Read Online The Perfect Death by James Andrus - Free Book Online

memos from other divisions.”
    â€œI thought I just did.”

NINE
    The pretty woman standing behind the counter in the hotel lobby extended her hand to Stallings and smiled politely. “I’m Liz Dubeck and I run this place. You might recall we met last night.” Her sly smile conveyed more than any words could.
    Stallings took the hand and nodded, avoiding Patty’s intense gaze.
    Patty whispered to him, “Aren’t you glad you told me the truth already? Otherwise this might be an awkward moment.”
    Stallings felt like a school kid in a parent/teacher conference as both women turned their attention to him.
    Patty took the woman’s hand and introduced herself, then set her battered metal case on the counter and started to take down contact information.
    Stallings liked how professional Patty could be on a moment’s notice.
    As soon as Patty had finished, the woman looked at Stallings and said, “What was your problem with the man I saw you with last night?”
    â€œJust a miscommunication.”
    â€œYou seemed to be making your point very clear.”
    Now Stallings felt a physical pressure from Patty’s gaze. He reached across into Patty’s metal case and pulled out a photo of Leah Tischler and laid it out on the counter. “We’ve been trying very hard to find out if anyone saw her in this area in the last few days. We have reason to believe she might’ve used a pay phone at the check-cashing store down the street and she would’ve been looking for a place to stay.”
    The woman leaned down to look at the photo closely. Her dark ponytail slipped across her shoulder. Stallings appreciated the attention she was giving the photo as well as the shape of her shoulders and neck.
    She looked up and said, “She said her name was Lee and she was looking for a room for a couple of nights. I told her she had to let someone know she was okay. She didn’t have to tell them where she was, but I didn’t want whoever was responsible for her worrying. I could tell right away she wasn’t a street person. She had on a school uniform of some kind.”
    Patty turned to him and said, “That must’ve been why she called the music teacher.”
    â€œI offered the phone here, but she said she’d have to think about it and left before I could stop her.” The hotel manager paused. “I hate to ask this, but is she okay?”
    Patty took this one and Stallings was glad of it. “She’s been missing a few days and there’s an indication she may have fallen victim to violent crime.”
    â€œOh my goodness. Is there anything else I can do?”
    â€œYou can keep your ears open and let us know if you hear anything.”
    It was clear this woman was concerned. “Of course, of course, anything you want. Almost everyone in this area comes through here at one time or another.” She stepped from behind the counter and joined Stallings and Patty in the lobby.
    Stallings took in a breath as she walked past and brushed his arm. She gestured toward the couch and two chairs in the corner of the clean lobby. When they were all seated she said, “I work very hard to make this a clean, safe place for people down on their luck. We get a few grants and I don’t always have to charge full rates. I would have let Leah stay here for free if she’d come back after I told her to let someone know she was safe.”
    Patty reached over and gave the woman a gentle squeeze on her shoulder. “You did the right thing.”
    Stallings looked around the room and said, “It does look like a nice place. That’s hard to find if you’re lonely, scared, and have no money.”
    Liz looked around and nodded. “We’ve come a long way, but there are always a lot of things to finish around here. You can see the linoleum is peeling in the corners and throw rugs only cover so much. About half the rooms need new