The hubbub went on so long, Vienna became exhausted and terrified that she might collapse at any moment. No matter how many times she edged toward the door in an attempt to escape, there were more interviews and more photographs. It seemed to her as if the owner of the hotel continually delayed her escape, or that could have just been in her head because she was so desperate. Thankfully, it was Art who put a stop to the crazy interviews, declaring that she needed rest. Even as she edged toward the door, Art clearing the way for her, Wallin still interfered with her escape, stopping her by standing in front of her, his security force once more surrounding them.
“We’ll have our game in private rather than on the floor as we normally would in two days to give you plenty of time to rest.” He sounded gracious. “I didn’t like what happened to you, and I think it’s best if we play it safe.”
She noticed he glanced at his watch and then up at the security cameras. She just wanted to get to her room. Vienna shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Wallin. I hate to miss the opportunity to play cards with you when it’s such an honor, but I have another commitment I can’t get out of in two days.”
Daniel Wallin’s blue eyes were very sharp as he studied her. “Not tonight. You’re tired and I refuse to take unfair advantage. Art asked to be one of the players as a favor, and if you have no objections, we’ll include him in our little game as well.” He indicated Art, who stood beside her. “Leo, of course, and Jameson. That should round it out quite nicely, and they’re already here. We’ll play tomorrow, then, if you think you’ll be up to it.”
She didn’t have much time before she collapsed. She just nodded her head and continued edging toward the door. “Tomorrow, then.” She gave a little wave and all but rushed out, praying she would make it to the elevator and she wouldn’t have to crawl to her room once it took her up to her floor. Already, her arms felt like lead.
Vienna pulled out her phone and texted Zale. You in your suite? If so, would Wayne meet me outside just in case? I’m having trouble.
Down in casino.
That wasn’t good after everything Zale had told her. Maybe the general consensus was that if Wayne didn’t show up to play craps as he normally would, their enemies would know for certain Rainier was an agent. She thought the two men were playing Russian roulette and it was just plain stupid. Their enemies already knew they were agents. It made no sense that they insisted on remaining in the hotel.
As she made her way through the crowd toward the private elevator, she kept her head down to avoid being stopped by anyone congratulating her. That same malevolent feeling that had first assailed her when she’d joined the final table crept over her like a shadowy apparition, stealing into her mind to spread fear.
She stepped into the elevator, turned and surveyed the crowd on the casino floor as the doors began to close. She caught sight of Benny watching her, but there were several others she didn’t know, some turning away so she couldn’t register their features to take out and examine later. She just kept the impression of them as she slumped against the wall for the ride to her floor. She was extremely grateful that the elevators were fast.
Vienna fumbled for the key to her room, her fingers numb, nearly unable to hold on to it. She staggered to the door and shoved it into the keyhole, thankful the golden key made it into the lock the first time. Still, it took effort to get the door open enough for her to slip inside. Once in, the door closing automatically behind her, she went to the floor.
There was an overwhelming sense of danger that just wouldn’t leave her alone. Her suite didn’t feel nearly as safe as it had before. Ordinarily, she would have taken precautions to add to the security of the room, but her body was fast falling into the paralysis that followed her using her “gift.” She needed to find something she could defend herself with if it came to that, and she needed a place to hide. She had only minutes before it would be too late to do either.
Her phone vibrated, but she ignored it. If it was Zale, he would know she was in trouble and wouldn’t be able to answer him. Her mother would know as well. She crawled to the bedroom where her pack was. She had knives and other tools needed on the trail. By the time she opened the pack, managed to get the weapons she needed and concealed them on her person, she could barely lift her arms, let alone crawl.
Vienna still had the feeling of impending danger. She couldn’t be caught out in the middle of the bedroom floor, especially if she couldn’t move. She did her best to shove the open pack under the bed as she dragged her body toward the gigantic walk-in closet. The only ones who could get into her room would be the security guards, although Zale had managed. If they actually came to her room, they might expect her to hide there, but she had discovered a little space they might not be aware of. How often did security inspect the rooms?
Vienna pushed aside all thought and forced her mind to concentrate on her goal—just to make it to the closet. It seemed such a long way away, but she was determined to get there before she crashed altogether. She was positive someone was going to enter her room in an attempt to kill her. She wanted to be in that little space, in a position to at least try to defend herself if she was discovered, and she wanted to be able to identify who it was so she could tell Zale and Rainier.
The closet was built out of cedar and smelled wonderful. There was a sitting bench across from the shoe rack. On either side of it were full-length mirrors. The mirrors appeared to be built flat against the wall. Vienna had discovered that the wooden wall was a false one on the left side and that there was a space behind it supposedly to be used for storage. There was nothing back there, and she could see no one had been cleaning or dusting the space for some time.
Vienna dragged herself to the bench and lay in front of it, studying the mirror and sliver of an opening. She had to fit herself in just right, so that if she were discovered, she would have her arm free with a knife in her hand and enough room to strike out at an attacker. It was a puzzle, and she had to figure it out so she got it right before she wedged herself inside.
Weak, barely able to move her legs, she turned her body and backed into the space under the bench, going in at an angle. Her heart began to pound. She didn’t have claustrophobia. She went into very tight places as a rule. Small caves. Whatever was necessary to get where she wanted—or needed—to go. Her heart reacted because an enemy was close.
Her feet scraped against the wall. She had to go in on her knees if she could get into that position. It was a very tight fit. She was tall. She couldn’t exactly fold herself into the space. She used the wall and bench to help herself into the narrow opening behind the mirror.
Vienna found herself holding her breath, as if that would make her chest smaller and allow her to fit better. It was silly, but she did it anyway. As she settled into place, the tight fit holding her upright, she heard a man’s deep voice whispering. He sounded as if he was in the next room.
Her mouth went dry. She hadn’t heard the door. There was no squeak. The hotel really needed to have some kind of warning, a bell, something to alert the occupants in case someone broke into the rooms. Her arm was still under the bench, the knife in her fist. She had to find the strength to pull her arm silently into the shadowy space where she couldn’t be seen even if the glaring overhead lights were turned on.
It took great concentration to drag her arm across the floor, retracting it to the inside of her hiding place. She kept her fingers wrapped around the knife, although she honestly couldn’t feel it in her palm.
“We only have a couple of minutes before the camera comes back on. She’s in here. I saw her come in. Find her.”
That was very distinct. Every word. Vienna breathed in and out, refusing to give in to the need to close her eyes. Her eyelids felt very heavy and droopy. It was terrifying to think her lashes might come down and she wouldn’t be able to lift them again. She tried to stare into the bedroom through the slightly open door.
She went over the voice, every nuance, trying to concentrate on that in order to stay alert. Had she heard it before? Did she recognize it at all? She strained to hear or see if someone was in the bedroom. She hadn’t been able to close the closet door, so she hadn’t bothered to try. The closet was very dark. Although it was late, the balcony lights streamed through the sliding glass doors of the master bedroom so she could see a corner of the bed and a little bit of the floor.
A man’s shoes and legs encased in trousers came into view. She recognized the security uniform immediately.
“Are you certain she came up here?” a voice hissed from the other room.
“Yeah, just announce yourself. Have you heard of cell phones? She’s probably on her phone right now, calling for help.” The shoes began stalking across the room toward the bed. The man knelt on one knee and peered under the bed. She recognized Harold, the security guard who had been with Simon when the two men had come to get Charles and then again, when they’d ridden in the elevator up to her room, supposedly “guarding” her.
Harold swore under his breath, glanced at his watch and stood up, hurrying toward the closet. “Check on the balcony. She has to be somewhere.”
He flipped on the light, gave a look around, shoved at the clothes hanging in the closet and then flipped the light off again and went to the master bath to inspect the shower and tub.
“We have to get out of here. The cameras are going to come on. Move it, Robert.”
Robert. Not Simon. She’d seen the name Robert on one of the uniforms just tonight and maybe a couple of other times. She’d never observed that he’d taken undue notice of her. There was no sound to indicate the two security guards had vacated her room, but the feeling of impending danger was beginning to fade.
Vienna was afraid to try to move. If she was wrong and they were tricking her, she would be helpless to defend herself. But if she didn’t try to get herself out of the tight space, her body would be in a hell of a bad situation when she finally was able to come out of the paralysis.
“Don’t be a baby,” she whispered to herself aloud and once again concentrated on the arm that faced the opening. She needed to slide it down and out, just let it drop beneath the bench.
“Vienna? Snowflake? Answer me. Where the hell are you?”