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“No. That this wasn’t a simple robbery.”
He waited until they were inside the room with the door closed behind them. “We’re probably one of the only occupied rooms. Could it have been an inside job? Maybe. But was it something besides thievery? If it was, what? What was the point?”
“It’s awfully convenient the cameras that would have nailed him aren’t working,” Remi said.
“My hunch is it’s hardly noteworthy when something doesn’t work here. It probably hasn’t worked for years, not days.”
Remi moved to the safe. “Whoever did this came prepared. The lock was drilled open.”
Sam inspected the safe and nodded. “Yes, but look at the thing. It’s made out of tinfoil. If they’ve done this before at other hotels, which is a safe bet, they know the equipment’s junk. I could get that open with a can opener.”
She looked at her watch. “It’s still early. So they had to know we were out to dinner.” She stopped. “And the flat tire delayed us returning. Think that was a coincidence, too?”
“Maybe not, but I’m not sure how we’d ever know for sure.” He shook out a shirt and folded it. “What was on your tablet? Anything relating to Leonid’s find? Passwords? Financial info?”
She gave him a dubious look. “Of course not.”
“So what did the thief really get? A little money I left in the safe—I had my wallet at the restaurant, and you had your purse with you. A tablet that can be replaced in seconds. No credit cards, nothing sensitive, and he didn’t even want our passports. Seems like amateur night, other than the drill. For all we know, it was the two from the beach the other night—opportunistic thieves looking for easy prey.”
“Then explain how he got into the room.”
Sam walked over and inspected the lock. “You could pick this in your sleep.”
“It’s a card key.”
“Right, but look at the latching system. That’s the problem with going high-tech on the equipment and then cheaping out on the installation. It’s garbage, Remi.”
She shook her head in frustration. “You really aren’t worried?”
He shrugged. “Sure. But then what? If this is more than a robbery, what has the mystery intruder learned? Nothing, except that you’ve got excellent fashion taste.” His tone softened. “I say we keep our eyes open, don’t take anything for granted, and go about our business. I don’t see any alternative, do you?”
She closed her eyes for a second. “No. I just feel . . . unsafe.”
“That’s natural. So do I. But it’s over. And we got off light.”
Sam dialed the desk and told the clerk they were ready. The manager arrived shortly thereafter and escorted them to a room in the other wing of the hotel. After apologizing again, he left and they unpacked in silence. When Remi finished hanging up her clothes, she turned to Sam.
“So did you get a decent look at him?”
“Not really. I told the police everything. An islander. Medium build. Fast. Wearing dark shorts and a striped polo shirt. Messenger bag. Not really a lot to go on.”
“There aren’t many people out at this hour. Maybe we’ll get lucky and they’ll spot him.”
Sam gave her a small smile. “Anything’s possible, but I think the first order of the day tomorrow is to try to find you another tablet.”
“That’s not going to be easy.”
“I saw an electronics store when we drove through town. My bet is they’ll have something. Might not be cutting-edge, but we’ll make do.”
She frowned and sat on the edge of the bed. “I suppose it could have been worse.”
“Of course.” He eyed her. “Are you going to be able to sleep tonight?”
“Sure. I have a big, strong man to protect me.”
CHAPTER 31
Boyd Severin took a final sip of coffee before pushing back from the dining room table and smiling at his wife, who was cleaning pots and pans in the kitchen. “Thanks for making breakfast,” he said, a morning ritual he’d been repeating for eighteen years of marriage.
