Endangered by Robin Mahle Page B

manager found a note left by the victim, Colton Talbot.”
    “What did it say?”
    “Just gave his name and that he was kidnapped by Lyle Stroud.”
    Nick’s heart skipped and it took a moment for him to absorb the news. “Just a note, that’s it?”
    “I’m afraid so. We’re heading out to the scene now to gather as much information as we can. That’s the reason for my call. Since this is your deal, I thought you should know.”
    “Thank you. Yes, my team and I will be there as soon as possible. Can I get a number where I can reach you?” Nick began to write down the number. “Thank you. We’ll see you soon.”
    He immediately made his way to see Dwight and leaned into his open doorway. “Got a call from Stafford County. Some hotel manager found a note from Colton Talbot.”
    “I’m ready when you are.” Dwight grabbed his keys.
    They walked into the bullpen as Kate was returning from the breakroom with a bottle of water in hand. She spotted their approach. “What’s going on?”
    “We’re heading down to Stafford. Someone found a note written by Colton. Sheriff’s already heading there.”
    This might give them another clue as to which direction they were headed, provided a date could be gleaned from the manager. The hope was that it was after the previous location, which it seemed would make sense, considering this place was east of the other motel.
    “All right.” She reached for her bag and they headed to the parking garage. “When did this happen?”
    “Apparently, the manager found the note a few hours ago, but he has no idea when it was written,” Nick replied.
    “Let’s just hope that it was yesterday.”

 
    TEN
     
     
     
    T he hotel was just ahead. A white rectangular sign with a silhouette of mountains behind the words “Serene Park” and a red flashing “Vacancy” sign stood in solitude against the blue sky. Kate’s first impression was that it appeared to be a seedy motel in some B-horror movie. But that thought had to be discarded because in those movies, everyone died.
    Several police cars were already in the parking lot and sheriff’s officers were milling around, seemingly unsure of the end-goal. They knew that Stroud had been there and so expected to find prints and the like, but what next? That answer, it seemed, would need to be provided by Kate and her team.
    “Looks like the party’s already started.” Nick shoved the gear stick in park and cut the engine. “Let’s go talk to the man in charge.” He stepped out of the vehicle and peered into the window of the front office.
    Inside, Kate noticed a very nervous man with sweat stains growing beneath each arm. “That must be the manager” she said to Dwight.
    Nick was already making his way to the man who appeared to be the officer in charge. “Deputy Lewis?” He offered his hand. “I’m Agent Scarborough. We spoke on the phone.”
    “Yes. Thank you for coming down.” The deputy glanced over Nick’s shoulder to Dwight. “You’re with Agent Scarborough?”
    “Agent Jameson and this is Agent Reid.”
    Once the pleasantries were exchanged, the deputy began, “We’ve spoken with the manager over there. He doesn’t seem to have any idea when Lyle Stroud was here. The guy next to him is the night manager and he seems just as clueless.”
    “Any surveillance video?” Nick asked.
    “Afraid not. This place is pretty dated.” Lewis gestured to Kenny. “I guess the kid over there says they’ve been slowly working on upgrades, but their computers are almost four years old.”
    “So they don’t know which room Stroud was staying in?” Kate asked.
    “That’s a big fat no as well.”
    “I assume the rooms have all been cleaned recently.” A thought was forming in Kate’s mind that just might get them somewhere. “So I doubt we’ll find much there. You mentioned to Agent Scarborough that Colton left a note from a notepad inside one of the rooms. It had the hotel’s name on it.”
    “That’s