Ch 9
An unassuming white Nissan Maxima was parked in the hotel parking lot. It had tailed Randy from the airport. Inside was Ellen, putting on fresh lipgloss and giving her hair a shake. She stepped out of her car wearing a nice white button up blouse and sleek black skirt that ended just above the knee. She wore 5-inch black pumps. She wanted to look sexy but not trashy.
She had checked first to make sure the hotel clerk was a man. They were so easy. She walked in smiling and headed over to the chairs in the lobby, making sure the clerk got an eyeful of leg. She sat for a few minutes, looking at her watch impatiently. "Miss, can I help you with something?" The clerk offered looking as if he'd seen a goddess.
"You stupid nerd," Ellen thought walking towards him but then spoke as sweet as honey, "You see my girlfriend is supposed to be here by now. She's a friend I haven't seen in forever," Ellen gushed. "We're supposed to meet here and she hasn't come down from her room."
"Well, I can call her room," he smiled. Ellen's face became distraught, "I don't know her room number."
"Um, I can look it up," he said, knowing that was against policy. "Oh my God, would you?" Ellen looked at him as if he were a hero. "Her name is O'Connor, Allison." She smiled at him, "You are so sweet. Allison just has to meet you."
He searched the computer and shook his head. "There's no Allison O'Connor registered here. Is there another name she might use?"
"No, absolutely not," Ellen acted upset. "Please check again. It's not just Connor; it's O' Connor." He typed in the name again, knowing the listing wasn't there.
"No, I'm sorry," he said. "She hasn't checked in." Ellen's eyes began to tear up. "That makes no sense. I talked her right before she got to the city. That was two hours ago. Oh God, what if something happened to her," She reached out and took the clerk's hand. He loved having this pretty girl touch him.
"Are you absolutely sure she's not registered?" Ellen pleaded still holding his hand. She reached out and turned the screen towards her. She scanned quickly.
Phillips, Susan A. - 245
Oakley, Timothy - 412
Orton, Randy K. - 437
Oswald, Ben R. - 223
She found what she needed and pulled her hand away, looking saddened, "I guess she's not here. I hope she's alright."
Ellen jumped. "That's my phone. I hear my phone vibrating." She dug through her purse and grabbed it, "Hello?" She exhaled deeply. "Oh my God, you scared me to death." She looked at the clerk and pointed to the phone. He smiled back; a little disappointed the distraught woman wouldn't grab his hand again. "You did?" Ellen spoke into the phone and laughed lightly. "Well I met the most wonderfully sweet guy," she eyed the clerk. "We should definitely take him out for drinks. Ok. See you soon."
Ellen ended the fake call. "She's gone to another hotel," she told the clerk. "But listen, thanks for your help. Maybe we can stop by and see you?" He nodded with enthusiasm, "Yes, for sure. That'd be great." She was walking out the door and waved at him, smiling.
When the sliding doors closed behind Ellen she said under her breath, "In your dreams, fucking nerd." She clicked across the parking lot in her heels towards her car.
