Chapter 21
What passed for a taxi from Valencia to Madrid rattled and huffed over the many bridges and high hills. As planned, Johnny asked the driver to stop on the outskirts. “See you, pal.” With that, Bill watched Johnny disappear down an alleyway.
“Hotel Florida,” Bill told the driver.
After a soaking bath, Bill slept soundly. He’d arrived at Hotel Florida the night before. The hot water didn’t wash away all the tension, however. He walked to the window and pulled a panel of the sheer curtains to the side, squinting at the morning sun. He opened the window and felt a wintry breeze to offset the relentless sunlight framed by a cloudless sky.
He turned back from the window. His luggage was placed on the bed closest to the door.
For some reason, the solitary small gooseneck lamp fasc
