Sudden Vacancies

by James Kipling

Tommy shrugged his shoulders and went back to working in his florist shop. He insisted on getting back to work as soon as possible so he wouldn’t miss a single order. After all, two deaths were not going to keep people from wanting to come to the Paradise.

  The question now was what would happen if a third death occurred. It’s not as if it would be all that likely …right?

  Chapter 12

  The news media lingered for a little longer than usual and there were plenty of conversations going on about what might be going on at the hotel. Was someone intentionally harming these people? Was there something sinister going on within the hotel? Or maybe it was just people being ignorant and failing to take care of their own personal safety.

  The latter could be the case considering the risky nature of both of the deceased’s’ activities just before their deaths. Still, the lack of knowing what was happening proved to be very troublesome for the hotel.

  No one seemed to have a desire to cancel their reservations, but most people with future reservations lived outside Columbus and might be unaware of the recent developments. However, the fear of what could happen in the future was a real problem and uppermost in the minds of all Paradise employees.

  *****

  “Attention all employees, I understand that many of you are concerned about what has happened here in the last few days. I’m just as concerned about the welfare of this hotel as you are and as a result I have contacted our security chief, Andrew James, to take care of some changes for keeping this place safe.” Sandra looked over the sea of faces in front of her. She had ordered all employees to attend a staff meeting in the restaurant.

  Andrew took over the speech. “Several issues- several issues - yes, involved here. We will work with some very specific protocols from here on out. Hoping that these are only temporary but we can never really tell. Our focus with these changes is the safety of hotel guests.

  “First, metal detectors are being installed at the front and side doors as we speak. We are also increasing the number of individual personnel who will help us out with taking care of reviewing the individual things that come in and out of the hotel. Every bag entering the premises will be hand checked.”

  “Secondly, we are going to have some additional guards outside all entrances to the hotel. Given that both victims had cards from the local streetwalkers in their possession, we can’t rule out that somehow these individuals are entering this property.”

  “It’s clear that changes need to be made with regards to what is going on. Our first priority is to make sure everyone in the hotel is safe. Now, I don’t know if these deaths are related or just accidents that happened in close proximity of each other. These new measures are designed to give everyone a better feel for what is happening within the hotel and if there is someone responsible for these deaths, these new protocols could potentially help to track them down.

  “Most importantly, if anyone here sees something that is suspicious, then I need you to speak up and tell me. Every piece of information we get can be critical.”

  Andrew paused for a moment and looked over the room, noting that most employees seemed to be taking the changes in stride.

  “Now, I know what you are thinking. I’ve heard some of you questioning whether or not we have a killer amongst us. I expect each and every employee to do their part.”

  After the presentation, Sandra thanked Andrew for talking with everyone about what has happened. Deep down inside, Andrew felt that whatever was going on involved a hotel employee, but he didn’t want to assume that something was going on inside the hotel.

  He had that lump in his throat—a feeling that something bad was still going to happen. Even with all the security measures added in the hotel, there were still concerns over what could happen next.

  Chapter 13

  The hotel went on with business as usual from the inside. Everything was going on as normally as it could. The questionable activities taking place just around the corner from the hotel went on as if nothing was amiss. The whole sense of normalcy was intact in many ways.

  After all the security measures were added, there were some serious concerns over what was going on with the hotel. There was the fear that something new would happen even with all the changes that took place. Employees began to worry about what would happen the next few days and if some further measures actually had to be undertaken.

  The hotel used all of these key features to make sure it was secure but at the same time there was always going to be that one question – were they doing enough? Sure, the place was secure but there’s always going to be that one hole that anyone can get through.

  No matter how secure a place is, there is always going to be a risk that someone will sneak through or there will be some vulnerability exposed.

  The Paradise was about to experience such an issue.

  While the hotel was kept under a strong amount of control, another body was found in yet another room. This time it came at the top level of the hotel.

  *****

  In room 1905, one of the hotel’s many luxury suites, a man was found by a woman who was about to visit him. The man who had rented the room had left a key for her at the front desk. At the time the body was found, there was also one master key checked out, registered to the custodial department.

  The man was found lying face down in the middle of the sitting room, his wallet lying open on the floor next to the body. All the cash was gone, but his credit cards and ID were still intact. The only other items found were several condoms lying on the bedside table indicating he was most likely intending to have sex with the woman who found him.

  Those were the only clues found by investigators. No weapon was found. It was clear that the man had suffered some kind of neck trauma and he struggled to try to get away. The broken blood vessels in his face and eyes indicated he had been choked and there was bruising around his neck, but the implement used was not identified.

  This was definitely murder. Was this death connected to the other two?

  *****

  “What the fuck is wrong with this place!” exclaimed Andrew.

  “Andy, I really don’t appreciate that language,” responded Sandra.

  “Jesus H. Christ, don’t you see what’s going on here? We do all these changes to make the place safer and for what? Nothing! Do you even realize how much effort I put in just to figure out which things had to be done in order to make this place safer?”

  “Well, it’s still no excuse …”

  “Bullshit it isn’t! Look, don’t you see what’s going to happen here? There are still people dying, nothing’s changed! I swear, someone is clearly up to this. I knew there wasn’t a real way to say that someone was responsible at first but I think it’s pretty obvious now that someone is out there to get everyone. I don’t know who, but someone’s doing it.”

  “Well, there’s always vulnerability in security.” Sandra understood Andrew’s frustration. She felt completely lost as to what the hotel’s next steps should be.

  “You’re saying that it’s no big deal.”

  “It is a big deal, Andy! And look, we have to do something much stronger in order to keep the place safe. I don’t want to risk having to close this place down and if we can’t control the PR coming from these deaths, I won’t have a choice.”

  Although the Paradise had been getting plenty of business from outside clients over the years, there were still worries about what was happening all around the Columbus area. While it was true that the hotel was still turning a profit, there were worries about how long it could last before the recent events brought it all to a screeching halt.

  The pros and drug lords kept their distance. If the hotel’s image slipped, what would keep them from moving their operations to the front doors? What would happen if the prostitutes took up residence under the front canopy? How long would they be able to control the drug lords?

  These thoughts rushed through Sandra’s mind, making her head hurt.

&nb
sp; Andrew had a suggestion. “Why don’t I get out of your hair and take another look at the new protocols. Maybe there’s something I missed that will help us prevent this from happening again.”

  Exhausted, Sandra gave him a hug. “Andy, I hope you know I appreciate all your hard work. Let me know if you come up with something.”

  “Will do,” Andrew said as he exited her office. His mind was already going over the security protocols.

  *****

  Sandra watched Andrew leave her office and then let her head drop into her hands. The hotel was in serious trouble and making simple changes wasn’t going to cut it. The news media had taken up residence in the front lobby and while she wanted to throw them out, she knew that unless she worked with them, the hotel would suffer.

  News of the most recent murder was the top story on the nightly news, and the headline on the front page of the paper. Keeping the hotel’s name out of the media had been impossible this time and she feared the repercussions were just beginning.

  Something had to be done.

  Chapter 14

  A few days later, a full-page advertisement was taken out by the hotel.

  “We at the Paradise Hotel understand your concerns about what has happened recently. We know that people are worried about the recent events and we are working diligently with law enforcement to resolve the situation.

  “While the investigation continues, we can assure you that our hotel is open for business and that all activities normally appreciated by our clientele are still available. No events have been cancelled. We are also offering discounted rates on select rooms for a limited time.

  “We have revamped our security measures, among other things, to ensure that our hotel will continue to be the premier place to host your event. Our first class staff is here and waiting to meet you.”

  Sandra had gotten several of the hotel employees to read over the ad. While Andrew and Bruce had been against mentioning anything about the recent events, Tina and Sally had argued that the public would appreciate openness. Anything less would look like the hotel was trying to cover up what had taken place. Sandra agreed.

  All agreed that increasing the number of rooms being rented and offering reduced rates for a limited time was a good move. Weekend specials, which included restaurant passes and welcome packages, were discussed and put into place.

  Now it was just wait and see if anyone was willing to take a chance.

  *****

  Two days after the last death, the hotel seemed to be running at a normal pace. While the added security had given the appearance of making the hotel a safe place to stay, there was still doubt in several people’s minds about the hotel’s ability to stop any future murders.

  Andrew walked through the foyer early in the afternoon, pleased to see that everything seemed to be working smoothly. Nodding at Sally as he walked past reception, he noticed her helping a guest check-in.

  The man appeared to be of Chinese descent and only had a small overnight bag with him. Figuring he was a businessman who had come to Columbus for a short meeting, Andrew continued through the foyer and onto his next project.

  After arriving at the hotel and getting settled in his room, the Chinese man removed the business card from his wallet and called the hotline number for the ‘“girls on delivery’” service. As he waited for her arrival, he enjoyed the idea of spending the evening with a white woman.

  The woman was dressed in highly scandalous clothes. The boy shorts she wore rode up the curve of her buttocks, and the front came only a few centimeters above her pubic bone. The demi bra barely covered her breasts and the sheer shirt she wore over everything left little to the imagination. Her makeup was heavily applied and showed signs that it had been applied many hours before.

  He and the woman were seen attending Bruce’s performance at the Blue Plate. The man purchased some flowers from the florist station to commemorate the night with her. Returning to the hotel room, they had ravenous sex. The hotel records would later show that an adult movie had been purchased on the pay-per-view system during the time they were in the room.

  Afterwards, the woman left the hotel with a worn-out gaze and her makeup in need of repair. Sally, Bruce, and Tommy were all walking out of the hotel, having finished their shifts at the same time, when they noticed the woman leaving.

  “What kind of a slut is that?” Sally asked them as soon as the call girl left.

  “I don’t know, but I saw her at the restaurant tonight. She was with some guy who looked to be of Chinese descent,” Tommy said.

  “I remember him, I checked him in earlier this afternoon. He didn’t check-in with her,” Sally responded. “I bet he must have paid a pretty penny for her. Are you thinking what I’m thinking, that the Chinese man is next?”

  Chapter 15

  Sally was right. The next morning, the Chinese man was found on his hotel room bed dead from some kind of neck trauma. No blood was found and no sign of a weapon or forced entry was identified.

  “Andrew, Sally told me that she, Bruce and Tommy saw one of the streetwalkers leaving the hotel last night as they were heading home. Bruce also remembers seeing her in the restaurant with the latest victim. I gave that information to the police and they are interviewing people now to get an ID on the woman. They are going to want the security tapes from yesterday pulled as well.” Sandra couldn’t believe this was happening again.

  Andrew nodded, “Already done.”

  “Good. I think we also need to implement a new protocol that all hotel guests must check-in and show their ID before being allowed entrance to the foyer.”

  Andrew nodded, “That might be doable. Let me figure out how to get a list of guests and set up a station inside the front doors.”

  A new security measure was then developed. The hotel asked for personal identification cards to be presented by all people who came into the hotel. These included cards for the employees and the guests. No one was allowed into the hotel unless a person had a reservation to get into the hotel or the person worked there.

  This new protocol would serve two purposes according to Andrew’s way of thinking. First, it would eliminate outsiders from entering the hotel and significantly shorten the suspect list should another death occur.

  Second, it would determine if someone inside the hotel was responsible for the murders if another one occurred. Although the employees hoped that no one from within their ranks was responsible for what was going on, everyone felt more comfortable with the new protocols in place.

  The police were able to identify the woman who had visited the Chinese man, and after questioning her, it was determined that she had no useful information. According to her statement, the man was alive when she left the hotel room around 11 o’clock that evening. According to the coroner’s estimation, the Chinese man died sometime between 2 and 4 a.m.

  With the new protocols in place, Andrew and Sandra were able to lessen the fears of the guests and employees. Unfortunately, a sense of dread hung over the hotel and nerves were stretched thin.

  *****

  Sandra was in a huge panic—what was going on with the place? Maybe Andrew was right—there was something terribly wrong happening in her hotel and the future of the hotel was at stake.

  Chapter 16

  Sandra Jones went over to the local police department to address the media. The local police chief had called a press conference after his office had been bombarded with phone calls and reporters shoving cameras and microphones in his officer’s faces.

  Sandra had agreed to join him in an effort to help build some positive PR for the hotel even in the midst of the latest tragedies.

  After listening to the police chief give a brief list of information regarding the investigation currently taking place, he handed over the podium to Sandra. “Good afternoon, it has come to my attention that there are some serious problems at the Paradise Hotel relating to a series of deaths.

  “I am not going to sugarcoat any of the things that
I am going to say here. As you just heard the police verify, they believe that the deaths are all related and possibly the work of a serial killer.

  “As far as we know, the people who have died were innocent people who wanted to enjoy their time at this hotel. Unfortunately, it seems that someone took offense at this. These people were here for a variety of reasons.

  “Take Mr. Saul Brandon, a man who came in for a convention. He was in the vending trade business for almost twenty years. It’s clear that he enjoyed serving people and my staff knew him to be a very respectful and thoughtful individual.

  “Mr. Michael Jerry was another person who clearly cared about people. When he arrived here, he came with the intention of attending the wedding of his brother. He served as his brother’s best man and even though he was not married, I have been told that he always wanted to find that one special woman to spend the rest of his life with. He wanted to be friends with those that he came in contact with and knew that somewhere out there was a woman who would be his perfect match. Unfortunately, his life was cut short and his dream will never be reached.

  “The people who died here were real humans who wanted to come here to enjoy what we have. Unfortunately, the peace and comfort that is supposed to come with this place is gone.

  “We have implemented very strong security measures since the first body was found, and yet those measures don’t seem to have been able to stop these deaths. At this point in time, it appears that someone currently residing or working at the hotel is responsible for the deaths that have occurred.

  “There is absolutely no way we can speculate on what is going on here or who might be responsible for anything at this point. What we can tell you is that we are distraught and concerned over what is happening at our hotel.