Chapter 43
Muted voices filtered through, but it was hard to decipher the conversation over the noise of the TV.
We had zero probable cause.
I couldn’t prove what was in Kenzie’s backpack.
Finally, Kenzie pulled open the door, looking uplifted. At least, until she saw us. Her eyes rounded with fear, and her face went stiff.
Devon stood behind her in the foyer. He recovered quickly and forced a smile. "Gentlemen, so good to see you. What brings you to the hotel?”
"With everything that's happened lately, we decided Kenzie needed a little extra protection. Especially carrying around such a valuable item. We couldn't help but follow her here."
Kenzie's operating system locked up for a moment. She stood in the doorway, frozen.
"That’s so thoughtful of you," Devon said. "We really need more officers like you. Kenzie was just leaving. I'm sure you can see to it she gets back home safely.”
Kenzie stepped into the hallway and marched toward the elevator. "I'm just fine. I don't need any supervision. Thank you."
"What happened to your backpack?" I asked. “Did you leave it behind?”
Kenzie kept marching down the hall.
Devon closed the door and latched the deadbolt.
I followed Kenzie, and Jack lingered in the hallway to see if he could catch a glimpse of anyone else coming out of Devon’s room. Perhaps the buyer was in there. Perhaps Devon bought the book with the intention of reselling it to another client. It was hard to say.
"Did you get paid in crypto?" I asked Kenzie.
She ignored me as she strutted toward the elevator. Kenzie pressed the call button and waited.
"You really think you’re going to get away with this?"
"Get away with what?" she asked, playing innocent.
The elevator doors slid open, and Kenzie stepped aboard.
I told Daphne to stay with Jack and joined Kenzie.
She pressed the button for the first floor. "How long do you plan on following me around?"
I shrugged. "You sold the book. What's the point now? I think I’ve seen everything I need to see.”
"Why don't you arrest me? Oh, wait, that's right. You've got nothing."
The door slid open, and she stepped off.
I followed her into the lobby. “You’re playing a dangerous game. Levi is capable of murder. Don't underestimate him.”
"You need to find something better to do with your time. How about you focus on who really shot my father?”
"Trust me, we’ll bring the perpetrators to justice."
Kenzie marched across the lobby and stepped outside. She handed her ticket to the valet. He jogged off to retrieve the car.
A few minutes later, he pulled it under the carport. Kenzie slipped a few bills into his palm before she climbed behind the wheel. She put the car into gear and drove away.
I watched her go, then hustled back up to the 5th floor.
“Devon’s still in the room,“ Jack said. “Nobody else has left besides Kenzie.”
“Somebody else is in there,” I muttered.
I knocked on the door again.
Footsteps shuffled down the foyer, and someone peed through the peephole.
“How can I help you, gentlemen?“ Devon asked through the door.
“If you’re dealing stolen merchandise, you will go to jail,” I said.
“Thanks for the information. But I can assure you that’s not my style. I run a legitimate service.”
“You mind if we take a look around your room?”
“You got a warrant?”
“I can get one,” I said, knowing I didn’t have enough probable cause.
“Well, shoot your shot.”
“What have you got to hide?”
“You’re harassing me. I’d like you to leave.”
“This is a common area, and we’re here on official business. We can stay as long as we like.”
“Suit yourself. It will be pretty boring.”
“That’s okay. We’re patient.”
“I don’t know what you’re expecting to find.”
“I’m expecting to find the Codex and a buyer for it.”
Devon laughed. “You certainly have an active imagination.”
“You know, I hear that a lot. But more often than not, my instincts are right.”
We lingered in the hallway after the interaction. A few minutes later, a bellhop rolled up a cart with a bottle of champagne and strawberries. He knocked on the door to the suite. "Room service."
Devon peered through the peephole, then pulled open the door. He smiled at the bellhop. "Please, come in.” Devon stepped aside and invited the gentleman down the foyer. The bellman pushed the cart, draped in cloth, into the luxury suite. Devon smiled at us, then closed the door.
"He's messing with us now," Jack said.
The cork to the champagne popped with a dull thud.
A few moments later, the bellhop opened the door and pushed the cart into the hallway, now empty.
Devon was about to close the door when he said to us. "Will you leave if I let you search my room? Will that make you happy?”
I didn't hesitate.
He stepped aside and invited us into the suite. It was a nice room with a kitchenette, a small living space with a sofa, coffee table, and a flatscreen display, along with a work area. Sliding glass doors opened to a balcony.
JD and I glanced around the space and began our search. We went through all of the cabinets in the kitchen, searched the closets, then stepped into the bedroom.
Water from the shower hit the tile. The bathroom door was closed.
JD and I looked under the bed, pulled out all the drawers, and rummaged through Devon's luggage. The king-size bed was rumpled. I didn't think the black lace panties, red dress, and high-heel shoes on the floor were Devon’s, but you never knew.
“Need some help?” Daphne asked.
“No, thank you.”
She just stood there, looking pretty with arms folded.
We didn't find the Codex or the backpack.
"Who's in the shower?" I asked Devon.
He smiled. "A lady friend. You're interrupting my personal time.”
The faucet squealed, and the water stopped. The shower curtain rattled open.
A moment later, a gorgeous blonde with wet hair stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her torso. Steam billowed out. With misty skin, the woman looked delightful. Classic features, full lips, sparkling eyes. It wouldn't have been a tragedy if that towel had fallen to the floor.
"I didn’t realize we had company," she said in a slight Russian accent.
Devon smiled. "Unexpected visitors.”
He made introductions. “Gentlemen, this is Natalia.”
We exchanged pleasantries, then Jack searched the bathroom.