My hotel door was open when we got there and the lights were on, lighting the sliver between door and jamb in the pale warm yellows of the lamp shades. John went up first, hand inside his vest, while I stayed in the Jeep at his suggestion. He peeked through the crack before entering to see if there was anyone in there before going inside. After a minute, he waved for me to come on up the stairs. I jumped down out of the passenger seat and took the stairs two at a time on my way to my door. I stood outside and looked in through the open door. My suitcase and valise had been emptied onto the bed and thrown into the corner haphazardly. I covered my mouth to suppress a gasp.
My clothes were scattered all across the bed, even my socks had all been unfolded and thrown into the jumbled mess. Th
