by Sharon Dunn
The signs indicated that the ballroom was in the west end of the hotel. The room was huge with wooden floors. Two chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Lacey could picture the parties, dances and banquets that must have taken place here.
Now it was completely empty except for a table, couch and comfy-looking chairs that surrounded the crackling fire. The air smelled like wood polish. Another lantern had been set up on the table. Store-bought cookies, cold cuts, cheese and crackers had been set out. There was also a camp stove with a teakettle on it. All the fixings for cocoa and tea sat beside the stove.
A moment later, two men entered the ballroom and found a seat. Lacey’s heart fluttered. Both the men were the same build as the man who had attacked her. Come to think of it, so was Ray.
The older man pointed to the younger. “I’m Eddie and this is my son Jonathan. Looks like we are in for a long night.”
Lacey and Jude introduced themselves.
Lacey grabbed a paper plate and some food. When she sat down in a high-back chair, the heat from the fire calmed her. The men made small talk while Lacey stared at the fire.
Ray entered the ballroom. “Things have gotten even worse in the last twenty minutes. It’s whiteout conditions outside. A man could walk only a few feet, get disoriented and freeze to death,” said Ray. “Until this storm subsides, you cannot go outside. You’d be taking your life in your own hands.”
Lacey’s throat constricted. “So if someone was in the hotel, they couldn’t leave, right?”
“Not unless they wanted to risk death,” said Ray. “Nope, the smart thing to do is to stay put until this thing dies down.”
The cookie Lacey was nibbling didn’t taste so sweet anymore. She stared at all the men. The only one who was off the hook for attacking her was Jude. He’d come to the door and spoken while the other man was running away.
It was possible too that the three men were innocent and the attacker was hiding somewhere in the hotel. Both alternatives sent a wave of terror through her.
* * *
As he snacked on his cheese and crackers, Jude noticed a shift in mood for Lacey. She stared at the fire and gave one-word answers when anyone tried to include her in the conversation. She rubbed her feet together as though nervous.
He felt a little restless himself. How was eight-year-old Maria doing? Was she safe? Was she alone and hungry? His only comfort was that if he was trapped, maybe the kidnapper was too. Once the storm broke, he might still be able to search the houses that connected with that road. Maybe Maria had even been in the car when Jude had been shot at. The kidnapper could have brought her down here and was hiding her somewhere. There were too many unknowns. All he knew was that the longer he was delayed, the colder this case got and the less of a chance that Maria would be returned alive.
Maybe Lacey was right. Maybe the kidnapper had an accomplice. Lacey could identify him, but Jude was the one who had been on his tail. Jude figured it was only a matter of time before he became a target too.
When there was a lull in the conversation, Lacey bolted up from her chair. “You know, I think I’ll go upstairs. Are you coming, Jude? I need to talk to you about something.”
“Sure.” What was she up to?
Jude nodded his goodbye to the other men and then walked with Lacey across the expansive wood floor.
Once they were out of earshot in the hallway, Lacey turned toward him. Desperation filled her voice. “Help me search the hotel.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Ray said there was no way anyone would go out in this. Whoever attacked me must still be hiding in this hotel. He must have snuck in before the storm got so bad,” she said. “I want to know what he was doing in my room. And I want to know that it won’t happen again because he’s been caught.”
He heard the fear in her voice. “Sure. It’s not like I have a busy social schedule.” He hoped the attack on Lacey wasn’t connected to the kidnapping. It was a thin hope at best. He didn’t like the idea of Lacey being in danger after she had risked her life to save his.
“Okay, come with me so I can get my flashlight out of my room,” she said.
She headed toward the stairs, moving outside of the cone of illumination his flashlight made.
“I don’t want the others to know we’re looking. Just in case it was one of them who was in my room.” She stepped on the first stair and turned, waiting for him to come toward her with the light.
They hurried upstairs. While Lacey got her flashlight, Jude retrieved his gun from the nightstand drawer. He shoved it in his waistband at the back and untucked his flannel shirt so it would be covered.
Had Lacey been chosen at random to be robbed? Had she been chosen because as a woman she was more vulnerable? Or was this connected to what had happened on the mountain?
They met in the hallway, both of them holding flashlights. “Let’s search this floor first,” she said. “He ran off this way. At the time, I just assumed he took a back entrance and escaped out into the night.”
He spoke in a low voice as they made their way down the hallway. “Is there something controversial about your research?”
She swung the flashlight back and forth after stepping into an area that may have been some sort of meeting place for hotel guests. There was a fireplace in the center of the room and a very dusty-looking oriental rug. A couple of cardboard boxes were stacked in a corner.
“I don’t think there is anything controversial about my research. If anything, it helps hunters and campers. Why are you asking?”
“Just trying to figure out a motive for the attack.” He really wanted the attack to be unconnected to the kidnapping.
“Motive for the attack? You sound like a cop.” She shone her flashlight in his direction.
“I used to be.” The comment was friendly enough, but he could feel himself retreat emotionally. “Let’s just leave it at that.”
“Sure, Jude.” She swept past him and up the hall, then looked over her shoulder. Even in near darkness her auburn hair had a glossy sheen to it. “I told you everything about my job, but you don’t want to talk about yours.”
He hurried after her. “I said I used to be a cop.”
“So why did you stop being a cop?” She stood in front of an ancient-looking elevator with an out-of-order sign. Her gaze rested on him, waiting for a response.
He reached out and touched the out-of-order sign that looked like it might have been hung during the Carter administration. “Let’s take the stairs.” Jude felt like someone had stirred his insides with a hot poker. Thinking about the past did that to him.
He’d kept all the pain from his past at bay, but here was this redheaded woman showing curiosity about who he was as a man. A part of him wanted to open up to her just to have another person bear the burden with him.
Lacey bounded down two flights of stairs. “He probably wouldn’t hide on the main floor since it is the most used.” At the bottom of the stairs was a large wooden door.
Jude pushed on it. It screeched open, revealing a dark corridor with a series of doors and walls made of stone.
Lacey held the flashlight up to her chin and spoke theatrically. “The belly of the whale.”
He laughed. Her sense of humor was infectious. “You go first, my lady. I’ll back you up.” Maybe too, the humor covered up the fear she must be wrestling with.
They brushed away cobwebs and stepped into the hallway. Their footsteps echoed on the concrete. Each room they searched revealed various items: stored furniture, a broken chandelier and some kitchen appliances. All of it looked like it hadn’t been used in a long time. Lacey stepped into the room where a stove was stored. She shone a light on the dusty surface. Her body went rigid.
Jude stepped toward her. “What is it?”
“This looks fresh to me.” She aimed her light on the dusty stove top
where there was a handprint.
Jude shone his light all around the concrete room. All the other rooms had had an abundance of cobwebs but not this one. “Yeah maybe someone was in here recently.”
He saw the fear in her eyes. He patted her shoulder, hoping to comfort her. They continued their search. “It could have been Ray for whatever reason.”
The only room that looked like it was used on a regular basis was the laundry room, which was clean and contained folded linens, three washing machines and two dryers. Some towels hung over a drying rack. They had worked their way down the entire corridor to the other end of the hotel where there was another staircase leading back to the main floor.
“Let’s head back upstairs,” he said.
She rubbed her forehead, still standing at the base of the stairs. “The one thing I know for sure is that someone was in my room and that at one point they had their hands around my neck.” Her voice faltered.
He leaned a little closer to her. “I know an attack like that can be really scary. I think the best thing to do would be to try to get some sleep. If it would help at all, I can sleep in the chair in your room.”
“Thank you. I think I need that.” She turned to face him. “We were strangers less than ten hours ago. I guess we’re in this together for now.”
He did feel a bond growing between them. It was unusual for him to have an instant connection with anyone. His relationships with women seemed to fall apart before they ever got started. There wasn’t much he could do about liking Lacey other than enjoy the time they did have together. His work here would be finished soon enough, hopefully with a happy ending. He’d head back to North Dakota. His gut twisted into a tight knot when he thought about the kidnapped child.
They made their way upstairs, taking a little time to search the main floor. Laughter spilled out from the ballroom. When they peeked inside Ray and Eddie had set up a chessboard. Eddie’s son must have returned to his room.
They stepped away from the ballroom and headed back to their rooms. They stood on the mezzanine looking down on the ornate but worn carpet in the lobby.
The most likely scenario was that whoever had been in Lacey’s room had been there to rob her. All the same, he could not shut off his cop mind. “Is there some reason why someone in this town might be mad at you or your family?”
“I don’t have any connection to this town. I’m from the other side of the state.” She leaned forward, gripping the railing with her hands and staring off into space.
“I thought you said that you moved around a lot?”
“I do. I live in forest service cabins and campers mostly. I grew up in a little town called Jasper.” Her voice faltered. “Haven’t been back there in years.”
There was a depth of emotion to her comment that he could not begin to plumb. He suspected that there was a tragic amount of pain to her statement. “What about your mom and your dad?”
“They’re dead along with my little brother. The only family I have is my grandmother. Honestly, I don’t think my family has anything to do with why I was attacked.”
Jude felt as though all the air had left the room. He picked up on her defensive tone. “I wasn’t prying. I’m just trying to figure this thing out.”
Lacey turned toward him. “Sorry, it’s a time waster to ask questions about my family, okay?”
Just like him she’d grown defensive when talking about the past.
Jude cleared his throat. He stepped away from the bannister. “Why don’t we try to get some sleep. If he is still here in the hotel, I’ll keep watch for him.”
She studied him for a long moment. “Okay...thank you.” She walked the few feet to her room and shut the door behind her. Jude returned to his room to grab his phone, which had a book on it he’d been reading. He knocked on her door. Lacey opened it.
He collapsed into the chair. She got into bed and rolled over.
Jude read for about twenty minutes, dozed and woke up. He’d left the flashlight on to provide some light. A small tattered Bible sat on her nightstand. Maybe her tragic loss had deepened her faith instead of stolen it. It seemed though that both of them had been running each in a different way. Her job meant she didn’t put down roots or connect to a community. After the shooting, he’d quit the force and closed himself off, preferring to put his energy into his work. Lacey was the first person he’d felt any connection to in ten years.
He couldn’t begin to sort through the emotional rupture that had risen up between them. Right now, he needed to focus on keeping Lacey safe. The storm continued to rage outside as Jude struggled to calm his restless mind.
FOUR
Lacey awoke. She turned sideways. Jude was no longer in his chair. Even though he might have just slipped out to get something in his room, she felt less safe when he wasn’t close. His agreeing to sit watch was the only reason she’d slept at all. Early morning light shone in from the window. The storm had let up, improving visibility, but it was still snowing.
She heard a noise outside her door.
Her heart beat a little faster. “Jude, is that you?” She ran to the door and flung it open expecting to see him. There was no one on the mezzanine. Now she realized that maybe the noise had come from downstairs. She stepped toward the banister. Down below, she watched as a tall thin figure hurried through the lobby and slipped outside. He’d been wearing a hat, so she couldn’t see what color his hair was.
That had to be her attacker.
She stood on the mezzanine as she reached out for the wall for support.
Lacey’s heart thumped in her chest. The man had taken advantage of the letup in the storm to escape. Fear permeated her whole being.
A heavy silence enveloped her as she fought the terror that raged through her. Seeing the man brought back the trauma of the attack.
Jude came up the hallway and she fell into his arms.
“Hey, Lacey, what happened?”
“I saw him. He left the hotel. He was here all night.” Her voice must have given away how upset she was.
“Hey.” Jude gave her a tight reassuring hug and then stepped back to look at her. Jude led her over to the plush velvet chairs that were outside the hotel room on the mezzanine. “Sit down and catch your breath. How long ago? Maybe I can catch him.”
“It’s been a few minutes. I’m sure he’s gone by now.” She placed her hand on her heart and took in a deep breath. “Where did you go, anyway? I woke up and you weren’t there.”
“I just went down the hall to use the facilities.” The hotel was so old that there was only one bathroom per floor. He rested his hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
His hand lingered on her shoulder, and the warmth of his touch soaked through the fabric of her shirt. She’d always thought of herself as a free spirit, someone who didn’t need anyone. But given what had happened to her, she kind of liked having Jude around. Just his presence seemed to smooth over the agitation and fear.
“If he is connected to the kidnapper, why hasn’t he come after me?”
She turned to face him. “There you go again being a detective.”
“I’m trying to figure this thing out.” Jude shifted in his chair.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Maybe I’m just the easier target.” She slumped back in the chair. “I do know one thing. I don’t like feeling like I’m trapped in this hotel.” But going outside meant the tall thin man might come after her.
Ray walked into the lobby holding a box. He shouted up at them. “Storm won’t be the worst of it. It’s the aftermath. Be a few days before the plows dig us out and the roads are passable.” Ray must have heard what she’d said.
Jude let out a heavy breath.
Ray rested the box on the counter and pulled out a package. “Got some beef jerky here if you folks are hungry.”
Jude rose, leaned over the
railing and held up his hands. Ray tossed him a package. “Fine dining at its best.”
Ray pointed to the box. “There’s more food in here if you want to top off the meal with some granola bars. Bottled water is in the kitchen.” Ray pointed to a door on the other side of the checkout counter. “Eddie and son have already helped themselves.”
“So they are both still here?” said Lacey.
Ray drew his head back, so his chin touched his neck and a look of confusion crossed his features. “Sure, why wouldn’t they be?”
Lacey shrugged.
Ray walked over to the window and placed his hands on his hips. “Four or five more hours. This should clear up enough to walk around town at least.” He turned back to face them, rubbing his chin. “Still won’t be any electricity.”
Ray, the bringer of bad news, ambled away.
Jude rose to his feet and held out a hand for Lacey. “Might as well make the best of it.”
She took his hand, feeling the strength of his grip and the calluses on his palms. She met his gaze for just a moment, his soft eyes resting on her.
After finding food and water in the kitchen, Jude and Lacey returned to the ballroom to wait the storm out by playing a game of chess. They played two games.
“That’s it. You beat me,” Jude said.
“So we’re even. You beat me last time. Want to go for a third game to see if we can determine who the true champion is?”
Jude yawned. “You know I think I might just close my eyes for a minute. I didn’t sleep much last night.”
“Okay.” Of course, he was tired. He’d stayed up half the night watching over her.
She got up and wandered the ballroom toward a far wall where other books and games were stored on shelves. She pulled a book from the shelf that looked like it might hold her attention and then sat down in the easy chair opposite Jude, who was already snoring. He looked kind of cute sleeping with his mouth open. His wavy hair flopped over his forehead.
