because of some artefact, is more like we are dealing with overthrowing the government of monarchy, thought Bruno. Welcome my friends, voice sounded in the emptiness of whatever this space was or is. Hope you had a pleasant journey and liked the Glenlivet as it is one of the finest whiskeys and might take edge of the unpleasantness of blindfold and ear muffs, which I do apologies for but it is necessary as I cannot take risks any more. Well….started Bruno, but before he can continue Dan slapped him on thigh and took over, well as Bruno was going to say, it is not usual way of transportation to business meeting but we are understandable and our client privacy is also on our list of priorities. So what has changed that you brought us here so unexpectedly, one could say in rush sir.
Thank you for your understanding and please accept my apologies for this method of transport but you and I, we are in danger as you might really soon find out yourself. Phone in Dan pocket started vibrating, he reached and pulled out just so he saw Julia on screen before the phone was snatched from his hand by the driver. I’m sorry he added as he turned the phone off and placed in the black box beside the Brunos. I’m sorry sir, he apologies to the host as it was immediately understood that he made mistake that might not be forgiven. I do instruct the driver, man said to remove your phones and give them back to you after the meeting is over for our safety. You might pretty soon hear that your sweet partner Julia got into troubles in Firenze and that I’m serious if I say our safety could be compromised. Whaaat Bruno just burst out, what happened to Julia, what did you do to her, you… another slap from Dan this time across the mouth, so Bruno don’t finish his sentence. What are we having here, office love story I see, said the man sarcastically, or at least that is how it sounded to Bruno. Let me assure you, I did nothing at all, I just keep eye over her as I was expecting some issues when we started to poke in the past of the Devil’s Foot gentlemen. Shiver went down through Dans and Brunos neck as if the icing grew from neck down the spine. The man saw the effect of his words and knew that now he has the full attention. Bruno was going to say something but Dan this time gently tapped his shoulder as for reassurance but in reality it was to tell him, it is ok I will talk now. Dan took a moment to breath in and out and compose hoi thoughts, before he spoke to calm his mind and calculate his next move. Bruno just stood there in shock and tried to calm down his nerves and heartbeat as he feel the heat and redness in his head as if the blood was going to burst his veins. How the hell can Dan be so calm when Julia might be in danger because of this thug of a man, who we are calling customer, thought Bruno. Dan’s voice was steady and resolute but not overpowering when he spoke. Hmm tow things strike me Mr. customer that I would like you to explain it to us, if you would be that kind. Now the silence filled the hangar or storage hall or whatever was this space where they were. The mysterious customer looked at them and it seems like eternity before Dan spoke but it was only few seconds, when the silence enveloped all and you could hear pin drop. Then Dan spoke, well you said that Julia is troubles and that you just merely expecting issues, secondly when you contracted us to find a very special and ancient thing that is not from this world you said that you don’t much about it just that it could be silver ish finish and that came from Lebanon and now you said the name of that artifact Devil’s Foot. So, could you explain to us a bit more why you expected issues for Julia and how do you know the specific name, please ? The man, took breath and with slight smile on his face, that could be mistaken for sarcastic, due his facial muscles illness he began slowly and with surprisingly smooth and pleasant voice that did not match his big body. Dear friends he started, let me reassure you, that I’m not against you or try to do harm to Julia or yourselves, I’m simply man who is trying to protect his investment and assist while stay in the background. Let me try to answer your questions as they came. Let me apologies if I touch sensitive subject with Mr. Bruno by mentioning the office romance, however everyone who has eyes and have been in love, will realize pretty fast that you love Julia and she loves you as well as the fact that you try it to play cool instead of grabbing this one in lifetime opportunity for true love. Bruno lost his breath, of how direct and correct the observation of the man was. Now the second question, how did I know, that we might expect issues, let’s say that when you are looking for artifact that is not from this world and especially in the dark areas of antique smugglers, not to mention middle east, one can expect that this will stir some dust as much as we think we are taking slow measured steps. Mr. Bruno, you should know how easy is to stir dust and sand even with minimal movements but how long it take to settle, from your days in foreign legion. Yes yes, I know your question, how do I know that ? Well you don’t just simply dial first salvage / private investigation company you see after google search. I do take my investments seriously and before engage in anything I will do due diligence on all. So Following up to your next question, how do I know the name Devil’s Foot now when I was not completely sure when I have engaged your services ? It is simple you do your job and stir the dust and I walk behind and see how and where the dust settle and what message that dust reveal. Tripoli was let’s put it simply a huge mess that anyone who is interested in this or any artefacts heard about it without need to search news or TV. So I hope that I answered all your questions, said the man with suddenly steel and cold voice, that was complete opposite of the sweet and gentle voice used for explanation to make his point that, no more questions were expected or will be answered.
FIRENZE
Julia was trying to ring Dan’s mobile over and over but it went straight to voice mail and she gave up after third time she dialed and heard the familia voice saying, Hello, I’m sorry I’m not available now, please leave the message and I will try to remember call you back. The heck is going on, Dan never turn off his bloody mobile, she cursed under her breath, while stuffing her mobile into purse a little bit more angrily that normal person would do. If you try to make the hole in your purse we have here scalpels and sheers, no need to trying to do with your mobile, she heard the voice. I will stick the phone and purse in your ass, you smartass Julia thought before she look up and saw Luca the handsome doctor. For split of second the thought appeared in her mid, that he might actually stick something in her ass and she immediately went red as the red rose with shameful look down on her feet. Ahh no need to be ashamed of that Luca said in soothing voice, we are all having bad and good moments in our life and that little devil with screen sometimes just inflate our feelings. Well thank God he does not know what was I thinking Julia though. So we are happy with tests, that they do not shown anything strange but your complete loss of memory is a bit strange so we need to observe you for day or two and I have arranged space in the hospital for you, but since we cannot locate any luggage we thought that maybe you have booking in Hotel somewhere here but Police cannot locate any bookings. Police, Julia spoke, why police is involved in this ? Am I under arrest ? No, no you are not under arrest but since your were found in touristic place and you had your passport in your purse, we know that as UK citizen and without any apparent luggage bigger than your purse we suspect that either you are living here or visiting so we contacted the police to assist us with locating next of kin. Should you be under arrest ? he added with smile cheeky wink with his right eye. Maybe for the exceptional beauty of yours as not many English girls can surpass beauty of Italian girls but you certainly do so. What and ass this handsome Luca, thought Julia before she realized that she is looking into his blue eyes that stuck out like piece of heaven in dark forest or his black thick hair and beard covering the nicely tanned face from healthy dose of sunshine. What the heck am I doing ?, she shake herself as if woke up from the dream. I bet that you use this line on any girl, just change the country of origin so you might brag to your friends late over the beer that you scored another tourist girl, I know you Italian men. Luca just shook his head with dismal expression and turned around to the desk where he filled her medical records into manilla envelope and wrote three digit number on the cover. Julia realized that this might be her room number and that she might overreacted a bit and shamefully, silently said that she does not live or stay in any hotel in Firenze. Luca lift his head, look straight into Julias eyes and paused his movement while still holding manila envelope with her medical records and number 112 written on top.
SOMEWERE IN ITALY
Well, what are we going to do, gentlemen ? This thing is seems to be a little bit out of control, I’m sure I can spare you details of Tripoli operation as there is not a soul in our organization that is not aware of that fiasco, said Filipe aka the monsignor . His voice disappeared in silence of the stone walls of the room, where big conference table stood in the middle and five silent figures just sat with their heads bowed.
