Other People's Baggage by Kendel Lynn, Gigi Pandian, Diane Vallere Read Free Book Online

kitchen’s closed now. I don’t know what happened to your food, but how about I get you something from town? You like pizza?”
    â€œYou don’t have to do that,” I said, only half-meaning it.
    â€œThen let the hotel pick up your breakfast tomorrow morning. Give your name to the restaurant hostess and she’ll take care of the bill.”
    â€œThank you, Jack.”
    â€œAre you going to be okay by yourself?”
    â€œYou don’t happen to keep spare pets around the hotel, do you?” I asked.
    â€œYou know, it’s not a bad idea. Maybe I should suggest it to Ms. Day.” He smiled warmly.
    I stood and walked him to the door.
    â€œGood night, Madison. Try to get some sleep. I’ll check on you tomorrow.”
    He opened the door to my room and stepped into the hallway, nearly tripping over a room service tray on the carpet in front of the door.
    â€œWhat the—?”
    â€œI didn’t hear a knock. Did you hear a knock?” I asked.
    His face clouded. “No, I didn’t hear a knock.” He bent down and picked up the tray, then carried it past me into the room. “Where do you want it?”
    â€œBed’s fine.”
    He set the tray on the bed. A silver dome covered a plate that sat on the center of a white doily-like mat. Tucked under the plate was a white envelope. Jack picked up the envelope, tapped it twice on the edge of the tray, and held it up. “Dinner’s on me.”
    â€œI ordered a lot of food. You might want to look at the bill before you make that kind of offer.”
    He raised an eyebrow then made a showing of peeking into the envelope. Within moments the humor left his face, replaced with a creased forehead and a downturned mouth.
    â€œI was kidding. I ordered a Cobb Salad. How much could that be?” I asked, straining forward to see the bill.
    He looked up and stared at me for an uncomfortable amount of time.
    â€œJack? What is it?”
    â€œNothing.” He slid the envelope into the back pocket of his pants. “Stay put tonight, Madison. And make sure you lock the door.”
    An uneasiness swept over me, like the chill that shudders through your body seconds after biting into ice. I started to shut the door and the phone rang. Before the latch connected on the door, Jack pushed back inside.
    â€œDoes anybody know your room number?” he asked.
    â€œI don’t think so.”
    â€œThen pick up the receiver. but don’t say anything.”
    The shrill ringing continued in the background. “Won’t it be better to let it ring?”
    â€œNo.”
    On his instructions, I picked up the receiver and held it to my head. The line crackled. Jack stood next to me, and I angled the device so it pointed to the ceiling, so we both had a chance at hearing. He held a finger up to his mouth to remind me to be quiet.
    â€œThat wasn’t very bright, skipping out on us tonight,” said a male voice. “Don’t try to hide. We’re watching you.” The line cracked a bit more, and then there was a click.
    â€œThey know I was at the bar, that I saw them and left. I don’t like this,” I said.
    â€œI don’t think that message was for you.” Jack dialed zero on the phone and spoke into the receiver. “Hi Sophie, this is Mr. Jordan. A call came in to 319 just now. What can you tell me about it?”
    I heard a tinny voice through the receiver, picking out only the occasional word. “Ms. Night wants privacy for the rest of the night. If anybody rings her room, either get a message or forward it to my room. Is that clear?”
    He hung up the receiver. “Madison, I don’t know what to tell you. Our operator asked someone to cover the booth while she stepped out for a break so she doesn’t know anything about the call—if it came from inside the hotel our outside. I know you’re worried, but you won’t be interrupted again. Can I do