by M A Comley
“She also reported her friend missing this morning after they stayed at another hotel. We’re following up on a few events she believes have occurred to her in the past forty-eight hours that we think sound suspicious.”
“Suspicious? Am I under investigation for something, Inspector? Is that what you’re telling me?”
“No, nothing of the sort. You’re just on our radar because Miss Carmen stayed here, although she did tell us about a strange incident that happened during her stay. Can you shed any light on that?”
He shook his head. “I have no idea what you’re referring to. The lady stayed the night and left the following morning. However, we did have a chat over breakfast about the best places to live in this part of the world. She told me that she was moving back here from France. She said she didn’t want to end up on a dire council estate somewhere. I told her the better areas to aim for so that she could avoid the rougher parts of the Cambridgeshire and Norfolk areas.”
“I see. She said something about a rabbit?” Sally hinted at the clue rather than telling the whole story, in case the man’s expression changed at all. Again, nothing.
“A rabbit, you say? She saw one running past the window being chased by my dogs. Is that what you’re getting at? Sounds bizarre that she would bother you with such trivial information.”
“No. Okay, we’ll leave it there. I don’t suppose you have a copy of her bill I can look at, do you?”
“Of course. We do everything online. I believe the young lady asked for a twin room. I don’t have any single rooms available. As she was the only guest this weekend, I upgraded her to my best suite of rooms.”
“That would mean a lot of work cleaning-wise for you, wouldn’t it?” Sally asked, intrigued as to why he would create more work for himself for a visitor who intended to stay only a single night.
“It would. I do it all the time. Have you seen the reviews for this place? I tend to give a little extra, and people show their appreciation by giving my establishment great ratings on the online booking site.”
“Then that would mean extra business for you, is that right?” Jack queried.
“Of course. I’m hoping that’s the case anyway. I’ve only been here six months. The place is still a work in progress.”
“Hence the reason you’re not too bothered about your signage. Is that right?” Sally asked.
He winked and pointed a finger at her. “You’ve got it.”
“How was Miss Carmen during her stay here?”
His brow furrowed. “Can I ask in what respect? My guests don’t have to conform to any particular standard while they stay here, you know,” he stated jovially.
“Sorry, I didn’t make myself very clear. Was she jumpy at all?”
“Not that I could tell. I didn’t see much of her in the evening, but at breakfast, she seemed chatty enough. Intrigued about the area and wanted my opinion, as I’ve already told you. After that, she left, alone.”
Sally sipped her coffee and listened to the man. He said nothing that she found in any way odd. The more people she spoke to, the more her instincts were challenged. Everyone can’t be wrong, can they? But then, there’s the Facebook aspect. Tina did contact Megan on her page. That fact, I shouldn’t ignore.
The hotel owner didn’t seem at all uncomfortable in their presence, as Sally would have expected if he’d had anything to hide. She nudged her partner. “Come on, Jack, we’ve got work to do. Thank you for your time, sir.”
“Not at all. It’s been a pleasure. I hope coming here has helped in your quest.” He walked with them out to the car.
“Not really. But that’s our problem, not yours. Good luck with your new venture.”
He gave her the thumbs-up and returned to the house.
“Well, what do you make of that?” Jack asked.
Sally carried out a three-point turn to head back to the station. “To be honest, I’m dumbfounded by what I’ve heard today. Everything points to Megan being loopy, and yet I have this niggling doubt about the Facebook friendship.”
“Yeah, I get that. Maybe she’s just imagined being with this friend she met online. I reckon it’s all in her head.”
Sally ran a hand through her hair. “I’m inclined to think along the same lines, for now.”
***
Megan was filled with anxiety all afternoon until she received the call she’d been waiting for. “Hello. Is that you, Inspector?”
“It is, Megan. I’m sorry about the delay in getting back to you.”
“That’s all right. I hope it’s because you’ve found Tina?”
“It’s not. I have to tell you that Peter, the owner of the first hotel, also told us that you booked into his establishment alone.”
“He said what? What the hell is going on? Why are these people doing this to me?” Megan screeched down the line.
“Please, try to remain calm.”
She shook her head in despair, and tears pricked at her eyes. She was determined not to break down. “It’s bloody hard to remain calm when all those around you are calling you a damn liar, Inspector.”
“I know. I wish I could do more to help you, but I can’t. We just don’t have the resources to go on a...”
“What? A wild goose chase?”
“Well, yes. I hope you understand. Listen, if Tina gets in touch with you again, let me know immediately. Stay safe, Megan. I hope you find a resolution to your predicament soon.”
“Thank you. I wish you weren’t giving up on me just yet, but I suppose I can understand the reasoning behind your decision. All I can do is reassure you that I am telling you the truth. I’ll keep in touch with you about my findings.”
“Sorry? Your findings?”
“Yes. There is no way I can sit back and let these people treat me like this. My friend is out there somewhere, and I intend to do all I can to find her. If you refuse to help me, then I have no alternative but to go it alone, Inspector.”
“My hands are tied, Megan. Look, please, if you’re determined to find your friend and you uncover anything of importance, then get in touch with me immediately, and I’ll reassess the situation.”
“You mean in other words, I’ve got to do your work for you?”
She heard Sally let out a sigh. “I’m sorry you think that way, Megan. Keep in touch. I’ll keep a member of my team on the case, digging into the background of everyone concerned, if that’ll help.”
“Thank you, it’s something. I suppose I should be grateful for that at least. Goodbye, Inspector.”
Megan hung up and got out of her car. She walked into the women’s fashion store that she’d parked outside of and purchased what she needed for her covert operation. Then she went next door to a bedding shop, where she selected another item needed to aid her disguise. Afterwards she went to a nearby pub. Ten minutes later, she emerged from the toilet cubicle, fully clothed in her new purchases, looking sixty pounds heavier and sporting a long blonde wig, her eyes shielded behind large dark sunglasses. Even she didn’t recognise herself when she studied her reflection in the mirror. Her final task was to withdraw the maximum amount of money allowed from her account at a nearby cashpoint. She returned to her car, adjusted her seat, hopped behind the steering wheel then drove back to the Elsa Lee Hotel.
The receptionist was distracted when Megan arrived, and the phone rang several times while she dealt with Megan’s request to book a single room for one night. Megan booked in under the false name of Gina Halliday and was given a room on the third floor. It was only five thirty in the evening, but feeling worn out by the day’s perplexing activities, she snoozed for half an hour before returning downstairs to the bar. The barman apologised and said that he wasn’t ready to receive guests, so Megan decided to go outside for some fresh air. As she walked around the beautiful grounds of the hotel, she stumbled upon a car she recognised. Quickly, she hid behind the nearest corner of the building and peeped around it to see if she could be mistaken. She wasn’t. It looked like the
same Ford Escort that had spooked her the night she and Tina were searching for the first hotel.
Okay, what the hell are you doing here, matey? Feet shuffled behind her. She leapt upright and pretended to brush down her clothes. A tall, skinny young man wearing chef’s whites approached her.
Megan smiled at the man and excused her behaviour by saying, “I dropped my keys. Got them now.” She rattled her bunch of car keys and popped them into her pocket. The man said nothing but constantly looked back over his shoulder as he walked briskly towards the hotel. Great detective skills, numpty!
Megan entered the hotel and stepped into the bar, which was now open to the hotel’s guests. “I’ll have an orange juice, thank you.”
The bartender poured her a glass of fresh orange juice. She carried her drink to a corner of the room and positioned herself so she could keep an eye on the bar. Around thirty minutes later, she gasped when the black hotel owner swept into the room. Why didn’t I bring my Kindle with me? I hope she doesn’t come over here and start talking to me.
However, Cleo remained at the bar and chatted to the barman for the next twenty minutes or so. In that time, she downed three large glasses of what appeared to be either whisky or brandy. She was getting louder by the minute and let out a whoop of excitement when a man walked into the bar and sat on the barstool next to her.
Megan’s eyes widened. She couldn’t believe what she was witnessing. It’s him! The owner of the mysterious car. Cleo treated him like an old friend. Megan was torn about what to do next: call Sally or just observe the pair? She decided to do the latter.
She sipped her drink nonchalantly but strained an ear, trying to overhear their conversation. From what she could make out, neither of them made any reference to Tina at all. Another hour passed before the man left the bar. Cleo remained on her barstool until she had finished her drink, then she left too. Megan didn’t know whether to go outside and see if the man’s car was still in the car park or to follow Cleo. Think, girl, think!
A few deep breaths later, Megan plucked up the courage to go outside, only to find the car had gone. She returned and hung around in the reception area, browsing through the brochures and keeping one eye on Cleo. The woman started shouting obscenities at the girl on reception. At one point, the girl threw her pen down on the desk and crossed her arms, almost on the verge of tears as she glared at her boss. That only seemed to irritate Cleo more. In the end, the receptionist shouted at Cleo in her native tongue and stormed through the nearest door, which happened to be the guests’ toilet. Megan casually walked into the room after her.
The receptionist looked her way and smiled the briefest of smiles. “Wow, does she always speak to you like that?” Megan asked.
“You get used to it. I’m getting fed up with her constant abuse.”
“I don’t blame you. The woman is out of control. No wonder the hotel isn’t busy.”
“It is occasionally. We do many wedding functions. When she no drink, she’s okay. But lately, she drink all the time. Complains about her husband all the time, too. If it wasn’t for him, she wouldn’t be where she is today.” She bit her bottom lip. “I sorry. I shouldn’t say that. Forget I say it. I must go, get back to work. You have nice meal in restaurant later, yes?”
“I will, thank you. Oh, and your secret is safe with me. Don’t worry. I’ve worked for some pretty harsh bosses myself over the years.”
The woman snorted. “I doubt any of your bosses as bad as her.”
Megan remained in the loo for another few minutes then walked through the reception area, gave the receptionist a sneaky smile behind her boss’s back, and entered the completely empty restaurant. The waitress showed her to a table next to the window. Megan ordered a glass of white wine, and the waitress left her to study the menu. She felt sorry for the staff on duty when she looked around her. Fancy a beautiful restaurant like this being empty at this time of night. The waitress deposited her drink, took her order for the chicken-and-ham pie she’d chosen from the extensive menu, then left her to her own thoughts. She cringed when Cleo tottered into the restaurant, staggered her way and pulled out a chair at the table next to hers. Oh heck, go away, you vile creature.
The next twenty minutes, while Megan waited for her dinner to arrive, were like being in some kind of time warp. Cleo went through the same details she’d shared when Megan and Tina had dined together the night before. Is this her sneaky way of getting people to trust her? Maybe Tina snuck out of the room during the night and joined Cleo in her hotel room as the woman had suggested. How does the spooky man fit in this scenario? Megan smiled at the woman.
“Dahling, you look familiar to me. Have you stayed here recently?”
“Ah, you’ve sussed me. I was here last month with my fella.”
“Oh yes, I remember. He cute man. I think at the time you make sweet couple and I like to get to know you better. If you ever go to Portsmouth, I give you my address. You stay for free in my apartment, you hear me?”
“That’s very kind of you. Do you make that offer to all of your guests?”
Cleo leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “Only the pretty ones.” She kissed Megan on the cheek.
Megan cringed and resisted the temptation to strike the woman. “You’re very kind. Well, I better go to bed now. I have an early start in the morning.”
Cleo jumped to her feet and placed a hand on Megan’s shoulder, preventing her from standing. “No, we not finished yet, sweetie. Let me buy you a drink or ten.” Cleo laughed raucously.
“No, that’s fine. I’m going back to my room now if it’s all the same to you. Thanks for the invite.”
“You come to my room later. You have open invitation to join me when my hubby fast asleep,” Cleo insisted, her voice rising in her urgency.
“To be honest, I just want an early night. It’s been a very long day for me.”
Cleo bent to kiss her cheek again and squeezed her shoulders. “I make you nice and relaxed. I promise you won’t regret spending night with me.”
Megan pushed her chair back, and Cleo lost her balance and toppled into the next table. “I said no, and I mean no. I’m not into the kind of thing you’re asking me to join you in. You disgust me. Now get out of my face.”
Two heads popped around the doorway as she marched towards it. Megan pointed at Cleo. “She should be bloody locked up. Institutionalised at the very least. I’m going to my room, and I have no intention of paying for my meal as when I get upstairs, I’m sure it’s going to resurface. She’s disgusting, and she’s lucky I haven’t called the police.”
The waitress and the receptionist seemed appalled and embarrassed by their boss’s behaviour. They tried to apologise, but Megan stomped up the stairs without saying another word.
She slammed the door behind her and threw herself on the bed. Her heart pounded as she picked up her phone and searched her handbag for a card. “Hello, is that you, Sally?”
“Megan?”
“My God, you’re never going to believe what just happened.”
“Calm down. Are you all right? Has anyone hurt you?”
“I’m fine, just shaken up after uncovering something major to do with Tina’s disappearance. Can you come and see me first thing?”
“Where are you?”
“I’m at the Elsa Lee hotel.”
“You’re what? Why? Crap, shall I come and see you now? What have you found out?”
“I’m fine. No, tomorrow will do. You’ll be shocked by what I have to tell you. See you around nine?”
“Of course. Are you sure you’ll be safe?”
“Yes, I’ll barricade myself in tonight and meet you outside in the morning. Don’t be late, please.”
“I won’t be. Stay safe.”
After Megan hung up, she moved the small sofa up against the door and piled it high with the small coffee table and the dressing table stool. It wasn’t much, but it gave her peace of mind.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Sally
rang Jack the next morning and told him to be at work at eight thirty.
After his initial complaints died down, he asked, “Why? Why would she stay at the same hotel?”
“If she’s anything like me, she’ll be determined to find out what happened to her friend, Jack. Where better to start her quest than at the scene of the suspected crime? We have to give her credit for that; she’s certainly got balls.”
“I suppose. Let’s hope she hasn’t put herself in harm’s way by being as pig-headed as you.”
Sally laughed. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
They arrived at the hotel five minutes late due to the morning rush-hour traffic. A woman was standing on the steps of the building. At first, Sally thought it was Megan, but the woman’s heavy build was nothing like Megan’s svelte frame. Sally glanced around, looking for Megan, and her heart began to pound when she realised she wasn’t there to greet them as promised.
“I see I managed to fool you then.” The woman on the steps removed her dark glasses and winked at Sally.
“What the? Megan! You did that all right. I take it you booked in here wearing that disguise and under a fake name.”
“I did. Thank you so much for coming. You won’t regret it. Can we talk in your car?”
“Of course.”
The three of them walked back to the car. Sally and Megan climbed into the backseat, and Jack sat in the passenger seat in the front. He turned to face them.
“What’s going on, Megan? Have you found Tina?” Sally asked eagerly.
“No. What I saw last night hints that there is something very strange going on at this hotel. Before I reveal what I’ve learned, can you tell me what exactly you found out at the first hotel?”
Sally tutted. “Like I told you on the phone yesterday, the owner told me you were there alone. He sounded convincing enough from my perspective.”
Megan nodded and raised her eyebrow. “Why am I not surprised about that? Okay, I have another question for you. When you interviewed the staff here, I didn’t see you question the owner of this hotel, the black woman, or did you do that elsewhere, in her office perhaps?”