Chapter 4

Nelson Bush was walking along Powell street towards union square and the Hyatt. the police had actually blockaded the street, and the crowd outside the hotel was growing quickly. the howling screams of the police and emergency vehicles filled the air, this was so unlike civilized and respectable San Francisco. He loved it!

Nelson Bush almost couldn't believe he was headed back to the crime. He just couldn't help himself.

Being here again helped him to relive the night before. As he walked closer and closer on Powell, his adrenaline surged, his heart pounded, almost out of control.

he edged through the mob that populated the final block outside the Hyatt. He heard the rumors swirling the crowd, mostly well dressed business people, their faces creased with the anguish and pain. there were rumors of fire at the hotel, a jumper, a homicide,a suicide, but nothing came close to horror of The actual event.

finally, he got close enough so that he could watch the San Francisco police at work. A couple of them were surveying the crowd looking for him. he wasn't worried about being discovered, not at all .

it just wasn't just wasn't going to happen. He was too unlikely, probably in the bottom 5 percent of the people the police might suspect. That comforted him, thrilled him actually.

God, he had done it-caused all of this to happen and he was only just beginning. He had never experienced anything like this feeling, and neither had the city of San Francisco.

A business man was coming out of the Hyatt, and reporters and other people were asking him questions as if he were a major celebrity, the man in his early thirties and he smirked knowingly. he had what they all wanted and he knew it. He knew it. He was lording it over everyone, enjoying his pitiful moment of Fame.

it was a couple- murdered in the penthouse; He could overhear the man. "they were on their honeymoon. Sad, huh?

the crowd around Nelson Bush gasped, and his heart soared.

Alice

What a scene! Alice Barry pushed her way through the murmuring crowd, the looky-loos surrounding the Grand Hyatt. then she groned at the sight of the line of cops blocking the way.

there must have been a hundred onlookers tightly pressed around the entrance: tourists carrying camera s businesspeople on their way to work, others were flashing press credentials and shouting, trying to talk their way in. Across the street, a television news van was already setting up with the back drop of the hotel's facade.

After two years spent covering local interest on the Metro dear of the chronicl, Alice could fell a story that might jump start her career. this one made the hairs on her neck stand up.

Homicide down at the Grand Hyatt; her city editor tommy Lee, had informed her after a staffer picked up the police transmission. Angela Cullman and James Brown, the chronicle's usual crime reporters, were both on assignment." Get right down there, her boss barked, to her amazement. He didn't have to say it twice.

But now, outside the Hyatt, Alice felt her brief run of luck had come to an end.

the street was barricade more news crew s were pulling up by the second.if she didn't come up with something now, Cullman or Brown would soon be handed the story.what she needed was inside. And here she was, out on the curb.

She spotted a line of limos and went up to the first one_ one big beige stretch. she rapped on the window.

The driver looked up over his paper, the chronicle, of course, and lowered the window as she caught his eye.

you waiting for Don?" Alice asked

uh- uh," the driver replied." Williston,"

sorry sorry," she waved. But inside she was beaming. this was her way in.

she lingered in the crowd a few seconds longer, then elbowed her way to the front. A young patrolman blocked her path." Excuse me," said Alice, looking harried."I have got a meeting in the hotel.

Name?"

Don. He's expecting me,"

the entrance cop paged through a computer printouts fastened to a clipboard." you have a room number?"

Alice shook her head," He said to meet him in the grill room at eleven," The Grill Room at the Hyatt was the scene of the San Francisco's best power breakfast.

the entrance cop gave her a careful once-over. in her black leather jacket, jean, sandals from Earthsake, Alice figured she didn't look the part of Someone arriving for a power brunch.

my meeting," said Alice, tapping her watch." Don."

Distractedly, the cop waved her through.

she was inside. the high glass atrium lobby, gold columns rising to the third floor. it gave her a giggle, all that high priced talent and all those recognisable faces still outside on the street

Alice Barry was first in. Now she only had to figure out what to do.

the place was difinitely buzzing,; cops, businesspeople checking out, tour groups, crimson- suited hotel staff. the chief had said it was homicide. A daring one, given the hotel's prominent reputation.

she didn't know which floor. or when it had taken place. she didn't even know if it involved it a guest.

she may be inside , but she didn't know shit

Alice spotted a cluster of suitcases unattended on the far side of the lobby. they looked as if they were part of the some large tour. bellhop was dragging them outside.

she wandered over and knelt by one of the bags, as if she were taking something out.

Alice shook her head no." someone's picking me up," I just woke up what did I miss?"

you haven't heard? you must be the only one. We had some fireworks in the hotel last night ,"

Alice widened her eyes.

Two murders. On the thirty," he lowered his voice as if he were letting her in on the secret of her life."

you happen to run into the big wedding last night? it was the bride and groom. someone broke in on them in the Mandrin suite."

Jesus! Alice pulled back.

sure you don't need these brought out to the front? the bellhop asked.

Alice forced a smile.; thanks I will wait in here."

on the far side of the lobby she noticed an elevator opening. A bellhop came out, wheeling a cart of luggage. it must be a service elevator. from what she could see the cops hadn't blocked it off.

She wound through the lobby traffic towards the elevator she punched the button, and the shinny gold door opened. Thank God, it was empty.

Alice jumped in and the door closed. she couldn't believe it. she couldn't believe what she was doing. she pressed 30.

The Mandrin Suite

A double homicide

Her story.