AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The tiny man is eager to talk to her. He pulls his gaze quickly from me. “Um... mechanical. All rooms must be evacuated. Everyone. Everyone must go.”
“Even though we paid for an entire block of rooms for the week? Arranged through the county sheriff’s department?”
“Sorry. So sorry. Nothing can be done. Everyone must go.”
“Do you have a list of places we could try instead?”
“Yes!”
“Except...”
The manager—or owner, or whatever—flushes.
“My memory,” Kimberly says calmly, “is that this was one of the only places that could accommodate a group of our size. Furthermore, given that we’re about to go into the weekend during the busy fall season, what are the chances of any of these new places having rooms available?”
“Maybe you’ll get lucky.”
“I don’t think we will. I think you’re trying to kick us out of town. Split up the taskforce group. Or maybe force us all back to Atlanta. Now why would you want to do that?”
“The motel has a mechanical problem,” the man squeaks again.
“You certainly are about to,” I mutter.
D.D. glares at me.
“What exactly is the problem?” Kimberly again.
“Umm... No hot water! Can’t have rooms without hot water.”
“Perfect. I’ll make a call. We’ll get that fixed for you right away. Consider it a sign of our appreciation.”
The manager stands there, stupefied. “And... and... my computers are down. I can’t check anyone in. No computers, no service.”
“I can fix that,” Keith speaks up.
The man looks like he wants to cry. Or flee. Or both. “Please?” he tries.
“No.”
D.D., who has been quiet this whole time, finally speaks. “Who asked you to send us away?”
The man’s face twists. His hands return to their frantic clasping and unclasping. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Then consider this our real gift to you.” Kimberly touches the man’s arm. “We won’t press, for now. You can tell whoever demanded our departure that the police pulled rank. There was nothing you could do. And you can also tell your boss if he has a problem with our presence, feel free to contact us directly. Now, I’m going to go shower.” She pulls out her room key. “Debrief in an hour.” She stares at me. “I’m sorry, did you say you met Jacob Ness’s father?”
“Yes.”
“Well, you’ll have much to share at the meeting.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I inform her.
Kimberly heads down the hall. I wait for D.D. to follow, but she and her new charge just stare at me.
“You two have adjoining rooms?” D.D. asks Keith and me.
Of course, she would know that.
Keith nods.
