NIGHT MOVES

LOST & FOUND

"Which joint's freezuh are we snoopin' first, Ray?"

"Why "Hotel Noctua" of course, Cuhv."

"Set. There's a glass noob cube in the hotel lobby that can show us the way." Carver started to leave my suite.

Aud and I followed him out into the hall. Cuhv had pushed the bottom arrow by the time we reached him. The doors slid open and we stepped inside.

"DAYLIGHT GREETINGS BLOOMINGTON PARTY. YOU ARE THE FIRST TO AWAKE. PLEASE SELECT A FLOOR NUMBER."

"Hmm, I figured Culpeppuh booted down the AI in the early morning hours. As that's been the cycle of the sunrises the past two weeks. Eh parhaps the AI isn't in need of recharging."

Aud selected the lobby button and the doors slid closed. My thoughts were interrupted by a palm slightly gripping my arm.

"YOU'VE SELECTED THE LOBBY FLOOR. ARRIVAL TIME IS THREE MINUTES."

"Hey girl, you owe me a tell all." Aud grabbed my good arm as Carver jogged ahead.

"He came. I compared him to vamp. We ate. We talked. And we fell asleep. There's the scoop." I ticked off the list on my fingers as I tried not to grin.

"Girrl! I need details! Especially about the part were you likened him to a vamp..." Aud quietly shrieked.

"I sweauh I will, just latuh when we aren't around Carver and working." I gave her a conspiratorial grin.

"Okay, I couldn't tell whethuh I'd overstepped..." She lowered her head.

"You probably did, babes. Howevuh that's you and I's way." I  placed my finger under her chin and gently lifted her face.

"I did it so yo-."

"So I wouldn't feel like I was third wheelin' with you and Cuhv. I appreciate it."

"You de-."

"DINNNG!"

"YOU'VE ARRIVED AT THE LOBBY. ENJOY YOUR STAY BLOOMINGTON PARTY."

I pecked Audrey's cheek and stepped back from her. The elevator doors slid open onto the ground floor. We exited single file and crossed the empty lobby to the front desk. We glanced around and found the plaque of the hotel's map on. We crossed the short distance and haulted in front of the sizeable glass plaque.

"It seems we need to start at the side exit down the hall to our right. After that there's a few turns, then a hall which is where the kitchen should be." Carver trailed his fingers over the map.

Carver took the lead while Audrey and I fell in behind him.

"Ray-Ray? It's latuh." Audrey placed a hand on my arm to hault my footsteps.

"We're in the middle of a mission and I meant fourty to an houh latuh, Aud. Now I understand my mother's many complaints of me. I must have wore my mom's nerves to the quick with that question alone." I tapped my chin thoughtfully.

"Don't compare us to child and parent. Cuhv is can discover the hotel freezuh without us." Audrey brushed my concern off.

"What if we lose sight of him ouh get turned around?"

"His tracker is on and I'm accessing the app as we breathe. Which means you're out of excusses to put me off, girly." Audrey gently poked my shoulder.

"Can't we table this till we've met ouh quota of sleuthin' fouh today?" I groaned.

"No, I have to know how youh date with Cal went! Pleaaaase?" She lowered her head and frowned.

"It was a surprise to see him show up on my doorstep and I told him as much. Before he'd mentioned you'd texted him, I thought it was his way of surprisin' me. As I had asked him to surprise me on Wednesday around two A.M. As you know I have an aversion to surprises, and didn't want to bum him out. In my own way I gave him the signal to entuh my suite. Yet he continued to stand in the doorway as I placed the food down. So I inquired if he was larpin' he said no, and asked why I'd think that. I reminded him that cinematic vamps must be invited in human domains. When he gave me a puzzled glance, I explained that he's standin' in my doorway.  As if he's in need of an invite inside my suite, and he chuckled. I stated a manifesto to him and he finally entuhed. We shared a sandwich, fries, and a drink while I tried to flirt. After I relaxed he got me gabbin' about myself. It must've interested him as we kissed. W-."