Bette and I spent the better part of the morning exploring the interior of the massive hotel before pausing for a lunch of soggy grilled cheese sandwiches and watered down tomato soup. Afterward, we headed to the fourth floor to have a look around.
Currently unoccupied, it was cloaked in shadows thanks to more than one lightbulb being out. It was also drafty enough to make me wonder if the rumors about the building being haunted were true. Supposedly, room 217 was not only where Stephen King had stayed when he wroteThe Shining,but was also a hotbed for activity, and according to some gossip I’d heard after the briefing, the fourth floor was also steeped in folklore. Something I hadn’t mentioned to Bette, who’d been in the bathroom at the time, because she’d almost refused to explore the place when she’d learned it was supposedly haunted.
“I think,” I said as we walked down the final hall on the fourth floor, “they aren’t being totally honest about the WIFI.”
Bette stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes wide as she stared at me in shock. “What do you mean? You think they have WIFI here and they’re not telling us?”
“It would make sense considering how desperate they are to seclude us from the outside world. Plus, I’m not sure our wristbands would work without it.”
“I hadn’t thought of that, but I don’t know why. It’sso obvious.” She looked at the band on her right wrist, which was identical to the one I wore. “These things would be pretty useless without WIFI, wouldn’t they?”
“Seems like it.”
I tapped a fingernail against my wristband and stared at the screen, which had a flashing reminder that I was supposed to meet with Hilary at four o’clock. When Shelly mentioned the meetings, I’d hoped we’d all be together like we had in our group sessions, but now knew that wasn’t going to happen since Bette had an appointment at two. Which was coming up.
“We should head down,” I said, jerking my head toward the stairs.
Bette sighed as she started walking, waddling more than a little. “I’m going to be honest,” she grabbed the railing as she took the first step, “I’ll be happy when this little guy makes an appearance. He’s kicking my butt right now and keeping me up all night.”
I kept pace with her even though I could move faster. “I think he’s going to keep you up when he gets here, too.”
“I know, I know.” She rolled her eyes even as she smiled. “But I’m hoping that at least I’ll be able to get more comfortable when I lie down. Right now, I’m lucky if I get two hours of sleep before I have to switch positions. It’s killing me.”
“That’s something I’m not looking forward to,” I muttered.
She gave me a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to freak you out by complaining. Being pregnant isn’t that bad. Not really.”
Thinking about the morning sickness I’d had the two times I was briefly pregnant, I didn’t believe her, but I kept that to myself. Honestly, I just didn’t want to talk about it. Or think about it.
It took maybe twice as long to reach our floor as it would have if Bette hadn’t been so pregnant, and when we did, she said, “I’m going to run to my room before the meeting.”
I waved to the stairs. “I’m going to keep looking around. Have fun withMinderHilary.”
Bette grimaced. “I’m sure I won’t.”
“At least she likes you. She hates me.”
“Just kiss her butt.”
“I think it’s a little late for that.” I gave a wave. “See you later.”
“Later,” she called as she headed off.
Bette and I had only run into a few people during our exploration, so it wasn’t a big surprise when I reached the first floor to find it buzzing with activity. Women sat talking on worn benches and chairs, a few even playing cards or other games, while others read books. Soldiers were stationed at the door and front desk, most of them looking bored. The job had to suck, both because they were away from their families and totally secluded, and because there wasn’t really anything for them to do. It wasn’t like we were a threat.
Not that anyone would know it based on the way some of the soldiers stared at me as I passed, their eyes narrowed and their expression as cold as stone. It was creepy and unnerving, but also annoying as hell because I hadn’t done a damn thing to make them suspicious of me. Unless you counted talking back to the minder last night at dinner.
I did my best to ignore the dirty looks I was getting as I meandered through the first floor. I passed a bar where a handful of men who must have been off duty sat. Conversation and laughter floated from the room, which was stocked with enough booze that the soldiers and probably even minders would be able to get sloshed on their downtime. Something that left a bitter taste in my mouth since none of us would be allowed to partake.
After that, I moved on to the various ballrooms that had been converted for our entertainment. One had a projector set up and a list of movies that would be playing throughout the day taped to the door, while another had tables and dozens of games and puzzles. Both of those rooms had a decent crowd, as did the music hall where a grand piano was currently being played by a blonde woman with ivory skin and a very round stomach. She was phenomenal.
I was standing in the doorway listening when I spotted Ramirez. He was on the other side of the room with two other soldiers, all three looking casual since they had their weapons slungover their shoulders as they, too, listened to the melody. Almost like he’d sensed my presence, Ramirez shifted his attention. When our eyes met, a small smirk pulled up his lips, making my heart pound. It was so stupid, so pointless, but I couldn’t deny the attraction.
He held my gaze a few moments longer, making my heart thud harder, before turning to the soldier on his right. They exchanged a few words, then Ramirez started walking. I half expected him to head my way, but to my surprise – and disappointment – he headed for a door that led outside. Just before he ducked out, though, he glanced over his shoulder at me.
I went after him, forcing myself not to charge across the room since that would look suspicious. I didn’t know if what I was about to do was against the rules, exactly, but I was pretty sure fraternization between the women in the program and the soldiers would at the very least be frowned upon. Despite that certainty, I didn’t hesitate to push the door open when I reached it.
I stepped onto a veranda, pausing as the door whooshed shut behind me so I could get my bearings. Overgrown trees and shrubs lined the walkway, casting shadows across it and making it almost private. Which was good because Ramirez stood at the far end, his arms crossed and his hip propped against the railing like he was waiting for me.
