Murder On The Nickel Plate

DAY 5:

Ralph spent the next three days avoiding the consequences of his actions. In the throes of grief and anger, he had taken a life that had been irreplaceable to him. Jane had been his beloved girlfriend, and on that fateful night in December of 1935 he'd acted recklessly and taken her life in a moment of unbridled rage and vengeance. Now Ralph found himself driving through the small rural towns of Ohio, desperately looking for a place to spend the cold night where he wouldn't risk being discovered. Having barely survived the past few months trying to stay away from the law, he was haunted by images of what had happened that day. When the police began their investigation into Jane's death he hadn't been able to run. Sure enough they had pinpointed Ralph. But he hadn't been able to forgive himself for taking away a life that could never be restored, and had left his city. He had spent days wandering around, doing whatever odd jobs he could find here and there, sleeping in any place that would take him, his only companion being his conscience taunting him for what he had done. Everywhere he went it felt like he existed in a sort of purgatory, doomed to forever wander the earth without forgiveness or redemption. On this December night, Ralph drove by yet another rural town in Ohio, desperate for a place to sleep. He thought of Jane and all the grief and sorrow he had caused, and his heart broke again for what he had done. He would continue to drive and search for a place to stay this night, and pray for a future where he could find some way to forgive himself and carry out what was left of his existence in peace.

Ralph stumbled upon a cozy little gem in Hamilton County Ohio, nestled in the rolling hills and tree-lined backroads. It's a small hotel, with just 10 rooms. But it was enough for one night. It was something to stay in, a place to hide from the law enforcement.