Phil Minor kept a steady pace as he walked back to his office above the casino floor. As head of security of the Saraphina Hotel and Casino for the past four years, it was his job and responsibility to oversee everything and make sure that nothing went wrong. And before tonight, nothing had gone wrong.

The young titian-haired woman in room 817 really bothered him. He had always trusted his instincts–that's what had gotten him to the position that he was in right now. But right now, those instincts were screaming at him that something about that woman wasn't right. He just couldn't put a finger on it.

Phil didn't believe her story for one minute about being a new maid. They had given the staff strict instructions about leaving that room alone and they knew better than to disobey those instructions. So that's what was bothering him right now. It was no coincidence that she was in that room; he didn't believe in coincidence.

He picked up the phone and dialed the extension to the video surveillance room. "Manny, it's Phil. I need the tape for the eighth floor from an hour ago to right now. Thanks."

Phil disconnected the call and then dialed the private number to Stuart Grayson, CEO of the Saraphina Hotel.

"This better be good, Phil." Stuart Grayson said as way of greeting.

"I didn't mean to interrupt you, sir." Phil said. "But I think we may have a problem."

"What kind of problem?" Stuart asked, suspiciously.

"I found a girl in that room we found the dead woman." Phil said.

"Did you ask what she was doing there?" Stuart asked.

"She said she was a new maid and she was told to clean that room." Phil explained.

"You don't believe her." Stuart stated.

"Not at all. She didn't have her badge on her. She claimed that she left it in her car." Phil said.

Stuart sighed. "Do you think she's connected with the young man in any way?"

"It's possible." Phil said.

"Do we know her name?" Stuart asked.

Phil hesitated. "I–I didn't ask for it."

"Why not, Phil?" Stuart asked softly.

"I didn't think of it." Phil said flatly. "But I have the security tape from the eight floor coming to me right now. I'll ask around and see if anyone knows her."

"That's a good idea, Phil." Stuart said. "And make sure you don't make another mistake like that. You know that I hate sloppy work. Call me as soon as you know anything."

There were very few times when Phil could remember he felt fear. But as Stuart hung the phone up on him, he felt a chill go through his body. He knew Stuart didn't like mistakes.

And he also knew that people who were under Stuart Grayson who made mistakes were usually never heard from again.

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Nancy couldn't think of anything to say to Vanessa. And it must have shown because Vanessa's voice spoke up again.

"Do you know what's going on with Joe, Nancy?" she asked again.

"I don't think I should be the one to tell you, Vanessa. Joe should talk to you himself." Nancy said.

"I think he tried to." Vanessa said softly.

"He did? When?" Nancy asked. She grabbed the towel from the bathroom and started to dry her hair as she sat down on her bed.

"Not too long ago." Vanessa said. "He didn't tell you?"

"No. Frank and I just got back in." Nancy explained. "What did he say?"

"That's just it. He didn't say anything for a while. When he finally did all he said was that he was sorry." Vanessa said.

Nancy grabbed the brush out of her travel bag and began to run it through her long hair. "Did he tell you what he was sorry about?"

"No. He just hung up the phone." She let out a long sigh. "That's why I called you, Nan. I need you to tell me what's going on."

"Vanessa, I–" Nancy began.

"Please, Nancy." Vanessa said.

Nancy couldn't help but feel sorry for Vanessa. If Joe wasn't going to tell her what was going on, then she needed to do it. And it was obvious in Vanessa's voice that she was worried to death about him.

"All right, Vanessa. But only because I feel like you have the right to know." Nancy said.

"Thank you, Nancy." Vanessa said, letting out a relieved breath. "First of all, where are you? I didn't recognize the number that he called me from."

"We're in Las Vegas." Nancy said.

"What?" Vanessa said, shocked.

"You didn't know he was coming here." Nancy said slowly.

"No! I just know a few days ago I tried to call him and there was no answer. And then I tried calling his cell phone, and all I kept getting was his voice mail. What is he doing in Vegas?" Vanessa asked.

"Maybe you can tell me." Nancy said. "Did you guys have a fight or something to make him bolt like this?"

"No, not that I–" Vanessa gasped.

"What is it, Vanessa?" Nancy asked.

"I was so stupid." Vanessa said, mostly to herself.

"Stupid?" Nancy asked. "Stupid about what?"

"I think I scared him away." Vanessa said with a heavy sigh.

"How? It had to be something pretty major. Joe's not one to scare easily." Nancy said.

"I think marriage would qualify as something major." Vanessa said.

"Oh." Nancy said, cringing.

"Yeah. I was talking to him about the idea of us getting married someday. I guess I was pushing him too hard." Vanessa said.

"Well, he was never one to do good under pressure. But I think that's something that you two need to discuss alone. There's nothing that Frank and I can do to help with that." Nancy said.

"If only he would call me and talk to me." Vanessa said.

"He's kind of in trouble right now, Van. So it may be a while before he's ready to talk you about that." Nancy said.

"What kind of trouble?" Vanessa asked, panicked.

Nancy decided to be up front with her. "He was arrested for murder early this morning."

"Oh, my God." Vanessa said.

"That's why Frank and I are here. We don't believe for one second that he did this and we are trying to clear him of it." Nancy assured her.

"What happened?" Vanessa asked, softly.

"I don't think you want to know, Vanessa." Nancy said.

"Please tell me, Nancy." Vanessa said.

Nancy took a deep breath. "When he woke up this morning, he was covered in blood. He looked over in his bed and there was a woman stabbed to death. The knife was right beside his bed and his fingerprints were all over it."

"That can't be." Vanessa said, shocked.

"We know that. That's what Frank and I are trying to prove. We think that he was framed. But it's a little hard because Joe doesn't remember anything." Nancy explained.

The bedroom door opened and Frank walked in. When he saw that Nancy was on the phone he sent her a questioning look.

Nancy covered the receiver with her hand. "It's Vanessa," she whispered.

Frank nodded and walked into the bathroom. Nancy heard the shower come on as she turned her attention back to Vanessa.

"Just promise me he's okay, Nancy." Vanessa said.

"I can't promise you that, Vanessa. It's really frustrating for him that he can't remember what happened and that he can't get out there and do something. But he's holding up fairly well." Nancy said.

"I know that you'll take care of him." Vanessa said. "Look, I should really get going. I really appreciate you talking to me, Nancy."

"It's no problem, Vanessa. Just take care of yourself and try not to worry so much. He'll be okay." Nancy said.

"That's easier said than done." Vanessa said with a sad chuckle.

"I really am sorry." Nancy said, quietly.

"It's not your fault. Just watch out for him." Vanessa said. She seemed to hesitate. "Will you tell him that I love him?"

"Of course." Nancy said. "But I think he should hear it from you, too."

"When he's ready to talk to me, I'll be here. I'm not going to push him away again." Vanessa said.

Nancy heard a click on the other end of the phone and then the dial tone. She hung up the phone, feeling sorry for Vanessa. She knew this couldn't be easy for her and that in some way, she was blaming herself for the mess that Joe was in.

She took off her robe and finally slipped into her pajamas. Just as she had the bed pulled back, Frank stepped out of the bathroom, a cloud of steam following him. He had a towel wrapped around his waist, and Nancy couldn't help but stare at him. He was a sexy man and she was glad that he was hers.

Frank caught Nancy staring at him and cleared his throat. "May I help you?"

"What?" Nancy asked, innocently. "Can't I stare at my husband if I want?"

"Sure," Frank said, grinning at her. "But it's going to cost you."

"Oh, really?" Nancy said, raising an eyebrow at him. "So, what's the going rate these days?"

Frank grabbed a pair of boxers from his duffle bag and slipped them on quickly. "Do you really want to know, Drew?"

"Bring it on, Hardy." Nancy said.

Frank smiled at her and Nancy giggled as they jumped into their bed.

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Phil was starting to get annoyed. He and the team that he had assembled had searched everywhere for any sign of the young woman that was in Room 817 and so far had come up with nothing. And to make things worse, Stuart Grayson was breathing down his neck, demanding results.

Well, he wasn't a miracle worker and he wasn't about to pretend to be in order to keep in Stuart's good graces. He had to realize how hard it was to find a person in Las Vegas, especially when you didn't have a name to go with a face.

Phil looked at his watch and saw that it was eight o'clock in the morning. He had been at work for almost twenty-four hours now and nearly half of that time was spent looking for the mystery woman. At least now it was shift change so maybe someone had seen her and could give him a name. If that didn't work out, maybe he could call one of his buddies in the FBI and send in the still shot he got of her.

He walked down to the main lobby and looked around trying to find Randy Griffith, the concierge that would be coming on now. Phil spotted him just as he walked into the lobby.

"Randy!" Phil called loudly.

A momentary look of panic flashed across Randy's face. "Phil–uh, Mr. Minor. What can I do for you?"

"It's okay, Randy. You're not in trouble." Phil said, holding out a hand.

"Oh." Randy said, relieved. "So, what can I do for you? You'll have to follow me as I clock in."

Phil followed Randy back to the employees' lounge and waited patiently as he clocked in and out his stuff away in his locker.

"I need to know if you've seen this woman." Phil said. He handed Randy the picture and a smile lit his face.

"Oh, sure!" Randy said, handing the picture back to Phil. "She was in here yesterday. She was thinking about staying here with us"

"When?" Phil asked.

"Oh, a little after two I would say. She's a beauty, I'll say that." Randy said, still smiling.

Phil felt a jolt of excitement go through his body. Finally, he was getting somewhere.

"Did she happen to tell you her name?" Phil asked.

"I'll never forget it." Randy said. "Her name was Molly Adams."

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Author's Note: What can I say? I'm a sucker for sad reviews! Ya'll are really bummed that I'm gonna be gone for that long. This was the least that I could do for you. I know it doesn't make up for the time that I'll be gone, but I hope that it helps a little. Also, if the whole bedroom scene with Frank and Nancy offends anyone, I'm sorry. But they are married and that passion has to show through. Besides, they can't be an old fuddy-duddy couple!

As always review and let me know what you think. And I will miss you guys so much! (I do know that this will be my last update, at least this week. Like I said, if I can, I will try to update while I am gone.)