Christy Barritt - Squeaky Clean 04 - Dirty Deeds (13 page)

I just laid there, in the middle of a fancy hotel room, trying to catch my breath while two maids stared at me like I was a lunatic.

“Are you okay?” Deanna finally asked.

“I’ve never been so glad to see you,” I mumbled. I rolled over and laid like a dead fish for a moment before finally sitting up.

I felt like an idiot, but I was alive.

“What were you doing down there?” Deanna asked. “Was there a fire somewhere?”

I looked at the door to the room, which was closed, hopefully locked. There was no one else in this room. Just the three of us.

“I thought … ” I realized the absurdity of my words and stopped. “Never mind. I just got spooked, I supposed.”

Deanna patted my shoulder. “This place can get creepy at night, especially the areas where there are no guests. Some people say it’s haunted.”

“I don’t know about that, but someone was in that room with me.”

That had been no ghost. I was sure of that. What I wasn’t sure of was exactly who it had been.

“Why would someone have snuck into the room?” Deanna sat down across from me with her legs crossed. Shirley, a larger woman with short red hair, leaned against the bed.

I shrugged. “I have no idea. Tell me, what’s beyond that breezeway a couple floors down? I think it’s under construction.”

“They’re updating that entire section down there and putting in a new indoor pool and a spa just for children. Like children need spa treatments.” Deanna snorted.

“What about outside? Is there anything near that area?”

Deanna and Shirley glanced at each other a moment. Deanna finally shook her head. “Woods. Lots of woods. The maintenance shed used to be out on a service road back there, but it caught fire last year and it hasn’t been used since. As soon as they finish renovating this wing, they’re going to tear it down. So, in short, there’s nothing back there. What’s with all the questions?”

“Did you guys hear about the girl who’s missing?”

“She’s been the talk of the staff. You knew her?” Deanna asked.

I shook my head. “No, I didn’t know her, but my fiancé does. They went to law school together.”

Shirley shook her head. “That’s terrible.”

I nodded. “I know. I’ve been asking around, and I’m afraid the wrong person found out about her disappearance.”

“Is that why you wanted to see the video feed?” Deanna asked.

I nodded before glancing back and forth from the two women. “You don’t know anything about her disappearance, do you?”

They glanced at each other and shrugged. “I see so many people, I wouldn’t remember,” Deanna said.

I pulled out my phone, brought up a social media site using Wi-fi, and found her picture on Riley’s friends list. “This is what she looked like. Her name is Jackie.”

Shirley got up to look first. She shook her head.

I held the phone up in front of Deanna. She gasped. “I do remember her.”

Finally! Maybe the answers were in my reach. “What do you remember?”

She shook her head and looked into the distance. “She was wandering down the hallway in my wing. It was late, like two a.m. or something. I don’t see that many people at that time of the night. And I thought it was weird because she was walking with three guys, and none of them looked like they should be guests here.”

Clint’s friends! Except … there were only two of them that I’d seen. I pulled my phone back toward me and pulled up another picture. “Was this one of the men?”

Deanna stared at the picture a moment before nodding. “I’m pretty sure he was. I remember that beard and flannel shirt.”

I closed my eyes. Was Clint involved in Jackie’s disappearance? I didn’t want to believe it, but I was starting to suspect he knew more than he was letting on.

I looked up at my new friends, an idea forming in my mind. “I have one more favor. I need to borrow something.”

***

I walked back to my room an hour later wearing only one flip-flop and desperately needing to decontaminate my face.

I tried to sneak back inside, praying that Veronica was still asleep and that I could avoid her. I closed the door behind me, ready to tiptoe to my bedroom and pretend like I’d been there all night. The light in the room was still dim, and all was quiet.

Relief filled me. Veronica was still asleep. I kept my steps soft against the carpet as I tiptoed toward my room. I needed some time by myself to decompress and chew on everything I’d learned.

Plus, I was still thinking about the man in black. Who was he? Where was he now? Why did I have the feeling that I hadn’t seen the last of him?

My hand gripped the doorknob when I heard someone behind me.

I readied myself to fight for my life … with only my fists as weapons.

This wouldn’t turn out well.

CHAPTER 17

“You don’t have to sneak off to be with your boyfriend, you know. We’re all adults here.”

I twirled around and saw Veronica there, a smirk on her face. Her bedroom door was right behind the main door to the room, I reminded myself. It wasn’t as if she’d been hiding, waiting to scare the snot out of me just for humiliation purposes.

Or had she?

I straightened as her words sunk in. “It’s not like that.”

“Whatever,” she muttered. She stood in her doorway, wearing some kind of fancy silk robe that reached to the floor. Her hair was pulled back in a sloppy ponytail that somehow still looked like a million bucks. Veronica was just that kind of woman.

I wasn’t even going to bother explaining myself to the woman. In fact, I wasn’t going to bother speaking with her at all. Her smirk told me that she wouldn’t believe anything I had to say anyway. Instead, I went to my room, shut the door, and hopped in the shower.

It was only after that I remembered my clean clothes were in my old room.

No way was I asking Veronica if I could borrow hers. Not that I could fit into them. I might be skinny, but I wasn’t
that
skinny.

I glanced at the clock beside my bed. I had an hour before I met Riley.

I went through the dance of putting dirty clothes on my clean body. Gross, but I had little choice. It was only then that I noticed I had some kind of mustard stain on the front of my shirt. Great.

I quickly dried my hair. I desperately wished I had some gel to keep it from frizzing. It would look okay for the first thirty minutes, but after that I’d look like Ronald McDonald after he stuck his hand in a light socket.

I used the little bit of makeup I kept in my purse to cover the circles under my eyes. I almost slipped on my one flip-flop, but I realized I’d be better off going barefoot.

I glanced in the mirror.

It wasn’t a great look, but it would have to do for now.

Why here at Allendale, of all places, did I have to do without my suitcase?

I went downstairs. Thankfully, the shops opened at eight. I wandered around looking for something—anything—that I could wear and that was in my price range. Certainly the police would release the room soon, and I could get my clothes back.

In the meantime, I bought some navy blue shorts, a stripped blue and white top, and white loafers. This was so not my style. But it would have to do.

I changed and was ready just in time to meet Riley.

When I saw him, my face heated as I remembered his goodnight kiss. I still had no idea what exactly that was about, but I hoped he might open up about it soon.

“That’s a new look,” he said, after giving me a kiss on the forehead. Sometimes it was the sweet, most innocent kisses that really warmed my heart the most. There was so much tenderness in kissing someone’s forehead; it was such a small but thoughtful way to show you cared.

“I had to run down to the gift shop.”

“That’s right. I forgot about your clothes.” We walked side by side. “What are you planning for today?”

“I think I might go hang out by the pool for a little while.”

“They’re heated by natural springs, you know.”

“So I’ve heard.” I glanced up at him. I couldn’t tell him about last night. He’d ask me what I was doing out at that hour, or why in the world someone might want to chase me. I just couldn’t answer those questions right now. Instead, I decided to keep the subject safe and non-controversial. “So, is this the kind of place you see us vacationing at after we’re married? Are you an upscale resort kind of guy?”

He shrugged. “Honestly, I’d be happier in a little cabin nestled in the mountains with no one else around. Or maybe in a beach house, but not one in a resort city, maybe on the Outer Banks of North Carolina or something.”

I nodded. “I like that idea. I can’t say I’m much of a fancy resort girl, although this place is awesome.”

“Fit for royalty.”

We sat down at a table for breakfast. A moment later, Derek and Lillian joined us. Derek offered a smile as he glanced my way, but there was something in his gaze that I didn’t like.

Derek whipped his napkin in the air before placing it on his lap. “I ran into Clint a few minutes ago. He didn’t look very happy.”

“What did he say?” Riley asked. He held up his coffee mug, and a waitress filled it with warm liquid.

Just hold it up, and they fill it. Nice. I raised mine, but the waitress scurried away before she saw it. I scowled and set it back on the saucer.

“He said that he wanted us to stay out of it. He made that abundantly clear, didn’t he?” Derek glanced at Lillian, who nodded.

“Abundantly.”

“The police are involved now. This is all out of his hands,” I added.

Derek shrugged. “I’m just telling you what he told us. He looked ticked. Wouldn’t surprise me if he still tried to take this all into his own hands.”

It wouldn’t surprise me either if he tried to take things into his own hands. Maybe I’d revise my swimming plans for the day. Maybe I’d tail Clint instead.

I put in my breakfast order. From across the room, I saw Ajay sitting by himself again. He looked regal and cultured, almost exotic. What was behind the hurt in his eyes? Why had he traveled here alone and stayed for a month? He had no entourage, no family, no friends. Every time I saw him, he was alone.

I knew he had a story. I just didn’t know what it was.

The waitress came back to refill Riley’s coffee. I raised my cup again, determined to get some also. I’d hardly gotten any sleep over the past two nights. I needed something to keep me awake.

She stepped away.

“Excuse me! Miss—” It was too late. She was gone.

I sighed and put my cup back down. Not even fancy new clothes could make me look at home here.

“Excuse me,” I mumbled.

I stood, grabbed my cup, and walked over to the little station where the coffee was set up. I pushed past my waitress and grabbed the pot, poured myself a cup, and slammed the carafe back down.

“I like a woman who makes her own way,” someone said behind me.

I turned and saw Ajay. He offered a slight bow. I found myself offering a slight bow in return.

“Nothing stands between me and my coffee,” I mumbled.

“You have been a bright spot in my day here, Miss St. Claire. Thank you for your authenticity.”

I really hoped he wasn’t getting the wrong idea about me. I’d been showing interest in him for Deanna’s sake, not my own. Sticky, sticky, sticky …

“I appreciate that, Ajay.” I raised my coffee mug. “Good seeing you again.”

As I sat down at my table again, Derek raised his eyebrows at me. I glanced over at Riley, hoping he hadn’t seen. He was engrossed in a conversation with Lillian. I had the odd desire to kick Derek under the table … and then keep kicking him. He annoyed me to no end.

“I can’t believe that Lane didn’t know you were engaged to Veronica,” Derek said just as our food came. “How lame is that?”

Riley quickly glanced at me. “Well, Lane and I never were that close in the group.”

“Are you surprised that Veronica didn’t tell him?” Lillian asked.

Riley sucked in a deep breath. “I don’t know. I won’t speak for her or assume anything.”

Lillian snorted and looked at me. “You’re a bigger woman than I am. No way would I room with my fiancé’s ex.”

“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” I cast a sharp glance at Riley. “Not that she’s an enemy.” I erased the smile from my face. “Besides, I think we can learn something from every circumstance, no matter how dire it may seem at the time. I’m going to learn something from this, too.”

Riley smiled at me, admiration in his gaze. A year ago, I wouldn’t have been able to say that. No, back then I was living in the moment. Things had changed, though, and for the better. But I was still a work in progress, and I had so much to learn.

Starting with all the secrets I’d been keeping from Riley. I was waiting for just the right time to share, but the right time never seemed to come—or got interrupted halfway through. I had to clean up the mess I’d made somehow, though.

Secrets in relationships weren’t good. Speaking of which, Riley had a few secrets of his own, it seemed. When did he plan on sharing those with me?

CHAPTER 18

When Riley went to his conference so he could learn about “Conservatorship When the Ad Litem Guardianship Is Absolved” and “Technicalities in the Breach of Real Estate Brokerage Law,” I wandered up to my room. I looked around, trying to figure out if Veronica was here or down at the workshops with the rest of the gang.

“Hello? Anyone here?” I was playing it safe this time.

No one said anything, nor did I hear water running or any other telltale sign that someone was here. That meant I had some time to myself.

I plopped down on the couch. I wanted to slouch, but the place was so nice that I found myself sitting up straight, “like I had a string running through my spine all the way up through the top of my head.” Yeah, my mom had done some beauty pageants in her younger days and loved to pass on tidbits of advice like that.

I pulled out my cell and called the police. After getting transferred several times, I finally talked to the right person, and they agreed I could get my suitcase. They were going to send an officer to escort me into the room and retrieve it. He’d be at Allendale within the hour, he said.