2759 words (11 minute read)

Chapter Thirteen

Jean and Dwight talked about their old friends and what they might all be conspiring about for nearly half an hour before Dwight stood up to leave. “They’ll wonder where I went.”

Jean shook her head. “I don’t think so. They’re going to be into their own thing.”

“Well. It’s eleven. You need to rest. So, I’ll get out of your hair.”

“Fair enough.” She went through her getting out of bed routine and walked with him to the door.

Dwight opened it and stepped outside. “Stay safe.”

Jean was surprised to see real concern on his face. “Always.”

“I mean it, Jean. Stay in here and lock the door.”

“I will. Really.”

Dwight sighed. “Sure. Do it now so I can hear it.”

“Okay! Okay.” Jean closed the door and threw the bolt. “Okay, I’m locked in.”

“Night.”

She hobbled back to bed and turned on the TV. While some old movie played she thought about the six people she now suspected. If they were smuggling things into the States, how would they do it? Someone had to be shipping and someone receiving, then there would have to be a sale to someone or their own distribution network, especially if it was drugs. In supply, perhaps Gail was the receiver. Brandon the sender. If Damon was involved, perhaps they ship drugs, but if Soren is involved, well, as a travel blogger, going all over the world, it could be drugs or antiquities. Brandon had the Afghan contacts. What was Fletcher’s role? Jean had to think about it for a while. Then it occurred to her, he did security. Back in the day, computer security but by now that could have expanded to TEMPEST, physical, information and Data security. He’d know all of it.

Jean rubbed her eyes. Was she, Dwight, Stephanie and Kiko the only ones who weren’t involved? She turned the TV off and picked up her phone. She checked Soren’s blog. Pictures of beautiful places like Thailand, the Philippines, Greece and Morocco. Weren’t all of those places great spots to pick up drugs or antiquities? Idly she searched Nellis AFB. Lots of pilot training going on there. Big exercises too, exercises where other country’s pilots participated? Wouldn’t that mean they’d bring in their own cargo, aircraft parts, and so on? That could be how the contraband was smuggled in.

She shook her head. That scenario meant a lot of people would be involved. Not very secret. Jean adjusted her pillows trying to ease the screaming pain in her back. Wait, Norm was travelling all over the world, too, for the Department of Defense. He could also be a sender. She wished she could put up a crazy wall to see how all of this was connected. She grabbed the notepad the hotel left in her room and started drawing small circles.

Brandon was at the top with the others aligned under him. She jotted down what each one of them said they do. When she finished, it looked like it would work. Jean wanted to call Voberg but holy crap it was after one in the morning. Too late or early to call anyone. She tossed the little notepad on the bed table and it slid right across the slick top and fell down between the stand and the wall. Jean sighed. She’d get it in the morning.

In the meantime, she turned off the light to try and get some sleep. There was some tossing and turning as she tried to find a way to get comfortable. Finally, in a pillow supported position half on her back and half on her side, she dropped off. She woke at a noise at her door. Jean glanced at the clock—four in the morning. The free paper delivery? She started at the sound of someone trying the door handle. A pain shot through her back at her abrupt movement when she jerked at the sound. The door rattled more. She hurried out of bed, doing her best to ignore the pain. The door rattled again.

Jean could feel her heart racing. Accustomed to the darkened room, she looked around in the light coming in around the edge of the curtains for something to use as a weapon. Aside from her light-weight purse, there was nothing. Wait, the door rattled again. Jean unplugged the handset on the room phone from its base and hefted that. Not great but better than her purse. She stared as the room door began to open.

Her hands were shaking, would that stupid door bolt hold? The door went to the limit then stopped. The noise level was still low. Whoever it was at the door, was still testing. She moved to the corner of the wall that stuck out where the bathroom was. Would they slam the door to break that bolt? She wiped her sweaty hands on her pajama pants and regripped the handset. The door moved again, back and to the bolt. Then she heard a rustle, and something fall to the carpeted floor. Something light, by the sound of it. She peeked around the corner. The door was closing. She heard it click shut and footsteps leave her door.

Jean dropped her hands to her side and took a deep breath. She went to her bedtable and turned on the light, then reattached the handset. She called hotel security. “Someone’s just tried to break into my room.”

“We’ll be right up.”

Jean sat on the edge of the bed. Her hands were shaking, and her heart was still racing. She took several deep breaths to try and calm down. She stayed there until there was a knock at her door. “Hotel security!” She went to the door, stepping around the ball of paper on the floor and looked through the peep hole. It was the night security guy from two days ago. She opened the door. “Mr. Garley.”

“Miss Hays. What happened?”

Jean explained everything then pointed out the ball of paper. “I haven’t touched it.”

Garley put on gloves and picked up the paper. He unfolded it and smoothed it out. He turned it to her.

Mind Your Own Business

There was no signature. Jean shook her head. “No idea.”

“No one spoke?”

“No. I didn’t hear any voice or voices from the hall. I was being as quiet as I could.”

“I don’t know what to tell you, Miss Hays. The door doesn’t look tampered with, but I’ll have the police look at it in the morning. Good thing you had the bolt pulled.”

Jean nodded. She was tired and in pain and her brain wasn’t working at its best. “Is there a coffee shop open in the hotel. I really need a nice cup of tea.”

Garley looked at his watch. “Coffee shop opens in forty minutes. Are you alright?”

“I guess. Just a little frightened.” She rubbed her face. I guess I’ll lay down a little while.”

“I’ll fill out a report, Miss Hays.” He walked to the door. “Be sure to throw the bolt.”

“No worry there.” Jean followed him to the door and closed it behind him, making sure the bolt was across the door. She lay down on the bed, not bothering to turn off the light, and stared at the ceiling. Who tried to get in the room? She really wished Karen were here. Jean pulled the blankets over herself and turned onto her side. That at least took pressure off of the giant bruise on her back. She stared at the pattern on the drapes.

It was three hours later when she woke. She had to use the toilet. Done, she checked for blood in the bowl, it was still clean. Then she washed her hands and dressed. She was going to get some tea or die trying.

In the coffee shop, tea in hand, she sat at a table near the wall and called Karen.

“Hey,” Jean said when Karen answered.

“Hey yourself. Having fun?”

“Not so much.” Jean played with the string hanging down the side of the cup. “I was attacked yesterday, kidney punched, then early this morning someone tried to break into my room.”

“Holy crap, Jean!”

Jean took a deep breath and dunked the tea bag up and down. “I know. I’m in the coffee shop right now, getting some tea.”

“What’s going on?”

Jean explained her theory. “I tried to lay it all out on a piece of paper. It looked like it made sense. I have to remember to get it out from behind the stand.”

“Stand?”

“Yeah, it slid off of the stand and is behind it now. I have to get it out. I want to show it to Detective Voberg.”

“You getting along with the detective?”

“Yeah. She’s nice enough. She believes me, I think, and my theories.”

“That’s something. Be careful, Jean. You’re injured now, let’s not make it dead.”

“I hear ya. Talk to you later.”

“You’d better.”

Jean clicked off. She felt better, talking to Karen.

She pulled the teabag out of the tea and tossed it in the trash. She put the lid back on it and went to her room. Jean stopped in her tracks just inside the door, with a sharp intake of breath. Her clothing was all over the floor, drawers were pulled out of the dresser and the night stand. Her candy, for Karen, was opened and smashed into the carpet. Jean stood in the door in shock, finally shaking herself and backing out into the hall. She pulled the door and went downstairs to the desk.

“Security please?”

“May I help you?” The young woman behind the counter smiled.

“No, I don’t think you can help. I really need security.”

“One moment please.” She picked up the hotel phone and dialed. “I have a resident here to see you.” She nodded and hung up.

“Mr. Drell will be right out.”

Jean nodded and went over to stand by a pillar. Sitting down seemed too difficult at the moment. She didn’t have to wait long.

“Miss Hays.”

“Mr. Drell.” She shook his hand. “You saw the night security report?”

“I did. We haven’t had the police in yet.”

“You’d better call them. I came down half an hour ago to get some tea from the coffee shop. When I got back to my room, it had been totally trashed.”

Drell’s eyebrows rose. “You touch anything?”

“No. I backed into the hall and shut the door.”

“Good. Let’s get the police here.”

“I’ve been working with Detective Voberg. I have her number.”

“Fair enough. Let’s give her a call.”

Jean found a bench to sit on that didn’t hurt too much and drank her tea while Drell talked to the police. Then she waited while he met with them and examined the room. She was glad she had her purse and phone with her. She got another cup of tea and became a center of attention as various members of the reunion came through the lobby on their way to other places. Soon she had a big crowd.

Dwight came last. “I just went by your room to check on you and the place is crawling with cops!”

Jean explained again what had happened. She noticed that Gail, Brandon and Fletcher were standing off to the side. It looked like an argument going on.

“That’s not right,” Stephanie said after hearing Jean’s story for the second time. “Someone broke through the door security? I thought that couldn’t happen!”

Dwight shrugged. “Any lock can be broken. That’s what the secondary bolt is for. Of course, you can’t use that if you’re not in the room.”

Stephanie gently put an arm around Jean’s shoulders. “What can we do to help?”

“Nothing, really. Go have fun. I’m still technically on bed rest. I should be able to have dinner tonight, though, with everyone else. It’s the last night, after all. I don’t want to miss it.”

“Let us know. The bus comes at six.” She gave Jean another hug.

Stephanie and Kiko left together, others that Jean didn’t know all that well drifted off, including Gail, Fletcher and Brandon, who she noticed, all left together. Dwight sat beside her. “What can I do?”

“You can go back to the candy factory and get me replacement boxes of candy. Mine and Karen’s were smushed into the carpet.”

“Sure. What was it again.”

Jean pulled a little notebook from her purse and wrote it down for him. “There,” she said as she handed it to him. “Do you need some cash?”

“No. I’m fine.” He shook his head. “Who do you think did it?”

“I don’t know. But while everyone was focused on me, Gail, Fletcher and Brandon were off to the side in what looked like an argument. Then they all left together. She drew in a careful breath. I’m going to the buffet and get some breakfast. I’m sure at some point Voberg is going to want to talk to me. And,” she looked at the desk, “I imagine they’re going to give me a new room.”

“Oh. Yeah. Probably.” He studied her. “I know you’ve been angry with me since our divorce, but I never wanted you hurt like this.”

“I was angry, and bitter. I just needed time to get over the hurt.”

“I’m sorry about that, Jean. Really. I am.”

“I know. Thank you.” She stood up. “So go on about your day. I’ll let you know my new room number when I get it.”

Dwight stood also. “Fine. I’ll go get your candy. Keep me posted.”

He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Surprised, Jean stumbled back a step, eyes wide. “Sorry. Too soon?”

She nodded.

“Won’t happen again.” With that he left.

Jean was eating when her cell phone rang.

“This is Voberg. Where are you?”

“In the buffet, eating breakfast.”

“Come on up to your room.”

“Be right there.” Jean quickly ate the rest of her scrambled eggs and potatoes and left. Up at her room, some techs with cases were leaving the room. An officer on duty called inside. “Miss Hays is here.”

“Send her in.”

Jean went inside. Only Voberg and Blackstone were left. “What did you find?” Black fingerprint dust covered just about everything.

“Well, not much. No fingerprints.” Blackstone stuck his hands in his pockets. “You have a knack for getting into trouble.”

“They searched the room thoroughly. Professionally, actually, except for that little fit that smashed the candy into the carpet.” Voberg studied Jean. “How you feeling?”

“My back hurts but I’ll survive. You saw someone left me a note at four this morning.”

Voberg nodded. “We have the note. Forensics will take a look. Your door lock wasn’t damaged.”

“So someone had a key?”

“Maybe,” Blackstone said. “They may have had a sophisticated lock pick.”

“Did you all look behind the bed stand?”

Puzzled, Blackstone shook his head then went over to it and pulled it from the wall. He held up the little notepad.

“Yeah, it was hard to sleep with the pain, so I made a diagram of who I suspect and what they do. If it’s a ring, then this is who I think is in it and what they do.”

Blackstone took it to Voberg and they looked at it as Jean explained. Voberg asked, “You think they were after this?”

Jean shook her head. “I can’t see how they would know about it. I didn’t start working on it till after eleven last night.”

“So, what were they after?” Blackstone asked.

Jean shook her head. “I have no idea. Maybe they’re trying to scare me.”

Voberg arched an eyebrow. “Is it working?”

“Yeah. It’s working.”

Next Chapter: Chapter Fourteen