Page 20 of Lawbreaker

“Tony wouldn’t care,” Stasia said. “He doesn’t like people preying on each other. Well, not these days, anyway,” she added with a chuckle.

“I’ll just stay out of his way,” she said. “It shouldn’t be that hard!”

But it was. On the way to her room, she saw Donalson come out of a room only two doors down from the one she was supposed to occupy. So instead of going to her room, she darted down the stairs.

Donalson had seen her, and he was coming down as well. She looked around for Tony, but he was nowhere in sight. She didn’t know any of the other guests. Where to go, she agonized. Then she remembered. The Jungle Room!

She turned the corner and opened the door to it just as Donalson approached. But as soon as she went inside, he cursed loudly and went back to the bar.

Odalie felt like a deer in hunting season. She was miserable. If this was just the first day, what were the next two going to be like? She could see herself moving in to the Jungle Room with provisions and a tent and a pith helmet for the duration. She laughed. It was a silly thought.

She walked over to Rudolf, who was now curled up next to a potted tree. She reached down and stroked his big head. “Hello, sweetie,” she said softly, smiling. “I’m so happy to see you. It’s nice to have at least one friend here.”

The hanging rope swing was just a few steps away. She kicked off her shoes, climbed into it and curled up. It had been a long week, and a really long day. She was tired. She closed her eyes, just for a few seconds. And fell asleep.

Tony stopped by Stasia’s room on his way to bed to check on her.

She smiled. “Hi.”

“Your light was on,” he said with a returned smile. “I thought you’d still be awake. Need anything?”

She shook her head. “No, thanks. I’m fine. Odalie brought me some ginger ale and it helped settle my stomach.”

“Where is she?”

“Gone to bed, I think,” she replied.

He frowned. “I just remembered something. Donalson’s room is two doors down from hers.” His jaw set. “He’s moving.” He called Mrs. Murdock on his cell phone and gave her new instructions. He hung up. “It’s a smaller room than the one he’s in,” he said with a cold smile. “And the toilet stopped working today—it will need a plumber. He’ll have to knock on old Morris’s door to use his.”

“Morris is deaf.”

He pursed his lips and his black eyes twinkled. “Exactly.”

She laughed.

“I’ll check on your sister-in-law. Just in case,” he added.

“Thanks. She was really upset, but she didn’t want you to know,” she replied. “She said if she caused trouble, you might lose the opportunity to get that Renoir and its companions.”

His face softened, just a bit. “Nice.”

“She’s not the enemy, Tony,” she added.

He gave her a long look. “That’s what you think. Sleep tight. If you need anything, ring that bell. We’ve got six temporary maids working in round-the-clock shifts. Nobody will lack anything, even at two in the morning.”

“Nice to know. Maybe Donalson won’t be able to harass Odalie.”

“I can guarantee he won’t,” Tony said. “Not on my turf. Night.”

“Good night.”

He went down the hall to Odalie’s room. The light was still on. He frowned and knocked on the door. There was no answer. He knocked again and opened the door. The bed was still made, her suitcase hadn’t been opened where it had been placed on its stand. Nothing was disturbed, and the bathroom door was open. She wasn’t in there.

Scowling, he closed the door as footsteps sounded behind him. He turned at once, his senses honed from years of living in dangerous circumstances.

Donalson came down the hall. “Looking for Goldilocks, huh? Well, you won’t find her there. You may not find her,” he added cheerfully. “She went into the room with that snake. Maybe he’ll eat her,” he added with malice.

As he was speaking, Mrs. Murdock came down the hall with the wife of one of the guests.