Bettina woke up late the next morning, feeling calm and rested, until the memory came back, bringing all the problems back.
The previous night's incidents could not be repeated. She would have to set boundaries for life in common with Travis to be bearable. After he admitted that he was attracted to him, the task was not going to be easy, but he needed to find a way to take control of the situation without hurting him.
After showering and dressing in white pants and a yellow printed shirt, Bettina felt a little better. She went to the kitchen, prepared to find Travis and treat him naturally. Instead, he was greeted by a strong, dark woman who spoke English with a strong Arabic accent.
— Good morning, Miss. Dale. Do you want to have coffee now?
— Yes, thank you. Mr. Hunter already eaten?
— Long time. He's working in the office.
The typewriter sounded frantically when Bettina stopped by the office door some time later. Travis had a focused expression and his eyes fixed on the words that came out on the sheet of paper. He wore gray slacks of light fabric and a white shirt unbuttoned halfway down his chest.
Bettina was reluctant to approach, not wanting to disturb him, but he looked up and saw her.
— In between. Do you feel better now?
— Much better.
— No trauma as to the events of yesterday?
— Just a sense of unreality. — Bettina looked around the beautiful room. — I can't believe that yesterday I lived in a tent and today I am surrounded by luxury. I have to keep reminding myself that I am still a prisoner.
Travis got up and approached her.
— Not talk like that. I will find that there is something wrong with my hospitality.
Bettina forced a smile, knowing he was trying to be kind.
— No, you have been a perfect host.
— I do my best to please. Already had breakfast?
— Yes. I met the housekeeper, too. Was she surprised when you told her I was here?
— Fasha worked for me when I was here before. Nothing I do surprises her — he said, laughing.
Since Travis had spent a lot of time at Yahren, Bettina thought, it was to be expected that he had company in that house. The surprise could come when Fasha finds out that… she was not sleeping in the same room as Travis.
— It's better this way — she commented.
— Her husband, Mustaba, takes care of gardening and heavy lifting. Don't be alarmed when you see it. He looks angry, but it's actually Fasha who gives the orders.
— With that, two more people know that I am here.
— I warned you that this was inevitable, and you are no longer the same person. Remember that, Tina Dale.
— It is true. — Bettina didn't know if she would ever be the woman she used to be. He had a feeling that even if he managed to get out of that dangerous situation, his life would never be the same.
— You don't have to be afraid to face people. In fact, I think the sooner this happens, the better it will be. That way you won't have time to think about it too much.
— Yeah, I think you're right.
— So, how about we have lunch at the club?
— You said we could start looking for Ralph — she reminded him.
— It is better to wait for the news to come to us. I have people out there who will do anything to find you, as long as they are well paid for it. They can... — Travis stopped, noticing the anxious expression on Bettina's face. — He is well. If that makes you happy, let's go!
— Thank you, Travis. I couldn't stay here waiting. It is my life that is at stake and I need to take action.
— I understand. Let's get ready to go.
Bettina still didn't know the city. When he arrived in Yahren on the small work expedition, he had gone straight from the airport to the site of the excavation.
The center of the town was very similar to that of any other medium-sized city, except for the signs written in Arabic. People, in general, wore Western-style clothes, there were tall office buildings and the usual movement of cars on the streets.
However, when they reached the oldest neighborhood, it was as if they had entered another country. The narrow cobbled streets looked like small alleys and there were more donkey carts than automobiles. Washed clothes were spread on the counters of old buildings that practically advanced over narrow alleys. Women bent at the windows to chat with neighbors across the street or shout at the noisy, half-naked children who were playing on the sidewalk.
The wagons loaded with goods made the scene even more picturesque, but Bettina soon realized that it was not a tourist attraction. She and Travis were the only foreigners there and they drew a lot of attention. The looks did not seem hostile, but Bettina was relieved to have Travis' strong and imposing presence at her side.
— I can't imagine Ralph hiding around here — she murmured. — It would be very easy to identify him among these people.
— The inhabitants of this region are not very fond of the police. Unless there was a reward for Ralph, they would not object to hiding him.
Bettina watched the passers-by, with an air of doubt.
— Maybe not, but they don't seem very helpful.
— It is true. Ralph would have to offer something in return. Does he have any money?
— Yes, if the bad guys haven't stolen it.
— Let's hope they took everything. If he has money, he can remain hidden indefinitely. — Seeing the dismayed expression on Bettina's face, he took her hand in a gesture of comfort.. — It's just a way of speaking. We will find him.
Bettina's mood was anything but encouraging when Travis guided her into a store cluttered with dusty goods. The task seemed impossible. How to find a man hidden among thousands of others? It was like trying to locate a grain of sand on a large beach.
The store owner stepped forward to greet them. The wide smile seemed friendly, but Bettina noticed a glimmer of falsehood in the man's black eyes.
— What would you like to take? A beautiful bronze lamp? Or maybe a cottage for this pretty girl?
Travis laughed.
— I think this girl has more expensive tastes, don't you, sweetness?
Those words didn't fit Travis. She looked at him with a puzzled expression, but said nothing.
— She loves jewelry — Travis continued, putting his arm around Bettina's shoulders. — I found this out as soon as I looked at that raised little nose. But, come on, I can buy what she wants! Everything to make my sweetie happy.
Suddenly, Bettina realized that Travis was pretending to be one of those pitiful American tourists full of money and with very little sensitivity. "He does have a great dramatic talent," he thought, observing the totally convincing interpretation.
The merchant's eyes shone with the prospect of a big sale.
— How about a beautiful gold chain?— He showed several cheap chokers. — These are very valuable. You won't find anything so good around here.
Bettina shook her head, ready to play her part.
— I want precious stones. I mainly like old jewelry.
— I found what you want. — The man rummaged in a box full of trinkets and took out a ring with a dark blue stone. — This lapis lazuli ring is very old. We call it a talisman. You put it on and it will protect you from all evil.
Bettina's lips curved as she looked at the ring. The blue stone was nothing more than colored glass, without any pretense of being a good imitation of jewelery.
— I always heard that a talisman or amulet had to have inscriptions or recordings. The carving in the stone is a special charm that gives the charm of the jewel. In addition, they are usually pendants and not rings.
— Oh, she got it! — boasted Travis. — My little doll knows the old jewels. You better come up with what she wants or we'll have to look elsewhere.
The man looked disappointed, but he was not about to lose the deal.
— My store is too poor to have such fine items for a lady like her, but maybe I can fix something. Just tell me what you want.
Bettina's pulse quickened when she realized that a man like that could give them the information they needed. Travis felt the tension and tightened his arm around her shoulders, conveying confidence and warning her to proceed with caution.
Bettina kept her voice calm and casual.
— I already have a collection of amulets, but it would be great to have one more, especially if it is something original.
— That's right — agreed Travis. — We don't want any of those cheap souvenirs that you sell. — He took a puffed wallet out of his pocket and displayed it ostentatiously before the greedy eyes of the merchant. — Money is not a problem. I just want my sweetie to be happy.
— I will find what you want. Can you come back tomorrow?
— I will do better than that. I'll give you my phone. If you find something that might interest us, just call us and we'll come here to see it.
Travis wrote the phone number on a piece of paper and led Bettina out of the store.
— Do you think he knows where to find Ralph? — she asked, after turning the corner.
— It's hard to say, but if he heard about the amulet, you can bet he'll be looking for it.
— Perhaps I should have been more specific. I could have said that I wanted a ruby amulet.
— No, you did well. If he had given too many details, he might have suspected. I liked your interpretation.
— Thank you, but you were the one who was amazing. When he showed all that money, I was embarrassed. I can't wait for your next transformation. So far, I've seen you as a nomadic desert chief, a famous author, and an idiotic tourist. What other surprises await me?
Travis looked at her with a smile that made her blood boil.
— If I told you it would no longer be a surprise.
— Ok, I wait. Are we going to represent our scene somewhere else?
— It would be interesting. The more people are looking for Ralph Kernit, the less chance he will have to stay hidden.
They spent the rest of the afternoon walking into small shops in the neighborhood and pretending to be wealthy tourists in search of something old and expensive.
There was no direct news from Ralph or the amulet, but Bettina felt hopeful. At least they were doing something. At the end of the afternoon, tired of walking and acting, she decided to finish the day's task. 💤💤💤