The Oracle's Message

Annja smiled. “Glad to help.”

Spier nodded. “And of course you’re welcome to join us. I would miss your presence if you were not with us.”

“As would I,” Hans said quietly.

She smiled at him. “All right, then. I may take the afternoon and see if I can pull anything up on my computer about some of the things we’ve discussed.”

Spier shrugged. “As you wish. I doubt you’ll find anything that would put us off our quest, however. My faith is, as is the faith of my team, very strong.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Annja said. “But until such time as I have faith of my own, I’ll stick to facts.”

Spier smiled. “We’ll see you later, then.”

He walked out into the pouring rain and quickly disappeared from view. The rest of the team dissolved into smaller conversations in quiet German that Annja could barely make out.

Hans seemed happy to simply sit close by. “Still feeling well?”

Annja nodded. “Totally. No problems at all. Just a bit tired.”

Hans smiled. “Nothing like an afternoon nap to restore your energy.”

Annja winked. “I suppose that would depend on exactly what the nap entails, wouldn’t it?”

Hans leaned back. “I am a true believer in the power of a siesta.”

“And what about an afternoon delight?”

“Afternoon delight?”

Annja sighed. “Never mind. If I have to explain it, then it’s already lost its appeal.”

Hans narrowed his eyes, but after a moment he grinned. “Ah…I think I understand now.”

“Do you?”

“I suppose there would be only one way to find out for sure.”

Annja grinned. “A fact-finding mission?”

Hans shrugged. “Reconnaissance.”

Annja nodded. “Recon works for me.”

Hans smiled.

Annja stood and yawned. “Guess I’ll grab a nap.”

She walked out into the pouring rain.

Hans followed.

10

When Annja woke a few hours later, rain continued to pelt the cabana. She’d left the veranda open again, welcoming the gusting winds. She looked out from the bed and watched as the waves battled one another beneath the dark clouds.

A quick glance at her watch told her that it was after five in the evening. Presumably, dinner would be served soon in the main pavilion. But before she ate another meal, Annja wanted to do some research.

She eased herself out from under Hans’s arm. He shifted, mumbling in his sleep. Annja looked down at him and smiled. He was handsome even with his eyes closed.

She took a quick shower and dressed, then eased out the door, running softly down the main path toward the administration building. She could have used her own computer, of course, but she wanted a little privacy, and since she had a guest with her, it seemed a better idea to do this without Hans looking over her shoulder.