Page 23 of Phoenix Rising

Reese grinned and started walking again, grabbing her hand as he passed, forcing her to move or be dragged along. She should let go, she told herself as they crossed the lobby. They needed to maintain a professional relationship. She tried to make her fingers release his, but they didn’t listen to her; instead, they clung tighter.

When they reached the restaurant, they bypassed the host’s desk and proceeded directly to the bar. A few people were scattered around, and several tables were occupied, but the night crowd hadn’t arrived yet. They chose to sit where Paige had during her stay.

Raphael noticed them and placed two napkins in front of them. “Room 520. Two cabernets.”

“Good memory,” Reese noted. “Can we order food too?”

“Sure.” Raphael reached under the counter and handed them laminated menus before filling their glasses. “I’ll be back to get your order.”

The selections at the bar weren’t as elegant as the ones in the restaurant. Reese decided on a burger and fries. Audria ordered fish and chips. They chatted while monitoring Raphael. Talking to Reese was so easy. It felt familiar. Comfortable.

“Audria, look.”

Audria glanced up to see two men standing at the other end of the bar. One nodded at Raphael, who placed the beer bottle he was carrying in front of another customer and headed their way. After reaching beneath the bar, he slid napkins to the men, and they picked them up before tossing money on the counter and leaving. No drinks.

“I’d say that confirms his side hustle,” Audria said. “It also might be why he professed to be an expert on picking cops out of a crowd. He’s always on the lookout for them.”

Reese laughed. “Good point. I got the exchange on tape. After we find out what’s going on with Paige, I’ll send the videos to the local authorities. Until we clear Raphael and the yogi, I don’t want anything to spook them, and the police wouldn’t sit on this if they knew about it.”

“I hate that they’re getting away with dealing. An innocent might get hurt by an impaired driver, but you’re right about the cops.”

They watched Raphael as they ate, witnessing two more questionable exchanges.

Reese crumpled his napkin and placed it on his empty plate. Raphael whisked the dirty dishes away and disappeared behind the bar.

“So how long is this inner child thing this evening?”

“About two hours.”

Reese’s head hit the bar. Audria couldn’t blame him. She wasn’t looking forward to it at all.

“If we don’t find anything on the initial visit, we may have to spring for the overnight sleepover.”

“Fantastic,” he muttered without lifting his head.

Chapter Seven

The red brick building they were looking for was located off the beaten path. Cold air washed over Audria when she opened the door. It was always a shock to the system to go from scorching heat to arctic chill.

Another couple sat on a leather couch filling out paperwork when they entered the lobby.

“Welcome to Childhood Revisited,” a woman greeted them. “My name is Martha. Do you have reservations?”

“We do, Martha. Ross and Amy Green.”

She checked her computer and nodded. “I have some paperwork for you to fill out.” She handed Reese and Audria a clipboard, and they took a seat.

The questions started routine: name, age, hometown. Then, they began to get strange. Favorite memory as a child. What games did she like to play? If she could go back to one age, what would it be? As she scribbled fake answers, the other couple handed their paperwork to Martha, and she guided them through a door.

Once Reese finished, Audria took his clipboard, covertly glancing at his answers. She wondered if they were real or if he’d faked them like she had. Martha returned and smiled as she collected their sheets.

“My husband and I have been traveling for a few weeks. I have a friend who was going to take part in the class. Can you tell me if she’s already been here?” Audria showed Martha Paige’s picture.

The woman settled a pair of half-glasses on her nose and took the phone from Audria’s hand. “Yes, she did. I believe her name was Jan. You missed her by a week or so.”

Audria’s heart pounded. An honest-to-goodness lead. They now knew what first name Paige was using. “Did she opt for the overnight session?”

Martha shook her head. “She expressed interest and took the forms with her but hasn’t returned yet. Maybe you can all attend together.”

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