8 Chapter 8

“How long has it been?” I asked Ray.

“No idea.”

Again, I glanced at the leather-clad figure. He still stared and I noticed he hadn’t moved. “There’s a guy by the fence. Leather jacket. He’s staring at me.”

Ray looked. “Yeah. So what?”

“He doesn’t look like a hotel guest.”

“So he’s a spectator. Fire-engine chaser.”

“I guess.”

We remained outside for two hours, by which time rebellion had brewed in the crowd. Finally, the firemen came out and one announced a false alarm. “I’m sorry for the inconvenience,” he said, “but we had to search the entire hotel to make sure there was no fire. You can now go back inside.”

“Some great hotel,” I told Ray in the lobby. “So much for cheap deals.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I know it’s not your fault. It’s just frustrating, the elevator and now this.”

When I started for the stairs, Ray took my arm, but let go when I stopped walking. “See you upstairs,” I said.