She didn't even know if it involved a guest. She may be inside, but she didn't know shit. Cindy spotted a cluster of suitcases unattended on the far side of the lobby. They looked as if they were part of some large tour. A bellhop was dragging them outside. She wandered over and knelt by one of the bags, as if she were taking something out. A second bellhop passed by. "Need a taxi?" Cindy shook her head no. "Someone's picking me up." Then, sweeping a view of the chaos, she rolled her eyes. "I just woke up. What did I miss?" "You haven't heard? You must be the only one. We had some fireworks in the hotel last night." Cindy widened her eyes. "Two murders. On thirty." He lowered his voice as if he were letting her in on the secret of her life. "You happen to run into that big wedding last night? It was the bride and groom. Someone broke in on them in the Mandarin Suite." "Jesus!" Cindy pulled back. "Sure you don't need these brought out to the front?" the bellhop asked. Cindy forced a smile. "Thanks. I'll wait in here." On the far side of the lobby, she noticed an elevator opening. A bellhop came out, wheeling a cart of luggage. It must be a service elevator. From what she could see, the cops hadn't blocked it off. She wound through the lobby traffic toward the elevator. She punched the button, and the shiny gold door opened. Thank God, it was empty. Cindy jumped in and the door closed. She couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe what she was doing. She pressed 30. The Mandarin Suite. A double homicide. Her story.

Chapter 9

AS THE ELEVATOR CAME TO A STOP, Cindy held her breath. Her heart was pumping like a turbine. She was on 30. She was in. She was really doing this. The doors had opened to a remote corner of the floor. She thanked God there wasn't a cop waiting in front of them. She heard a buzz of activity coming from the other end of the hall. All she had to do was follow the noise. As she hurried down the hallway, the voices grew louder.