Hotel Nigh

Chapter 06

Planning

"When I was searching for Jenny, the little girl, you know I went downstairs where only staff is allowed?" Melina nodded and I continued with, "There was a room downstairs that was only for the manager, but inside there was a desk covered in articles. Did you hear about the shooting that happened thirty years ago here in this hotel?"

Melina looked confused but shook her head so I got out my laptop, found the article from before and turned the laptop around to face her. She neglected the fact that Elliot mentioned it in a passing conversation. However, she read it quickly, almost as if she was scanning it before saying, "Did they ever find out what happened after? Like what caused the shooting, I mean."

"There was an article in the room downstairs, and it was only short, but I can't remember it all. It entailed something about a guy named Jenson Rogers who was in search for an object and that's why there was a shooting. But the object wasn't identified and he was to blame for several other shootings in nearby hotels except one shooting. I think a number of people were looking for the mystery object."

Seemingly in awe for a few moments, Melina responded with, "Wow. And you have absolutely no idea what the object is? Not even an inkling?"

I narrowed my eyes at her. "No one says inkling anymore, you know. But no, I don't have any conjecture on what it could be."

"Conjecture's a fancy word."

"So is inkling. There's a writer in the room next door to me. We could tell him to use the word inkling in his next book he's attempting to write. You might even get some credit for it."

Melina's face contorted into a mocking expression. "Ha-ha," she said. "If the murderer is anyone in this hotel, we need to get to know everyone in here. We could even rule out some of the obvious choices like the family of Jenny. They wouldn't bring a kid into it." She paused. "Should we notify Mr. Perry about a dangerous resident?"

"What about the writer?" I remarked. "His boss seems like they're really pushing him for a new book. He's probably too stressed to torment some adolescent. And there's an old guy in a wheelchair and an old lady who also uses the elevator. It'd be stupid to think they have anything to do with this. But I think you need to see the room downstairs first. And no," I added ponderingly, "if we tell him, who knows what would happen if he decided to make it a public announcement. We'll keep it to ourselves. For now."

"Then let's go."

My head jerked back in surprise at Melina. "Come again?" I asked.

"The guys tend to ask that," she deadpanned. "Let's go and see this room then. My curiosity is piqued."

"It's going to be busy downstairs, Melina, because everyone is at dinner. People will be moving about everywhere on that floor."

"Then we best hurry and run."

Knowing there was no point in arguing with Melina right now, I got my key card and we made it out of my room. The writer in the room next door to me emerged out at the same time as we did and smiled politely. "Both of you in the room next to me?"

"Just me," I answered. "I hope you don't mind, but I heard a conversation before when you were on the phone." His face hardened, so I quickly added, "I heard you're a writer."

Face softening, he replied with, "Guilty as charged." He grinned and held up his hands. He looked like he was in his mid-thirties, though his ensemble made him look about twenty years older. I bet he didn't even care about his wardrobe preference, just as long as he managed to make extensive progress with his new novel.