Heather was at work behind the front desk. She looked up, tucking a strand of pink-streaked dark hair behind her ear as Jenny approached.
“I didn’t see any messages on my phone while I was gone, so I guess everything’s okay,” Jenny said.
“We had a busy night,” Heather said. “I heard about Cain. They said someone shot him. Is he going to be okay?”
“He’s out of the hospital and mending.” She wondered how many more times she would have to tell the story. “He’s strong as a bull, so he should be all right. How’s everything here?”
“The only interesting thing that happened was the couple in room eight—the Johnsons? When they checked out this morning, they claimed they saw the transparent figure of a man walking down the hallway last night. He was dressed in old-fashioned clothes, a vest and a bowler hat. Scared them half to death. They said they wouldn’t be back.”
Jenny’s heart sank. Dear God, things in the new section weren’t bad enough with a murder in room 10? Now there were spirits in the hallway.
“I thought people came to Jerome specifically to see ghosts,” she said.
“Not everyone. Most people come here to get out of the city, to shop, and visit the restaurants.”
She knew that. People said they wanted to see spirits, but she knew from personal experience, it wasn’t always fun.
“The Johnsons stayed in room eight,” Heather said. “That’s in the new section. Seems like everything bad that’s happened has been in that part of the hotel.”
Jenny thought of Uncle Charlie’s words.Odd things happen in the rooms in that section. Dangerous things.She should close those rooms off, just as her uncle had done, but if she did, the hotel wouldn’t make enough money to repay the loan she’d taken out for the remodel.
“I’m afraid to ask if there was anything else,” Jenny said.
“No, that’s it. We’re completely booked for Halloween—except for room ten, which you said to leave empty. Every place in town is sold out.”
“I ordered extra supplies for the kitchen and restocked the bar. The saloon will be packed. Everybody’s working that night. We do this every year, so we should be able to handle it.”
“I’ll stay until all the guests are settled in their rooms, then come in early the next morning for checkout.”
“Thanks, Heather. I know I can always count on you.”
Heather smiled appreciatively. As an employer, Jenny did her best to take care of her staff. She had no trouble hiring people. It was paying them that was a problem. For now, she would keep the new section open.
When she returned to the bar, she saw Cain sitting at a table in the corner, going over a stack of files. He had removed his sling, much to her chagrin. Damn, the man was stubborn.
She continued setting things up for the big crowd on Halloween. Troy and Barb would both be bartending. Tim and both part-time servers would also be there, while Myrna worked in the kitchen. Jenny’s job was to keep things running smoothly and fill in wherever she was needed.
She prayed there would be no new calamities tomorrow night.
* * *
Cain took some work he wanted to review and sat at a table in the saloon until Jenny was able to leave that night. After closing, she stayed with him at the Grandview, but left the following morning. She had a lot to do to prepare for the biggest night of the year.
Ignoring her protests, Cain accompanied her again that morning. A meeting with Will Price, the bodyguard he had hired, was scheduled for eleven a.m. at the saloon. Price shoved through the batwing doors at exactly one minute before.
Cain rose, and Price walked toward him, forty years old, a touch of silver in his hair. He had a lean, hard-muscled body, and the bulge beneath the leather jacket he wore with a pair of dark blue jeans said he was armed.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Barrett,” Will said, extending a hand.
“It’s just Cain.” He accepted the handshake, and they talked for a while. The conversation was easy, no pressure. Cain was impressed by the man’s no-nonsense attitude and the homework Will had done on Ryder Vance.
“You’re sure you’ll be able to spot him?” Cain asked.
“I’ve read his file, studied his mug shots—more than one. I’ve got his picture on my cell phone. He comes in, I’ll spot him.”
“The problem is everybody is going to be in costume. No way you can tell one person from another.”
“I’m aware. I intend to keep a close eye on your lady. Anyone who gives her any trouble is going down.”
