“Which isn’t going to help us out at this particular moment.”
“I know, but we’ll just have to take that risk.”
She climbed into the passenger side. “Let’s hope we don’t regret it.”
I started up the SUV, reversed out, and then accepted my travel mug, sipping gratefully as Belle read out the directions. The SUV did have navigation, but we’d been without it for so long in our old wagon that it was taking some time to get used to using it, rather than Google Maps on our phones.
It didn’t take us long to get to James’s hotel, as it was only a couple of kilometers out of Castle Rock, well before Louton. Only trouble was, there was already a ranger vehicle stationed out the front of it. Jaz leaned against the passenger side of the vehicle, her arms crossed and stance relaxed as she watched us approach.
I stopped and climbed out. “Aiden sent you here, didn’t he?”
“He did indeed,” she said, clearly amused. “He figured you were up to something more than what you’d said. And, given you were alone with the suspect for a few minutes, it really wasn’t hard to guess what.”
“Damn, that man really has got your measure,” Belle said with a laugh.
“That’s because the pair of you have a history of saying one thing and doing the exact opposite.” Jaz pushed away from her SUV. “James’s room is around the back. I got the key from the owner.”
I cleared my throat. “And I got it from James.”
She rolled her eyes. “That’s evidence, you know.”
“Yes, but I didn’t want to break in and leave magical evidence behind.”
“Because that makes total sense to someone like me. This way.”
She led the way around the building. It was two-story and rectangular in shape, with a parking area out the back. Metal steps led up to the next floor, and rattled somewhat alarmingly as we went up. Jaz handed us gloves and then unlocked the top door. The hallway had six doors leading off it, three on each side. James’s was the second on the left.
We stepped inside. The room was basic but clean. The queen-sized bed looked comfortable, the bedside tables clear of junk, and the bathroom—off to our right—looked small, but at first glance appeared clean and tidy.
“Nothing setting off your magical radars?” Jaz asked.
I shook my head. “But that’s not really unexpected. He’s a wolf not a witch.”
“Then why did you come here if you didn’t think you’d find anything?” She opened the small wardrobe and peered inside.
“Because James got his messages magically around 10:00 p.m., and I wanted to be here in case one arrived.” I glanced at my watch. “We’ve only ten minutes to wait.”
“Then we’ll use the time to search the room. Belle, do you want to check the bed and bedside tables? Liz, can you go through the bathroom?”
I nodded and headed in. The first things I saw were the undies and two T-shirts hanging over the shower screen. His shaving kit sat on the small shelf under the mirror and didn’t hold anything unexpected. The two small drawers under the vanity were empty, as was the small cabinet behind the mirror.
“Nothing,” I said, heading out.
“Ditto,” Belle echoed. “The man travels light.”
“Extremely light,” Jaz agreed. “He’s only got two changes of clothes in his bag.”
“He’s hand washed his—” I stopped abruptly.
The air between Belle and me had begun to sparkle, and the energy that followed was fierce and familiar—my father’s. My gut churned, and I rubbed my arms, fighting back fear as the sparkle condensed and then faded. A single sheet of paper fluttered softly to the floor.
Jaz stepped forward.
“Don’t touch it,” I warned, “Magic lingers, and I’m not sure what it’s designed to do.”
“There doesn’t appear to be anything written—” She stopped as a thin thread of gold appeared on the parchment-like paper and words appeared.
I stepped forward, even though part of me—a very large part of me—wanted to do nothing more than run.