Chapter 28 Chapter Twenty-Eight

The Ritz Hotel, located on Lierda Market Street in Madrid, is said to be the leading hotel in Spain.For more than a century, it has been the place where monarchs of more than a dozen countries in Europe hang out and feast.Presidents, heads of state and billionaires also come to stay here.Tracy has heard about Liz's name for a long time, but she didn't expect the actual situation to be disappointing.The foyer of the hotel was bleak and shabby looking. An assistant manager escorted Tracy to her reservations for rooms 411 and 412, at the south end of the hotel, next to the Avenue Carl Philip V.

"You will be satisfied with the apartment, Miss Whitney." Tracy went to the window and looked out.Just across the street from the window is the Prado Museum. "It's fine here, thank you." There was a lot of traffic on the street, and there was a lot of noise in the room, but here was what she needed: a commanding view overlooking the Prado. Tracy ordered a light supper, had the waiter bring it to her room, and lay down early.After she went to bed, she realized that trying to fall asleep in such an environment was simply a modernized form of medieval torture. "She hasn't left the room once and I don't think she'll be active tonight," a detective in the foyer told the shift at midnight.

The Madrid Police Headquarters occupies an entire block in Solmen.This is a red brick and gray building with a prominent clock on the top.The red and yellow Spanish flag flies above the main entrance.There was always a policeman standing at the door. He was wearing a serge uniform, a beret, a submachine gun, a baton in his hand, a pistol and a pair of handcuffs on his waist.The Police Headquarters maintains close ties with INTERPOL. The day before, an urgent X-D telegram had been sent to Madrid Police Superintendent Santiago Remiro, informing him of the imminent arrival of Tracy Whitney.The Superintendent read the last sentence of the telegram twice and decided to call Inspector Trinan of Interpol in Paris.

"I don't understand what you mean," said Reimiro, "how can you tell me to give full help to an American who is not even a policeman?" "Mr. Superintendent, I think you will find Mr. Cooper very useful. He knows Miss Whitney." "What's there to know?" retorted the Director. "She's a criminal. Astute perhaps, but there are plenty of such in Spanish prisons. This one won't slip through the cracks." "Good. Will you consult with Mr. Cooper?" The director said reluctantly: "If you say he is useful, I have no objection."

"Thank you, sir." "You're welcome, sir." Like his counterpart in Paris, Chief Reimiro dislikes Americans.He found them rude, materialistic, and naive.This one, he thought, might be different.I might like him. When he saw Daniel Cooper, he didn't like the slightest bit. "The police in half of Europe have been defeated by her," Daniel Cooper said bluntly as he walked into the director's office. The Chief of Police had no choice but to suppress the anger in his heart. "Sir, we don't need anyone to tell us what to do. Miss Whitney has been under intense surveillance since she arrived at Baragas airport this morning. I can assure you that if someone dropped a needle in the street, you would Miss Whitney picked it up, and she'll be thrown in jail immediately. Hasn't she dealt with the Spanish police before?"

"She didn't come here to pick up a needle in the street." "Why do you think she came?" "I don't know very well, I can only tell you that she has a big goal." Director Lai Miluo said triumphantly: "The bigger the better, we will monitor her every move." Tracy wakes up the next morning bleary-eyed and light-headed after spending the night in a Thomas de Toquemeda-designed bed.She ordered a simple breakfast and a cup of hot espresso, and went to the window to look at the Prado Museum.The museum is a fortified castle-like building made of stone and red bricks fired from local clay, surrounded by lawns and trees.There are two ancient Greek Doric columns at the main entrance, and two rows of steps on both sides, leading to the front door.On the ground floor level with the street, there are two side doors.Students and tourists from all over the world lined up in front of the museum.At ten o'clock in the morning, the guards will open the two main gates, and visitors will enter the museum through the central revolving door or the two side doors on the ground floor.

Tracy was startled when the phone rang.No one except Gunther Hartog knew she was in Madrid.She picked up the phone. "Hey?" "Good morning, Miss." The voice was familiar. "I am the Chamber of Commerce of Madrid and they asked me to do everything to make your stay here a pleasant one." "How do you know I live in Madrid, Jeff?" "Miss, the Madrid Chamber of Commerce knows everything. Is this your first time here?" "yes." "Great! I can show you places. How long are you going to be here, Tracy?" This is a question with an ulterior motive. "I'm not sure yet," she said casually. "Just want to do some shopping, sightseeing. What are you doing in Madrid?"

"Same as you," he said in the same tone as hers, "shopping and sightseeing." Tracy certainly didn't believe in such a coincidence.Jeff Stevens must have come here for the same reason: to steal paintings from the Prado Museum. "Are you free for dinner?" he asked. Tracy's heart skipped a beat. "available." "Okay. I'll make a reservation at Yorkey." Of course, Tracy had no illusions about Jeff, but when she stepped out of the elevator and saw Jeff waiting in the foyer, she felt a sudden flash of inexplicable joy. Jeff took her hand. "You're beautiful! Honey. So beautiful."

She did dress up on purpose.A Valentino navy blue suit dress, a Russian mink scarf pulled around the neck, a pair of pumps on the feet, and a navy bag with the H logo of the Hermes company. Daniel Cooper sat at a small round table in the corner of the hall with a glass of Payhill in front of him.He watched Tracy greet her companions, and a powerful confidence rose in his heart: justice is in my hands, says my lord, and I am the sword and weapon of his vengeance.My life has been atoned for by penance, and my Lord will help me to pay.I must punish you. Cooper knew that no police force in the world was equipped enough to capture Tracy Whitney.But I can, Cooper thought.She is mine.

For Daniel Cooper, Tracy was more than just a task for him; she haunted him like a nightmare.Wherever he went, he carried her photos and archives with him, and every night before he went to sleep, he would take them out and look at them affectionately.He arrived one step behind Ariz, failed to catch her, and let her escape again in Mallorca, but this time, Interpol found her whereabouts again, and Cooper was determined not to let her go again. He often dreamed of Tracy at night.She was put in a big cage, naked, and begged him to let her go.I love you, he said, and I will never let you go. Yorkie is a small but quite luxurious restaurant on Amer de los Rio Avenue.

"The food here is top-notch," says Jeff. He looked very handsome, Tracy thought.Like Tracy, he had an uncontrollable excitement deep inside, and Tracy knew why: there was a fierce rivalry between them, a big gamble of scheming.But I'm going to win, Tracy thought.I must steal that famous painting from the Prado before he does. "There's been a weird kind of gossip going on lately," Jeff said. Her attention was immediately on him. "What gossip?" "Ever heard of Daniel Cooper? He's an insurance detective, very sharp." "Never heard of it. How is he?" "Be careful. This man is dangerous. I don't want anything to happen to you." "don’t worry." "But I've been worried, Tracy." She laughed. "For me? Why?" He put a hand on hers and said nonchalantly, "You are rare. Life is more interesting with you, dear." He's damn convincing, Tracy thought.If I had been a little ignorant, I would have believed him, "Shall we order?" Tracy said. "I'm starving." For a few days, Jeff and Tracy roamed around Madrid.They were inseparable.Director Ramiro sent two detectives, and the strange American, always followed behind them.The reason why Laimiro allowed Cooper to join the tracking and monitoring team was mainly because he didn't want to annoy him.The American must be crazy to insist that this Whitney is trying to steal a priceless treasure from under the nose of the police.It's ridiculous! Tracy and Jeff sampled the dishes of Madrid's old restaurants-Horcher's, Vienna's Dauphin, and Pottin's.Jeff also knows restaurants that the average tourist doesn't, such as Paco, Suleta, and El Razón, where they taste causidos roasted with greens and peas, and a local A hodgepodge, very tasty.They also visited a bar with a very small appearance and tasted the special Tabas wine there. Wherever they went, Daniel Cooper and the two detectives were by their side. Daniel Cooper always chooses an appropriate distance and angle, watching them intently.What exactly is Jeff Stevens' role in these performances?He couldn't figure it out.Who is he?Tracy's next victim?Or are the two working hand in hand? Cooper found Director Ramiro. "What do you know about Jeff Stevens?" Cooper asked. "No comment. He has no criminal record and is registered as a tourist. I think he is the woman's new travel companion." Cooper's gut told him it wasn't that simple.However, his target was not Cha Jeff Stevens.Tracy, he thought, I want you, Tracy. Late one night, Tracy and Jeff went to the Ritz Hotel together, and Jeff walked her to the door of the room. "Can't I go in and have a nightcap?" he suggested. Tracy almost agreed with the tempting suggestion.She leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Think of me as your sister, Jeff." "What's your take on incest?" She has closed the door. A few minutes later, he hung up on her from his room. "Would you like to go to Segovia with me tomorrow? It's a beautiful ancient city, and it's only a few hours away from Madrid." "That's nice. Thank you, I had a great night," Tracy said. "Good night, Jeff." She couldn't sleep for a long time, and all kinds of thoughts that she had no right to consider flooded her mind.She hasn't been emotionally attached to a man for a long time.Charles had broken her heart, and she didn't want to be sad any more.Jeff Stevens was a very interesting company indeed, but she knew she must not let him go any further.It is very easy to fall in love with him, but it is very foolish. destroy. Flirtation. Tracy couldn't sleep. The trip to Segovia was indeed a great enjoyment.Jeff rented a small car, and they drove out of Madrid to the beautiful wine country of Spain.An unmarked Set car followed them all day, but it was no ordinary car. Seat is the only brand of vehicle manufactured in Spain and is the official car of the Spanish police. The general model of this kind of car is 100 horsepower, but the car provided to the National Security Police and Civil Defense Force has been increased to 150 horsepower, so Tracy Whitney and Jeff Steven Daniel Cooper and the two detectives will never escape his trail. Tracy and Jeff arrived in Segovia at lunchtime, and they walked into a very elegant restaurant in the central square next to the elevated aqueduct built by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago.After lunch, they roamed the medieval city, visited the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Renaissance town hall, and then drove to the old fort, which was built by the ancient Romans on the protruding hilltop overlooking the whole city. fortress.That momentum is really thrilling. "If we stay here all the time, I'm sure we'll see Don Quixote and Sancho Panza coming down the plain on their donkeys," said Jeff. She looked him over. "You like fighting windmills, don't you?" "It depends on the shape of the windmill." He said softly, moving his body closer to her. Tracy stepped away from the edge of the cliff. "Tell me a little more about Segovia." So Jeff's flirting with Tracy, trying to captivate her, ends. Jeff was a passionate guide, talking history, archaeology, architecture, etc., but Tracy had to keep reminding herself that he was a liar with a tongue, but anyway, it was Tracy's day. The happiest day in West's memory. A Spanish detective named José Pareto complained to Cooper: "The only thing they stole is our time. Aren't these two lovers in love! Can't you see that! Can you Sure she's planning something?" "I'm sure," growled Cooper.He also didn't understand his own reaction.All he wanted was to catch Tracy and make her get the punishment she deserved.She was nothing more than a criminal, the object of his investigation.But every time he saw Tracy's partner take her arm, Cooper felt an unknown fire. When Tracy and Jeff got back to Madrid, Jeff said, "I know a good place to have dinner if you're not too tired." "Great." Tracy didn't want the day to end like this.I committed myself to this day, and I gotta get it like any other woman. Madridists eat late, and few restaurants serve dinner before nine in the evening.Jeff made a reservation for ten o'clock at Zalakaine, a luxurious restaurant with first-class food and service.Tracy didn't order sweets, but the waiter brought out a plate of exquisite crackers, the best of which Tracy had never tasted.She leaned back in the seat, feeling content. “A very tasty and delicious dinner, thank you.” "I am very glad that you are satisfied. If you want to win people's favor, you should bring them here." She glanced at him. "So you're trying to win me over, Jeff?" He grinned. "That's right. Don't worry, what's the next show you're watching?" The next place they end up is an unassuming little hotel, a boisterous little café with a dozen or so small tables where Spanish workers in leather jackets hunker down on the bar counter or sit around the tables. drinking.At one end of the bar there is a small raised platform where two men are playing guitars.Tracy and Jeff sat down at a small table near the platform. "Ever heard of flamenco?" Jeff asked.In this loud and noisy bar, he had to raise his voice. "Isn't that the Spanish dance?" "It originated with the gypsies. In the shitty nightclubs of Madrid, you can see all kinds of flamenco variations, but tonight you saw the real flamenco dancing." Feeling the enthusiasm in Jeff's tone, Tracy smiled. "You're going to see a classical style of Cuado flamenco. A group of people playing guitar, singing and dancing. They perform as a group and then each of them takes turns." Daniel Cooper sat in a corner near the kitchen, watching Tracy and Jeff from a distance, wondering why they were talking so speculatively. "The dance is very delicate, and every move must be coordinated with each other - movements, music, costumes, and even changes in rhythm..." "How do you know so much?" Tracy asked. "I used to know a flamenco dancer." No wonder, Tracy thought. The lights in the bar began to dim, and a few spotlights shone on the small stage.Then, a magical transformation occurred.The tempo was slow to begin with.A group of performers casually took the stage.The dancing girls wore multicolored floral skirts and puffed-sleeve tops, high buns, Andalusian jewelry, and flowers on their temples.The gigolos are traditionally dressed, with tight trousers and waistcoats, and shiny mid-cut leather boots.Guitarists played mournful tunes, and a seated songstress sang in Spanish: Yo queria dejar A mi amante Pero antes de que pudiera Hacerlo ella me abandon Y destroyo mi corazon "Can you understand what she's singing?" Tracy asked quietly. "Understandable. 'I wanted to leave my lover, but before I could, he abandoned me and broke my heart.'" An actor jumps to the center of the stage.She tapped the floor with the sole of her shoe, making a rhythmic tapping sound.The rhythm starts out simple, but as the guitar accompaniment picks up speed, the dance changes into a wildly sexy twist that dates back to gypsies in caves more than a hundred years ago. dance.The passion of the music continued unabated, and the dance language expressed various meanings ranging from excitement to carnival, hiding, chasing, etc. As the crazy rhythm accelerated, fellow performers on the side of the stage cheered frequently to add to the fun. The shouts of "Ole tu madre, Ole trs santos", "Anla, anda" (meaning "your mother, your god", "hey, hey"), and the loud shouts on and off the stage made the actors Their dance steps and rhythms reached increasingly frantic levels. The music and dancing stopped abruptly, and there was a brief silence in the audience, followed by applause. "She dances so well," Tracy exclaimed. "There's more," Jeff told her. Another dancer moves to center stage.Her complexion is dark, with a kind of classical Castilian beauty, and her detached expression seems to be completely unaware of the audience.The guitar played a Bolero, which was sad and deep, with the charm of oriental music.A man stepped forward to join the dance, and the accompanying castanets struck a steady beat. Then, the actors sitting on the side began to cheer and cheer, they clapped their hands to the rhythm of flamenco, and the sound of clapping clapped the music and dance faster and faster, until the whole room could only hear the echo of tap-tap dance steps .The performers hit the ground with the front side of the great toe, the heel and the sole of the foot respectively, changing various rhythm combinations and expressing various emotional rhythms. Their bodies moved closer and apart, showing a growing desire. Although the bodies of the two parties were not in contact, it was clearly a wild and intense animal impulse. When the dance reached a frenzied climax, the audience couldn't help it The ground screamed strangely.All the lights went out, then came on again, and there was an uproar in the crowd, and Tracy found herself shouting with the crowd.She sensed her sexual urges and felt embarrassed.She could hardly meet Jeff's eyes.Both felt a strange tension.Tracy lowered her gaze to scan the table and saw his dark and strong hands. She could feel them caressing her body, slowly, quickly, and even impatiently. She quickly put her own hands between her knees, Don't let him find them trembling. On the way back to the hotel, neither of them spoke much.At the door of Tracy's room, she turned and said, "What a..." Jeff's lips were on hers, and she stretched out her arms, wrapping him tightly in her arms. "Tracey?..." The answer to him was on the verge of blurting, but the last bit of will forced her to say, "It's been a whole day, Jeff, and I'll be asleep when I go to bed." "Oh." "I think tomorrow I'm going to stay in my room and have a good rest." He replied flatly: "Good idea, I'm afraid I have to take a good rest too." Neither of them believed the other's words to be true.