Chapter 5 Screams in the night

I was asleep, but my head was full of pictures and stories. I

was dreaming about double basses and violinists and
parties on the beach. Simon was in my dream. Our
conductor was in it.So was my old teacher, playing a double
bass on the sand. Then I heard a different sound.
Somebody was shouting. No, it was worse than that.
Somebody was screaming, screaming very loudly. I opened
my eyes. I woke up. It was five oclock in the morning.
Somebody screamed again. And again. And again. This
time I wasnt dreaming.
I got out of bed. I put on a T-shirt and some jeans and went
out of my room. Doors were opening on the left and the
right. Adriana came out of her room. She ran up to me. She
was half asleep, still in her night-dress. What is it? she
asked sleepily.
Whats going on?
I dont know, I answered.
Martin Audley (a trumpet player) came up to us.
Who screamed? he asked.
Nobody knows, I told him. But it sounded terrible.
There was another scream. It came from outside.
We ran back into my room and looked our of the window,
down at the street. There was a police car there, some
people, more and more people. And something else.
Come on, I said. We got the lift to the ground floor. When
it stopped we ran our of the hotel and pushed to the from
of all the people.
Marilyn Whittle, the harp player, was already there. Her
face was white and her eyes were large and round.
Look! Look! she said. She was pointing in front of her.
She screamed again.

We looked. She was pointing at the person at her Feet. It

was Frank Shepherd. His mouth was open. There was blood
all over his head.
Captulo 5 Gritos en la noche
Estaba dormido, pero mi cabeza estaba llena de imgenes
e historias. Estaba soando con bajos y violinistas dobles y
fiestas en la playa. Simn estaba en mi sueo. Nuestro
conductor estaba en it.So era mi viejo maestro, tocando un
contrabajo en la arena. Entonces o un sonido diferente.
Alguien estaba gritando. No, fue peor que eso. Alguien
estaba gritando, gritando en voz muy alta. Abr los ojos. Me
despert. Eran las cinco en punto de la maana.
Alguien grit de nuevo. Y otra vez. Y otra vez. este tiempo
que no estaba soando.
Me levant de la cama. Me puse una camiseta y unos jeans
y sal de mi habitacin. Las puertas se abren a la izquierda
y la derecha. Adriana sali de su habitacin. Ella corri
hacia m. Ella estaba medio dormido, todava en su
camisn. 'Qu es eso?', Pregunt adormilada.
"Qu est pasando? '
'No s', le respond.
Martin Audley (trompetista) se acerc a nosotros.
"Quin grit? ', Pregunt.
'Nadie sabe', le dije. 'Pero sonaba terrible.'
Hubo otro grito. Vena de fuera.
Corrimos de nuevo en mi habitacin y miramos nuestro de
la ventana, hacia la calle. No haba un coche de polica, hay
algunas personas, cada vez ms personas. Y algo ms.
"Vamos," le dije. Conseguimos el ascensor hasta la planta
baja. Cuando se detuvo corrimos nuestra del hotel y
empujados a la de todo el pueblo.

Marilyn Whittle, el arpista, ya estaba all. Su rostro era

blanco y tena los ojos grandes y redondos.
'Mira! Mira! ", Dijo. Ella estaba sealando delante de ella.
Ella grit de nuevo.
Nos miramos. Ella estaba sealando a la persona a sus
pies. Fue Frank Pastor. Tena la boca abierta. Haba sangre
por toda la cabeza.
Martin spoke first. My God! he said. Hes dead!
For a few minutes nobody did anything. It was like a
moment From a bad film. I looked around me. Candida
Ashley-Morton was there. Her face was white.
'Oh, oh, oh no, she was saying, and then she turned and
walked back into the hotel.
We knew that we couldnt sleep. We didnt know what to
do. But the hotel manager was a nice person. He opened
the bar at half past five in the morning. We sat there. We
were all asking the same questions. What happened? How
did Frank die? Did he fall from his room?
We heard another police car. A man came into the bar. We
stopped talking.
Good morning, he said. My name is Portillo, Inspector
Portillo. His voice was cold. So were his eyes. But I also
thought, Hes very good-looking with his dark hair and
those eyes. Then I felt bad because of Frank.
Now, please listen everybody, the policeman said. Mr
Shepherd is dead. We cant change that. So go to bed. Well
talk tomorrow well, I mean later today. His English was
very good.
Outside it was getting light. I was lying on my bed, thinking
about Frank. I was trying not to see the blood and his eyes,
open and dead. I was trying not to, but I couldnt stop.

Someone knocked on my door. I got up and opened it. It

was Simon.
Hello, he said.
Hi. Isnt it terrible?
Yes, he said. Poor Frank.
Where were you? I asked. 'After the concert? Where were
you last night?
I went to a bar, he said.
Why? I asked.
Martin habl primero. 'Dios mo! ", Dijo. 'Est muerto!'
Durante unos minutos, nadie hizo nada. Era como un
momento de una mala pelcula. Mir a mi alrededor.
Candida Ashley-Morton estaba all. Su rostro era blanco.
'Oh, oh, oh, no, "ella estaba diciendo, y luego se dio la
vuelta y volvi a entrar en el hotel.
Sabamos que no podamos dormir. No sabamos qu hacer.
Pero el director del hotel era una buena persona. Abri la
barra - en cinco y media de la maana. Nos sentamos all.
Todos nosotros estbamos pidiendo las mismas preguntas.
Que pas? Cmo muri Frank? Se cay de su habitacin?
Escuchamos otro coche de polica. Un hombre entr en el
bar. Dejamos de hablar.
"Buenos das", dijo. "Mi nombre es Portillo,
inspector Portillo." Su voz era fra. As eran
sus ojos. Pero tambin pens: 'l es muy guapo con el
pelo oscuro y los ojos. Entonces me sent
mal porque de Frank.
"Ahora, por favor, escucha a todo el mundo", dijo el polica.
-El Seor Pastor est muerto. No podemos cambiar eso. As
que ir a la cama. Hablaremos maana - bueno, quiero decir
el da de hoy 'Su Ingls era muy bueno..
Fuera se estaba haciendo la luz. Estaba acostado en mi
cama, pensando en Frank. Yo estaba tratando de no ver la

sangre y sus ojos, abiertos y muertos. Yo estaba tratando

de no hacerlo, pero no poda parar. Alguien llam a mi
puerta. Me levant y abr. Fue Simon.
'Hola,' dijo.
'Hola. No es horrible? '
'S,' dijo. 'Pobre Frank. "
"Dnde estabas t? ', Le pregunt. 'Despus del concierto?
Dnde estuviste anoche? '
"Fui a un bar", dijo.
'Por qu?', Le pregunt.
Why? Why? What a stupid question. For a drink.
What did you do then? I asked.
Questions, questions! Why all these questions? His voice
was different now.
What did you do then? I asked again.
I went to another bar. He wasn't smiling now.
Why didnt you tell me? I said. I needed you. I was
thinking of Franks body again. You didnt come to my room
when you got back.
Is that a question or a statement?
I dont know. Come on, Simon, where were you? I didnt
want to ask all these questions bur I couldnt help it.
All right. All right, he shouted. Look, I went to a few bars,
OK? I had a lot to drink. A lot. I walked back to the hotel
very late. About three in the morning. When I got here I
went up to my room quickly. I wasnt feeling very well, you
see. All those drinks...
Were you with someone else?
Havent you listened to me? Now he was really angry. I
didnt understand it.

Oh Simon, Im sorry, I said. Im being stupid; Its just, well,

you know...
Yes, he said. He was quieter now. Its been a difficult
night, a difficult morning. He smiled at me. He kissed me.
But there was something wrong. Something wasnt quite
right.
Im going to go back to my room, he said. I need a
shower. See you later. He walked out of the room without
another word.
I looked at the closed door. I thought about his word's,
about his answers to my questions. And then I thought,
Why isnt he telling me the truth?

'Por qu? Por qu? Qu estpida pregunta. Para tomar

una copa ".
'Qu hiciste entonces?', Le pregunt.
"Preguntas, preguntas! Por qu todas estas preguntas?
"Su voz era diferente ahora.
'Qu hiciste entonces? ", Le pregunt de nuevo.
"Me fui a otro bar." l no sonrea ahora.
'Por qu no me lo dijiste?', Le dije. 'Yo te necesitaba. "Yo
estaba pensando en el cuerpo de Frank de nuevo. 'Usted no
vino a mi habitacin cuando volvieras.'
"Es una pregunta o una afirmacin?
"No lo s. Vamos, Simn, dnde estabas? "Yo no quera
hacer todas estas preguntas fresa no pude evitarlo.
'Bien. Muy bien, "le grit. 'Mira, fui a un par de bares, OK?
Yo tena un montn de beber. Una gran cantidad. Camin
de regreso al hotel muy tarde. Sobre las tres de la maana.

Cuando llegu aqu me fui a mi habitacin rpidamente. No

me senta muy bien, ya ves. Todas esas bebidas ... "
"Estaba usted con otra persona? '
'No has escuchado a m?' Ahora estaba realmente
enojado. Yo no lo entiendo.
'Oh Simon, lo siento ", le dije. 'Yo estoy siendo estpido; Es
slo que, bueno, ya sabes ... "
'S,' dijo. l estaba ms tranquilo ahora. 'Ha sido una noche
difcil, una maana difcil. "l me sonri. l me dio un beso.
Pero haba algo mal. Algo no estaba bien.
"Voy a volver a mi habitacin," dijo. "Necesito una ducha.
Hasta luego. "l sali de la habitacin sin decir nada ms.
Mir a la puerta cerrada. Pens en su palabra de, acerca de
sus respuestas a mis preguntas. Y luego pens, 'Por qu
no se me dijo la verdad?'
Chapter 6 Inspector Portillo
Three and a half hours later on that same day I sat down
with Inspector Portillo in the hotel dining room.
Good morning, Miss Wade,' he said.
Good morning, I answered. I was a bit afraid. Why did he
want to see me? Why were the police talking to everybody?
I know about you, he said.
You do? I asked.
Yes. Youre the player with the double bass.
Without the double bass, I said.
Yes, he laughed. But were looking for it.
Will you find it? I asked.
I hope so.
He isnt cold, I thought. Hes very nice. I like him.

Then, suddenly, he changed. Now I have some questions

for you.
Why? I asked.
That is not a very intelligent question, he said. 'Someone
has died. We always ask questions.
So you think Im stupid, do you?' I was angry and very,
very tired.
No, of course not. I am very sorry, he said. I looked into his
face. He really was sorry.
Forget it! I said. Im just tired.
Yes, so am I, he smiled. Now, can I ask you some
questions?
Yes, I answered unhappily.
Where were you last night? he said suddenly.
I was at the concert, I replied.
Yes, yes. Of course. And after the concert?
I came back to the hotel.
Who with? said Inspector Portillo.
Chapter 6 Inspector Portillo
Tres horas y media ms tarde ese mismo da me sent con
el inspector Portillo en el comedor del hotel.
-Buenos Das, seorita Wade, 'dijo.
"Buenos das," le contest. Yo estaba un poco asustado.
Por qu quiere verme? Por qu fueron a la polica
hablando con todo el mundo?
'Yo s ustedes,' dijo.
'En serio? ", Le pregunt.
'S. Usted es el jugador con el contrabajo. '
'Sin el contrabajo,' le dije.
"S", se ri. "Pero estamos en busca de ella. '

"Va a encontrarlo?", Le pregunt.

"Yo espero que s. '
'l no es fro ", pens. "l es muy agradable. Me cae bien. '
Entonces, de repente, cambi. 'Ahora tengo algunas
preguntas para usted.'
'Por qu?', Le pregunt.
'Eso no es una pregunta muy inteligente ", dijo. 'Alguien ha
muerto. Siempre pedimos preguntas. '
"As que crees que soy estpido, verdad? 'Yo estaba
enojado y muy, muy cansado.
"No, por supuesto que no. Lo siento mucho ", dijo. Yo mir a
la cara. l realmente lo senta.
"Olvdalo! ', Le dije. 'Slo estoy cansada. "
'S, yo tambin, "l sonri. 'Ahora, puedo hacerle algunas
preguntas? "
"S", le respond con tristeza.
"Dnde estabas anoche?", Dijo de repente.
"Yo estaba en el concierto," le contest.
'S, s. Por supuesto. Y despus del concierto?
"Volv al hotel."
"Con quin?", Dijo el inspector Portillo.
With Adriana Fox. We walked up the Ramblas together.
OK, Portillo said. You got back to the hotel. And then!
And then I went to bed, I explained.
Just you? he asked with a smile.
What? What do you mean?' I said.
Are you married? he asked. Do you have a boyfriend?
Im not married. But Ive got a boyfriend, I said. I think.
Who is he? Inspector Portillo asked.
'Do you have to know? I asked. Is it important?
Ill ask you a different question, he said. His voice was cold
again. I didnt understand why. Do you have a boyfriend in
the orchestra?

Thats a very personal question, I said.

Death is very personal, he said, very quietly.
Yes. Sorry, I said. I suddenly saw Franks body again.
So? he asked.
What? I said.
Whats the answer? Do you have a boyfriend in the
orchestra?
Yes, I said.
Who is that?
Simon Hunt, I told him.
And did he, did you spend the night together?
Well no, we didnt, I said. I wasnt enjoying this.
I see. He put his pen in his mouth. He didnt say anything
for a moment. Then he looked into my eyes. All right, he
said. Thats all.
You arent going to ask me any more questions? I said, I
can go?
Yes. For now. But dont go far. Nobody in the orchestra
must leave Barcelona. Stay near the hotel
Of course.
Ill talk to you again, he said. He was smiling again. All
right?
Oh yes, I said. Good. But I didnt feel good at all.
'Con Adriana Fox. Subimos por las Ramblas juntos. '
'OK', dijo Portillo. 'Tienes de vuelta al hotel. Y luego! '
'Y luego me fui a la cama, "le expliqu.
'Slo t? ", Pregunt con una sonrisa.
"Qu? Qu quieres decir? "Dije.
"Est usted casado?", Pregunt. -Tienes Novio? '
"No estoy casado. Pero tengo un novio ", le dije. 'Yo creo
que.'
'Quin es? ", Pregunt el inspector Portillo.

'Tiene que saber?', Le pregunt. 'Es importante?

'Voy a hacerte una pregunta diferente, "dijo. Su voz era fra
de nuevo. Yo no entenda por qu. 'Tiene un novio en la
orquesta?
"Esa es una pregunta muy personal, 'le dije.
'La muerte es muy personal ", dijo, en voz muy baja.
'S. Lo sentimos, 'le dije. De repente vi el cuerpo de Frank
de nuevo.
'Y?', Pregunt.
'Qu?', Le dije.
'Cul es la respuesta? Tiene un novio en la orquesta?
'S', le dije.
"Quin es ese?"
'Simon Hunt, "le dije.
'Y l lo hizo, lo hizo pasar la noche juntos?'
"Bueno, no, que no," le dije. Yo no estaba disfrutando de
esto.
"Ya veo." l puso su pluma en la boca. l no dijo nada por
un momento. Entonces l me mir a los ojos. "Est bien,"
dijo. 'Eso es todo. "
"Usted no me va a hacer ms preguntas?" Le dije: 'Yo
puedo ir?'
'S. Por ahora. Pero no te vayas muy lejos. Nadie en la
orquesta debe salir de Barcelona. Mantngase cerca del
hotel "
'Por supuesto'.
"Voy a hablar con usted de nuevo," dijo. l estaba
sonriendo de nuevo. 'Bien?'
"Oh, s", le dije. "Bueno." Pero no me senta nada bien.
Chapter 7 Secrets
Its going to be strange without Frank, Adriana said.
Yes, I agreed. Very strange.

We were sitting in a cafe. Adriana was drinking an orange

juice and I was drinking my third cup of coffee. We both felt
very sad.
Youve been in the orchestra for two months, Adriana said.
Ive been in it for three years. Frank was like a father to
me. He was a nice man.
Yes, I said. We talked about Frank. We didnt talk about his
body in the street, bur I remembered everything. I
remembered the screams. I remembered the people in the
street, people running in the hotel, Martin, Candida,
Adriana.
Pictures, pictures. In my head. I sat up. Some coffee fell on
to my T-shirt. Something in the pictures was wrong.
Are you OK? Adriana asked.
Yes. No. I needed time to think. I didnt want questions
from Adriana.
Listen, Penny... she began.
Yes? I said.
Oh, nothing, she replied. Then she looked up at someone
behind me. I turned round.
Simon! I said. Hello. Where have you been'
Oh, here and there, he replied. I was talking to some of
the orchestra players. About Frank, of course.
Of course, I said. Do you want to sit down?
Sure. Adriana smiled at him. He smiled back. It was a
special smile. They had a secret. Just the two of them.
Something that I did not know. That nobody knew. I turned
away.
Simon asked for a beer. When it came he drank it very
quickly.
What do you thinks going to happen? Adriana asked.

Captulo 7 secretos
"Va a ser extrao y sin Frank," dijo Adriana.
'S,' yo estaba de acuerdo. "Muy extrao. '
Estbamos sentados en un caf. Adriana estaba bebiendo
un zumo de naranja y yo estaba bebiendo mi tercera taza
de caf. Los dos nos sentimos muy tristes.
"Usted ha estado en la orquesta durante dos meses", dijo
Adriana. 'He estado en ella durante tres aos. Frank era
como un padre para m. l era un buen hombre. "
'S', le dije. Hablamos de Frank. Nosotros no hablamos de
su cuerpo en la calle, fresa me recordaba todo. Me acord
de los gritos. Me acord de la gente en la calle, la gente
corriendo en el hotel, Martin, Candida, Adriana.
Fotos, fotos. En mi cabeza. Me sent. Un poco de caf cay
sobre mi camiseta. Algo en las imgenes que estaba mal.
"Ests bien?", Pregunt Adriana.
'S. No. 'Necesitaba tiempo para pensar. Yo no quera
preguntas
de Adriana.
'Escucha, Penny ... "ella comenz.
"S?", Le dije.
'Oh, nada, "contest ella. Entonces ella mir a alguien
detrs de m. Me di la vuelta.
'Simn!', Le dije. 'Hola. Dnde has estado '
'Oh, aqu y all ", respondi. "Yo estaba hablando con
algunos de los jugadores de la orquesta. Acerca de Frank,
por supuesto '.
"Por supuesto", le dije. -Quieres Sentarte? '
"Claro." Adriana le sonri. l le devolvi la sonrisa. Era una
sonrisa especial. Tenan un secreto. Apenas el dos de ellos.
Algo que yo no saba. Eso nadie lo saba. Me di la vuelta.

Simon pidi una cerveza. Cuando lleg lo bebi

rpidamente.
"Qu crees que va a pasar?", Pregunt Adriana.
About what? Simon said.
About our concerts tomorrow here in Barcelona, then
Madrid, Bilbao, Adriana said.
What do you mean? Simon asked.
Well, my friend explained. Franks dead. He was our
orchestra manager. Hes been with the orchestra for twenty
years. How can we play tomorrow night without him?
But its an important concert tomorrow night, I said.
More than two thousand people are coming.
Yes, thats a problem, said a voice next to me. I looked up.
Martin Audley was standing there.
Martin, said Adriana. She looked uncomfortable. What are
you doing here?
Im looking for Penny, actually, Martin told her.
Me? I said.
Yes, Martin said. Inspector Portillo wants to speak to you
again.
When? I asked.
Now. This minute.
Ill go then. I looked at Simon. He wasnt smiling at all
now.
I got up and walked away from the table. I looked back.
Martin was sitting with them now. The sun was hot but I
began to run. I was running away from the picture in my,
head. The picture of last night in the hotel But I couldnt
stop the picture. I was back in the hotel, back in my room. I
heard the screams. I ran out of my room. Other people ran
out of their rooms. Other players, Adriana, for example. Her
room was six doors down from mine. I could see her, but
now I remembered something else.

She came from her room, but she wasnt the only one
there.
Somebody was in the room with her. I saw him in the dark,
but I couldnt see him well. Who was it?
"Sobre qu?", Dijo Simon.
'Acerca de los conciertos - maana aqu en Barcelona, a
continuacin, Madrid, Bilbao,' dijo Adriana.
'Qu quieres decir? "Pregunt Simon.
'Bueno,' mi amigo explic. 'Muertos de Frank. l era nuestro
director de orquesta. l ha estado con la orquesta durante
veinte aos. Cmo podemos jugar maana por la noche
sin l? '
'Pero es un importante concierto maana por la noche, "le
dije.
"Ms de dos mil personas estn llegando."
"S, eso es un problema," dijo una voz a mi lado. Mir hacia
arriba.
Martin Audley estaba all de pie.
"Martin", dijo Adriana. Ella pareca incmodo. "Qu ests
haciendo aqu? '
"Estoy buscando a Penny, en realidad, 'Martin le dijo.
"Yo?", Le dije.
"S", dijo Martin. 'Inspector Portillo quiere hablar con usted
de nuevo.'
'Cundo?', Le pregunt.
'Ahora. Esta minutos. '
'Voy a ir a continuacin. "Mir a Simon. l no sonrea en
absoluto ahora.
Me levant y me alej de la mesa. Mir hacia atrs.
Martin estaba sentado con ellos ahora. El sol estaba
caliente, pero me comenz

para funcionar. Yo estaba corriendo lejos de la imagen en

mi, cabeza. La imagen de ayer por la noche en el hotel,
pero yo no poda dejar de la imagen. Yo estaba de vuelta en
el hotel, de vuelta en mi habitacin. O los gritos. Sal
corriendo de 'mi habitacin. Otras personas se quedaron
sin sus habitaciones. Otros jugadores, Adriana, por ejemplo.
Su habitacin tena seis puertas ms abajo de la ma. Poda
verla, pero ahora me acord de algo ms.
Ella sali de su habitacin, pero ella no era la nica que
hay.
Alguien estaba en la habitacin con ella. Yo lo vi en la
oscuridad, pero yo no poda ver bien. Quin fue?
About what? Simon said.
About our concerts tomorrow here in Barcelona, then
Madrid, Bilbao, Adriana said.
What do you mean? Simon asked.
Well, my friend explained. Franks dead. He was our
orchestra manager. Hes been with the orchestra for twenty
years. How can we play tomorrow night without him?
But its an important concert tomorrow night, I said.
More than two thousand people are coming.
Yes, thats a problem, said a voice next to me. I looked up.
Martin Audley was standing there.
Martin, said Adriana. She looked uncomfortable. What are
you doing here?
Im looking for Penny, actually, Martin told her.
Me? I said.
Yes, Martin said. Inspector Portillo wants to speak to you
again.
When? I asked.
Now. This minute.
Ill go then. I looked at Simon. He wasnt smiling at all
now.

I got up and walked away from the table. I looked back.

Martin was sitting with them now. The sun was hot but I
began to run. I was running away from the picture in my,
head. The picture of last night in the hotel But I couldnt
stop the picture. I was back in the hotel, back in my room. I
heard the screams. I ran out of my room. Other people ran
out of their rooms. Other players, Adriana, for example. Her
room was six doors down from mine. I could see her, but
now I remembered something else.
She came from her room, but she wasnt the only one
there.
Somebody was in the room with her. I saw him in the dark,
but I couldnt see him well. Who was it?
I thought of Adriana in the cafe. Smiling at Simon. Was that
their secret?
"Sobre qu?", Dijo Simon.
'Acerca de los conciertos - maana aqu en Barcelona, a
continuacin, Madrid, Bilbao,' dijo Adriana.
'Qu quieres decir? "Pregunt Simon.
'Bueno,' mi amigo explic. 'Muertos de Frank. l era nuestro
director de orquesta. l ha estado con la orquesta durante
veinte aos. Cmo podemos jugar maana por la noche
sin l? '
'Pero es un importante concierto maana por la noche, "le
dije.
"Ms de dos mil personas estn llegando."
"S, eso es un problema," dijo una voz a mi lado. Mir hacia
arriba.
Martin Audley estaba all de pie.
"Martin", dijo Adriana. Ella pareca incmodo. "Qu ests
haciendo aqu? '
"Estoy buscando a Penny, en realidad, 'Martin le dijo.
"Yo?", Le dije.

"S", dijo Martin. 'Inspector Portillo quiere hablar con usted

de nuevo.'
'Cundo?', Le pregunt.
'Ahora. Esta minutos. '
'Voy a ir a continuacin. "Mir a Simon. l no sonrea en
absoluto ahora.
Me levant y me alej de la mesa. Mir hacia atrs.
Martin estaba sentado con ellos ahora. El sol estaba
caliente, pero me comenz a correr. Yo estaba corriendo
lejos de la imagen en mi, cabeza. La imagen de ayer por la
noche en el hotel, pero yo no poda dejar de la imagen. Yo
estaba de vuelta en el hotel, de vuelta en mi habitacin. O
los gritos. Sal corriendo de 'mi habitacin. Otras personas
se quedaron sin sus habitaciones. Otros jugadores, Adriana,
por ejemplo. Su habitacin tena seis puertas ms abajo de
la ma. Poda verla, pero ahora me acord de algo ms.
Ella sali de su habitacin, pero ella no era la nica que
hay.
Alguien estaba en la habitacin con ella. Yo lo vi en la
oscuridad, pero yo no poda ver bien. Quin fue?
Pens de Adriana en el caf. Sonriendo a Simon. Era su
secreto?
I ran into the hotel. Inspector Portillo was waiting for me.
I am very sorry,' he started. But I have got some more
questions.
So have I, I said. Did somebody kill Frank?
Maybe. He smiled a secret smile.
What do you mean by maybe? Have you found Franks
killer? What do you know? I asked.
Miss Wade, he said. Theres something the police here
always do, something we have always done.
Whats that! I asked, stupidly.

Well, we ask the questions, you give the answers. I think

he was laughing at me. Is that all right with you?' he
asked.
I didnt say anything.
That means yes, I think. Now Mr Simon Hunt is your
boyfriend, you said? asked the inspector.
Yes, I answered.
And he plays the double bass too, I believe?
Yes, I said.
Is he a good bass player?
Oh yes, I said immediately. Hes better than me. Hes the
number two. The second best in the whole orchestra.
Yes, the inspector said. Somebody told me that.
Why are we talking about Simon? I asked, but he didnt
answer me. He just looked and looked. Sorry, I said, I
remember. You ask the questions.
You are a quick learner Miss Wade. Now I was sure. He was
laughing at me. Mr Hunt didnt play in the concert last
night, did he? he said suddenly.
No, I told him. I played in his place. He lent me his double
bass. Because I havent got mine with me.
Yes, he said. I havent forgotten.
Sorry, of course not, I said. Was he angry with me?
Me encontr con el hotel. Inspector Portillo me estaba
esperando.
"Lo siento mucho," l comenz. 'Pero tengo algunas
preguntas ms.
"As tiene que, 'le dije. 'Alguien mata a Frank?
"Tal vez." l sonri con una sonrisa secreta.
'Qu quieres decir con "tal vez"? Ha encontrado al
asesino de Frank? Qu sabe usted? ', Le pregunt.
'Miss Wade ", dijo. 'Hay algo que la polica aqu siempre lo
hacen, algo que siempre hemos hecho. "

'Qu es eso! ", Le pregunt, estpidamente.

'Bueno, hacemos las preguntas, usted da las respuestas.
"Creo que l se estaba riendo de m. "Eso es todo bien con
usted? ', pregunt.
Yo no he dicho nada.
"Eso significa que s, creo. Ahora el seor Simon Hunt es su
novio, que dijiste? ", Pregunt el inspector.
"S", le respond.
'Y l juega el bajo doble demasiado, creo?
'S', le dije.
'Es un buen bajista?
"Oh, s", le dije inmediatamente. 'l es mejor que yo. l es
el nmero dos. El segundo mejor en toda la orquesta '.
"S", dijo el inspector. "Alguien me dijo eso. '
'Por qu estamos hablando de Simn? "Le pregunt, pero
l no me respondi. l simplemente mir y mir. 'Lo siento,'
dije, 'me acuerdo. A hacer las preguntas. "
'Usted es un estudiante rpido seorita Wade. "Ahora yo
estaba seguro. l se estaba riendo de m. -Seor Caza no
jug en el concierto de anoche, verdad? ", Dijo de repente.
"No", le dije. "Jugu en su lugar. l me prest su contrabajo.
Porque yo no la ma tengo conmigo '.
'S,' dijo. "No lo he olvidado."
'Lo siento, por supuesto que no ", le dije. Estaba enojado
conmigo?
Did Simon Hunt go to the concert? he asked.
Oh yes. He was at the front, I told him. I was thinking of
Simons handsome Face.
Was he at the front all the time? Inspector Portillo said.
No. In the second half he sac at the back.
Did you see him at the back? His voice was cold again.
Yes. I mean, no. I wasnt sure. Its a big theatre.

And after the concert? the inspector asked. What did Mr

Hunt do then?
He went to a bar well, he went to three or four bars I
think, I told him.
Did you see him at the hotel?
No... look, why are you asking all these questions about
Simon? You should ask me about Candida, I said.
'Candida? he said.
Yes, Candida Ashley-Morton, I said. The leader of the
double basses.
What about her?
I think... I think that perhaps she killed Frank, I said;
Well, perhaps she didnt kill him, but she knows something.
Im sure.
Why do you say that? he asked.
Well, because I heard something. She was very angry with
him yesterday morning. I told Inspector Portillo about the
conversation between Candida and Frank in the hotel bar.
When I finished he sat back in his chair.
That is most interesting, Miss Wade, he said. Most
interesting.
Well, yes. So you must talk to them.
Thank you, said the police inspector. I will think about it.
And Penny I mean, Miss Wade I am sorry about all the
questions.'
I got up and walked out of the room. Candida AshleyMorton. Yes. Perhaps she killed Frank. Did the inspector
believe that? Did I? What was the truth?
Twenty-four hours later I had the answer.
'Acaso Simon Caza ir al concierto? ", Pregunt.
"Oh, s. l estaba en el frente, "le dije. Yo estaba pensando
en el hermoso rostro de Simn.

"Estaba en el frente todo el tiempo?", Dijo el inspector

Portillo.
'No. En la segunda mitad se sac en la parte posterior ".
"Lo viste en la parte de atrs?" Su voz era fra de nuevo.
'S. Quiero decir, no. "Yo no estaba seguro. 'Es un gran
teatro.'
"Y despus del concierto?", Pregunt el inspector. "Qu
hizo el seor caza entonces? '
"l fue a un bar - bueno, l fue a tres o cuatro bares que
pienso, 'le dije.
"Lo viste en el hotel?
'No ... mira, por qu ests preguntando todas estas
preguntas acerca de Simon? Usted me debe preguntar
acerca de Cndida ', le dije.
'Candida?', Dijo.
'S, Candida Ashley-Morton,' me dijo. "El lder de los
contrabajos. '
'Qu pasa con ella?'
-Creo ... Creo que tal vez ella mat a Frank, "le dije;
"Bueno, tal vez ella no lo matara, pero ella sabe algo.
Estoy seguro de que. '
"Por qu dices eso?", Pregunt.
'Bueno, porque he odo algo. Ella estaba muy enojada con
l ayer por la maana. "Le dije a inspector Portillo acerca
de la conversacin entre Candida y Frank en el bar del
hotel.
Cuando termin l se ech hacia atrs en su silla.
"Eso es lo ms interesante, seorita Wade, 'dijo. "Lo ms
interesante.
"Bueno, s. As que usted debe hablar con ellos '.
"Gracias," dijo el inspector de polica. "Voy a pensar en ello.
Y Penny - Quiero decir, seorita Wade - lo siento acerca de
todas las cuestiones ". Me levant y sal de la habitacin.

Candida Ashley-Morton. S. Tal vez ella mat a Frank. El

inspector cree eso? He? Cul era la verdad? Veinticuatro
horas ms tarde tuve la respuesta.
Chapter 8 A restaurant, a fight
That evening some of us went to a restaurant near the
Ramblas. Simon didnt come with us.
I have to see some people. Ill come back to the hotel
later, he told me. I was sitting next to Martin. I like Martin.
Hes been in the orchestra for about six years.
Adriana was at the other side of the table. Sometimes she
smiled at me and I smiled back. But all the time I was
thinking, Was that Simon in her room? Is she trying to be
my friend and Simons lover at the same time? He wasnt
in his room last night. Somebody was in hers.
Oh no, I thought. Why is life so difficult?' We finished our
supper and paid the bill. Then we walked back up the
Ramblas.
Adriana came up to me. Are you OK? she said. We were
walking past a cafe.
Now, now, I thought. Now is a good time for the question
the question I want to ask her. But at that moment we
heard English voices. We turned round. Candida AshleyMorton was sitting at one of the tables.
Marilyn Whittle, the harp player, was standing up. She was
shouting at Candida. People were watching them.
Was it you? she was shouting. 'Did you push him out of
the window?
No, of course, I didnt, Candida said quietly. Don't be
stupid.
I think you did, the harp player said. You killed him.

Because he didnt love you.

What are you talking about? Candidas face was white.
You loved him, didnt you? Marilyn said. Her face was all
red.
Candida looked at the ground. She didnt say anything.
Didnt you? screamed Marilyn. You were in love with him!
Captulo 8 Un restaurante, una pelea
Esa noche algunos de nosotros fuimos a un restaurante
cerca de las Ramblas. Simon no vino con nosotros.
"Tengo que ver a algunas personas. Voy a volver al hotel
ms tarde, "me dijo. Yo estaba sentado al lado de Martin.
Me gusta Martin. l ha estado en la orquesta durante unos
seis aos.
Adriana estaba en el otro lado de la mesa. A veces ella me
sonri y yo le devolvi la sonrisa. Pero todo el tiempo que
estaba pensando, 'Era Simn en su habitacin? Est
tratando de ser mi amigo y amante de Simn, al mismo
tiempo? "l no estaba en su habitacin la noche anterior.
Alguien estaba en la suya.
'Oh no', pens. 'Por qu la vida es tan difcil? "Terminamos
nuestra cena y pagamos la factura. Luego caminamos de
regreso hasta las Ramblas.
Adriana se acerc a m. "Ests bien?", Dijo. Estbamos
pasando por delante de un caf.
"Ahora, ahora", pens. "Ahora es un buen momento para la
pregunta - la pregunta que quiero preguntarle." Pero en ese
momento en que oy voces en ingls. Nos dimos la vuelta
redonda. Candida Ashley-Morton estaba sentado en una de
las mesas.

Marilyn Whittle, el arpista, estaba de pie. Ella estaba

gritando a Candida. Las personas estaban viendo ellos.
"Fue usted?" Ella gritaba. 'Lo empuja hacia fuera de la
ventana? "
"No, por supuesto, yo no, 'Candida dije en voz baja. 'No
seas estpido. "
'Creo que lo hiciste, "dijo el arpista. "Usted lo mat.
Porque l no te ama '.
"De qu ests hablando?" La cara de Candida fue blanco.
'Usted lo amabas, verdad? ", Dijo Marilyn. Su cara estaba
toda roja.
Candida mir al suelo. Ella no dijo nada.
'No lo hiciste? "Grit Marilyn. 'Estabas enamorada de l! "
All right. Its true, Candida said. Frank and I were lovers.
There, are you happy?
Thats why you killed him! Marilyn shouted.
What are you talking about? Candida said again. Her voice
sounded tired.
You killed him because he didnt love you anymore,
Marilyn told her.
Please stop. Everyones listening.
Everybodys listening? she said. So what? Let them listen.
Ill tell them a story. About a man called Frank Shepherd. I
loved him too, you know.
Yes, Candida said quietly. He told me.
Thats not true! the harp player shouted back. He didnt
tell you. He didnt love you. He loved me. More than you.
He loved me.
Stop it, Marilyn, Candida said. Go back to the hotel. Go
back to your room. You need some sleep.

Sleep? I cant sleep. Franks dead. How can I sleep? With a

killer in the next room.
Now listen, Marilyn, you must stop this.
I wont stop it. Youre a killer, a killer, a dirty killer. You
pushed him our of that window because he loved me.
Me. He loved me. Marilyn was shouting louder and louder.
She had a terrible look in her eyes. Everybody on the street
stopped to watch. I didnt know what to do.
Adriana walked over to the harp player. Stop it! she said to
her. Stop it! And she hit Marilyn hard in the face.
Marilyn opened her mouth to say something. Then she
closed it and ran out of the cafe.
Go after her, Martin, Adriana said, and Martin followed the
unhappy harp player into the night.
Im sorry about that, Candida said. Im sorry. Its not true,
of course. Really. Its not true. She was crying now.
'Bien. Es cierto, "dijo Cndida. "Frank y yo ramos amantes.
No, es usted feliz? '
"Es por eso que lo mataste!" Grit Marilyn.
"De qu ests hablando? 'Candida dijo de nuevo. Su voz
sonaba cansada.
"Usted lo mat porque l no te ama ms, 'Marilyn le dijo.
"Por favor, deja. La escucha de todo el mundo. '
'Todo el mundo est escuchando? ", Dijo. "As que lo que?
Deja que escuchan. Voy a contarles una historia. Acerca de
un hombre llamado Frank Pastor. Lo amaba demasiado, ya
sabes. "
'S,' Candida dijo en voz baja. "l me dijo. '
"Eso no es cierto! 'El arpista grit. 'l no le dijo a usted. l
no te ama. l me amaba. Ms de ti. l me amaba. "
'Basta, Marilyn, dijo Cndida. 'Ir de vuelta al hotel. Vuelve a
tu habitacin. Usted necesita dormir un poco. "

'Sleep? No puedo dormir. Frank est muerto. Cmo puedo

dormir? Con un asesino en la habitacin de al lado. "
"Ahora escucha, Marilyn, usted debe parar esto. '
'No voy a detenerlo. Eres un asesino, un asesino, un
asesino sucio. Usted lo nuestro de esa ventana empujado
porque me amaba.
Me. l me amaba. "Marilyn gritaba ms y ms fuerte.
Tena una terrible mirada en sus ojos. Todo el mundo en la
calle se detuvo a mirar. Yo no saba qu hacer.
Adriana se acerc a la arpista. Basta!, Se dijo ella.
Basta! Y se golpe Marilyn duro en la cara.
Marilyn abri la boca para decir algo. Luego la cerr y sali
corriendo de la cafetera.
'Ir tras ella, Martin,' dijo Adriana, y Martin sigui el arpista
infeliz en la noche.
'Lo siento por eso ", dijo Cndida. 'Lo siento. No es cierto,
por supuesto. Realmente. No es cierto. "Ella estaba llorando
ahora.
Lets talk about it tomorrow, Adriana said. She put her arm
around Candida and we walked away, up the Ramblas,
towards our hotel.
I spent that night with Simon. He arrived an hour after we
did. He was nice to me. He got into bed next to me, and
kissed my eyes. He talked of love and I wanted to believe
him. He had a bottle of champagne with him.
But I wasnt happy. I loved Simon, but I didnt feel good
about it. He was strange towards me. Sometimes he said
things and did things which I didnt understand. But he
tried to love me, I think. He tried to love me that night,
perhaps because he knew something that I didnt know. He
knew that it was our last night together.
When I woke up he was gone.

"Vamos a hablar de ello maana", dijo Adriana. Ella puso su

brazo alrededor de Candida y caminamos lejos, hasta las
Ramblas, hacia nuestro hotel.
Pas esa noche con Simon. Lleg una hora despus de que
hicimos. l era agradable para m. Se meti en la cama
junto a m, y me bes en los ojos. Habl de amor y yo
quera creerle. Tena una botella de champn con l.
Pero yo no era feliz. Me encant Simon, pero no me senta
bien por ello. Era extrao hacia m. A veces deca cosas y
haca cosas que yo no entenda. Pero trat de amarme,
creo. l trat de amar a m esa noche, tal vez porque l
saba algo que yo no saba. l saba que era nuestra ltima
noche juntos.

Cuando me despert se haba ido.