Murder in Progress

Change of Plans

•Detective Alexander Radley•

Badge 17726

I studied the photo, then read and re-read the note on the back, my anger fading slowly. I argued with myself for a while, what can I say, Katie's stubbornness is rubbing off on me!

Finally I took a deep breath and walked up to Katie's office. I knocked on the door, but as soon as my knuckles came in contact with the painted wood the door swung open. All of Katie's things were gone, drawers were pulled out and empty, all of her bags and gadgets too.

Then I heard an engine roar to life and I rushed out the front door just as a silver Aston Martin sped off the property. Sighing, I walked back in to see Benny looking at me sadly, the photo in his hand.

"Did she leave because of this?" The kind older man asked his voice filled with pain. I nodded slowly and ran a hand through my hair, messing it up slightly.

"Katie was always like this. Ready to risk everything for just three people, even if they were strangers....I was hoping she would come back, I'm planning on retiring soon and well, they need her back at base." He sighed and gave a sad smile. I suddenly realized just how much I had been wrong about Kate.

"Do you know where she might go?" I asked and Benny nodded. "There were three names left on her list; Susan Begley, Richard Case, and Nicholas Winters." He said and a pinging sound could be heard from Benny's office. "Richard's in the area..." He said and I followed him into his once spotless study with a view of Point Dume, where Brody took his fall.

"He's booked a room at The London West Hollywood, Kate's no doubt already headed that way. I'll book you a room there, you can take the spare motorcycle." Benny said as he began typing at his computer.

I smiled and rushed out, but caught myself at the door and gave Benny a genuine smile. "Thanks Benny, do Kate a favor and stay low for a while. I'll check up on you later." I grinned and soon the wind was whipping at my leather jacket, the jet black helmet protecting my eyes from that salty California wind.

~•~•~

"Mr. Radley, so good of you to visit! Here is your key, second floor, sixth door to your left." The concierge smiled handing me my key card and called someone to carry my luggage. As we enter the elevator I flipped though the hotel brochure.

I stepped out and walked right into a tan woman standing in the way and quickly murmured an apology and then looked up, my jaw hanging slightly. With bright green eyes and long curly blonde hair she seemed to have stepped off of a movie set, not a single hair out of place. She wore a short red sun dress and gold sandals. She gave me a smile, her pearly white teeth surrounded by bright red lips.

"Sorry Darling, just admiring the view." She smiled looking out the window at the end of the hall, waves crashing below almost hypnotically.

"Selena," She grinned and held out a perfectly manicured hand. "Alex." I said giving a brief smile back and took her hand shaking it quickly. I had no time to socialize! I needed to find Kate. But her high voice broke me out of my thoughts.

"Ooh! Looks like we're neighbors! I'd love to invite you in but I'm looking for my friend. I don't suppose you saw him downstairs...Richard Case?" She asked and I looked up wide eyes and gave her a toothy grin.

"Richard Case? We go way back...we lost touch some time ago...perhaps we could meet up with him together?" I asked giving a smile again and she blushed slightly.

"Well, I don't see why not! Come on, let me put my things away and we can go looking together." She smiled but it didn't go all the way up to her eyes.

I had a sudden hunch I shouldn't trust 'Selena' and decided to keep a close eye on her. But at least I was prepared incase she was the enemy.