The Alchemist’s Code Read Online Free

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    Go into the garage to the right of the hotel Parker’s, I’ll be waiting for you there. Park next to the black SUV. Do not use your phone. Whatever happens, do not speak for any reason!
    This treasure hunt was beginning to get on my nerves, but I decided to follow the new instructions: I had to talk to this girl in private and find out what the hell she wanted, so I turned into the garage, which was located a few metres from the intersection, took the ticket issued automatically by the machine at the entrance and drove inside. There at the back of the large car park, I saw the big black SUV. I pulled up next to it, turned off the engine and waited a few seconds. Then I heard the door behind me open.
    I started to turn around, but a hand pressed over my mouth paralysed me, preventing me from moving or speaking, and at the same time another hand held up a mobile phone with these words on its screen:
    Don’t speak, you are bugged. I do not want to hurt you. Undress completely and put on the clothes that I will put on the seat beside you.
    At that point I had no choice but to follow the instructions: it occurred to me that there might well be a gun aimed at my head, and the idea didn’t exactly make me feel comfortable.
    With some embarrassment, I changed quickly and waited. Another message on the phone screen gave me further instructions.
    Get out of your car and get straight into the back seat of the SUV.
    I did as she said, and a moment later the driver’s door opened. “We can talk now. But wait a second until I’ve got out of here,” she said in a deep, warm voice which betrayed a slight foreign accent.
    She started the engine, drove over to the exit and put a ticket into the machine, opening the barrier, then set off at speed along Corso Vittorio Emanuele in the direction of Mergellina. The lights of the gulf to our left slipped by quickly on that cold Neapolitan night.
    â€œWe don’t have much time, Mr Aragona. You have no idea how long I’ve been trying to get in touch with you. I’ve been studying your movements for weeks.”
    â€œWell it’s very kind of you to tell me that, but I should tell
you
that I am extremely pissed off. What is this, a kidnapping? Is it money you want? What the hell are you after?”
    â€œNothing like that. My name is Anna Nikitovna Glyz, I’m Russian. I studied here in Italy, that’s why I speak your language. I can’t tell you much, only the few things I know, but please, take what I tell you seriously.”
    I tried to make out her features in the rear view mirror, but it was too dark and I could only guess at them. She must be very beautiful, though, with slightly wavy blonde hair and those wonderful blue-green eyes.
    She looked into the mirror, then, without preamble, said, “Your life is a lie, Mr Aragona.”
    I laughed.
    â€œOf course it is!”
    â€œListen to me, please – I don’t know how long I can keep them off my tail.”
    â€œKeep who off your tail? Come on, shall we stop this farce?”
    â€œI’m not kidding, believe me. Your life is like some kind of TV reality show. Your wife, your partner, your house, your shop. It’s all fake. They are deceiving you.”
    â€œWho is deceiving me, miss? And who are you?”
    The SUV reached the station of Mergellina, then went on to Piazza Sannazzaro, circled round the fountain with the statue of Partenope, and returned to Corso Vittorio Emanuele.
    â€œListen to me, I have to go. You take the wheel without getting out of the car. They’ll be suspicious, but we can still confuse them. Go back to the garage, leave this car there, pick up yours and change back into your own clothes.”
    â€œHang on a second, what do you mean, you’re going? You’re going to leave me here like this? Without any explanation?”
    She parked in front of Mergellina railway station and, before leaving, turned to face