ROOM OF FIRE 40

Chapter 40

The Amber Room, 1715

If you’re just joining this story, you may want to start from the beginning.

This story follows the first in Jenn’s Rediscovered series, Last Assault on Oak Island.

Onward with the search for the Amber Room. . .

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By the time they reached Berlin it was nearly midnight. Reuben had the taxi driver avoid the inner craze of the city, choosing instead a low-rate hotel close to the Wannsee station.

The room he rented was small, containing the basics, with a bath, a table, two chairs, two lamps and a stand, and one twin bed. He pushed Lauren inside when she balked at the doorway.

"I'm sure you've had to share a room with Carlos. You can share one with me." He twisted the lock on the door behind them.

She looked around the room with frowning discomfort.

He read her expression easily. "It's not the Weinstadt, but it's enough for tonight. We're not going deeper into the city." He opened the sole window wide and looked down, satisfied at the two-story drop and absence of a fire escape. Raucous music from the club across the street invaded the room.

"I've got money, Reuben. In the wallet you took," she reminded. "Get me a room next door."

He laughed and stopped short, holding his side. "I might as well get you a train ticket and say farewell to the Duke's amber, too. You'd be gone before the door was shut. You're staying here."

He switched on the lamp at the table and emptied the small duffle bag from the store on the bed. He held up the dress, considered her for a moment, and sorted through the other clothes he had bought. He set the dress and a button-up shirt to one side.

"Pick out what you need." He gestured to the tiny bathroom. "You first."

She was looking at the hammer and long nails on the bed that had tumbled from the bag. She didn't remember him buying those. "What do you have in mind?"

He opened a packaged t-shirt. "Lots of things, but nothing you'd be interested in."