Chapter 41

“We’ll take you up to our digs now, and do the tour later.” In the elevator, I said, “If this was a hotel, our floor would be referred to as the concierge level.”

“Yeah,” Dani said. “We’ve got a pair of temporary keys for you upstairs.”

Joel and Claire were suitably impressed by our suite, and Claire absolutely loved the terrace.

“Are you guys tired from the trip?” I said.

“Not tired,” Joel said, “but a guy my size gets a bit cramped when flying, even in an easy chair in a Learjet.”

“We could go down to the baths and have a soak,” I said.

“The baths?”

I explained how the baths worked, co-ed bathing, massages, and all.

“This I gotta see,” Joel said.

“I’m not so sure about that,” Claire said.

“Aw, don’t be a spoilsport, honey; you’ve got a great body. Don’t forget, we’ve been to nude beaches. Remember that little mini-vacation in Greece last summer?”

“Oh, all right. Let’s do it.”

“One thing,” I said, “we are expected to have lunch with il Ducaat one.”