Chapter 1 - The Encounter at the Grand Regent Hotel
“You and your daughter would be more comfortable at one of the cheaper motels near the highway.”
The receptionist gave Ethan Vance’s worn leather jacket and faded backpack a dismissive glance.
Ethan remained calm.
His six-year-old daughter, Lily, had finally fallen asleep against his shoulder after hours of flight delays. In his other hand, he carried a bouquet of red roses with several crushed petals.
The next day marked three years since his wife, Sarah, had died.
Every year, Ethan and Lily placed roses beside her photograph.
This year, Ethan had also brought an old envelope he recently found among Sarah’s belongings. Inside was a photograph taken somewhere inside the Grand Regent Hotel.
“I have a reservation,” Ethan said quietly. “It should be under Ethan Vance.”
The receptionist typed for only a few seconds.
“There’s nothing here.”
“Could you check the executive corporate system?”
Her coworker laughed.
“We’re hosting an important gala tonight. We don’t have rooms available for people who forgot to make reservations.”
Ethan adjusted Lily carefully.
“I made mine two weeks ago.”
The receptionist pointed toward the entrance.
“Then perhaps you should call whichever hotel you actually booked.”
Before Ethan could answer, a housekeeper named Lupita stepped out of a service hallway.
She noticed the sleeping child and Ethan’s tired expression.
“Did you check the secondary executive screen?” she asked.
The receptionist rolled her eyes.
“Lupita, stay in your department.”
“I may clean the rooms,” Lupita replied, “but I still know every guest deserves respect.”
The receptionist angrily opened the second system.
Four seconds later, her face went pale.
“Suite 904,” she whispered. “Executive reservation.”
An automatic alert appeared on the manager’s phone.
Moments later, he hurried across the lobby.
“Mr. Vance, I apologize. We weren’t expecting the hotel owner until tomorrow.”
The two receptionists froze.
Ethan did not raise his voice.
He simply looked at Lupita.
“Thank you for helping my daughter.”
At that moment, Lily opened her eyes.
She stared at the housekeeper, then pointed toward the photograph sticking out of Ethan’s backpack.
“Daddy,” she whispered, “that’s the woman standing beside Mommy.”
Ethan pulled out the photograph.
It showed Sarah wearing a Grand Regent employee uniform beside a much younger Lupita.
On the back, written in Sarah’s handwriting, were seven words:
Find Lupita. She knows why I was followed.
Ethan slowly looked up.
Lupita’s face had turned white.
“You were not supposed to find that photograph,” she whispered.
May you like
Then she glanced toward the general manager.
“And he cannot know Sarah left it for you.”
