Poisoned Justice by Jeffrey Alan Lockwood

Author:Jeffrey Alan Lockwood [Lockwood, Jeffrey Alan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781683130093
Publisher: Pen-L Publishing
Published: 2016-10-09T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 26

I rolled out of bed with that deep and pleasant soreness that reminds a guy he can still push his body hard. A scalding shower melted some of the ache out of my neck and shoulders. I figured this could be a long day, so I fried up four eggs and toasted a stack of bread. My coffee wasn’t as stout as Gustaw’s but it did the trick. I glanced through the paper—the Communists were busy launching cosmonauts and burying Mao Tse Tung. Good riddance on both counts if you ask me. Meanwhile, NASA had unveiled its space shuttle, demonstrating that the American government has no clue about the value of money in a recession. Space isn’t going anywhere, so what’s the rush? Maybe the world was going to hell, but it turned out that in my little corner of the universe, things were working out. I dialed my favorite hotel in Los Angeles and got lucky.

“Thank you for calling the Hyatt Regency, this is Linda. How may I help you?” she intoned.

“Drive up to San Francisco and have dinner with me.”

“Excuse me?”

“You wouldn’t disappoint your old friend Riley, would you?”

“Riley!” I could hear the excitement in her voice, and then she whispered, “I can’t take personal calls at work. You’ll get me in trouble. What are you doing calling me?”

“Just wanted to hear your lovely voice,” I tried.

“Save it, Casanova. What do you need, and make it quick before the manager catches me talking with you.”

“Okay sweetie, Odum’s death has gotten complicated, but nothing that will make trouble for your hotel. I need you to pull the registry for the week of that science convention and see if you can find a guest named Sarah.”

“You’re such a romantic.”

“Sorry, you said to make it quick.”

“Yeah, just like a typical man—only too happy to make it quick. Hang on, let me see what I can find.” She put me on hold and I listened to an orchestrated version of a Beatles tune. Leave it to the music industry to take one of the few pop groups with a modicum of talent and make their songs unlistenable.

“You’re lucky. My manager is tied up with a guest who managed to scald himself in the shower and is threatening to sue.”

“Thank God for stupid people. What did you find?”

“There were no guests registered as ‘Sarah’ for that meeting. However, there was a Sarie Botha who paid the conference rate.”

“Can you spell that?” She did and then struck gold.

“Hold on, there’s more. She had a reservation through Friday, but she checked out on Wednesday.” Linda’s voice trailed off.

“The day Odum was found dead.”

“So it would appear. Do you think she’s connected to his death?”

“Maybe. At least I’d love to ask her some questions. Do you have her address or phone number in your records?”

“Sorry, I can’t help on that one. We give guests a card at check-in, but most folks don’t fill it out.”

“You’ve been a huge help. And I was serious about the dinner.

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