Chapter 5

"Can you believe this crap? Like we have nothing better to do than drive around chasing after a ghost." Carrie is exasperated.

"Right? I know I'd rather be getting my nails done." Kara's tone is facetious in an attempt to allay Carrie's frustration.

Carrie snorts out a laugh. "Well, this hotel where this Tavendish McSid is holed up does have a nice spa. Let's see what we can manage."

They walk into the hotel and approach the front desk. Carrie flashes her badge at the clerk and nods when he gives her McSid's room number. They move towards the elevator and Kara nearly trips over a maintenance guy working over an array of tools spread out all over the elevator lobby. All four elevator doors are open, exposing cement shafts and cables.

"Wow. Really? All four broke down at the same time?" Kara chuckles. "What are the odds?"

"Great," Carrie states flatly. "Well, the guy in on the 25th floor. Want to hoof it up the stairs?"

"Not particularly, no."

"Didn't think so."

The two women return to the hotel lobby and stand around at a loss on how to proceed. They are approached by a well-dressed young man holding a clipboard.

"Hello, ladies. How are you today?"

Carrie and Kara both glare at the boy. He clears his throat and looks down at his clipboard. "If you don't mind me saying, you two look like you may need some down time. Am I right?"

Not seeing an answer forthcoming, he continues, "Just so happens our spa is having a special today. We're offering the works. Sauna, massage, mani-pedi, the works."

Carrie finally speaks, "That's great. Thanks for the offer, but we're here on business."

"Not so fast Cagney," Kara side whispers to Carrie. "Our business is on the 25th floor, and the elevator is under repair. I believe we may have some time."

Kara turns to the boy, "Show us the way, kid."

Kara walks out of the dressing room in a plush white robe, a couple of sizes too big for her. She flashes a smile at Carrie. "Check it out Cagney. Plushy robes. Like five different kinds of shampoo, and not those dinky trial sizes either."

Carrie rolls her eyes. "Yeah, I'm wondering what HQ is going to think about footing the bill for all of this."

Kara starts rummaging through her purse for something and feels Carrie's eyes still on her. She examines herself in the full length mirror, turns and asks, "What, does this make my butt look big?"

Carrie snorts, "No, you idiot."

She frowns, sighs, and continues, "Your brother, he took us to a fancy hotel like this once. Got a Groupon or something. No special occasion, just wanted to splurge. That entire weekend, we pretty much lived in robes just like that one. He'd say there's something poetic about lovers wearing the same thing, losing the tethers to the world provided by clothing. Becoming blank slates, absorbing and reflecting only each other."

Now it's Kara's turn to roll her eyes. "My brother, the poet." Her face pinches. "And thanks for putting that image in my head. Of the two of you rolling around in nothing but robes." She throws Carrie her version of the same robe. While Carrie goes to change, Kara fishes out a cigar from her purse and proceeds to light up.

Now dressed in her own robe, Carrie looks at Kara and her eyes grow wide. "Easy there, Starbuck. This is a non-smoking suite."

Kara scoffs, "So I'll crack open a window." As she walks across the room, she turns and asks, "Starbuck? Just how old are you, referring to a show that only lasted a year in the late 70's?"

Carrie's face opens in a radiant smile. She feels her face cracking open, cell by cell. Such a strange feeling to smile after so long. She lowers her gaze, remembers, and the smile fades bit by bit.

Meanwhile, Kara stands at the window savoring her cigar. She takes a puff, examines the shaft, and returns it to her mouth.

This time Carrie laughs a full gut laugh. "Easy there, Lacey. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."