He found them sitting in the parking lot right where the signal burst indicated they would be. Parking further down, he exited his vehicle and approached the woman's car careful to stay in the light and in her general sight line. He saw the dog raise its head as he came toward the windshield. He gestured to the dog and Levi nosed Sue.
"What is it, boy?"
Levi woofed and Sue turned to see a man standing next to the front of the car. She whispered a short prayer for safety and got out of her vehicle.
The silent man handed her some cash and signed 'Put hair up, make small. Take off jacket. Leave dog here. Get room. Two days. Pay cash. Sign in. Use middle name, mother's maiden name. Relax."
Sue did as she was instructed, pulling her hair in to a ponytail then twisting it into a bun. She removed her jacket and was surprised when the silent man removed his and gave it to her. She pulled it on and he rolled up the sleeves. Stepping back, he appraised her appearance and then motioned her to flip her blouse collar up. After she had done that, he pulled an extra pair of shades out of his jacket and placed them on top of her head.
'You traveler. Long drive. Busy tomorrow. Get in. Get out. Yes?'
She nodded and walked to the hotel office.
At the ring of the bell, a bored young lady looked up from her computer and popped her gum. "May I help you?"
Sue sighed and said in her most tired voice "One room for two nights, please."
"You want a queen or two doubles?'
"Two doubles. I have lots of paper work to spread out."
"Smoking or non?"
"Non."
"That will be one room, two doubles, for two nights in non. Total is $253.78."
Sue blew her bangs in exasperation. "Oh well," and handed the girl $300.
She waited while her change was made and returned. The girl asked her to sign in and she did so, using her middle name and mother's maiden name.
The girl handed her the room card and told her the number. "Good night," she said, popping her gum again before returning her nose to the computer.
Outside, Sue hurried around to her car where she waved the room card and went to the door of the room to open it. The silent man eased a sleeping Hector out of the car, carrying him with little strain. Sue and Levi followed after she retrieved her jacket from the car hood.
Once in the room, she locked the door and pulled the blinds tight, pinning them with a hair clip. Being on a surveillance team had taught her a few tricks about how not to be found.
Levi hopped up onto the bed where the silent man had set Hector down. He was starting to wake up. "Wha- Where am I? Mara? Althea?" His eyes were opened; straining to see and his hands were searching. "Where are you? It's so dark. I'm coming, I'll find you. I'll find you…I'll…find…" He was out again with Levi resting his head on the sick man's chest.
Sue smiled at her dog and said "Traitor."
Levi lifted his head but Sue signaled him to lay back down. Then she turned to the silent man.
"We need to talk."