Radiant Oddities (Anomaly Saga #4)

8

When Alice awoke the next morning, she sat up slowly and rubbed her eyes. She stumbled out of bed and put her glasses on, then headed to the bathroom.

Once Alice was done getting ready for the day, she came back into the room to find Chandler sitting on the floor, furiously writing in a notebook. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"Sitting on the floor," Chandler replied, turning the page and writing some more. "Helps me think."

"I meant more like, what are you writing?"

"Ah." Chandler stood and stuffed the notebook and pen into the bag at his bedside. "I was writing everything I know about this place, from my first visit and this one. Sadly, the data isn't very conclusive."

"We're here to figure out why a bunch of people disappeared in the hotel, right?" Alice asked. "And why Lockley's agents keep disappearing, too. Speaking of Lockley, are you going to contact her with, like, a progress report or something?"

"No. Not until we find something conclusive. The people who disappeared are most likely dead, however, so we might have a little trouble.

"Well, since we might be solving a murder . . . who seems most likely to kill somebody?"

Chandler sighed. "That's the problem. Everybody does. Greyhorn reeks of suspicion. Victoria is apathetic enough to do anything. LaVarre is an enigma and he tried to kill me once. Everyone here is super weird."

At that moment, three knocks sounded on the door.

"Should I get that?" asked Alice.

"Sure," Chandler said, then he mouthed "get your gun ready. Just in case."

Alice picked up her gun, held it nervously behind her back as she pulled the door open.

The man in front of her was broad-shouldered and bald, and he looked strong. He wore a white suit , a sharp contrast to his dark skin. He smiled. "Greetings, Miss Sinclair." He nodded to Chandler. "Mr. Chandler. Call me Mr. Diamond."

Chandler stood up and came to the door, standing at Alice's side. "Hello, Mr. Diamond." They shook hands. "Is there something you want to tell us?"

"There is, as a matter of fact. I'm sure you were aware that the Host gave you one free night here."

"Yes."

"Well, the Host asked me to tell you that you may have two more free nights at the hotel if you attend the dance in the grand party room."

"Attend the dance. Me."

"Yes. You and Alice."

"I don't know how to dance."

"Take the message as you will," said Mr. Diamond, shrugging. "My work here is done. We'll meet again, I'm sure." And then he left, disappearing down the long hallway.

"I could teach you," said Alice. "I know a little bit. Not too much, but some. Dancing, I mean. We are going, right?"

Chandler hesitated. "I suppose if it's the only way to gain more time . . . yes."

Alice smiled. "This is going to be fun."