by Amy Cross
***
Addendum – This day goes from one strange even to another.
After leaving the guest house, I thought to drop by the local police station and mention the girl I met last night. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a rather dour gentleman by the name of Inspector Robert Charles, an Englishman who for some reason had turned up on Thaxos and taken the role of the island's only police representative. He listened to my story and made some notes, but I could tell that there was no sense of urgency in his actions, and although he told me he would “look into” the matter, I felt certain that he was planning no such thing.
“She seemed very upset,” I explained, hoping to impress upon him the seriousness of the situation. “I feel that it was remiss of me to let her run off so easily.”
“There's nothing you could have done,” he replied. “There's nothing any of us can do. Whoever she is, I imagine that she is at the mansion by now.”
“The mansion?” I asked. “Do you mean to say that she is somehow connected to Baron Le Compte?”
“Whatever he gets up to on his own land,” he continued, “is his own business. It's not often that his activities spill out into the streets down here, but when they do, we can only stand back and make sure that we don't anger him.”
At this, I realized that the man was either lazy, or a fool, or both. I decided not to waste my breath on him and, satisfied that I had at least discharged my duty and reported the matter, I headed outside. Now I am sitting in the small cantina next to the town square, having a cup of tea before I begin the journey to the island's north side. I must admit that I am aware that I have become something of a spectacle. People are clearly interested in my activities, and I confess that I worry they are talking about me behind my back. I cannot understand why I should have attracted so much attention, but it is becoming tiresome.
Once I have finished my tea, I shall head to the stones.