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CHAPTER TWENTY ONE



May had thought her plan seemed like a brilliant idea when she was pacing up and down in the warm sunshine outside the police department, her mind racing at top speed.

Now that she and Owen were pulling up outside the Mount Amethyst, she felt nervous and doubtful all over again.

What if her theory was wrong?

Going up to this imposing hotel, she felt like an intruder, an unwanted and uninvited guest who was persisting in being a nuisance long after the case itself should be closed.

She knew she was only here because she was so sure that there was something else going on here at the hotel. Something that could be important to the case.

She was determined to find out what that something else was. If only she had access to the FBI databases. If only she could send agents in to do a raid for undocumented workers.

But she couldn’t. May had none of that at her disposal. All she had were herself, Owen, and an idea that something was wrong. All she could do was arrive here, hoping that if she got face to face with the right people, she could find out the truth.

She turned to Owen, and he looked at her.

“Are you ready to do this?” he asked.

She nodded, and he nodded back at her and got out of the car.

They walked up to the imposing entrance of the hotel. She felt nervous, but she was filled with determination. The answers were waiting inside, and all she had to do was find them.

“I’m here to see Mr. Reed,” she told the receptionist.

The woman looked surprised. “You’re back?”

“Yes. We have a couple more questions.”

“Please go over to the elevator.”

There was the selfsame guard waiting by the doors. Thickset, muscular, and with a distinctly unfriendly demeanor.

“What do you want?” he asked.

“We need to go up to Mr. Reed’s penthouse,” May said.

The guard looked her up and down.

“Mr. Reed is not in. If he’s not in, he doesn’t allow visitors.”

Owen stepped forward. “We’re the police,” he said politely, showing his badge.

The guard folded his arms.

“Where’s your warrant?” he asked. “This is private property.”

“We’ve been up before. We just need to do some further research,” May countered.

“That was when Mr. Reed was here. He’s not here now.”

She was beginning to feel deeply suspicious about the amount of security that this hotel had in operation. This wasn’t just to make sure Mr. Reed stayed safe. This was to keep inquiring people at bay. She felt sure of it.

“We’re investigating a murder. We don’t need a warrant to go up there,” Owen explained.

The guard snorted.

“Mr. Reed does not want any more harassment from the police. You’ve already been here asking him questions. He does not want to be questioned by you again.”

“That was a private interview,” Owen replied. “We’ve got a new angle on the case we’re investigating. We just want to talk to a few of the people who work for him.”

May was glad he didn’t specify which one. She had a strong feeling that if he had, that maid would have vanished from the premises.

Something was very wrong here, and now that they were digging in the right place, they were coming up against enough resistance to increase her suspicions.

The guard folded his arms and looked as if he wasn’t going to budge.

“We’re not leaving,” May said firmly.

“We can’t let you in, ma’am. If you want to go upstairs then I suggest you come back with the warrant.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Owen said.

“It’s not up to you. It’s not up to me. I’m just telling you. Mr. Reed does not want any more police. He has nothing more to say. He does not want you talking to his staff. This is private property. And he feels the murders are linked to their personal life. Nothing to do with the business.”

“I’ve got a right to investigate the case. I can’t confirm what he thinks unless I am able to ask the questions I need to,” May pressed him.

“I’ve got a job to do here,” the guard replied. “And you’re not seeing anyone.” His voice suddenly took on a threatening tone.

May was feeling more and more uneasy.

This was a hotel run by ruthless, wealthy people. What was it they were trying to hide? Why were they being so unhelpful, so aggressive, so defensive?

May knew she was going to have to find another way to get the information she needed. Being upfront wasn’t working. Being the police wasn’t working either.

So therefore, she was going to have to be sneaky. And if that meant running a risk to her own safety, then that was what she was going to have to do.

She shrugged, then nodded at Owen.


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