“This is my colleague, Crystal,” Joell said.
“Lovely to meet you,” Crystal replied in her beautiful British accent.
“Delighted,” he replied, and actually kissed the back of Crystal’s hand. Then he sat next to her and across from Joell.
When the waiter appeared, Stan ordered bottled water.
Crystal turned to face him. “Stan, can you tell us anything about Tristan, Gabriel, Scott, and Marco?”
“Why those four?”
“We believe they may still be local.”
Gold scratched his chin.
“Well… Tristan is from New Zealand. Marco is from Italy. They were sharing a room,” Gold added.
Crystal smiled slowly. “Then we should take a look at that room.”
21
The manager, Alan Stewart, according to his name tag, stood behind the reception desk and motioned for them to enter. He led Joell, Crystal, and Stan Gold through a door at the back and down the hall. Of course, Crowe went too since he was riding along in Joell’s LV tote bag.
“Thank you for coming. I wish there was more I could tell you other than the suspicion that eight men seem to have disappeared, but…” He opened a door marked Security. “The evidence we should have had seems to be missing.”
Joell looked at him as if she’d picked up on something suspicious other than his handlebar moustache.
“This is Collins, the night security guard. He wanted to speak to you.”
The sleepy-eyed balding man shook hands with Joell and Crystal and nodded to Gold as if they’d already met.
“The security cameras recorded nothing unusual except for a period of static between two-ten and two-twenty a.m.”
“Where were you at that time?”
“I was doing my rounds. I didn’t see anything as I walked around the lobby except a couple of black stretch limos thatpulled away from the curb. I didn’t get a look at the drivers or occupants. I didn’t catch plate numbers, either.”
“Did you find any witnesses? Did anyone see suspicious activity?”
“The clerk at the front desk said she was reading, and no one came in or left, otherwise she would have looked up. I’m sorry there’s not more to go on.”
The manager looked mildly annoyed, then faced Stan Gold.
“Why don’t you take the women upstairs to the rooms? I’ll come up in a few minutes with the passkey.”
Joell ignored the nod from Stan and said, “I think it would be better if we all go up together… Now!” with such authority that it sounded like more than a friendly suggestion.
The manager looked nervous, as if he thought she was ready to take him by the mustache and drag him up there with them, but he nodded.
Gold was talking to Crystal.
“I doubt they knew each other before this. It’s the first major convention for Tristan. Marco was last year’s model of the year, and so it’s extremely important that he be there. Scott is from the Los Angeles area, and Gabriel’s from some little town on Lake Superior.”
The manager led the way to the elevator and pushed the button for the top floor.
Joell kept a close eye on him at all times.
Crowe sensed his discomfort the way any animal would. He didn’t smell like fear exactly, but something inside the man whispered, Oh no… I’m going to be found out.
