Chapter 718: Saltwater Motel
Saturday, March 18th, Afternoon
They met in the motel parking lot, her Mercedes-Maybach SUV, his unmarked detective car, and the female patrolman's cruiser. They looked each other over and nodded. There was a sigh; Brooke noted she was casually dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt. Detective Captain Declan Gordon was dressed in his standard-issue cheap detective suit. The patrolman, Officer Corrina Miazga, was dressed in her uniform, and the bulletproof vest she wore bulked out her frame, giving her a less feminine look, and she stood almost as tall as Declan.
"This is what we're going to do; we're going to wait for Doctor O'Brien," Declan said.
"Why?" Brooke asked.
"O'Brien will go with Officer Miazga to get Callista while we talk with the manager," Declan said.
"Okay," Officer Miazga said.
"This is off the books; you get an issue, have the sergeant contact me," Declan said.
"Yes, Sir," Officer Miazga said.
Finally, Shay pulled up; she joined the other three. Brooke wondered why Declan picked Officer Miagza to help them; Brooke figured he'd want a gorilla of a patrolman to help handle this. Declan told Brooke that a female officer was to help Callie feel more comfortable.
Declan looked them all over. Finally, he settled his eyes on Shay. "Do you know her room number?" Declan asked.
"Yes, I do, room seventeen," Shay said.
"Take Officer Miagza with you and get Callista," Declan said.
"Yes, Sir," Officer Miagza said.
"Is that all?" Shay asked.
"Miagza, make sure the room isn't trashed," Declan said.
"I will," Officer Miagza said, following Shay to the motel room.
Declan turned to Brooke. "Follow my lead," he said.
"Are you sure?" Brooke asked.
"There are certain advantages to my position; just let me use them," Declan said.
"Okay," Brooke said.
"Follow me," Declan said.
They walked to the motel office. They had parked their cars in a specific place where the office or the cameras wouldn't see them. Declan had mentioned he doubted if most of the CCTV cameras even worked, but they took no chances.
Finally, as they opened the front door, the manager behind the desk looked up and went wide-eyed. His jaw was slacked as Declan walked over to the desk.
"Hello, Jerry," Declan said.
"Ca, Ca, Captain Gordon, what can I do for you? Do you need a room? Off the books, of course," Jerry said.
"No, but I need your help," Declan said.
"Sure, of course, whatever you need, Captain Gordon," Jerry said.
"I want you to do whatever this nice lady wants you to do," Declan said.
"Of course," Jerry said.
Brooke stepped forward. "I want you to refund all the charges for room seventeen," Brooke said.
"I can't do that," Jerry said. Brooke looked at Declan.
"Jerry, what did I request?" Declan asked.
"I can't do that, Captain Gordon," Jerry said.
"Jerry, I can put it this way; how would you like if I put a patrol car outside or I speak to my vice squad?" Declan asked, in more a command than a question. Jerry was shaking.
"You won't do that," Jerry said.
"Try me," Declan said.
Jerry turned to Brooke. "Refund all charges from room seventeen?" he asked.
Brooke nodded and handed him a card, "And charge them to that card," she said.
"Why didn't you say that? It makes it all different," Jerry said.
"You never gave her a chance," Declan said.
Jerry handed the card back to Brooke. "All set," he said.
"Also, check out room seventeen," Brooke said.
"Yes, Ma'am," Jerry said.
They met in the parking lot once they finished in the office. Brooke got her first look at Callie; she was a tall blonde girl with long hair. Something reminded Brooke of Peyton looking at the girl wearing skinny jeans, a plaid button-down shirt, and a baseball cap.
They loaded up into the cars and headed out. Brooke drove alone as Officer Miagza had Callie with her. They arrived at Beaulieu Manor and parked in the East Range. Brooke saw Callie's face, and it showed total awe of the place.
Officer Miagza and Declan took their leave, and Brooke led Callie and Shay through Beaulieu's East Range galleries. They arrived at the room that was assigned to Callie.
"Callista," Brooke said, "This is your room; please settle in; if you need anything, let me know. There is a map and meal times on the desk."
"This is mine?" Callie asked.
"Yes, Callista, it's all yours," Brooke said.
"Please, call me Callie," Callie said.
"Okay, Callie, we'll allow you to get settled," Brooke said.
"Thank you," Callie said.
"You're welcome," Brooke said.
"If you need anything, call me, Callie," Shay said.
"I will, Doctor O'Brien," Callie said.
Brooke and Shay left the room. Shay followed Brooke as she walked around the galleries. Finally, they came to a bank of windows.
"This is a good thing you're doing, Brooke," Shay said.
"Shh!" Brooke said, and held her finger to her lips, then pointed out to the privy gardens. Shay looked to see Callie out exploring the gardens. "I think she'll do fine here," Brooke said.
Shay nodded and watched Callie explore the gardens.