When Sheets Talked, I Stopped a Killer

Chapter 3

My old phone buzzed again in my pocket.

I was hiding around the corner on the eighth floor, gripping the screen tight.

The loan sharks had sent a photo of my daughter's office building: See you tomorrow.

Just three words.

I shoved the phone back in my pocket, grabbed my rag, and headed toward room 804.

I'd taken the staff stairs up and watched the man drag that busted suitcase into this room.

I pretended to wipe down the decorative vase in the hallway, pressing my ear against the wall, listening.

The door swung open without warning.

A big hand shot out and grabbed my hair. The pain on my scalp was blinding. I didn't even get a chance to scream before I was yanked inside.

The man pinned me against the door, a cold knife pressed right against my throat.

The knife cut into my skin, just a little.

"Ma'am, what the hell are you up to?"

His voice was low, dripping with murderous intent.

"You did that in the garage, didn't you?"

His other hand clamped down on my chin, squeezing so hard I thought my jaw would c***k.

I let out this ugly wail.

"Please! Please don't kill me! I just want money!"

My legs gave out and I slid down the door, clutching at his legs.

"I saw it! Your suitcase is full of cash! I didn't call the cops! I'm drowning in debt! If I don't pay by tomorrow, they're gonna sell my daughter! You're rich! Just toss me a little something to keep my mouth shut!"

I bawled and sniffled, smearing tears and snot all over his pant leg.

Pathetic. Gross. The whole nine yards.

The man's hand paused. He looked down at me, sizing me up.

"You want money?"

I nodded like crazy.

"Yes! Yes! Just give me money and I'll keep my mouth shut forever! I even figured out how to dodge the cameras for you!

"Killing me won't do you any good. A missing housekeeper, and Mr. Morrison will have the whole place turned upside down."

He stared at me for a long moment. Then he slowly pulled the knife back.

He walked over to the nightstand, opened the drawer, and pulled out two stacks of cash wrapped in newspaper. He threw them right in my face.

"Here's twenty grand. Take the money and shut up. If you dare call the police, I will cut up your daughter too."

I scrambled to shove the cash into my coat, crawling and clawing my way out of that room.

The door clicked shut behind me. I leaned against the hallway wall, my legs shaking so bad I couldn't stand.

I was alive.

Not only alive, but I'd figured out his weak spot—he needed to lay low and fast.

I tucked the money close and headed for the stairs, planning to pay off the interest first.

Then a hand grabbed my collar from behind.

It was Yvonne Chase, the front desk girl. She was standing there in full makeup, eyes glued to my bulging pocket, pure greed on her face.

"Well, well, Stella, look at you, all capable now."

Yvonne shoved me against the wall and reached right into my coat, pulling out both stacks.

"You're hitting up a guest for a tip? For more than ten grand? That's a serious violation! I'm telling Mr. Morrison right now. You're getting fired, and I'm calling the cops for extortion!"

I panicked and lunged at her.

"That's my life savings! Give it back!"

Yvonne slapped me across the face. The sting was brutal.

"Your life savings? Hotel policy says all lost items and unauthorized tips get turned in!"

She peeled open the newspaper, counted out a big chunk of the cash, and stuffed it down her uniform.

She tossed the rest back at me, maybe a few thousand.

"Since we work together, I'm letting you keep the change. Say one word and don't bother coming in tomorrow."

She clicked her heels and strutted off.

I knelt on the floor, picking up the scattered bills one by one.

Not enough. This wasn't gonna cover the loan.

Yvonne didn't just rob me, she robbed my daughter's only way out.

I tucked the money close and stumbled back to the supply closet.

The second I pushed the door open, a dirty pillowcase in the corner spoke up.

"That scary man just made a call! 10 o'clock tonight. At the abandoned cement factory outside town. He's making a big money deal! He said he's gonna flush everything from the suitcase down the drain!"

10 o'clock. I looked at my watch. It was 9:30 now.

Thirty minutes till he left.

If nobody was gonna give me a way out, then I'd make my own.

I grabbed the master key card off the wall, snatched two of the biggest black trash bags, and headed straight for 804.