The Greatest Lost Treasure

Chapter 6

Madrid was a beautiful city with large buildings dating back to the 16th and 17th century. Their architecture attracted Luke to linger longer than he should've outside the Westin Palace. He found this hotel as a footnote in his grandmother's journal and immediately looked it up. It wasn't too badly priced so he decided to give it a try especially since it was right around the corner from the Christopher Columbus monument.
     The lobby of the Westin Palace was nothing like Luke had ever seen. It had intricate crown moldings that enhanced the murals appearing on the ceilings. Walls lined with candelabras and a palm frond chandelier guided him to the receptionist desk.
A man with dark features and a kind smile greeted Luke as he approached with his suitcase and cat in hand. "I'd like to purchase a room please," Luke asked in perfect Spanish. Since he had a perfect memory, Luke picked up on different languages quickly when he was young it also helped that his father met with people from all over the world as well.
"Why of course. What type of room would you like?" He replied before checking his system for availabilities.
"A standard pet friendly room."
The man looked down and saw Stitch curled up in his cat carrier. "Ah I see. How did you hear about our establishment?" He said making conversation as he typed.
"My grandmother Barbara."
The Spanish man stopped what he was doing and looked at him long and hard, almost as if he was studying him. "Was your grandmother Barbara Richardson?" He asked this time in English.
"Yes. Did you know her?" Luke asked now curious how this man knew his grandmother.
"She was a regular here at the Westin. Nearly every three months she would come and stay for either business or research purposes and she always insisted on staying in the exact same room until she actually bought the room," the man added with a chuckle. That was his grandmother, stubborn to the core and one of the reasons she was a tough businesswoman.
"Will she be joining you shortly?"
"No," Luke felt his throat tighten. "She passed away about a month ago."
"My condolences senor." The man was quiet for a moment before speaking again. "Since she purchased the room and it has been vacant for quite some time you can have the room."
"Really?" Luke couldn't believe what he was hearing. A free room. Things were finally looking up.
"Yes. And here is your room key," he replied as he handed him the plastic card. "You're on floor 7 room 706."
"Thank you," said Luke accepting the key card before picking up his cat carrier and grabbing his suitcase.
"You're welcome and enjoy your stay."
     Luke headed up the stairs and towards the left where the golden elevators greeted him. He pressed the number seven and waited until he reached the topmost floor. The ornate rugs in colors of green and deep pink guided him down the hallways and toward his door.
     Upon entering his room, Luke knew that this was no ordinary room, it was a suite meant for the very best. There was a small table with a vase on it in the entryway and off to the right was a small dining table made of mahogany for private dinners. A large white couch sat across from a seventy inch flat screen tv and just beyond was the balcony over looking the beauty that was Spain.
Luke immediately was drawn to the balcony where he looked out at the beautiful city that seemed to call to him in ways he couldn't quite comprehend. A screaming yelp brought him back to reality. Stitch was pawing and crying to get out from his carrier. Luke happily let his furry friend out of his confinement which Stitch thanked him with a happy meow.
Stitch walked around checking out his new environment. Without much hesitation he jumped onto the white couch curled up into a ball and began to sleep. Noticing this Luke sighed and said, "Now don't go and get all comfortable, we have a job to do." Stitch opened one of his eyes as if to say, why should this include me?
"You know, Spain is known for their fish and if you behave yourself I'll buy you some." Luke watched as his bargain registered on his feline's face. Stitch sat up and licked his lips he was ready for some now.
     "Not yet boy," he said as a smile crossed his face. "Let me get ready first and we will be on our way."
     Luke then left his cat and headed to his suitcase which he set up on his enormous king bed. He took off his hoodie he had used to disguise himself as well as the hat and wig. Then he pulled out his favorite red jean jacket and put that on, he was ready to go.
     Before leaving he made sure to place Stitch's harness on so he could ensure his cat stayed by his side if he needed to be put on a leash, which more often then not it wasn't needed. Most people would find it odd that he had a cat on a leash, but Stitch acted more like a dog than a cat when it came to going outside.
     Luke grabbed his grandmother's notebook and put it in his jacket pocket before heading out of his room accompanied by Stitch who walked by his side.
     The duo made their way outside the hotel and sat on the fountain's ledge while Luke looked up the train that went to Valladolid which was where the Columbus Museum was located. Hopefully this first stop would give him a clue as to where he should begin searching. Right now he didn't have many options, but this seemed like the right course to take.
     Seeing that the train station was about twenty minutes away, Luke opted on grabbing a taxi which arrived in less than five minutes. Happy that the driver allowed pets, Stitch sat on Luke's lap looking out the window the entire way to the station.
     The Madrid Chamartin Train Station was unlike the stations Luke was use to in London. It resembled an airport with its small pop up shops and kiosks to buy tickets from. Luke approached one of the kiosks and bought a ticket for Valladolid. After it printed he looked around for signs to indicate where he was supposed to go, seeing no maps, he approached a security guard and asked for directions.
Thankfully the officer told him to take the escalators down to the lower level and to the ticket gate where he would need to scan his pass. Then his train would be on his right.
Following the man's instructions to the letter, Luke found himself on the platform awaiting his train. Seeing the approaching train, Luke scooped up Stitch and boarded the train that was more of a subway than an actual train.
The trip to Valladolid was uneventful, but relaxing. On his way through to the train, Luke had bought a book on Christopher Columbus to try and learn as much as he could. He'd found out that Columbus was originally from Italy then moved to Spain in order to be sponsored by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella I. He then sailed four times under their sponsorship to where he thought was India, but what was interesting was what happened after his third voyage. Columbus was arrested and stripped of his titles due to the management and brutality his brother created when he was left in charge of the Hispaniola settlement.
Luke closed his book as he felt the train slow to a stop as it approached the Valladolid station. He disembarked the train with Stitch sitting comfortably in his backpack as he made his way back to the surface.
     Valladolid was very similar to Madrid with its architecture and overall layout. Fountains spraying water added to the city's beauty even though many people ignored their presence.
     Taking only but a moment to admire the Spanish city, Luke knew it was time to head out. Before leaving the train, the ever prepared teen mapped the location of the museum from his phone. Seeing that it was only a little over a mile, he decided it would do him some good to walk. Plus it saved him some money.
     The brisk walk to Christopher Columbus's house turned museum took him a little under a half an hour to arrive at its doorstep. After paying a small entrance fee, they were in. The museum had four floors and tons of information on the man that sailed to the America's four times, at least that's what most people thought happened.
     Knowing what truly went on during the explorer's expeditions, Luke kept his eyes peeled for anything that stood out. He read tons of plaques that had small bits of information spread across the different rooms, looked at the statues and busts of Columbus, and he even got to read notes written by the man himself, but nothing grabbed his attention. He honestly wasn't sure what he was looking for, maybe something that proved he had made the journey to Israel or at least a clue to the treasure. Unfortunately, that was not the case, though maybe he could ask someone if there were some items not on display that he could see.
Heading back down to the first floor, Luke checked every room for anyone that looked like they worked there. Finally he saw a tall dark haired woman talking to a man in a very expensive looking suit. The man's attire and slicked back hair made him stick out in the room full of tourists looking into the dead explorer.
Curiosity caused Luke to listen in while he pretended to read one of the educational plaques. "I'm sorry sir, but we don't have any items like that at this location," the woman replied insistently.
     "Well then where can I find it?" The man asked harshly.
     "I would check the America museum. It might have what you are looking for."
     "Finally some good news," and with that he walked away not even bothering to say thank you or goodbye.
     After making sure the man was gone, Luke approached the same woman. "I'm sorry to bother you miss, but I heard you say there was another museum in America. Is that correct?"
     "Yes, I think it was in Pennsylvania"
     "Great, thank you so much for your help."
     "You're welcome," she replied as a smile came across her face.
Luke felt uplifted by this new information. He had another place to look for clues, but doubt once again settled in his thoughts. What if he flew all the way to America only to find that what he was looking for was here? He needed help figuring out what he was looking for. So far his first stop was a bust, were they all going to be like this?
The unsure teen decided he didn't know what or where he should be looking, but hearing his stomach growl prompted him to look inside the cafe that was just across the way. Hopefully some food would improve his state of mind, if not he may have to start rethinking this whole treasure hunt.