Now we were getting somewhere. The only problem nagging me as I rushed up the stairs was, how could I unlock my door in a half hour's time?

Luck was with me. The policemen who had been in the corridor this morning were still there. "Excuse me. Could you possibly help me with my door again?"

The officer who had helped me earlier shook his head. "I'm sorry, Madame. You can't go in there."

Oh yeah? "I've been given permission to pack my belongings."

"By whom?"

"Inspector Miceli." Okay. So he hadn't exactly given me permission. But he had suggested I change my clothes. Close enough.

He exchanged a look with his fellow officer, shrugged, then opened my door for me. I checked Nana's travel alarm. Eleven-twenty-nine. I ran into the bathroom to take a hot shower but had to scrap the idea when I realized the only towels we had were the ones I'd used to mop up the floor yesterday. Yuck. I stripped down to my skin, fired up my blow-dryer, and for the next ten minutes blew hot air all over my body. When I was done on both sides, I threw on the warmest clothes I could find--tights, heavy cotton socks, wool slacks, a cropped Berber pullover sweater, and thick-soled Nubuck walking shoes, then opened both our suitcases and started pitching things inside. I passed the mirror and glanced at my reflection. "EHH!" My hair was frizzed straight out like the bride of Frankenstein, but I had no time to fuss with it now.

When I had all our things packed, I gave the room the once-over, locked the suitcases, and wheeled them out into the hall. Before I closed the door, I flipped on the television and checked the time again. Eleven-fifty-eight. I had a whole minute to spare. God, I was good.

I gave my key back to the front desk clerk, who informed me that I should have my new room assignment within the hour. "If you'll kindly wait in the lobby, Madame."

It was noontime, and now that I'd caught my breath and was dry again, I realized I was hungry. "Does the dining room have any luncheon specials?"

"The dining room isn't open for lunch."

Of course. That would be too convenient. "Is there anyplace nearby where I can pick up a burger and fries?"

"You mean, like a McDonald's Happy Meal?"

"Exactly."

"There's a McDonald's in Zurich."

Even more convenient. Since hiking to Zurich wasn't in my travel plans for the afternoon, I retreated to the lobby and examined the contents of my shoulder bag. Kleenex. Lipstick. Nail file. Passport. Tic Tacs! I poured a half dozen into my hand and popped them into my mouth. Address book. Dental floss. A lone LifeSaver (r) hairy with fuzz. Looked like pineapple. I didn't like pineapple. I dropped it into an ashtray. A bag of airplane peanuts. Yum. I'd save those for dessert.

Hearing the rumble of a diesel engine, I looked toward the side entrance of the lobby. The door flew open, and Nana trooped through, followed by the rest of the tour group. From the smile on her face, I guessed she'd just muscled past George Farkas again to be first off the bus. I waved her into the lobby and patted the seat beside me.