After I killed you, I decided to get away with it. I never believed in the justice of men. It was not hard to crack the safe in your apartment: the code consisted of the digits of your birthday. I picked up a substantial amount of cash and mentally thanked your family. With the money, I could have fled to many exotic locations, but I hated the idea of a self-imposed exile. During two days, I stayed in the apartment next to your corpse, thinking of a solution. Your mother started looking for you, leaving worried messages on the ansaphone. Time was pressing. Finally I called Mr. Government and told him what had happened. He said he knew someone who might help me and gave me a telephone number. The country code was 49. Germany. I called. Introduced himself as Mr. Recker. We agreed to meet in Frankfurt.

What? No, I’m not finished. I know a quarter of an hour has passed. Yeah, and? Money? Ok, I understand. I’ll pay the price, but please don’t interrupt me anymore. You’re jeopardizing the process with these worldly worries of yours. Agreed? Now let me proceed with rest of our story.

It was cold in the airport. I bought a sweater in a duty free shop. I let people pass by me, walking giant steps on the moving platform. I watched the jungle of planes from a distance, wings and trunks like so many carcasses in an elephant cemetery. I took a cab and checked into a nearby hotel. The room was bright and clear. There was a plate with chocolates on a table near the bed. I checked the bathroom. The towels were properly folded, displaying the logo of the hotel. A strong smell of disinfectant, not dissimilar to the one I’m inhaling right now. Then I took a nap.

I woke up at 19:00, dazed and hungry. I went down to the dining room. Most tables were empty. I sat at a table near the window. I could see the street from above: cars and people. There was a man eating by himself, and there was a couple, sitting close to each other, a few tables away. I looked at the man, then at the couple, then at the man again. It could have been either of them. I waited for a sign.