NIGHT MOVES

CLUES

After entering the hotel I checked the time as I figured I'd meet with Eira. My phone showed it was three-forty-five a.m. I went to messages and selected Eira's bubble.

ME- i have an update may we meet

I sat down at the banquette sofa and stared at my phone, awaiting her response. I soon grew bored and lifted my eyes to the clear walls. To watch the various citizens zip past the hotel on segways.

"DING!"

I glanced down and saw Eira had responded.

EC- come on up

I shut my phone off and rose to my feet. I marched forward to the elevator and scanned my key card. I clicked the upper arrow button and the doors slid open.

"GOOD'EVE RAYVEN BLOOMINGTON. PLEASE SELECT FLOOR. EIRA CULPEPPER AWAITS YOUR ARRIVAL."

I selected the number ten and leaned against the far wall waiting for the doors to slide closed.

"YOU'VE SELECTED FLOOR TEN. ARRIVAL TIME TWO MINUTES."

As I rode the elevator I heard a "DING." I unlocked my phone and saw I had a text from Audrey.

AUD- we haven't heard from you in hours

AUD- c informed me that you were doing research on oppidum noctis's human resources

AUD- still it would be nice to hear from you

As I was thinking of a response the elevator dinged.

"YOU'VE ARRIVED ON FLOOR TEN."

I locked my phone and swiftly exited down the opulent hallway to Eira's study. I knocked and waited for her assent of my presence.

"Enter."

I entered and softly shut the door before stepping towards her desk.

"Please, take a seat, unless you're in a hurry." Eira grinned from her reclined position in her swivel chair.

"I assure you, this tête-à-tête will be curt. I have safely stashed our geauh and the tapes at the "Lazy Susan," lockers." I spilled the beans as I remained standing.

"Good, as it would seem my hotel is liable. The writing on your previous suite? Anything discovered?" Eira intently studied my eyes.

"Only that the writing style is female as the autograph claims."

"That is disappointing, but I have faith in my private eyes." I felt her grin patronizing and gave her a fake one in turn.

"Until next time." I nodded to her and made my escape.

As I strolled back to the lift my phone began buzzing. I checked my notifications and saw texts from Audrey and Carver.

AUD- you'd better have good explanation for not leaving word

C- aud's lost huh shit

ME- thanks for the warning bro

I put my phone away as the elevator doors opened. I entered and sighed as the elevator doors closed.

"GREETINGS RAYVEN BLOOMINGTON. YOUR MEETING WITH CULPEPPER WAS THREE MINUTES. WELL DONE AS CULPEPPER HATES DRAWN OUT MEETINGS. PLEASE SELECT A FLOOR."

I pressed floor nine and stepped back.

"ARRIVAL TIME TWO MINUTES."

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