After a while he too began to feel worn out. He retired to the dining room to lie on the sofa, closing his eyes and breathing in Alicia’s scent, which lingered in the air.

“No, I don’t think you’re a bad person,” he murmured under his breath, surprising himself. “But sometimes you scare me.”

18

It was after midnight when Vargas opened his eyes and found Alicia sitting in a chair next to him, wrapped in a blanket, staring at him in the darkened room.

“You look like a vampire,” he managed to say. “How long have you been there?”

“A while.”

“I should have warned you that I snore.”

“I don’t mind. With those pills I wouldn’t hear an earthquake.”

Vargas sat up and rubbed his face. “If you don’t mind my saying so, this sofa is dreadful.”

“I don’t have much of an eye for furniture. I’ll buy some new cushions. Any color preference?”

“As it’s for you, black with a pattern of spiders, or skulls and crossbones.”

“Did you have any dinner?”

“I ate enough food for a whole week. How are you feeling?”

Alicia shrugged. “Embarrassed.”

“I can’t see why. How’s the pain?”

“Better. Much better.”

“Why don’t you go back to bed and sleep a bit longer?”

“I’ve got to call Leandro.”

“At this time of night?”

“Leandro doesn’t sleep.”

“Speaking of vampires . . .”

“If I don’t call him, it will be worse.”

“Do you want me to go out to the corridor?”

“No,” said Alicia, but she’d paused a shade too long.

Vargas nodded. “Look, I’ll go down to my luxurious rooms on the other side of the street to have a shower and change my clothes, and then I’ll come back.”

“There’s no need, Vargas. You’ve done enough for me tonight. Go and get some rest—we’re going to have a long day tomorrow. I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast.”

He looked at her, somewhat unconvinced.

Alicia smiled at him. “I’ll be all right. I promise.”

“Do you have the revolver at hand?”

“I’ll sleep with it as if it were my new teddy bear.”

“You’ve never had a teddy bear. A little devil, perhaps . . .”

Alicia gave him one of those smiles of hers, the kind that opened doors and melted willpower. Vargas lowered his eyes.

“All right, then. Call the prince of darkness and tell him your little secrets,” he said on his way out. “And lock the door tight.”

“Vargas?”

The policeman stopped in the doorway.

“Thanks.”

“Stop thanking me for nothing.”

* * *

She waited while the policeman’s footsteps trailed away down the stairs and then picked up the telephone. Before dialing, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. The direct line to the suite didn’t answer. Alicia knew that Leandro kept other rooms at the Gran Hotel Palace, although she had never wanted to ask what he used them for. She called reception.

The night operator was familiar with Alicia’s voice, and didn’t even have to ask whom she was calling. “One moment, Señorita Gris.” Even at that time of night, she hadn’t lost her musical singsong. “I’ll put you through to Señor Montalvo.”