Chapter 14

The motel was on the outskirts of town. The neon sign flickered in the dark, casting an eerie glow over the parking lot. Despite its grimy image, the motel always seemed to have a steady stream of customers coming and going at all hours of the night. Rumor had it that our illustrious mayor liked to use it often.

This was our first legitimate stakeout. The previous one hadn't lasted long. We'd waited with Doreen—God rest her soul—outside the clinic in broad daylight. Tonight it was dark and ominous from our parked position set back from the road. The trees shielded us from anyone watching from the motel.

My parents were out of town, so we'd spent the day at my house. It had been pleasant and quiet. Tate had been good company. Something had changed in my brother, and I wasn't sure if I should be alarmed or not. Maybe he'd seen the wisdom of his ways by hanging out with Trevor Carmichael and decided he'd be much better off hanging out with me. Tate was older and about to graduate from college with a doctorate in psychiatry. I was very proud of my brother. He was intellectually intelligent, but he lacked common sense.

I'd talked to Marshall earlier that day, not to mention the sheriff. They had confessions from the individuals who had tried to kill Marshall. The individual had given a statement detailing what he knew about Devereux's company. Apparently, he knew much more than he had told me. The man was involved in human trafficking, not drugs, and the prospect made me shudder. Several agencies were now involved.

While I was doing this, Pen was taking calls from her soon-to-be ex, Aiden. The man had decided he wanted his wife back. He seemed to be apologizing for taking his frustrations out on her. I was proud of my friend for standing her ground and telling Aiden where he could shove his apology.

Leaving my thoughts alone, I looked at my friend in the passenger seat. Binoculars were glued to her eyes. They weren't just any binoculars. I had borrowed my father's, which he knew nothing about. They had night vision, which was why I hadn't been able to get my hands on them after telling Penelope. At least she felt better.

Pen quickly reached out and grabbed my arm. "I think that's the mayor."

"Are you sure?"

"Well, it's his car."

I followed her gaze and saw a sleek black sedan pull into the parking lot. He got out of the car quickly, and as he walked under a light, I recognized him. "That man looks guilty of something," I said with a sneer. Mayor Tim Murphy looked around as he hurried up the outside stairs and stopped halfway along the first floor. "I wonder who he's meeting."

"Whoever it is, they've obviously been here for a while, because he's the first person we've seen."

"Either that or they haven't arrived yet," I replied.

"Wait! Two more cars just pulled up." Pen jumped in her seat. "This is exciting."

"Not if they see us; it won't be."

Pen laughed. "This is the most fun I've had in a long time."

"I think that's Carlisle." Pen moved the binoculars and looked in my direction. "I'm sure it's nothing."

"Let me see." I grabbed the binoculars before she could complain. "He's going into another room. Ground floor. The end one. The door opened. "He's gone in." I carefully lowered the binoculars and let Pen take them.

"You know the Hallen's do things that aren't necessarily legal," Pen said quietly. "I wouldn't read too much into his presence here, Talla. I bet it's a business deal or something."

"Hmm."

"Did you see who was in the second car?"

"No." I was distracted, wondering what had brought Carlisle to the motel. I didn't want to think about him with a woman after the way he'd touched me. He wouldn't be that cruel. Would he? But he had no idea that Pen and I were watching from the trees. I couldn't ignore the uneasiness Carlisle's presence at the motel had given me.

"I don't recognize the girl going up to the first floor," Pen replied.

"Let me see if I do." She handed me the binoculars. "She's got big, um, assets."

Pen snorted and said, "I bet she's on her way to see the mayor."

"You'd be right. I don't recognize her."

"Looks like this is where it all happens," Pen said. "So we have Tim and the woman upstairs. We have Carlisle downstairs."

"I doubt he's alone." Sadly, I refused to meet Pen's eyes.

"He could be in there meeting with a guy about something. We both know there's more going on in that motel than meets the eye."

"I suppose. Let me see who's arrived." I raise my binoculars and curse. "It's my father."

"No way." Pen grabs the glasses. "Oh, Trevor's with him."

"Let me see." I took the binoculars back. "What the hell's going on?"

Pen looked outside again. "They're going into the room next to where Carlisle is."

"I think we should get out and snoop," I said, unbuckling my seatbelt.

Pen's hand on my arm stopped me. "I'm not sure that's wise. We don't know who else will show up."

"I agree, but we can't just sit here and do nothing," I said, feeling energy coursing through my veins. "Let's at least try to listen from a safe distance." Pen nodded in agreement, her eyes fixed on the room where my father and Trevor had disappeared.

I'd already gotten out of the car when Penelope joined me, peering through the trees. At least we'd dressed appropriately—jeans and sneakers. We remained silent. Another vehicle pulled into the motel lot. They're getting some action, huh?"

Pen chuckled. "More than I've had in a long time."

"Me too," I muttered, ignoring what Carlisle and I had been upto. "Can you see who it is?" I warmed up by rubbing my hands up and down my arms. There was a chill in the air tonight.

Pen peered over, trying to make out the people getting out of the car. "Looks like a couple," she said softly. "Wonder what they're up to?" I shrugged, a feeling of unease creeping over me as we continued to watch in silence. "I think they have a gun."

My heart pounded heavily. "Which room are they headed for?"

"I'm not sure. I can't see them without the binoculars." Pen grabbed my hand. "Let's run across the street. If we go to the parking lot on the right, I doubt we'll be noticed." We immediately crossed the street, trying to stay hidden in the darkness. As we approached the parking lot, I felt my heart race with fear and anticipation.

We walked quietly to the back of the motel. Carlisle had gone into a room with a window overlooking the back of the lot. I was determined to put my ear to the glass. I didn't know what I would do if he was having sex in there. I shuddered at the prospect as we approached. Penelope gave me a look that I quickly understood. She, too, was worried about what the man was up to. Pen and I were pinned to the wall on either side of the window, facing each other, and I noticed that the window was slightly open. As my heartbeat slowed, I could hear voices. I narrowed my eyes.

There was a woman in the room. Her breathy gasp: "Don't stop. Don't stop," made it clear. My cheeks flushed as my heart broke. A loud male grunt of fulfillment, followed by the woman's scream, enraged me. What an idiot! I stomped for the door, but Pen caught me before I could bang on it.

"Don't." Pen flinched. "Breathe through it. Please, Talla. We have two other rooms we can listen to."

She was right. I hastily blinked back tears.

"I feel used, Pen," I murmured. "He said we could not be together. He led me to believe it had to do with his plans. You know, illegal methods. I never assumed he meant because he had someone else."

"Shush." She led me around the motel to the room my father and Trevor had entered. The window was closed, but the curtains were open. I frowned at Pen. She looked cautiously around the corner. "I don't think anyone's inside."

"I didn't hear any vehicle leaving."

"Well, the room is empty. I doubt they're in the bathroom together."

My gaze shifted to my hairline.

Pen laughed. "Don't be ridiculous." She took my hand and we walked back to the parking lot. I frowned. My father's car was still in the lot; where had he and Trevor gone? I was also right: none of the cars had left the lot.

"Something's wrong, Pen," I said quietly.

Pen squeezed my hand reassuringly. "Let's check upstairs," she advised. As we made our way around, I couldn't shake the sinking feeling in my stomach. "Although," she said, "I don't want to hear Tim having sex." She grimaced.

We went upstairs and entered the middle room. The curtains were drawn and the window was closed. I had lost interest in snooping tonight. Pen rolled her eyes and approached the door. Her face fell and she went pale.

I raised an eyebrow.

"I think I'm going to throw up." She took my hand and led us both downstairs, then back to my car. It wasn't until we sat down that she said, "I'll never be able to look the mayor in the eye again after this."

"Well, don't keep me in suspense."

Pen took a deep breath and said softly, "He was, um, being spanked."

I burst out laughing. "You're not serious."

Pen nodded vigorously. "I'm not kidding!" I heard him say, "Spank me harder." She said in a low voice, "Oh God, Candy, I'm coming. Keep spanking. Oh yeah! Harder." She laughed. "You should see your face."

"Oh, you! You didn't hear that."

"I sure did, honey. I think he jerked his own chain, if you know what I mean."

"Ugh, I wish I'd never asked."

"Oh, someone's leaving." Pen picked up the binoculars. "It's your dad and Trevor." The car pulled out of the parking lot. "Carlisle's leaving too."

I looked toward the room he'd been in and saw him under a light. A woman with brown hair was following him out. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips. There was no denying it, and there was no excuse for what he had done. What an idiot! "Well, at least he got his wish. I'll stay away from him now."

"Tallulah—"

"It's all right, Pen. I guess I already knew it was too wonderful to be true. Let's move on." I detected movement. "I think the mayor and his girlfriend are leaving."

"You mean candy?" Pen snorted. "Wait a minute. They're leaving in a hurry. Is the mayor wearing a towel?" She leaned forward to get a better look. They got into the cars and pulled out of the parking lot at high speed.

"Yes." I frowned. "I'll go back and check the room."

I was across the street when Penelope walked up to me. She grimaced. "I think my painkillers are wearing off."

"Let's just check the room and then go home, okay?" I left out the part about wanting to lock myself in my bedroom and cry.

They had left the door wide open. I looked in and started to yell, but Pen stopped me with a hand over my mouth. "It's a doll," she muttered.

"A doll?"

She nodded. "Mannequin."

We stood in the doorway, holding hands. Pen turned on the light. The mannequin, dressed as the mayor, stood in the center of the room, a knife in its chest. My pulse raced as I realized we might have stumbled into something far more sinister than we had imagined.

"Ladies!"

We both screamed.

The End (For Now)