Page 73 of Hoodoo House
“You guys are married?” Henry whispered to Charlie.
“Long story,” he whispered back.
Charlie stepped in front of Declan and took the lead. William-Fergus was wearing a different name tag.
“Good evening, Finn, is it?” Charlie said.
“Yes sir,” William-Fergus-Finn replied. “Would you like rooms for the night?”
“I believe we’ll need three this evening. One for Mr Hunt and myself. One for Sinclair Yamada, and another room for Mrs Cameron and Henry if you can manage it.”
William-Fergus-Finn looked at the desk log and said, “You’re in luck. We can accommodate all of you. We had a cancellation earlier today. Apparently the Ducks Unlimited group had a limited registration for their event, so we have space.”
“Excellent,” Charlie said. “By the way, Finn, is the dining room closed for the evening?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Perfect,” Charlie said. “I was wondering if we could use the space to have a bit of a meeting?”
“I think I can arrange that for you.”
Declan turned to Charlie with a puzzled look on his face. Charlie smiled and said, “It will all make sense before the night is through.”
Once William-Fergus-Finn had checked in the guests, Charlie turned to the others. “If it’s all right with everyone, I’d like to meet in the dining room at nine tonight. I have some information I need to share before anyone talks to the police.”
Charlie was met with curious looks, but nobody said anything. They simply nodded and headed off to their rooms.
Declan and Charlie’s accommodation was the last to be assigned.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve given you the Honeymoon Suite again.”
Charlie and Declan looked at each other and smiled. “That would be perfect,” Charlie replied. “Thank you.”
Declan headed to the stairs, but Charlie stayed behind. He beckoned to William-Fergus-Finn.
“Yes, sir?”
“I’m just curious,” Charlie said, pointing at the desk-clerk’s badge. “None of those names are yours, are they?”
“No, sir, they are not,” he answered, but didn’t offer up his real name.
Charlie smiled. Some mysteries were meant to remain unsolved.
He made his way up to the suite where he found the door propped open with a shoe. Charlie entered to find Declan sitting on the couch.
“Where have you been?” Declan asked.
“Trying to solve a mystery.”
“What a certain young man’s name is?”
“How…?”
“A very top-secret detective trick. It’s called eavesdropping from around the corner.”
“I see,” Charlie said as he plopped himself down beside him.
“So, what secrets do you plan on revealing to us tonight?” Declan asked.
