Chapter 17
"When I booked this trip," I begin, "you said there was only one room left. But here we are, and it's a ghost town. What are you hiding?"
Chet's sheepish expression doesn't reveal much, but Phoebe doesn't let the silence drag.
"Tell us or we're calling the police."
"Okay, okay, please don't do that. I lied on the phone.
This motel hasn't had any business for months.
No one wants to come here. And when I got my first reservation in what felt like forever, I didn't want to just admit you'll be the only guests here.
I couldn't turn away the money we desperately needed. "
"So it was you who stole our things?" Sabrina pulls out her phone, the nine already pressed.
"No, I swear! And my dad wouldn't do that. He wanders, yes, but he'd never steal. He probably doesn't even remember where the master key is. He doesn't even know my name half the time."
"Then who else?" Sabrina shouts.
"Pick anyone from town," Phoebe scoffs. "I don't trust anyone here. It could be anyone. I'm sure it's the same person who left the note on our door."
"What note?" Chet looks genuinely puzzled.
"This note…" Phoebe moves like she's going to her laptop and then throws up her hands. "Well, it was taped to my keyboard, but obviously it was stolen."
"What did the note say?" Chet grimaces, unsure he wants to know the details.
"Leave while you still can," Phoebe and Sabrina recite in unison.
"This is all too much." I start pacing, fresh tears stinging my eyes. What we're experiencing doesn't compare to what Romee went through last year, but I don't want it to come to that. I've seen enough movies to know where this is headed.
"Can't you check the surveillance footage? I assume you have cameras?" Phoebe asks.
"It usually needs a reboot when the power goes out. We lost electricity a bit ago, and I haven't updated the system. Anything before that won't be saved."
"How convenient," Sabrina mocks.
"It's late. Why don't you all go to sleep," Chet suggests. "I'll have Officer Garcia meet with you in the morning. You'll still need to file a report for the stolen items anyway."
"Obviously."
"Sabrina, leave him alone." I'm suddenly exhausted. "He's just doing what he can. Chet never asked for any of this. We can talk to the police in the morning, okay? Let's pack up our mess and get the hell out of here."
I just want to go home. I can't stay here any longer. Sooner or later, they're going to find out.