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“Charlie,” Harris said, drawing the man’s attention back to her, “we’re looking for a friend of ours. Do you think you could help us?”
It looked like he wanted nothing more than to do exactly that. “Yeah, I can help.”
“Great!” Harris kept the smile plastered on her face, never dropping eye contact. “She’s really, really pregnant. Like, eight months pregnant. Have you seen anyone like that around here?”
“Not that I can think of.” He frowned. “Don’t get a lot of pregnant women at the bar.”
“That’s true, but what about the dining area? Have you seen anyone here in the last day or two?”
“No, sorry. I don’t really pay much attention unless they’re at the bar.”
Harris frowned. “That’s too bad.” She lit up a second later. “Hey, I have an idea.” She pointed to the computer that acted like a register. “You charge drinks to people’s rooms, right?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Well, can you look up someone’s room from there?”
“Yeah. I just need their name.”
“Would you do that for us, Charlie? Could you look up our friend so we know which room she’s staying in?”
“Oh.” For the first time, Charlie’s smile faltered. He looked a little scared now. “I’m sorry, but I’m not supposed to do that. I could get in trouble.”
“Really?” Harris’s voice was sweet as sugar. “Even if we promise not to tell?”
“I’m sorry.” He took a step back, like it would be easier to say no to her if he just put a little distance between them. “I really can’t. I’d be in, like, so much trouble if I got caught.”
“Hmm.” Harris leaned to one side and stuck her hand in her coat pocket. She brought something out and put it on the counter, keeping her hand covering most of it. But Cassie could tell what it was. And so could Charlie. A badge. “What about now?”
Charlie was staring down at the badge, panic in his eyes. He couldn’t take his eyes off it. “What?”
“Charlie, look at me.” She only continued when he pulled his gaze away from the badge and met her eyes. “Come here.” She crooked a finger, and he closed the distance between them. “You’ve got a little something here.” Harris wiped at her nose.
Charlie’s eyes went wide, and he wiped his nose with the back of his hand. Then realized his mistake. “Please. I need this job.”
“Look, Charlie. I’m not here for you. Your boss never has to know what you do in the back room on your breaks.” Harris made sure she had Charlie’s full attention before she continued. “But my friend is in trouble. I need to know if she’s still here. And I need to know what room she’s staying in. If you can tell me that, I’ll leave. And you can go about your evening.”
“O-Okay.”
“Good. Her name is Rose Sherman.”
Charlie didn’t hesitate. Turning to the computer, he tapped in the name. A second later, he looked back up at them. His eyes were even wider than before. “There’s no one here staying under that name.”
“Shit.” Harris looked at Cass
ie. “I didn’t think she’d leave so soon.”
“Try Rose Weismann.” Cassie leaned over to Harris while Charlie typed it in. “Her maiden name. I asked Melissa in case she started using alternate accounts or something.”
“Smart girl.” Harris smiled at her. “You sure you don’t want to be a cop?”
Cassie blushed at the compliment but shook her head.
“She’s staying in room 1075.” Charlie was practically in tears. “Please don’t tell my boss.”
“I won’t.” Harris stood and leaned over the bar. “But you’ll get caught sooner or later. You can do better than this.”
Charlie nodded his head vigorously until Harris and Cassie left the bar and headed for the elevators. Only when they were inside, alone, and racing toward the tenth floor, did Cassie turn to Harris and ask, “Where did you get the badge?”
