Page 30 of Slumming It

I had recognized their voices and silhouettes as I'd peered out through the narrow gap in the bathroom stall. They hadn't seenmeat all, which no doubt explained why Morgan had felt so free to confess what she'd done.

I gave my sister a serious look. "By now,everyoneknows he's here."

"But how?" she asked. "Ididn't say anything."

As an answer, I repeated the gist of what I'd told Reese Murdock back in his room. "Well, he doesn't exactly blend."

"But why would Morgan try to record him?"

"Aside from lust and curiosity?" I let out a scoff. "I'll tell you why. To make trouble as usual. Can you imagine how that would've gone over?"

Vivian was now wringing her hands. "I don'twantto imagine."

"Me neither." I lowered my voice. "And you realize who would've gotten the blame, right?"

Her mouth tightened. "Us."

"Exactly. And forget bad publicity. We all know that Reese Murdock isn't a nice guy. Let's say the recordings got out, can you imagine what he'd do?"

The more I talked, the more concerned Vivian looked. "So, did you find it?"

"The recording device?" I shook my head. "No. And I lookedreallyhard." I reached deep into the pocket of my khaki pants and pulled out a tiny penlight. I gave it a little wave as I said, "Trust me. I checked every inch. There was nothing under there."

Nothing except dust, but Vivian didn't need to hear that.

"Are you sure?" she asked. "Did you check in his other rooms, too?" She was referring, of course, to the two hotel rooms adjacent his, the ones that remained vacant but paid for.

I nodded. "I checked those first because I figured those were safer even though he was supposedly gone." I suppressed a sigh. "But with our current system, we can never be sure who went where."

Vivian's shoulders slumped. "It's those stupid keys."

No kidding. Even though the bronze keys were clearly stamped with "Do Not Duplicate," there were no guarantees that there weren't a few extras rattling around town.

Because of this, we'd already taken our first steps to beef up room security. Our very first week, we'd installed modest in-room safes – the electronic kind, where the guests selected their own codes.

We were planning to redo all of the door locks, too, going electronic like every other place. But until the hotel was officially ours, we couldn't justify the expense, much less pay for it, especially with the remaining deposit hanging over our heads.

Still, I summoned up a smile as I told Vivian, "Once we get the mortgage, we'll upgrade the keys and everything else, just like you said."

This whole venture had been Vivian's idea. And although it was her dream, not mine, I'd jumped in with both feet. I'd even quit my day job as a bank teller so I could assume most of the housekeeping duties here at the hotel.

Sure, the road had been a little rocky, but it would smooth out eventually.

Right?

My stomach sank as I realized something. In just a moment, things would get decidedly bumpier. "Listen, Vivian…" I took a deep breath and just said it. "I wasn't joking. I really do need some time off."

Her face registered concern. "You're not sick, are you?"

"No, of course not." I forced some extra pep into my voice. "I just met someone, that's all."

Her eyes brightened. "You mean a guy?"

"Yeah, and he's from out of town so our time is limited." I gave her my best sisterly smile. "I know I'm asking a lot, but I just need some time to see if we hit it off." I glanced towardthe front entrance. "And I promised to show him around town starting tomorrow."

Vivian hesitated. "And you can't do it after work?"

After work – as if there was such a thing. "Sure, Icould, but between this and waitressing..." I let the sentence hang unfinished. At the restaurant, I worked the graveyard shift – midnight to 6 a.m.