Page 18 of Resolutions

“Looks like scuff marks. How'd she know about this passage?”

“She didn't. I mean I don't think she did.” The realization hits me. “None of the guests knew. Only long-term staff and we never use it. It's not safe.”

“So, long-term staff over the years and anyone who might have studied the building's layout.” Tobias's eyes narrow. “That's a pretty broad field. Let's go back to the groom's room. Who has a key for this suite?”

“I do,” Mom pulls the keycard from her pocket and hands it to the Sheriff as he ushers us all out.

Back in the groom's suite, he takes my statement while Deputies Roberts and Sang interview the others. No, we hadn't been in any fights. No, I had no idea who could have done this. I describe our phone call, how strange she sounded, the way the call cut off.

“She said she had to prevent deaths. The words still make no sense. She said, not dead. I just... I can't... I can't be the cause of the deaths. I have to save you. I begged her to tell me where she was if she was hurt.”

“And?” He looks at me with soul-boring eyes.

“She said, no, Cameron. No. I can't - he'll know. I have to figure it out. I don't understand how he- check on mom forme. Our... And that was it, then her phone must have,” I pause, unwilling to add the word.

“Run out of battery?” Tobias offers and I nod. “You have a good memory to remember the call word for word.”

“While we were waiting, I typed the conversation into my phone. Dad always told us the more information we gave him the better the outcome.” I shrug. “I guess I just went with what I've been taught. Do you think that guy took her?”

Tobias makes another note, his jaw tight. “I can't say. But something seems to have happened. You have a key to her apartment?”

I hand over her key, a thought striking me. “She took her cat. Would someone forcing her to run let her bring a pet?”

“People surprise you.” Tobias's eyes look into mine. His hold decades of hard-earned wisdom. Mine threaten to burst with tears. “Sometimes what looks like a simple choice isn't simple at all.”

I retrieved the hotel surveillance video from the morning. Interrupting his questioning of Abbi, I give it to Tobias. Then I went to sit in the Groom's room. Taking up my spot against the wall, I lower myself to the floor. Colton takes a seat next to me.

“Dad?” My voice sounds young even to my ears. “Mind if I stay at your place tonight?”

“Of course, son.”

“You can crash at my place,” Michael offers.

“Thanks, but I'll go over there.” The thought of being alone in my house - our house - is unbearable. “Come over if you want. I could use the company.”

“Sure, anything you need.” Michael shoulders his bag. “Let me grab my tablet first I've got some work to research.”

“You're all free to go.” Tobias announces to the room. “Just don't go far in case we have more questions.” His eyes on me as he speaks.

“What about Melanie's things?” Debbie asks.

“We've closed the room until we can go over everything. We'll be in touch when you can come get her personal items.”

Everyone nods their understanding. Colton stands and offers me a hand. Pulling me up I stand next to him. Carson steps next to us. Wrapping his big brother arms around the two of us, Carson hugs me too.

“We're here with you little brother.”

“Whatever you need.”

What I needed they couldn't give me. What I needed was my Melanie back.

Chapter 8

Melanie

I wake early, not feeling rested at all. My brain's been running in overdrive, replaying yesterday's nightmare while trying to figure out what to do or even how to do it. Making a pot of wretched motel coffee, I sit with a steaming mug in the chair with my feet on the windowsill, watching the sun rise over an unfamiliar town. The coffee is awful, but caffeine is caffeine, and if I'm going to get through today, I need my mind sharp.

Once, after a natural disaster while I was in college, I interviewed a commander in the National Guard. I asked him how a civilian, with no training, could take on these stressful situations. “Try and tackle the things you can handle first,” he said. “Those things will add up to other things and pretty soon you're prepared for the bigger problems.” His philosophy made such sense. I can't remember his name, but I've always remembered what he said.

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