Olympus Device 2: The Olympus Device Book Two Read Free

watch. “ We’ve got about 20 minutes to kill.”
    They took a seat in a common area, people-watching and passing time. Dusty enjoyed observing a clever set of fountains, the nozzles flush with the brick walkway and firing random tubes of water through the air. Despite the early hour, a gaggle of little children was already darting in and out of the randomized, mechanical rainstorm.  
    They identified a small boutique offering beachwear for tourists. Bathing suits, sunglasses, and lotions dominated the retail space, but there were a few racks of street clothes. The teenage clerk was busy completing her opening checklist and didn’t seem to notice that her first customers looked like hell.
    After two trips to the chan ging room, Grace had selected a seaside outfit, complete with floppy hat and leather sandals. Dusty was having more difficulty, unaccustomed to anything but blue jeans and boots.
    Grace finally helped him select a pair of khaki slacks and a polo shirt that wouldn’t look out of place with his otherwise-western attire. A Panama style beach hat was, in his opinion, a poor substitute for his familiar western hat - traded to the now-dead Russian just a few hours ago.
    “Let’s eat ,” Dusty suggested as they paid for their purchases and headed out of the store. “I could swallow a buffalo whole, and more importantly, I need coffee... bad.”
    Grace shook her head. “How about we check into the hotel first, take a quick shower , and then go put on the feed bag?”
    With a reluctant nod, he agreed .
    They changed cloth es in the public restroom, Grace having to remove a price tag from Dusty’s new shirt to insure he fit in with the locals. Soon they were entering the hotel’s lobby.
    “I’m sorry, but we don’t have any vacancies for the next few days,” informed the pleasant clerk. “I’d be happy to check other nearby facilities.”
    “That would be great,” Grace replied, the disappointment clear in her voice.
    The young man working the desk tapped on the keyboard, and then looked up with a smile. “One of our sister properties, Southside Harbor has several rooms available. Their nightly rate is a little pricier than ours, but they offer a very nice environment.”
    “How far away is it?” Dusty inquired, and then added, “Do es their ‘nice environment’ include fresh coffee?”
    “Just over two miles up the lake. Less than five minutes by car, and I’m sure they’ll have coffee.”
    Grace flashed him a troubled look, but he ignored it, instead continuing his conversation with the clerk, “Well, now that’s the problem. Our car broke down on the road a few hours ago and was towed to the shop. For the rest of today, we’re without transportation.”
    The kid considered the travelers’ predicament for a minute before brightening. “How about a taxi?”
    The cab arrived a short time later. While riding to the more ritzy accommodations, Dusty spied one of the huge box retailers. Nudging Grace, he observed, “I think a shopping trip is in our near future. Our supply list is going to contain more than just a change of clothes.”
    So uthside Harbor was an impressive complex, the high-rise hotel surrounded by a large marina and numerous offices. Dusty paid for the cab, and the couple anxiously strolled into the lobby.
    “We’d like a suite,” he announced, reaching for his new ID and wad of cash.
    The clerk shoved the registration form across the counter and said, “May I see the credit card you’ll be using to secure the room?”
    “I was going to pay cash,” Dusty replied as he scratched in the information from his Canadian persona.
    “I’m sorry, sir, but we require a credit card on file. You are welcome to pay cash at checkout, but I’m not allowed to reserve a room without it.”
    Dusty didn’t miss a beat, “Son, with all of the credit card fraud, stolen identities and other shenanigans going on, I cut up all my plastic. Are you sure there isn’t another option?”