One Grave Less

really miss her.”
    “We’ll go down to the desk and ask. But first, we really need to talk about what our story is. I know it looks like we are home free, but we still have to be careful. Okay?”
    Rosetta nodded. She and Maria sat down on the bed and Maria began to tell her things, like John’s father’s name, and his sister’s, his address, Maria’s parents’ first names. She was using her mother’s maiden name as her own maiden name and she told Rosetta what that was. Rosetta was a quick study. She remembered everything Maria told her. Together they added details.
    “Tonight at the restaurant will be a good time to practice our story in conversation. We may have to answer questions from authorities along the way. It needs to sound automatic. Tonight, however, don’t volunteer any information. But don’t sound evasive if they ask questions. People like to ask kids questions. The best way to deflect questions about us will be to ask them about themselves. People like to talk about what they are doing. It will also be good to make friends. We may need friends.”
    “You should do this for a living,” said Rosetta, and Maria laughed.
    “Okay, now, for the backpack,” said Maria when she felt she had prepped Rosetta all she could. “Let’s leave all but necessary things in the hotel room. I’ll have to take the gun with us. I’ll wrap it in our clothes. If I leave it in the room, someone might find it if they search the room.”
    “We need to take our money,” said Rosetta.
    Maria nodded. “Most of it is still sewn up in the skirt. I’ll take some more out and put it down my bra. We’ll carry the rest of it in the skirt with us in the backpack.”
    They worked until about six o’clock rearranging the backpack so they could have the things they needed with them, but at the same time, make it look touristy. Maria put Rosetta’s new doll on top and buckled the flap shut. They walked down the stairs toward the lobby so they could ask about a phone. As soon as Maria looked out the window of the door leading from the stairs into the lobby she saw the man. He looked official and he was talking to someone at the check-in desk. He was holding the flyer.

Chapter 47
    The sound sent Diane and everyone in the room to the floor. It rattled the windows and jarred Diane’s teeth and sent a sharp pain through her ears.
    “What the hell was that?” shouted the policeman.
    His voice sounded muffled to Diane. She shook her head and massaged her ringing ears, trying to clear her hearing.
    “Stun grenade,” shouted Gregory.
    “Is everyone all right?” said Frank.
    “I’m fine,” said Diane.
    “Fine,” said Garnett, though the way he was shaking his head, he didn’t look fine.
    “Does being scared witless, totally confused, and mad as hell count as all right?” said Star. “Do I need to Tweet nine-one-one? They haven’t heard from me in at least fifteen minutes.”
    “I have men out there,” said Garnett. “The coroner’s people probably already arrived to collect the body.”
    “Damn,” said Diane. “That’s it. It’s those guys. It’s the same thing as the museum. They are collecting the body, and willing to use whatever severe measures necessary to do it.”
    Star hadn’t waited to hear if they wanted her to call 911; she was on her cell phone with them again.
    “The police are here, and Detective Garnett, too. There may be policemen outside hurt. We probably need backup. I think, actually, we need Delta Force.”
    Diane managed to get up. She stumbled to the safe and retrieved the guns.
    “Hollis and I will go out there,” said Garnett. He motioned to the policeman to follow him. “The rest of you stay here. That includes you, Frank.”
    “You need more manpower,” said Frank. “If Diane is right, and I think she is, there are some vicious men out there and some of your people may need help.”
    Garnett hesitated only a moment, then nodded.“The rest of you stay. Star, did I hear you on the phone to dispatch?”
    “Nine-one-one,” said Star. “They’re sending people. I hope that’s all right.”
    “That’s good. You, Diane, and Gregory Lincoln stay here,” he said.
    “People may be hurt,” said Diane.
    “It will only be the effects of the noise, right?” said Garnett.
    “And eyes,” said Gregory. “There would have been a very bright light when the thing went off. The idea is to overwhelm the senses. But if someone were close, they could be burned. Or the