by Krista Cairn
Her phone beeped, indicating a new text from Rene. ‘Can you swing by the café sometime and get the envelope I left last week?’
‘Sure. Am I mailing it?’
‘No, hide it somewhere safe.’
‘Okay.’
She’d completely forgotten about the large manila envelope. Someone needed to go and clear out all the food related items from the café, as well. It’s too bad, in a way. She would love to reopen the café. It had almost become a second home.
Her phone beeped again. This time it was Karen.
‘OMG. Neil just told me. Can we talk?’
What was that about? With Karen and Neil, it could be anything.
‘Sure. But later. I have to go to work,’ she responded.
‘Cool, I’ll come visit there… wait, where?’ Her response was almost instant.
‘Blue Crest’
There was a pause. ‘Okay.’
Simone double checked that all her doors and windows were locked before she headed out. That was one way to reduce the number of surprises she found when she got home. As she walked, she messaged Justin, telling him to come to the hotel to get the key.
Chapter 18 // Love You Again
Amber was working again. Not a big surprise. She waved as she recognized Simone, smiling widely. As Simone went around the side of the back office, Amber passed by her.
“Going for coffee. You take two cream, right?”
“Yes….” Either she was a natural hostess, or she was secretly writing things down.
Either way, Simone was impressed. She was also a little chagrined at realizing this was going to be another training shift, and she didn’t remember much about Amber at all.
Would this put a crimp in her plan to search Sid’s office? Maybe. Or maybe she could quickly run in there now while Amber was distracted. Hopefully the old man wasn’t in. And hopefully she would get caught abandoning the front desk.
She hurried back, and peeked in around the corner. The room appeared empty, and was free of cigar smoke. A good indicator, if she remembered right. She quickly looked around the room, mentally noting what had changed and what was the same with particular emphasis on the places it is likely to hide something.
There should be a safe behind bookshelves. Most people didn’t know the bookshelf directly over the computer monitor moved on hinges. Simone paused, listening to see if the click of Amber’s solid heeled shoes was headed back to the front desk. All sounded quiet.
She quickly flipped the latch that held the bookshelf in place and swung it away from the wall.
Now, if Sid had kept the password the same for the computer that recorded the camera information, would he have done the same thing for the safe? Quickly she punched in the five digit code. The safe beeped once and the green light came on. She heard the clicking of heels in the distance, and quickly re-entered the code to lock the safe, swinging the bookshelf back in place.
She was going to need an excuse, soon. There was no way she’d get back to the front desk in time. Quickly she walked out of the room. Better to get caught in the back, then in the office.
Frustrated, she tried to think of a way to convince Amber she could finish the shift alone. The problem was, procedures may have changed. Closing the shift always involved cash report procedures. It would be three hours later that she had another chance. Amber was a quick, thorough trainer, but she found it exhausting.
“We only have a few more rooms due in. I’m going to go sit in the restaurant and have my dinner.” She lifted a portable phone off and nearby charger. “Press the page button to send an alert to this phone if you need me.”
The minute Amber was out of sight, Simone didn’t waste any time. Pulling the bookcase open again, she re-entered the code for the safe. There were four ledger books, all matching the Brown leather exterior. Next to them sat a couple matchbooks and a business card holder.
She opened the business card holder and saw it was a collection of other people’s cards. She quickly tucked that in a pocket. Closing the safe and the bookshelf, she went to the photocopier the kept in the back.
As she laid out all the business cards to scan the fronts, she paid attention to whether or not there were notes on the back of any of them and copied those ones as well.
She quickly tucked the copies into a pocket and went back to put the business cards away, hoping she put them in the right order. They didn’t seem to be alphabetical.
Still no sign of Amber. She quickly pulled out the top ledger and opened it. It was blank. Checking the others, so they were blank as well. Who locks up blank ledgers? Maybe she should take a page from the back of one and have René tested for invisible ink, or something like that. Maybe the writing would show up under a black light. She pulled one of those pages out too.
She was about to close the safe when she caught a glint off of something in the back.
Puzzled, because the back at first appeared empty, she reached her hand back and felt around for anything that might imply a false back, false bottom, or otherwise hidden compartment.
Suddenly she heard Amber’s heels clicking across the lobby floor. Next time. Her next shift she should be there alone. She closed the safe and the bookshelf, securing the latch.
She hurried to the shelf for her notes were waiting and pretended to be studying.
“If you need a break, now’s your chance.” Amber said. “You’ll be on your own after tonight, unless business picks up. There’s no guaranteeing when you get breaks, then.”
Simone turned and smiled. “I remember. You have to stagger it around other people’s dinner times as the coming task for restaurant recommendations for entertainment places around town.”
“Just remember, don’t let anyone on the management team here you recommend a dinner place outside of this hotel.”
Simone nodded as she picked up her notes. “I think food sat like a great idea right now. Thank you.” Hopefully she wasn’t acting guilty. More likely is nervous about the job.
She really needed to go through the drawers in Sid’s desk, look under the desk blotter, and other spots like that. Who was staying in the room when Sid was killed?
Later, as their shift was about to and, Amber is a little bit nervous.
“Simone, can I ask a favour?”
“You can ask. What is it?”
Amber pulled it note out of her back pocket and held it out. “Can you pass this to the detective who was in here before? You know him right?”
“René? Sure, that’s not a problem. I actually worked for him part-time.”
“Maybe you can answer a question for me then. Since dad, Frank, was busy shredding files in the back, but that seemed suspicious to you?”
“That depends on where he was getting the files from. If he’s just clearing out old stuff in since desk, is probably just doing clean up as a way to help with the mourning process.”
“These were business reports. Things like occupancy records tax forms, stuff from earlier this month. He also had the guest database wiped. We had to add all her future reservations again. It really messed up our Internet reservations system.”
“You think someone who stayed here was intentionally deleted, as if Sid's dad didn't want the police to know."
"This could get me fired, but I kept the paper copies. It's just a name list room numbers. If Frank finds out, I'm fired, but I'm worried it would be worse than that."
"You think since dad is behind his death?"
"Sadly, yes. He is a vile man. I wish it was exaggerating, but this place… If he could get away with it, he would turn it into a brothel."
Simone’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Which means Sid was nothing like his father.
And if the hotel’s losing business, his father would be less than happy.”
“Exactly.”
The back door were staff came in let it shut, indicating their relief had arrived.
“I’ll talk to René. If he didn’t suspect his father, he will now.�
�� She lowered her voice not wanting to be overheard. “Thank you. We’ll do what we can.”
They stood at the front desk, waiting for their relief, and the entrance doors slid open. Turning to greet their late arrival, Simone rolled her eyes. It was Mitch.
“Please tell me you didn’t come to walk me home,” she said.
“No, not exactly.” He shrugged.
“Hi, Mitch,” Amber waved, blushing.
“I’m actually here to relay a message,” he said, cryptically.
“Oh? From who?”
“That’s the weird part. They didn’t say who they were.”
“Who’s the message for?” Amber asked.
Just then the other staff member walked up and joined the group.
Amber turned and introduced him. “This is Devon. He does most of our night audit shifts.”
“Yeah, hi. That’s me. I’m sure you’ll learn to hate all the notes I leave in the calm book. Remember, none of it is personal. Except, that it is. Well, no it’s about work, not you as a person.”
Amber giggled. “He’s actually quite good at his job. And he’s not as harsh as he thinks he is.”
“Nice to meet you, Devon.” She turned to look at Mitch. “I’ll meet you in the dining room.” “Too easy.” Mitch said, then turned and walked away.
Amber quickly gave Devon a quick verbal rundown of the things that happened on their shift that he might need to know about for his. It only took a couple minutes. A couple times, Simone shifted how she was standing, as her legs started to get sore. She hoped that the papers rattling in her pocket weren’t drawing their attention.
Why was Mitch there, and was the message relay just an excuse? Part of her thought she should be irritated, but she wasn’t.
Amber tapped her on the shoulder. “You must be tired. It just kind of, zoning out on us. Go ahead. I’ll finish here.”
That was all the cue Simone needed. She said a quick goodbye and headed out. She never used the locker here. Probably never would. She would change at home.
As she hurried into the dining room, she realized she didn’t have to worry about work tomorrow. That would be a good time to get René’s envelope and double check things in the café. Hopefully, Carol was content in her exile. And hopefully they could figure out who was threatening her and why, quickly. She missed her and the life of the café. It was a unique place, the way Carol ran it.
Simone decided she would ask René, and not accept any evasions. The situation was too serious.
And why hadn’t Justin come to pick up the key?
Mitch stood, leaning against the door post leading into the dining room. When he saw her, he walked out and they walked to the front door together. Simone gave a light snort, thinking about how this would effected Amber. Hopefully she wouldn’t be angry, thinking Simone was cutting in on her territory. That entire thought was ridiculous. You couldn’t tell with people, though.
“You have a message?” Simone prompted.
Mitch reached out and took her hand. “Yep, missed you.”
Simone couldn’t be sure, but she thought she heard a gasp from the front desk. She wasn’t turning to look. Office politics might be complicated after this. She pulled her hand away then used it to lightly punch his shoulder. “Are you trying to make my life difficult?
You know Amber has a crush on you, right?”
“Can’t help that. The heart wants what it wants.”
“Oh, please. I think you watch too much television.” She laughed.
They were halfway across the parking lot when reached out and took her hand again.
This time she didn’t argue.
“So, where do you think were going?” She asked.
“I’m curious what you found in Sid’s office. I’m sure you searched it by now.”
Simone quickly thought about what she should say. How much would he simply guess anyway? Better not to try guessing. Not with him he was somewhat unpredictable.
She pulled all the fold pieces of paper out of her pockets. “Enough to keep me busy for a little while. Curious?”
“Absolutely. I am strongly motivated to solve this and all of the other related mysteries in your world.”
Simone didn’t know how to take that. “I don’t think our lives will ever be ‘normal’.”
“Or predictable?”
“Exactly. I get bored too easily. If it wasn’t Sid’s mystery or the radiation, I’m sure there would be something else going on.”
“I’ve been thinking about that. About the scientist, I mean. If were being monitored, we should make it look like we’re normal, when in public. Maybe he’ll lose interest?”
“You don’t believe that for a minute.” Simone knew she didn’t. “He would probably increase the speed and intensity of his tests on us.”
“What if René helped us get you identities and we just disappeared together?”
Simone paused. Something was going on and he didn’t want to tell her what it was.
“Hey,” she stopped him and turned to read his expression. “What happened?”
Instead of explaining, he just pulled her into a light hug and leaned his head on her shoulder. That simple action took the small amount concern she felt and amplified it tenfold.
She wasn’t gonna make him talk about it. It crossed her mind that this could be a ploy. Or maybe she was overreacting and he was just lonely.
With a heavy sigh, she her hands between them pushed him back. “Okay, not in public. They’re watching us, after all. I have my reputation to maintain.” She was too tired for this right now. Not exhausted, but seriously, couldn’t he cut it out for one day?
He smiled. “You’re a ‘good’ girl.”
“You’d better believe it,” she nodded and started to walk towards home.
“With a dark side,” he added.
She turned to face him, feeling her heart start to race. “The lines I don’t cross are solid. You can believe that.”
“Oh, believe me, I know.”
Puzzling. What had she forgotten? Brows furrowed, she turned away again. He caught up in a few easy steps and took her hand. When they touched, she suddenly remembered subduing Frank, rescuing the woman, searching the house. It all came back.
She stumbled but Mitch stopped her fall.
She faced him, looking him in the eyes. “How did you do that?”
“Do what?” His confusion seemed genuine.
She thought the memory through again, taking mental notes. She hadn’t found the weapon, but she had his confession. “It was about the wife. He admitted killing Sid. Was that woman his wife?” A wave of nausea hit her and she wobbled in place. “I need to get home.”
“My place is closer.”
“Cut that out.”
“Just pointing out the facts.”
She paused. He was right about that. And she didn’t feel he was a risk. Or a threat.
Odd, for someone who kept making passes at her. The difference was trust. Not just in him, but in herself.
“Okay.” She needed to find out how much she told him, about that night, about what she’d learned. Maybe he could help her recall other things. Exciting! This was good news.
Very good.
Chapter 19 // To An Angel
The next morning she woke up one of the couches in Mitch’s TV room. Is it still a TV
room when the screen is 80 inches wide? She wondered.
She’d fallen asleep within minutes of sitting down, suddenly overwhelmed with exhaustion. The adrenaline of discovery could only carry her so far. Sitting up, she saw him lying, still asleep, on an adjacent couch. Next time he asked her to move in, she was tempted to say yes, just to see his reaction. That might by cruel though, if he was sincere.
Unless she did move in.
She shook her head. She should sneak out while he was sleeping. Somehow that felt rude though. What should she do while he slept?
His breathing seemed none existent when she looked at his chest.
Nervous, she walked lightly over and held her finger under his nose to make sure he was at least breathing. He seemed fine. He was just deeply asleep.
Curious, she leaned down to get a closer look at his face. She’d never seen him just relaxed. Every emotion he had played across his face while he was awake. Now, just sleeping, he was gorgeous. No furrowed brow. No sad, depressed look. No concerned focus, staring down at her. Simone smiled softly. This is what he looked like when he stopped worrying. What was he dreaming about?
Stop it, she scolded herself.
Simone sat down on the floor, uncertain what to do while she waited. It wasn’t long before her head started drooping, so she stood up, thinking to get a glass of water. To wake up. She needed to be up right now. But why?
She walked to the kitchen. Much of her life was lived by instinct, saving her on numerous occasions. Rival couriers wanted her gone. Guess they got what they wanted.
Wait. The couriers! That was it. She had to go, now. She needed to talk to Parallax.
He knew all the shady goings on, acting as an information broker to the courier network.
That meant she needed to change her identity again. Her looks, at least. They knew her with long, dark hair.
She looked at her cellphone. Dead. That figures. She hadn’t charged it in days. That was probably a bad idea anyway. One person had found her. She didn’t need more.
She wouldn’t need to worry about going dark side again. Not when she had Mitch.
Somehow, he balanced her out. She hadn’t felt this normal in years. She left a short note, saying she’d be back later, or he could track her down at her home. She needed to show up once in a while, just in case her brother showed up. Why hadn’t he come back?
The courier network was fluid, mobile. The one anchor they all shared was Parallax.
His real name was Matthew, and he was a keen-eyed old man with three dogs and a limp.
Simone smiled as she rummaged through a box of appearance-altering wigs and makeup.
She needed to become Dylan again.
Pulling out a small, rectangular box, she opened it and looked at the last ID photo she did back then. She squinted. This was her? Well, that was a good thing. She had some work ahead of her, though. Clothes and hair would be quick enough. It was the makeup that made her nervous. She needed to make her face rounder. Narrower was easy but rounder… that took some thinking. Pulling her wig half an inch lower on her forehead wouldn’t help. She fiddled around, hoping. No luck.