Page 70 of Race to Save Her

McGaven returned with a fizzy glass that had Sprite and a splash of orange flavor. “Here you are,” he said and sat down with his nonalcoholic beer. They wanted to appear as if they were drinking like everyone else.

The lounge was full and many well-dressed people were becoming loud as they ordered more drinks.

“What do you think?” said McGaven, surveying the room.

“I’ve been watching everyone and nothing stands out,” she said. “What about the bartender?”

“He seemed kind of cagey, didn’t want to make eye contact.”

“Do you think he spotted us as cops?” she said.

“I don’t think so. I found a list of employees, but I haven’t run backgrounds on them to see if there’s anything worth looking into.”

“Does he resemble our guy in the grainy photograph?”

“I don’t think so.”

“I want to check out the area where Shelby and Tyler would frequent,” she said.

“That takes a hotel pass key.”

“I can take care of that,” she said and stood up.

There were several people sitting in the main bar, some were couples and others were friends on a night out, but all were drinking. She sidled up to the bar and looked at one of the ladies in a blue dress. “I love your dress. It looks great on you.”

“Thank you,” the woman said with slurred speech.

Katie had noticed a hotel key card sticking out of a pocket of a jacket on the back of the woman’s chair. She expertly put her hand against the card and palmed it before leaving the bar area. No one noticed.

She went back to the table and took another sip of the beverage, which was refreshing. “Let’s go.”

The detectives made their way to the pool and garden areas. Katie swiped the access key. The noise of the bar faded as they neared the gardens. At that moment, there were no people in the indoor pool or its environs.

Both detectives slowed their pace as they surveyed their surroundings. On the left were the gardens and a small waterfall that cascaded into a pond-size pool. There were blooming plants as well as large ferns set around benches. On the right was the large pool with chaise longues lined up on either side—interior balconies above had downward views. There were wicker chairs with bright pillows on the far end. The pool was immense and recessed to diving depths of ten or twelve feet.

As they moved deeper in the area there was an elevator that didn’t look like a regular access for guests, but it wasn’t hidden or didn’t have a sign saying it was off limits or for hotel personnel only. A stairway entrance was in the back corner.

There was a shuffling sound to the left. Movement behind the plants.

Katie made a motion to McGaven to go around the other way as she inched to the garden. She knew it didn’t necessarily mean something or someone ominous, but her gut told her to be careful.

She was close now and saw a single figure frozen. The shape seemed to be male, wearing dark clothing. They were looking out in a different direction. Her hand was on her purse as she slowly unzipped it.

As if lightning struck, the figure ran. Katie could see only the dark hoodie obscuring his face.

“Stop!” she yelled.

The man bolted past McGaven, who tried to stop him.

“Did you see his face?” she called.

“Yes.”

Katie slipped off her shoes and ran after the man. He flung open the stairwell door and disappeared.

Katie followed his example, jerked open the door and stood on the landing. The cold cement stung her bare feet. She listened. No sound. It wasn’t clear if the man had gone up or down the stairs. She leaned over the rail looking down—there was nothing. Then she looked up and saw a man in a dark hoodie obscuring his face two flights above.

He remained motionless, looking at her.