The Before Short Story Series. Part 1 - стр. 16
‘Oh, I'm sorry, I'm distracting you.’
‘Well, yes. But now it doesn’t matter already.’
‘Coming back home, Bosch?’
‘What makes you think so?’
‘The translator,’ Elena pointed to the headphones in her ears. ‘They don't translate, they only broadcast your voice.’
‘Ah. Well, yes, home.’
‘And I'm going on holidays.’
‘Yeah, congrats. And what are you going to do on the east coast?’
‘Your country, Bosch, has such a rich history. I don't think I'll be bored.’
‘Ah, got it. That is, are you a specialist in museums or something?’
‘You could say that. My main goal is Baltimore.’
‘Well, and what have you forgotten in the middle of nowhere?’
‘The life of the great poet and writer Edgar Poe suddenly ended in Baltimore.’
‘Who is this? Doesn’t ring a bell.’
‘He lived a long time ago, Bosch. No wonder you haven't heard of him.’
‘Ah. Well, okay.’
‘I'm a big fan of Poe. I am planning to visit his grave, the places he used frequented. I would like to see for myself where it all happened.’
‘What happened?’
‘You know, there are some inconsistencies in the versions of why he actually died. And not all of them flatter him as a person. So I'm planning—rather, I hope to clarify something about what end his hard lot brought him to.’
‘Was he a member of some kind of group or something? Some kind of a gangster?’
‘Not at all. He lived in the nineteenth century. His literary career and personal life were quite ambiguous. Things were difficult for him…'
‘Yes. Well, good luck to you, Elena.’
‘Thank you, Bosch! What were you doing in Madrid?’ Bosch looked at Elena with a kind of detachment. ‘I'm sorry, Bosch. I won't distract you anymore.’
‘OK.’ Bosch continued playing with the communicator.
Looking at the endless blue of the ocean in the window, her eyes not setting on anything, Elena noticed Bosch returning to his seat.
‘Bosch, I'm sorry, may I ask you for advice, please. Do you mind?’
‘Come on.’
‘I didn't order a transfer to the hotel. I thought I'd get there on my own. Can you tell me the best way to get to Baltimore from the airport?’
‘I can. It will be better and faster on the shuttle. 5 minutes on the road.’
‘Oh, I see. That’s great. I booked a room in a hotel in the city center, on the Patapsco. The station is in the center of the city. Do I get it right, Bosch?’
‘Yes, as far as I remember.’
‘Yeah. And that is just what I do. I'll take your advice and go by shuttle. Thanks, Bosch.’
‘Anyway, I live there nearby. I can give you a lift to the hotel.’
‘Oh, come on, Bosch. I'm sorry to have bothered you. I don't want to be a burden.’