Page 53 of Phoenix Rising

When the bartender remained silent, Terry prodded him. “Do you want to be arrested, Raphael? Is that what you’re trying to do here?”

Raphael clenched his teeth. “Fine. I got the room.”

Terry eyed him dubiously. “You paid for it?” More silence. “Who helped you steal a key?”

“No one helped me. I used an empty room, is all.”

“You have to understand that this doesn’t look good for you, Ramsey,” Hunter told him. “You lied to get out of work and squatted in a room you didn’t pay for last night. We’ve got you dead to rights on video, yet you cannot corroborate your alibi.” Hunter held out his hands. “You’ve lied to us from the beginning, and I believe you’re lying to us now. Admit that you vandalized the room, and this will go easier on you.”

Raphael surged to his feet. “I didn’t vandalize anything! Terry!”

“Sit your ass down,” Terry barked. Raphael dropped to his seat. “Why did you pick yesterday to hijack a room and bring a woman here?”

“Because I just met her yesterday.”

“Why not take her to your place?” Hunter wondered.

“She’s this real classy lady, you know? Like expensive. I wanted to impress her, and my apartment wouldn’t do that. Besides, I’m relatively sure she’s married, and I didn’t want there to be any link to my place. I’m fond of my pretty face, if you know what I mean.”

Sheesh, vain much? And what a great guy. Hitting on a married woman and dealing drugs. Raphael was a real catch. Christian shook his head. He couldn’t wait to bust his sorry ass.

“Weren’t you worried about being seen when you’d lied about being sick?” Huner pressed.

“That’s why I wore a hood! Besides, I wasn’t thinking with the head on my shoulders, if you know what I mean.”

“For hell’s sake, Raphael, quit saying that,” Terry snapped. “My neighbor’s dog knows what you mean, and he’s been dead for two years.”

Christian almost choked out a laugh that would’ve given away his hiding place.

“Geez, Terry, you’re not usually so gruff.”

“I don’t appreciate crimes happening under my nose, especially if they are committed by someone I know.”

“Listen, I admit this doesn’t look good, but I didn’t do it. I mean, I’m no saint, and I can admit that. But I didn’t break into a room at the hotel. I wouldn’t jeopardize my job or tarnish the resort.”

“Except for dealing drugs from under the bar,”Christian muttered to himself. Sadly, he believed the slug. He didn’t think Raphael was responsible for trashing Reese and Audria’s suite, and it didn’t seem like he knew anything about it either.

Christian would talk to the others, but he thought he should continue monitoring Ramsey for at least a little while to ensure he wasn’t the best actor in the world.

Raphael looked at his watch. “Are we done here? My shift is about to start.”

Terry deferred to Hunter, who said, “You can go for now.” Raphael jumped up and headed for the door. Before he could make his exit, Hunter stalked over to him. “But we might have more questions for you.”

“You never said who you worked for,” Raphael reminded Hunter.

“You’re right. I didn’t.” He closed the door in Raphael’s face.

Christian came out of the bathroom. “What’s your take?”

“Unfortunately, I believe him,” Hunter grumbled.

“Yeah, me too,” Terry concurred. “I’ve known him for a while and don’t think he was lying.”

“It’s unanimous. He’s a scumbag for sure, but I don’t think he’s responsible for the break-in.”

“I’d say we stick with the original plan, and you watch him tonight,” Hunter advised. “If we spooked him, he might try to contact his cohorts.”

Christian nodded. “Agreed.”

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