Chapter 653
The rental vehicle appeared, more mini-bus than van. They piled in. As they drove through the city, Katelina watched buildings move past. Almost everything had red tile roofs, even the fast food places. Palm trees grew like oaks. Cacti were peppered around, treated as shrubbery. Instead of grass, the yards they passed had rocks. It was like being on Mars.
The hotel they stopped at was seven stories and looked like something from the thirties. Katelina expected to see Superman swoop down from the rooftop. On a corner downtown, taller buildings on both sides gave it a fenced in feeling.
Inside, marble floors, chandeliers, and copper doored elevators continued the vintage theme. Katelina eyed a giant vase while Sorino marched to the counter. He'd apparently called ahead and paid by credit card, because they checked his name, then gave him keycards. He handed them out, still wearing that sneaky little half smile.