By 7:00 Tuesday morning, Roxy was up and dressed and eager to get going. Caroline, however, was still snoring away in bed, one arm flung across her face, the other tangled up in the sheets below her neck, her blonde hair strewn like cooked spaghetti across the pillowcase. She had her eyepatch on again and Roxy noticed an opened box of paracetamol by the bed. She reconsidered waking her, simply scribbled a quick note on hotel letterhead, left it by her pillow and tiptoed out.
Down in the main foyer, the receptionists were already at work, checking out early departures and tagging luggage for the train ride. Roxy strode up to the one she met yesterday and smiled.
“Good morning.”
“Oh good morning, madam. Breakfast is served in the—”
“Actually I wanted to see if Leon is about. I wanted a quick word.”
“Of course. I will check if Mr Schelling is available.”
She said something in French to the man beside her and he took over at reception while she stood and disappeared behind a circular shaped wall. A few minutes later she returned, Leon at her heels.
He had a stiff smile on his lips. “Good morning, Ms Parker, you are up bright and early.” He waved a hand to the sofa on the side. “How can I help?”
“I wanted to take you up on your offer last night. I have some more questions.”
His brow wrinkled but he said nothing as they sat down.
Roxy took a deep breath. She didn’t want to get the waiter into any trouble, but she had to ask. “Is there some kind of military base up here on the mountain?”
Leon looked surprised. “Yes, the Swiss army have a patrol base and they carry out exercises up here, but nothing for you to worry about.”
“Didn’t you also mention there was a ‘military contingent’ staying in the hotel when Max was here?”
“Yes, there was, still is in fact. They were at dinner last night, in case you didn’t see them. But I fail to see what this has to do with your friend.”
“I know that Max took some photos while he was here and was asked to delete them. Can you tell me why?”
He blinked several times and took a moment before he answered. “I don’t think it’s relevant to his disappearance.”
“Well, I’ll be the judge of that. What did he photograph, Leon? I need to know.”
The manager appeared to wrestle with his thoughts for a few more seconds then he sighed heavily. “He took some pictures of a military exercise. It is top secret, of course. We explained this to him, asked him to remove the images and he was happy to oblige.”
“Happy?”
“Yes, this was a matter of national security. He understood.”
“What kind of military exercise?”
He smiled at her like she was a naughty child. “As I say, top secret.”
Roxy considered this and then tried a different tack. “Does the Swiss army own this mountain, this hotel?”
“No, no they do not. The railway owns it. They lease the land to the army. This is public knowledge.”
“Not top secret then?” she said and he offered her a wry smile. “How do I know that Max didn’t see something he shouldn’t have seen and ... well ...”
Leon’s smile deepened. “And, what, got ‘bumped off’?” She blushed and he leaned back in his chair, looking more relaxed. “Ms Parker, we often have guests asking us if this is the hotel used in one of the James Bond movies, yes?”
She nodded. They had wondered the same thing themselves.
“We may look like a 007 location, but there are no licenses to kill here. Your Max simply violated our confidentiality clause.”
“What confidentiality clause?”
“You signed it when you checked in.”
“I did?”
“It was on the reservation form.” He waved a few skinny fingers in the air. “It is no big deal. It simply stipulates that you will not trespass on military property—which when you walk around the site today you will see signs are well posted at various intervals. It says you will not photograph said sites as well. It is not that we think Mr Farrell had photographed anything of any interest. It is just protocol. All military bases around the world have such protocol. I think, even those in your country, Ms Parker.”
“I didn’t think the Swiss got involved in military type behaviour,” she replied, thinking of their fence-sitting during both World Wars. “Don’t you guys prefer to stay neutral?”
“We do not fight other people’s wars, this is true, but we do take part in peace-keeping missions. We have a very proud military tradition in this country. In fact, unlike yours, or even America for that matter, it is compulsory for all Swiss men of a certain age to do periodic military training. I can assure you, we take our armed forces very seriously. After all, we are the ones who invented the Swiss Army Knife, yes?” He thought that was quite amusing but Roxy wasn’t laughing.
“So, the soldiers that I’ve seen around here ...?”
“They are in training.”
“And the satellite dishes?”
“All part of the base. I think you will find such things at any base anywhere on the planet.” He sighed again. “I am sorry to disappoint you, really I am. I know you are looking for answers, trying to find your dear friend. But I do believe you are looking in all the wrong places.”
“Well, where do you think I should be looking?”
He stood up. “That is not for me to say. Perhaps this is less to do with war and more to do with love.”
Before she could question him further, he said, “Ah, here is Ms Farrell now.” Leon waved towards Caroline who was just stepping out of the elevator staring about. “Will you allow me to escort you to breakfast?”
Roxy stood up. “No thank you, Leon. I’m sure we can find our own way there.”
She flashed him a “this ain’t finished yet” look then made her way across to Caroline who had her stunned mullet face on, along with last night’s trousers and a crumpled black T-shirt.
“You okay?” Roxy asked and Caroline groaned.
“Jetlag. I think it’s finally hit. Feel like my brain’s been hijacked and replaced with a bowl of mashed potato.”
“Couldn’t have anything to do with the six glasses of champagne you put away last night?”
Caroline scoffed. “Oh that’s small fry for me.” She scowled at Roxy. “How come you’re so sprightly?”
Roxy shrugged. “My brain’s suddenly working overtime. Come on, let’s see if the Swiss know how to make a decent cup of coffee.”
The breakfast coffee was not only delicious, the buffet was mouthwatering, and the two women overloaded their plates with fresh fruit and pastries, yogurt and pancakes before taking a seat to one side. They were making their way through their second helping when a waitress with bright red hair and cat’s-eye glasses appeared with a fresh pot of coffee.
“Some more, please?”
“That’d be great,” said Roxy, digging her spoon into a bowl of traditional Swiss Birchermüesli.
“Oh you are Australian,” the woman said and Roxy looked up this time, nodding. “We get lots of Australians here.”
Roxy smiled. “Really?” She glanced around then reached for her iPhone, producing the image of Max. “Do you remember meeting an Australian man called Max here last week. He was—”
“Of course, Mr Farrell. Very nice man.”
“He’s my brother,” Caroline chirped and Roxy stared at her.
Did she never get bored with that line? “Did you serve him breakfast or—”
“Oh yes, miss. Max and his girlfriend.”
Roxy’s heart nosedived. She tried to speak, to ask the obvious question, but she’d lost her tongue. Her worst fears were materialising. She’d wanted to ask the waitress about the confiscated photos, about the military base, but this “other woman” kept popping up. Like a bloated, rotting corpse.
Fortunately, the coffee had now worked wonders on Caroline’s mashed brain and, recognising Roxy’s sudden distress, she took over. “I’m Caroline. We’re trying to track down my brother. He hasn’t been seen in almost a week. Can you tell me a little bit about this woman he was with?”
Sensing something was amiss, the waitress seemed to backpedal. “Oh, he was only with her the one morning.”
“When was that?”
“Oh, um, I think it was last Tuesday. I don’t know.” She looked nervous now.
“Tuesday morning. So they came to breakfast together?”
“Yes. Well ...” She shook her head, the coffee pot almost spilling over. “They sat together, you see, but your brother came in first. She joined him soon after. I felt sad because,” she blushed, “well, he is a good-looking brother you have there! Do you think he is okay?”
“We’re not sure, that’s why we’re asking.” Caroline glanced at Roxy who was still in a stupor. “So what happened then? They had breakfast and ...?”
She considered this. “Then I did not see them again.” She stopped. “Oh, but I think maybe they go hiking.”
“Hiking? Really, why do you say that?”
“Because they both wearing the hiking shoes and caps, and the woman, she has the .... I don’t know what you call them, like hiking sticks?”
“Trekking poles?” Caroline suggested and Roxy snorted.
Trekking poles indeed! They were for the elderly and infirm!
Caroline gave her a worried glance before asking the waitress, “Do you know the name of this woman?”
She shook her head firmly, stared at the coffee pot and backed away. “I must go, I am sorry, I have to keep working.”
Caroline watched her slip away and then looked at Roxy. “You okay?”
She folded her arms in front of her and mimicked a smile. “Yes, I’m fine.”
“Really?”
The smile deflated. “Jesus, Caroline, it’s not about me, how many times do I have to tell you that.”
“Sheesh, okay, chill out. So, what do you reckon? This the same woman Max was chatting to at the bar?”
“Either that or he’s a bigger slut than I realised.” Roxy regretted the words instantly but Caroline didn’t seem to take offence.
“Do you think they—and don’t get cross—do you think they might have, you know, hooked up? I mean, having breakfast together is usually a dead giveaway.”
“Thank you, Caroline, I had joined those dots already.”
“I asked you not to get cranky.”
“I’m not cranky!” Roxy hissed and then caught herself. She unfolded her arms and took some calming breaths. “Sorry. I’m ... I’m just confused, that’s all.”
Roxy was angry with herself again. If, as she had told Caroline, it was not about her or her feelings, why was she taking it all so damn personally?
Focus, Roxy, focus!
They sat in silence for a few seconds, sipping their coffee, their breakfast now forgotten in front of them.
Eventually Roxy sat forward. “Do you have your iPad with you?” Caroline nodded. “Good. We need to get those pictures of the woman up and show Leon. I need to know who she is, and what the hell she was doing with Max.”
“So what about all this military talk?”
“Don’t know about that stuff. But I do know a way we can use it to our advantage. Come on.”