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cheeks and framing the eyes. Even though I can see Jasmin’s wide brown eyes poking through the mask, I would never know it was her if I hadn’t seen her putting it on. At the top of the mask are triangular ribbons of material that resemble the hat of a court jester from ancient times. Covering the ends of the hat are seven or eight golden bells that jingle every time Jasmin moves.
    Jamie is wearing a mask that resembles a purple gargoyle. The face is twisted and hideous looking. I see his amusement sparkling through the holes where his light blue eyes hide.
    Drew is wearing a black mask that looks menacing. Arising from the top of the mask are black feathers that protrude upwards. His chin, lips and nose are gold. At first, his mask reminds me of the death mask of an Egyptian pharaoh, but the more I look the more I realize that it gives Drew a sinister look, almost like he’s a twisted killer in a horror movie.
    Michael’s wearing the plague death mask with a long curved beak. The mask is white with a black strip along the edge of the white beak dividing the upper and lower parts of the beak. His eyes have black circles around them resembling an old pair of armless spectacles often worn by doctors. He’s also wearing a long black cape and white gloves. Every once in awhile he makes a guttural sound like a sick parrot. Even though we find ourselves in Venice on a very serious mission, I can’t stop smiling at Michael’s costume and antics.
    I’m wearing a mask somewhat similar to Drew’s except that the area around my eyes is gold while my nose and chin are a glossy white. I have full bright red lips and striking long red feathers erupting from the top of the mask.
    Apart from the humor of our masks, I realize they have given us the perfect way to remain anonymous in Venice as we search for the Stalker. Thousands of people, most likely tourists, who are milling around the streets, are also wearing a variety of masks. It’s as though Halloween has arrived early.
    Jamie and Michael have done quick internet searches for the Venice jail where we assume the Stalker is being held. Unfortunately, they couldn’t find any trace of a jail, so we decided to settle for the police station which is apparently located in the Piazza San Marco, one of the oldest historical sites in Venice.
    “This way to Piazza San Marco,” Jamie informs us in a manner that suggests he has visited Venice before, although I’m sure that he hasn’t. Jamie has an innate ability to read a book and then transfer his learning directly to real life situations.
    Stepping away from a row of souvenir shops that border the canal, in spite of the cool damp weather I sense a festive atmosphere surrounding us. It’s as though the mass of tourists and inhabitants of this ancient city are oblivious to anything else that might currently be happening in our world.
    I watch a gondola slicing through the still water. The gondolas are much longer and narrower than I anticipated. They are also much darker. I expected that they would be brightly colored. All the gondolas I have seen so far are a stark black color.
    As I turn away from the canal, there are two people walking nearby who look exactly like Michael with their long-beaked masks, black robes, and white gloves. While it is going to be very easy to blend in with the crowd, I also realize there’s a danger of mistaking someone else for one of my friends. I touch the spy-band on my wrist, feeling some security as I realize I can use it if I get lost.
    “That’s the Basilica San Marco, Jamie says as though he’s a tour guide.
    We are walking towards a mammoth ornate building that looks like a church.
    “This is the third church that has been built on this site. The first was built in the 9 th century to enshrine the body of St. Mark who was once a disciple of Jesus. That church was destroyed by fire.”
    I stare at the massive structure.
    Jamie continues, “Another church built to replace the first was