The Mystery of the Ophidians

Chapter 3

Rachel walked into the reception. She had gone out for some fresh air and a walk. Betty was writing something. "Um, Betty? Can I ask you something?" Betty looked up and nodded. "Well, there's been this really unusual man following me around and he seems really suspicious. I just went for a walk and he was a few feet behind me the whole time. When I turned around he pretended he had a phone call but he kept following me. And before I entered the hotel, I saw him walk to the pool. He's bald and he has a unibrow. He's pretty old. I'm thinking maybe 50's or late 40's. I'm not sure though. Do you know anyone like that? Does he stay in this hotel?" Rachel asked eagerly.  Betty thought for a while. "Yes!" She exclaimed suddenly. "I remember him now! He's a very scary man though. I once tried to speak with him but he glared at me and walked to his room. He travels a lot! I've seen him go out of the hotel at least five times today." Betty said. "He's definitely a suspect!" Rachel said. Just then, the phone rang. Betty shot Rachel an apologetic look and raised the phone to her ear. Rachel waved bye and went over to the elevator.

The Next Day-

Betty sipped her tea. Rachel was opposite to her. "So, what did you call me here for?" Rachel asked. Betty pulled out a small book she had carried with her. "Well, like you asked I got basic information about the residents of the hotel. Just their names and some small facts, nothing more. If you need anything, most of the residents are friendly so you can ask around." Betty said.  Rachel smiled. Betty flipped over to a page. "There are currently eleven people in the hotel, including you of course," Betty began. "There's a three-member family. They seem like really nice people. I spoke with them yesterday. A man, his wife, and their teenage son. They came here to get away from the city and they're usually touring so I don't know think they'll have enough time to get snakes,"

"The next family is the Robertsons family. They come here every year, even before you came this year. They're a five-membered family. They are really friendly and kind."

"Here is the suspicious part. The man in the room on the first floor. I've never seen him. He checked in wearing a long trench coat and a hat which covered his face and carried a huge suitcase with him. The next evening I knocked at his door to ask if he'd like room cleaning to clean his room. He opened the door, he looked really frustrated. I asked him if he wanted his room to be cleaned and he just shut the door in my face! The next day, he walked out of the hotel with his suitcase. I haven't seen him since then. And the other is the man with a unibrow. He has a furry eyebrow and he's bald." Betty said.

"Thank you so much!" Rachel said. Just then, Betty's phone vibrated. "Sure! I'll talk to you later, I have to be back at the hotel. You want me to drop you?" Betty offered. Rachel shook her head. "I'll walk. I have a lot to think about now. Thank you again though." Rachel said.

  Rachel was walking to the hotel. Her hands were in the pockets of her thick jacket. It was evening but there was still plenty of sunlight. Rachel stopped at a spot. It was a small park with rusty swings and a slide and a wooden bench. Rachel sat on the bench and looked into the sky. It was a beautiful shade of orange. Towards the bottom, it faded into a light pink. Rachel sat there, processing the information she had received. Now, she had suspects but one question still bugged her. All of these suspects had checked in way before Rachel had even booked her tickets. So, when she checked into the hotel they surely wouldn't want to abruptly poison her, right?

What were they trying to do and why?

As usual, tell me what you think!