Musings
Chapter 3
Lee landed at midnight at the JFK Airport bowled over at what Francine dug up on Amanda that night!
Details included her home phone log which had a call message received earlier in the afternoon from the Plaza Hotel number.
Next was the flight Amanda took from Dulles to JFK where she landed at six thirty that evening then taking a cab to the hotel.
He thought, She must have been taking off about the time I landed from my flight from Palm Beach...
Shaking his head he grabbed his bag and went to get a cab to the Plaza Hotel.
When he arrived he spoke to the night manager firing questions at him repeatedly until the man stated quickly, "Sir, I apologize. But I can't give out personal information on any former or current guests. We respect privacy here at the Plaza Hotel."
Lee beyond tired at this point showed his federal I.D. and Amanda's photo stating thickly, "Look. I get it! But this lady's a real good friend of mine and our boss and I are just concerned about her. We want to know if she's all right. She didn't leave word with anyone where she was headed. Only that she'd be back Sunday. Now, are you willing to help me or not?"
The hotel concierge was nearby and walked over to the desk and queried, "Perhaps I can help you. What do you need, Sir?"
Lee showed Amanda's photo and commented, "Have you seen her come in here tonight? Do you know where she might be?
The concierge nodded and stated, "It was around seven thirty. I don't know where she went after being here but I did remember seeing her. She came looking for a guest. Or an almost guest."
Lee asked, "An almost guest? What does that mean?"
The manager remarked, "One that had to cancel their reservation before arrival. Unfortunately, he was called back to Europe so we never saw him. But he sent the woman a note here from the airport with his regrets. Perhaps she checked in. Her name, Sir?"
Lee sighed answering, "Amanda King."
The manager looked at the daily log carefully including the check-ins from the time he came on duty at six o'clock that evening and shook his head apologetically responding, "No. I'm sorry. No one by that name has checked in at all."
Lee nodded and continued, "Okay. The guest you were expecting. Can you give me his name?"
Noting their hesitation Lee stated angrily, " Just a name or I can arrange to get a search warrant if I have to. Please?"
The two men looked at one another and then back at Lee.
The manager replied, "Chamberlain. Alan Chamberlain."
Lee was thrown! He queried, "Are you sure?"
The manager nodded and commented, "Yes. Now, can we do anything else for you tonight?"
Lee shook his head confusedly and answered slowly, "No. Thank you for your time and I apologize for my gruffness."
The men nodded and the concierge responded, "We do hope you find her, Sir. It's late. Perhaps you'd care for a room now?"
Lee swallowed hard and shook his head stating, "Thank you. No. I just want to find my friend. Can I go somewhere private to use the phone? I have to contact our boss."
The manager showed him to the back room behind the registration area and commented, "Take your time, Sir. And again, we apologize."
Lee nodded as the man left him alone.
Sighing heavily, Lee got on the phone dialing Billy's home number.
Billy answered almost immediately remarking tiredly, " Melrose."
Lee remarked, "Billy, it's me."
Billy sat up in bed and replied, "Did you find her, Scarecrow?"
Lee shook his head and answered, "No. I'm at the hotel and talked to the night manager and the concierge. Turns out the phone message that Amanda got at home was from here...Get this. From none other than Alan Chamberlain!"
Billy was baffled and queried, "You two wrapped up that case a while ago. Did they meet there, or-"
Lee cut him off responding, "No. He must have called from here early in the afternoon but then left. The night manager and concierge didn't see him because he was sent back to Europe. Apparently she had been here looking for him. They said it was around seven thirty. But she got a note from him that he left with his regrets. They said she left soon after but they don't know where she headed."
Running a hand through his hair he yawned and commented, "God, Billy... All her mom wanted was a number to reach her. You know, I don't want to think this, but what if Chamberlain coerced her somehow into going with him?"
Billy shook his head and stated, "Lee, don't go there. Wait... She landed at JFK, correct?"
Lee nodded answering, "Yeah?"
Billy remarked, "You head to JFK while I get a line on departures from there and arrivals to Dulles. I'll contact you there..."
TBC
