Chapter 4
“Reports say we received seven to eight feet last night,” Roger said. “Snow comes all the way up to the tops of the doors. We’re completely buried. So are the roads.”
Sean stared at the window, the snow packed tightly against the glass. “It’s like this all the way around the building?” Sean asked.
“Yes,” Roger answered.
Judy Grayson paced anxiously in the room. “So, you’re saying no help is on the way?”
“Sheriff Johnson and the county will have snow clearing equipment,” Sean said. “Once we give him the update about what we’re dealing with, he’ll make reaching us a priority.”
“And exactly what are we dealing with, Sheriff?” Roman Grayson asked, and he pointed to the note still in Sean’s hand. “Did you see that blood on the letter?”
Even though Sean was certain it was blood, he chose to play it down for the mother’s sake. “We won’t know what it is for sure until forensics takes a look. For now, I’ll keep the letter with me.”
Both parents were clearly anxious, the mother more so than the father. Sean would need to question them both, but considering they were snowed in, there were other considerations to weigh.
“I’m going to have a word with Roger outside,” Sean said. “While I’m speaking to him, I want the two of you to discuss your daughter’s behavior over the past twenty-four hours.”
“Why?” Roman asked.
“To see if you remember her acting strange,” Sean answered. “Or if you recall anyone interacting with her when you arrived at the hotel. Give it some thought, and I’ll be back to take your statement.” Sean was about to turn to leave, but then he stopped. “What’s your daughter’s name?”
“Karla,” Judy answered.
Karla hadn’t been in the running for Sean and Jennie’s baby before the miscarriage. They had only recently found out that it was a girl, but Jennie was fairly adamant about naming her after her grandmother, Rose.
“It’s a beautiful name,” Sean said.
“She’s a beautiful girl,” Judy replied, choking up. “Please find her.”
“I’m going to do everything I can, Mrs. Grayson,” Sean replied.
The mother sobbed with a mixture of relief and thanks, and then her husband walked over to hold her.
Sean left the parents to think as he stepped out into the hallway with Roger and Stephen.
“Okay, first things first,” Sean answered. “We need to get everyone up and out of their rooms, guests and staff. I’ll need to address everyone.”
“Okay, sure,” Roger said, but he was clearly unnerved by the idea of bothering the other guests. A missing girl didn’t bode well for business.
“Are you able to get the generator operational?” Sean asked.
“We’ve tried, but the repairman was scheduled to come out next week, and I’m afraid I’m useless in such matters,” Roger answered. “Should we open the front lobby doors? Start trying to dig our way out?”
“Hold off on that for now,” Sean said, then glanced back to the Graysons’ closed door, then farther down the hallway toward the main lobby. “Do you have any security cameras in the hotel?”
“Only one, in the lobby,” Roger answered, defensively. “I had meant to put up more, but installing new wiring in a building this old was pricey.”
“Well, you won’t be able to access the security footage until the power comes back on,” Stephen said.
“Do you really think someone took this girl, Sheriff?” Roger asked. “I mean, couldn’t this all just be, I don’t know, some kind of prank?”
Sean knew better than to start any case with preconceived notions, whether negative or positive. But between the power outage, the snowstorm, and the blood on the note left behind, Sean found it harder to keep the negative thoughts away.
“Listen,” Sean said, looking to Roger. “I’m going to need a few things.”
“Of course, whatever you need,” Roger said.
“Some small plastic bags; Ziplocs are fine,” Sean said. “I’ll also need a blank notebook and a pen.”
“Yes, no problem,” Roger said. “Anything else?”
Sean thought back to the blood smear on the ransom note. “Zip ties.”
Roger arched his eyebrows. “Zip ties?”
“It’s just a precaution,” Sean answered, hoping he wouldn’t need to use them, but he wanted to be prepared for a worst-case scenario.