The Hammett Hex by Victoria Abbott

really click his heels together, but just as good as. He left us nodding.
    When the coast was clear, Smiley turned to me. I said, “Are they really that worried I’ll sue over the break-in?”
    â€œIf they have an idea that an employee was involved, that might explain it. Also the attack on you in the staircase probably has them worried. I guess it has you worried too.”
    If I knew that look, Smiley was worried as well. “You could have been killed.”
    â€œWell, that’s the thing. I don’t think so.”
    â€œPushing a person down a metal staircase is good way to do them in.”
    â€œAgreed, except that he didn’t push me down the stairs. I’ve been thinking about what happened and he threw the spread over me, so I wouldn’t see his face.”
    â€œAnd then he pushed you.”
    â€œYes, but he pushed me sideways. He didn’t push me down. I was stunned by the whole attack and I’m just starting to make sense of it.”
    â€œAre you sure? It’s an act of violence to throw something over a person’s head to obscure their view and then push them on a staircase when they’d be helpless to break their fall.”
    â€œI know that. I experienced it, remember? And I’m telling you that he pushed me sideways to the wall. And before you ask again, yes, I am sure. It was serious, no question, but I don’t think he meant to kill me. He wanted to avoid being seen by me or anyone else. He needed to get away. I was probably a distraction too.”
    â€œBut people might have seen him anyway.”
    â€œWhy are you arguing with me? I’m the one who was there. And don’t use your cop voice.”
    â€œFine. So he didn’t intend to kill you?”
    â€œGood question. But why couldn’t I see him?”
    â€œBecause you had a bedspread over your head.”
    â€œFunny. I mean what difference would it make if I saw him?’
    â€œYou could have identified him, given the police a description, which you were not able to do.”
    â€œOr maybe it was because I would recognize him.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œIt’s not like we know anyone here, and you’ve told me how hard it is to get an accurate description of an assailant in a fast attack.”
    â€œYou think you knew the person?”
    â€œMore like I would recognize him. Maybe.”
    Smiley leaned back and exhaled. “Someone around thehotel? A staff member or another guest. That would make sense. But even if he didn’t intend to harm you, that was a precarious situation. You could have been killed.”
    â€œCould have been. It was a risky move. What I’m trying to say is that he wasn’t trying to kill me or he could have.”
    â€œSo it wasn’t personal.”
    â€œThe ransacking of the rooms felt personal. He was looking for something. Something very specific.”
    â€œWhat did you have that he was looking for?”
    â€œI have no idea, Tyler. Like I said to the cops, nothing seemed to be taken. He didn’t take my jewelry or my tablet or camera. Then he hit your room. He must have still been there when I surprised him.”
    Smiley scratched his nose. He only does that when he’s irritated. “Why you?”
    â€œNo clue. Why you?”
    He shot me a look. “Let’s take this seriously.”
    â€œI’m the one who got the worst of it. Trust me, Tyler, I am taking it very seriously. And I think we both have something to worry about because he didn’t find what he was looking for.”
    Smiley stared at me without speaking.
    I made my point. “Therefore, he’s going to keep looking.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

    Someone is always listening to you.
    â€”The Kelly Rules
    T HE HOTEL STAFF had done a commendable job of putting my belongings back in order. The smiling young chambermaid knocked to deliver extra fluffy snow-white towels. I recognized her from the fourth floor. I supposed