CHAPTER 4: THE EMPIRE HOTEL.

A computer operator in the security department of Empire hotel had his full gaze fixed on what seemed to be very odd before him. For the past hours, camera eighty-one was showing a particular place— the exact location that it ought to show. But he knew better. Something had gone wrong.

" I need answers to this right now."

He heard a voice saying from behind. It was more of a command than just a demand. The manager was not always paying them a visit unless the situation was worth it. Definitely, this one was worth her attention.

" I am very sorry to hear this." The chief security's voice pleaded with the manager.

" You had better do something about this." The manager left. At this point, he stood and called the chief security's attention.

" Sir," He said, " you may need to take a look at this right now."

" If it is not important, it can wait." The Chief security replied without any interest.

" I think someone may have infiltrated the security system of the hotel."

" What?" He went closer.

" Take a look at this camera. "

" I do not think there is anything wrong with camera eighty-one. It shows the right location."

" Yes. But it has been showing this particular move for the past thirty minutes now."

" What?"

" Yes Sir. "

" Someone tampered with it." His phone rang. " Excuse me. " …. You already found him?" He released a breath of relief.

The two detectives had said nothing to each other since they left the rest house of Mr Patrick Hudson. Their tracks drew closer to the house of the influential Sinclair.

" Detective Clark." Robert finally broke the silence.

" I feel it will be better for both of us if we continue to maintain what we have started already." Clark replied with her eyes fixed on the road.

" I do not seem to understand you. "

" You do not understand or are you claiming not to?"

" I still don't understand what detective Clark is saying."

" Well, detective Robert or whatever you call yourself, just maintain the silence. It will be to our best interest. "

" For how long will this continue, Detective Clark? We are partners for crying out loud."

" That is exactly the point. We are partners and not friends. Stop trying to get acquainted or get on my nerves . Just mind your own business. We could just break this partnership right here. " She started to slow the car down.

" What are you doing right now?"

" Is it not obvious? I am parking my car. "

" For what? We have a place to be in the next—" he was cut short.

" Mr detective Robert, you do not have to remind me of my duty as a detective. I have no need of a detective. I am only trying to force myself to like this idea simply because the captain had begged me to. "

Robert chuckled.

" And what is funny?"

" You, of course. Wait a second. So, you really think detective Robert gives a damn about who you are?"

Clark faced him.

" Listen, detective Clark, I am detective Robert. Your captain summoned me out of every other detective out there to help you out with this case. You should respect that."

" And what makes you think you are so special?"

" I tracked down a serial killer who the Italian government has been unable to get a hold of his identity. I did it without anyone's help. I do not take pride in singing out my achievements. "

Clark clapped her hands. " Impressive. Very impressive. Now, if you must know, this detective in his car you are seated took down a whole drug cartel all by herself! I do not care who you are, where you are from or what you might have done in the past. I just don't give a damn. And if you will do me a little favor, let's break this partnership here. "

" Your phone is ringing." Robert said.

The captain was calling Clark.

" Hello, Captain. "

" Detective Clark."

" Is everything alright?"

" Yes. But there has been a little change of plans."

" What do you mean?"

" Empire hotel has reached out to us. It appears there could be something wrong at the hotel. "

" I was right after all. "

" Yes, you are, Detective Clark. You should be going to that place right now. " He hung up.

" What did he say?" Robert asked.

" A little change of plans. "

" What is it?"

" I will have to turn this car and head to the Empire hotel. According to him, the hotel has reached out to the police. I have no idea what it is about. But I know it has something to do with my best friend, Claire and her fiance."

" I see." Robert muttered. " You were right. You are not bad, you know. "

Clark claimed not to have heard the remark Robert made. She hit the ignition and they started finding their way to the hotel. After twenty-five minutes of active drive, they were heading into one of the garages of the hotel. Empire hotel was one of the most exclusive hotels in the city. No non-entity ever visited it. The car came to a stop and they both came out. Clark absorbed the beauty before her with a smile.

" I guess the place is worthy of the name. " Robert said. " Empire. It indeed looks like an empire. "

Clark remained silent.

" Tell me , detective Clark, have you ever dreamt of life outside this constant to and fro movement from one crime scene to another?"

" What do you mean to say?"

" I mean, you are a lady. If you ask me, I will say you deserve better than this. Imagine walking out of this hotel with your man."

" Enough of it already. The last time I checked, I did not ask you. Now, we have work to do. " She left him in the garage and started her walk to the main complex.

The people on the receptionist ground sighted both detectives when they walked through the glass automatic doors.

" Welcome to the Empire, the ultimate hotel." A pretty fair lady said to them with a musical voice.

" Thank you. " Robert said.

" Detective Clark." Clark flashed her identity card.

" Detective Robert." He equally flashed his.

" We need access to—" she was interrupted by a loud voice.

" We know why the both of you are here."

They turned to see a tall woman approaching. Her pattern of walking conferred a special authority.

" And why are we here if I may ask?" Robert asked.

" If I am not mistaken, standing before me are detective Robert and detective Clark."

" No mistakes." Clark replied.

" Then, I guess the both of you are here simply because the manager of this great hotel has requested your presence here."

" Where is the manager?" Clark asked. " We would love to see him now."

The woman giggled. " You are speaking to her already. " She extended her hand and shook hands with them. " Flora Jones. "

" Detective Robert."

" Detective Clark."

" Welcome to the Empire."

" Mm. I see. " Clark said. " But I must correct you. We are not here because you requested us. Not at all. As a matter of fact, I must inform you that this hotel has attracted the suspicious eye sight of these two detectives some moments ago. Which means that sooner or later, we will be here."

" Pardon me. But please, I really need your help. The name of this hotel is at stake here. And as the manager, I would not want such a thing to happen."

After a little silence, Robert spoke. " You wanted us to be here. I believe it is not quite different from our reason to want to be here. So, tell us. Why did you want us?"

" Something that has never happened since my tenure as the manager here happened last night. " She paused as if getting ready to explain. " This morning, I got reports from my staff. A butler was missing. At first, it did not make any sense to me. But as unbelievable as it was, it was the truth. He reported to work and was never spotted leaving the hotel premises. Not even on orders. This same morning, an odd thing was noticed by the security unit. A particular set of cameras had been tampered with. They only displayed a short repeated clip from ten minutes before it was tampered with. "

" Who could be behind this?" Clark asked.

" I absolutely have no damn idea about that. And right now, I am struggling to retain my senses. Last night, we received two very important people. That butler was supposed to serve them. I still can't comprehend why on earth someone would do that. "

" Surely to attend to Claire Hudson and late John Sinclair at room 798." Robert chipped in.

" You two know…. How?" She paused and stroked her cheek. " Wait a minute. Did.. did.. you say late John Sinclair?"

" Maybe you should look at that." Clark pointed at the television a few feet behind her. She followed the finger to see the news. The picture displayed on the screen was one she could not have forgotten in a jiffy. The exact face of the man he had seen radiating love with Miss Claire Hudson as they walked right through the automatic glass doors.

" John Sinclair? Dead?" She turned to them. " How ? What is going on here?"

" John Sinclair was found dead by the beach side in the earlier hours of this morning. " Robert replied.

" What?!"

" As you can see, a whole lot is at stake here . Not just for you. But the hotel itself. " Clark said. " I believe you know what the union of Patrick Hudson and Sinclair would mean. Your hotel attracting any form of suspicion could be quite detrimental. "

" But how? The hotel has nothing to do with this. John Sinclair and Claire Hudson left our hotel last night on their own."

" But here you are reporting to us that a stranger broke through your security system to attend to these people. " Robert said. " A few moments after they both left your hotel, one of them was killed . If you are still thinking that there is no connection between whatever it is that happened here and the death of John Sinclair, then you would be deceiving yourself. "

" I am not willing to risk the image of this hotel. But something has to be done. "

Clark's phone rang. The Captain was calling again.

" Excuse me." She withdrew from them and took the call. " Hello, Captain Luis."

" Detective Clark. "

" Right here."

" I have more information. The call log of Miss Claire Hudson around last night has been assessed and tracked down. "

" Okay. Any confirmation?"

" From the information reaching me, the number that contacted Miss Claire Hudson actually belongs to his brother, Jack Hudson. She was sure all along. "

" Damn it!" She spoke out. Robert eyed her.

" And one more important thing to note."

Clark paused her ears to capture his words.

" He is still in the hotel. Has to be any of the rooms bordering room 799." He hung up.

" What? Are you…. Hello. " The Captain was not responding. She returned to them.

" Is everything okay?" Robert asked.

" Well, it appears the prime suspect is still in your hotel." Clark said to the manager.

" How possible is that?" She asked.

" Are you positive?" Robert asked again.

" Captain Luis just called me . The suspect's mobile phone is still at a place. "

" Jack is still here?"

" Jack?" The manager asked, confused. " Who is Jack?"

" I believe Jack Hudson booked a hotel room here last night."

" Jack Hudson? You mean Jack Hudson. Son of Mr Patrick Hudson?"

" Take us to his room. "

The manager giggled. " This is funny. Who mentioned Jack Hudson was lodged here? There was no one like him here last night."

" Is this some kind of joke to you?" Robert asked.

" Pardon me for that. But like I said, Claire Hudson and John Sinclair were here last night. I never mentioned her brother came to this place."

Clark and Robert exchanged eye contact. The situation was beginning to crystallize out. If Jack was never there, then who was?

" Take us to room 799." Robert said.

" That actually goes against our policies in the hotel. But then, we have to do this. Please, come with me. " She led the way. They took the elevator and went to the fifth floor. The elevator clicked and the manager kept on leading them.

" I still can't come to accept what fate might likely befall this hotel. The media could be a very dangerous monster many-a-times. "

" There is a popular saying that a clear conscience fears no accusations." Clark said. " If you guys are clean, then you should have nothing to worry about."

" A split second of any misguided speech pointing in the direction of the Empire hotel having a hand in the incident will rupture our image. That alone will be the machete that will keep chopping our revenue by unpredictable percentages. "

" Are you afraid of the effect on the hotel or your position here?" Robert asked.

" I am the manager of the almighty Empire hotel. It is a part of my life. That means that even if I leave this hotel at this moment, it will remain glued in my history. I know you both are doing well not to be forgotten when you leave this line of duty. It is just the same case. Greater positions call for greater responsibilities. " She came to a stop.

" Why are you stopping?" Clark asked.

" We are here. " She turned to the electronic door . " I am breaking into someone's privacy right now. We only visit rooms if it is time to get it cleaned." She sloshed the card through the lock and the click sound came afterwards.

" I will go first." Robert said and slowly pushed the door backwards. He walked in . Clark and the manager followed suit. The room was clean.

" They were to spend just the night. I presume that is why they did not bother to bring any additional stuff with them."

" The room is clean." Robert said. " I see nothing absurd here."

" Expensive wine you've got there." Clark said and motioned to a marble table in between two delvans. "

" Domaine Leroy Musigne Grand Cru 2012 worth more than fourteen thousand four hundred and fifty dollars. '' Flora Jones spilled with a sign of pride in her tone.

" Well, I would not say it is too much." Robert said.

" Compared to the salary of an ordinary police detective, " Clark said, bringing out a seal tape and squatting close to the bottle," I would not agree with you. " She eyed Robert and sealed different parts of the bottle.

" Why are you sealing it?" The manager asked.

" Just doing my job." She unsealed it and put the cut seal tape carefully in her chest pocket. " I guess we are done here."

" Are you sure you would not need to take a few more looks around?"

" She is good at what she does. " Robert said. " I will agree with her judgments."

" Take us to the next room." Clark said and stood up.

" This is room 799. You want to take a look at room 1000 too?" The manager asked.

" I believe there should be nothing wrong with that." Clark replied.

" May I ask why? " The manager asked. " Please, pardon me. But I am trying to be official here."

" If this were to be a very official matter, your hotel should have police sirens blaring around every corner." Robert said.

" After all, manager Flora Jones, I can't really say your hotel is totally clean."

" What do you mean to say?" The manager asked with an uneasy look.

" Before Claire Hudson and her fiance, John Sinclair, who is now dead, left your hotel, they got a call from someone. Guess what?" She paused. " The call was tracked and its location was found out to be somewhere very close to room 799. Now, does that ring any bells at all?"

" Hmm." The manager breathed out tiredly. " There is no one occupying room 1000 at the time being. But someone checked in room 799 last night. Almost at the same time Claire Hudson and her fiance moved in. "

" Take me there now." Clark demanded. The manager took them out of the room and went to the next. The room had no life in it except a face staring up at nothing from the bed and a phone beside it.

" What's that?" The manager asked.

" An artificial face. " Robert replied, picking it up.

" And this is the phone. " Clark sighed. " They must have tracked the phone to this point. He left it behind. "

" So, what is the next move? Is my hotel free?"

" I doubt there is an answer to that question." Clark replied.

" It will be more difficult to catch this friend of ours. If he goes about wearing different faces, it only becomes more difficult. What is the identity of the man who occupied this room last night?"

" Give me a moment." The manager took her phone and dialed the reception ground. After passing orders, they waited for three minutes. Then, the notification came. " Here it is. The picture of the man. " She passed it to them. Right before their eyes was the image of a man who has no single strand of hair on any part of his head. His deep eyes passed a message of terror .

" He looks exactly like a blood sucking beast." Clark remarked.

" Our security system checks everyone. He had nothing incriminating on him. And his name is—" she was cut short.

" Diego Lorenzo." Detective Robert completed the statement, sending the shock through both ladies.

" You know him?" Clark asked in surprise.

The answer to that question did not need to come. Robert knew Lorenzo very well. Diego Lorenzo was a living evil.