“Room 1307.”
“Good to know. I’ll be in touch, Nat.”
I move toward the door but pause when I reach it. There’s one question I haven’t asked yet. “Has anyone else gone missing around here recently?”
“No. It’s not a common occurrence here. Raven’s Crest is a quaint little town that happens to love Halloween and fall. Good people. Low crime.”
That’s not as reassuring as it’s meant to be since my brother is missing. “Thanks, Boomer.” I head out of the room and wave to Mary on my way out.
The sun is still bright, and I slide my sunglasses back on, deciding to walk through the shops and get something to eat. I need a distraction. Worry is gnawing away at my sanity, and I don’t want to break down in front of strangers.
To my surprise, Main Street is crowded. People are waiting in a long line outside one of the shops. As I get closer, I see through the front windows and the display cases full of baked goods. A huge pink-and-white sign above the store reads “Butter Bliss Bakery,” and a white banner draped over it reads “GRAND REOPENING.”
I can smell the sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and sweet icing from outside. Judging by the line, it’s popular. I bet everything is delicious. I’m not ready for sweets, though. That’s a bad idea with my empty stomach. Instead, I stop at the local diner and grab a club sandwich and fries to go.
It’s not hard to find a place to sit down and eat. There’s a huge pavilion on the edge of Main Street, close to the Fear Farm entrance. Right now, it’s too early for the nightly fall festival. There are only a few people around as I find a seat and eat.
Afterward, I toss my trash and walk through town again. I need to familiarize myself with the shops and the locals. Anything I can learn about Raven’s Crest might help me find my brother. Thad always says I’m a nerd and detail-oriented.
He’s not wrong.
Since it’s easier to snap photos than write down the information, I opt to use my camera. My phone takes decent shots, but the camera is of much higher quality, with 20 times the zoom capability. I can see detail from a distance that I’ll never achieve with my phone.
It’s then that I notice the bikers standing close to the bakery, and within the vicinity, a long row of motorcycles. The chrome and paint gleam in the afternoon sunshine. But it’s the men who snag my attention. Like Boomer, they’re all beefy and tall. Not a single guy is without tattoos. They’re wearing jeans, boots, and leather vests that separate them from the crowd.
I’m intrigued.
Not anywhere on the internet is information about Raven’s Crest having a motorcycle club. At least, I don’t remember seeing it. Maybe they’re affiliated with the Fear Farm. There’s a possibility I missed it.
I fake taking pictures of fall-themed décor and sneak closer. They have patches on their vests that I’ve seen before. Last night, to be precise. The guy on the thirteenth floor wore one of those leather vests.
It doesn’t seem like a coincidence. Why was he at the Mayfield Inn during a historic hotel tour? If he’s local, he doesn’t need a room. He already lives in Raven’s Crest.
Something isn’t adding up.
When I see Boomer walk up and bump his fist with one of the bikers, I get a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. This is a boys’ club. If something is going on, they’re all in on it.
Shit.
I’ll just have to do my own investigating. I’m taking photos of everything and documenting all I see. If clues can be found among the locals, I’ll figure them out. I won’t stop until I find Thad.
I’m not leaving his disappearance or his life in the hands of strangers who seem far too eager to keep one another’s secrets.
Chapter 3 Hayride
“We got a fucking problem,” Boomer informs us as Scythe places his incoming call on speaker. “Kid went missing last night during the historic hotel tour.”
“A kid? How old?”
“Early twenties. The sister filed a missing person report this morning. I advised her to wait, but she’s insisting he would have contacted her by now.”
“Doesn’t she have to wait twenty-four hours or some shit?” I ask, wondering if this guy found a place to party and hasn’t come back yet. This time of year, the festival makes it easy to find company.
“She’s insistent. I told her I’d get the paperwork started. She’s upset, and I don’t think she’s exaggerating.”
“Shit,” Scythe curses. “I don’t want to find this kid’s body, Boomer.”
“Yeah, I hear ya. I’m gonna increase security and let my deputies know what’s going on. Wanted to give you a heads up first.”
