Every click on the keyboard by the hotel receptionist tightened Dario’s chest. The raindrops pelted the glass dome window in the lobby and lightning flashed, followed by another ground shaking thunder. He crossed his fingers that the storm would knock out the power any moment and then the employee couldn’t give Fred any information on Irena.
The receptionist snapped his gaze from the computer screen and nodded at Dario. Dario nodded back. “I can wait. Help this gentleman first.”
The employee raised his hand and turned to the rack behind him. He plopped a hotel card key in front of Dario. “Your key, sir.”
My key? Dario clamped his lips tight so not to blurt out anything and dropped his glance at the thin plastic rectangle in front of him. The side displayed the hotel logo. He coughed up a thank you and scooped the card in his hand. Turning to Ante, he nudged his head toward the curving staircase and took notice of the two burly guys in black suits and dark sunglasses.
Once out of the sight, Dario halted and flattened his back against the stucco wall, motioning Ante to do the same.
“What in the name is going on?” Ante whispered, but Dario pressed his index finger to his lips.
The voices in the lobby drifted from a few steps below.
“Sorry, sir, there’s no guest with that name staying here.” The receptionist raised his voice.
“Very well. Someone else wouldn’t mind earning this.” Fred’s tone turned sharp. “Is there another hotel near?”
“Many small hotels are closed for the season. Your best bet would be Hotel Kolovare, it’s large enough to stay open all year.” Judging by the receptionist’s steady voice, he had no intention of taking up the offered bribe.
Footsteps on the marble floor grew fainter as the trio left the lobby. Smart, the receptionist was sending Irena’s husband and his cronies to a hotel outside the city. Dario flipped the card key in his hand. Was Irena waiting for him in room 253?
He pushed away from the wall and skipped over the stairs to the second floor.
“This is getting stranger by the minute.” Ante whispered, out of breath trying to keep up.
“You can say that again.” Dario followed the direction of the black arrow on the wall’s sign indicating the room she may stay in was to the left of the stairs. Fear mixed with anticipation of seeing her again. What if this was all some sick prank and Fred’s dogs waited to beat the crap out him? There was only one way to find out. He pushed his legs faster.
He lowered his gaze at the card in his hand again. She must’ve arranged this knowing he wouldn’t give up looking for her after last night. A fuzzy feeling in his gut brought a smile to his face. The game of cat and mouse was Irena’s favorite. He was about to cage that little escaping mouse in his arms and never let her go.
He halted in front of the door and pressed his ear to the cold wood. Ante’s eyebrows seemed permanently stuck in an arch since the receptionist plopped the key in front of Dario. His heart squeezed. Not a sound. Perhaps she wasn’t there after all, or she rested. Last night they had kept each other plenty busy. Not knowing what he’d find on the other side, he signaled Ante to stay put.
Dario was about to knock on the door, then poised the card over the slit of the reader above the round knob. Whoever waited in there expected he would let himself in. Ante grabbed his forearm before he could slide the card through. “What if this is a trap of some kind? How will I know you’re in trouble?”
Dario pushed his breath out. “I’ll call you.” If it was a trap and someone was waiting by the door with a club to knock him out, Ante wouldn’t know. Better make a plan B. “Take the key after I open the door. Wait a minute or two and come inside. Be careful.”
Ante swallowed audibly. “You too.”
Dario slid the card all the way into the reader. Three red lights changed to green and a loud click indicated the door unlocked. His heart pounded in his ears. He pushed on the handle, opening the door wide enough to poke his head through. The first place he checked was behind the door, only an empty urn decorated the spot. A hunch told him not to let Ante in before he made sure the area was clear. Dario passed the card to Ante, stepped in and scanned the room with one hand still on the doorknob.
A hard kick at the back of his knees came so sudden he didn’t have time to register which direction it flew from. His legs folded beneath him and with a groan, he crumpled to the carpet.
Through his teary eyes, he made out the shapes.