I searched for Erin as I entered the dining room. I knew that I needed to confide in someone. Perhaps she might be able to shed some light on Billy's strange behavior. There she was, alone, in the corner and I quickly, headed toward her, by-passing the buffet table. Billy's actions and my suspicions were soon 'on the table.' The trail of evidence I already had about the street peddler and the circus incident slowly began to sink in, catching her quite by surprise. She sat there in disbelief, shaking her head slowly from side to side.
"I don't believe this. I just don't believe this," she uttered. "If you thought Billy was mixed up in something, why didn't you go to Mr. Reilly right away?"
"I don't know. He wouldn't have believed me anyway. Billy and I have had our ups and downs, but I don't want him getting into any serious trouble. I have to follow him today, Erin, and find out what he's up to. I just have to. I can't do it alone. I need your help," I pleaded. "Erin, you gotta help me. I don't know what he's into, but I'm sure he's in over his head."
"Okay, okay. Calm down, Jimmy."
"What do you think he's up to?" I asked her.
"It's probably nothing at all. Jimmy, I think you're really too suspicious and over-reacting. I know that you don't really like Billy," Erin replied.
"What do you mean by that? Like I said, we've had some disagreements, but whether I like him or not has nothing to do with what I'm tellin' you."
"Oh really, I've noticed the way you looked at him on the bus," she went on. "You aren't very good at hiding your feelings about him, you know."
"Oh, come on. I just think he's into something serious, that's all. I like him as well as anyone, but I don't feel right about what's he's up to."
"Oh, Jimmy, lighten up. He probably has some friends here and wanted to see them again," Erin rationalized.
"What? Friends? In the middle of the night? And behind circus wagons? Oh, come on, Erin, you know that doesn't make any sense."
"So, I suppose, he's some kind of gangster, huh?" she said with apparent skepticism.
"No, um, I mean, maybe. I don't know."
"What can we do?" she asked, "Maybe we should just tell Mr. Reilly. He'll know what to do."
"No. All I've got are my suspicions and the fact that I saw Billy meet some Russians. That wouldn't raise any red flags with Mr. Reilly. We've got to have something more solid. I mean, I think we should follow Billy today and maybe we'll learn more. I could sure use some help. Are you with me?"
"Of course I am," she said, with an air of excitement in her voice. "But you're gonna find out just how wrong you are."
"We'll see. Remember, not a word to anyone else," I admonished.
'You know me. We'd better find Billy before he leaves the hotel," she said as we stood up from the table.
We left the dining room and spotted Billy by the newsstand in the nearly deserted lobby. The other students had already wandered in all directions. As a large wall clock struck nine, I saw Billy pick up a newspaper and hand the hotel vendor his money. He briefly glanced at his watch, then quickly left the hotel. We followed him at a safe distance out into the busy street.
Billy flagged a taxi and said something to the driver as he crawled in. Contrary to Mr. Reilly's instructions, Billy was traveling alone. He handed the driver a small piece of paper with the address, and the taxi then sped off. Erin and I waved down another taxi and told the driver to follow Billy's taxi. Luckily, the driver understood some English and was quick to comply. Erin and I were now committed to solving this puzzle. I was glad that she was there with me as it gave me the courage to follow this mystery through.
We whizzed by many small boutiques, American franchises, and past Moscow University. The city streets were busy with people who scurried to work and shoppers seeking early morning bargains. A cloud of carbon monoxide haze filled the city canyons and added to the overall dreary scene. Small crowds gathered at every street corner and waited patiently for the 'Walk' signal before continuing through the urban maze.
Billy's taxi then pulled into a small side street and stopped next to a four-story red brick apartment building. Our driver stopped just past this street. I must have overpaid our fare, as the driver thanked us repeatedly with a broad smile. Erin and I quickly jumped from the cab and raced around the corner just in time to see Billy climb a narrow set of stairs leading to a worn brown entry way. To the side was an array of doorbells and nameplates. He hesitated a moment, then pushed one of the upper bells. A buzzer unlocked the door and he slowly entered. It slammed shut behind him, and we were locked out.
We darted from the corner, where we were hiding, crossed the street, and scrambled up the stairs to the entryway. Facing the same row of bells marking the occupants' names in faded Cyrillic letters, I turned to Erin not knowing which button to push.
"We can't get in, Erin, unless someone inside pushes their buzzer. Which one do I push?" I asked.
"Push one of the bottom buttons," Erin urged. "At least we will be able to get in. If you push a top one, it might be the apartment where Billy is and he'll know that we followed him here."
I did as she suggested and a loud buzz unlocked the door. Once inside, an old woman on the first floor opened her door and apparently asked what we wanted.
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