NIGHT MOVES

THREE

I was in the conference room typing out our findings of Roscoe's case.

"KNOCK! KNOCK!"

I rose from my seat and glanced through the blinds. There in the hall stood a male waitstaff standing at attention. I checked the time on my phone and saw it was three in the morning. I unlocked the door and opened it.

"Yes?"

"The front desk sent me to alert you of a considerably sized package for you, miz." The waitstaff bowed and swiftly departed.

"How odd, I haven't ordered anythin. I must proceed with caution."  I reminded myself as I returned to my desk.

I saved my Dossier and shutdown my tablet. I placed it in my satchel  and removed myself from the room. I stepped down the hall and haulted at Audrey's room. I knocked rather loudly and waited for the door to open.

"Rayven?" What are doin' up?" She groggily whined in a sleep shirt and knee high socks.

"A waituh alerted me to a parcel addressed to us in the lobby."

"Oh. Can't it wait till mornin', Ray?"

"I wouldn't have been disturbed if it could wait till mornin'. Wake Cuhvuh."

"Gah! Have I ever mentioned how bossy you are?" She remained leaning against her door.

"Yes, every time I've dared Wake you in the middle of the night." I rolled my eyes and she finally went into her room.

The door gently slid against the door jam as I leaned against the outer wall. Soon Audrey and Carver appeared still in pajamas, yet had pulled on robes. I chuckled at their bedhead and lead them by the hand to the elevator.

"GOOD'EVE, BLOOMINGTON PARTY! WE AT NOCTUA HOPE YOU'RE ENJOYING YOUR STAY. PLEASE SELECT A FLOOR."

"Shutup!" Carver loudly groaned up at copper plated speaker grate.

I chuckled at his discomfort and selected the lobby button.

"YOU HAVE SELECTED THE LOBBY. ARRIVAL TIME IS THREE MINUTES."

"Uuuuugruhhh!" Carver childishly clamped his hands over his ears.

"YOU HAVE REACHED THE LOBBY. HAVE A PLEASENT NIGHT, BLOOMINGTON PARTY."

I yanked Carver and Aud out of the lift by their wrists. I turned the left and made way to the front desk. Yet when I was insight of the desk I haulted and took a double take. Leaning against the desk smiling, were our ol' man and Elvira. Standing behind them were Culpepper and Birdie.

"Dad?"

"Hey bean-pole."

"Dad?" Carver began rubbing his eyes in disbelief.

"Hey there sleepy."

"What are you both doin' here?" I forced myself to step closer to them.

"Aftuh uoh last talk, I had to call it on the trip. I wanted to experience Oppidum Noctis and see how you were gettin' on."

"We're in ouh element, per usual, and don't need parental guidance."

"I see you're still an ingrate, Rayven." Elvira gave a daggered stare.

"Alright, we've waved enough dirty laundry, let's take this reunion elsewhere." I pointed towards the elevator and my dad nodded.

I waited till my dad and Elvira passed me before shoving my sleepy charges after them. Once they were out of sight I looked Culpepper and Birdie in the eye.