“The guy must have a panty fetish,” Melissa commented. “It looked like he was waiting for her to come back and filled the time playing with her undergarments.” The FBI agent shuddered. “Gross.”
“I’ll have to burn the lot,” Bree said. “Which means going commando until I can get to a store for more.” She rolled her case toward the hotel.
Melissa, Grant and Avery fell in step with the detective.
“Have you two already checked on room availability?” Bree asked.
“About that…” Grant started.
“We got a room for you,” Avery offered quickly. “Apparently, we got the last ones available.”
“Glad you hurried over here, or we might not have gotten rooms at all.” Bree shrugged. “I would’ve just slept in my car.”
“Probably not a safe place, given the circumstances,” Melissa said. “And it’s probably not a good idea to go anywhere alone until we capture the killer.”
“I’ve got Avery’s six,” Grant said.
“I don’t need anyone to look out for me,” Bree muttered.
“Damn.” Grant chuckled. “You sound like someone I know.” In more ways than one. Not only was she fiercely independent, but her tone and modulation were so similar to Avery’s that it was uncanny.
Grant handed one of the key cards to Bree. “We’re on the third floor.”
“Oh, good,” Melissa said. “So am I. My room is close to the elevators.”
“Bree’s is on the south end of the hallway, while Avery’s is on the north end,” Grant said.
“And where is yours?” Melissa asked, her gaze on the entrance as they approached and the doors slid open.
“North end,” Grant answered. “We should get some sleep. They start serving breakfast at six-thirty.”
“I plan on being there at that time,” Avery said.
“I’ll be there,” Melissa said. “The sooner we get started tomorrow, the sooner we get answers.”
They all headed for the elevator at once, Melissa punching the button first.
When the doors slid open, Grant, Melissa and Bree entered, Avery hung back. “I’m going to check with the desk to see if they have spare toothbrushes. I’ll see you all in the morning.”
Grant caught the door as it started to close and stepped out. “As far as that goes, I could use one myself. I think I left mine in your room at the hospital.” He turned and gave the two women in the elevator a mock salute. “Goodnight, ladies.”
The door closed.
Avery waited until the elevator rose before she pushed the up button.
“You bought a toothbrush at the store earlier,” Grant stated.
“I did,” Avery admitted.
“Smart move,” Grant said, his lips curling on the corners.
“Great vague response to where your room was located.” Avery’s face was poker perfect, except for the twinkle in her eye.
“Think they bought it?” Grant asked.
Avery sighed. “Not a chance. They’re smart women.”
“Do you care?”
