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“No. It was the first thing that came to mind, for some reason. Did you find Alonzo or Mrs. Fuentes?”
“No, but I spoke to the manager.”
“Did she call the police?”
“The phone lines are out.”
“What?” She had to have misheard him. “The landlines aren’t working?”
“No.”
A cold chill ran through her body. “How is that possible? I thought landlines usually stayed on, even when the power goes out.”
“Usually, but we’re in the middle of the woods. A tree could’ve fallen on a line in this storm. It wouldn’t surprise me at all.”
“What are we going to do?”
“Our best bet is to keep looking for the three missing people and wait for the lights to come back on.”
“You don’t think driving to the nearest police station is the best idea?” she asked.
“Nobody’s going to want to come all the way out here with all the wind and lightning. And I bet that all three people are in the building, each with a reasonable explanation.”
“I hope so.” She wanted to argue, but he was probably right. “Wait. Doesn’t the fact that someone cornered Rita and grabbed her make it look like someone is trying to hurt people? Wouldn’t the police come out for that?”
“It would depend on the severity of the storm. They aren’t going to put their officers’ lives on the line unless there’s a credible threat. There are a lot of things to consider.”
Ariana started to object, but the lights came on.
Cheering sounded down the hall.
Dad gave her a knowing look. “At least now we have the power on our side. Let’s return to the ballroom and organize some search parties.”
“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all night.”
“Let’s also hope the power stays on.”
“Don’t give it any ideas. The last thing I want—”
“What’s that?” Dad turned toward a dim hallway.
Ari whipped her head in the direction. A large potted plant blocked her view. “Where?”
He marched around the plant and stopped. His eyes widened and he swore.
She raced over.
“Don’t!” Dad held out a hand.
But it was too late. She already saw it.
Mateo’s body lay in the middle of the hallway, a knife sticking out of his chest, a large pool of blood surrounding him.
ChapterSeventeen
The ballroom spun around Rita. She stared at Ariana, trying to make sense of her words.
Mateo was dead?
