: The Grump’s Holiday Guest

Chapter 2

I leaned against the doorframe, crossing my arms over my chest. The light from the fireplace flickered across her face, making her look even guiltier. She was practically hugging that leather bag to her ribs like it was a shield.

"The bag," I said, my voice dropping into that low rumble that usually makes people start talking. "Give it here."

Clara stiffened. Her knuckles turned white. "Excuse me? That’s personal property. It’s... it’s just my work stuff."

"Work stuff," I repeated, stepping into her personal space. I’m a foot taller than her and twice her weight; I saw her gulp. "You’re acting like you’ve got a thermal detonator in there. We’re in the middle of a blizzard, Clara. I don't know you, and you’re acting sus. If you're hiding something that’s gonna bring trouble to my doorstep or my daughter, I need to know now."

"It's just a laptop! And some... chargers," she squeaked, moving the bag to her other side.

"Funny. Most people care about their wallets or their IDs. You're obsessed with that bag." I reached out, not to grab it, but just enough to show I wasn't playing. "Hand it over. I’ll look through it, see there’s no weapons or tracker, and you get it back. Otherwise, you can go sit in the mudroom. It’s about forty degrees in there."

She looked at the door, then back at me. She knew she was trapped. Slowly, with a look on her face like she was handing over her firstborn child, she slid the bag across the coffee table toward me.

I picked it up. It was heavy. I unzipped the main compartment. A fancy laptop—overpriced junk. A makeup bag. A silk scarf.

Then my hand hit something small, cold, and metallic at the bottom. I pulled it out.

It wasn't a phone. It was a high-end digital voice recorder. I held it up between two fingers, staring at the little blinking 'Standby' light.

"A 'consultant' for a travel firm?" I looked her dead in the eye, my jaw tightening. "Since when do consultants need professional-grade recording equipment to 'scout' a town?"

Clara’s face went from pale to ghost-white. "I... I use that for notes! To remember the... the scenery! It’s for the aesthetic!"

"Liar," I growled.