Chapter 6

“Sounds like too much work,” I said.

Ray agreed. “Let’s play things by ear.”

We had dinner in the room, and being ravenous by then, we’d ordered steaks, baked potatoes, salad, and wine. We set up a picnic on the bed and feasted and drank until we became so full, all we could do was fall back to sleep.

As I drifted off, I thought it the best indulgence ever.

* * * *

Feeling renewed upon waking the next morning, we decided to visit the reservoir after breakfast. We ordered room service to pack us a lunch, then dressed in jeans and tees. Backpacks slung over our shoulders, we got into the elevator, which engaged with a clunk, shuddered downward, and jolted to a stop just short of the second floor.

We stood in silence for a couple seconds before I hit the alarm button, which sounded loud enough to wake the town. Then it stopped and a voice came over the tiny speaker. “Problem?”

“We’re stuck in the elevator between the second and third floors,” I said. “Get us out.”