Have seen who she stays with

CHAPTER 11

Emily opens the car door for Clara, a genuine smile gracing her lips. "After you," Emily says warmly. As Clara settles into the passenger seat and gives directions, Emily carefully steers the car through the familiar streets. "So, Elm Street, huh? Haven't been down there in a while," Emily remarks casually, hoping to glean more information without being too intrusive. "Is it a nice neighborhood? I hope you're not having any troubles. " Emily's mind races, trying to piece together what she knows about Sarah and her possible involvement. This could be the break she needs.The driver pulls the car to a gentle stop in front of a weathered apartment building on Elm Street. The building looks even more run-down than Clara had described, paint peeling and windows boarded up. A shiver runs down Emily's spine. This place doesn't feel right. "Well, here we are," Emily says, turning to Clara with a concerned look. "You sure this is the right place? It doesn't look too safe." Emily watches Clara carefully, gauging her reaction to the building and her overall demeanor. Something feels off, and Emily's gut tells her that Clara might be in more danger than she realizes. "Are you sure you're safe here?" Emily asks, trying to sound concerned but not accusatory. "I don't mind if I wait here for a minute and let you go check if your friend is in,As Clara and Emily approach the apartment door, it creaks open, revealing a young woman with a bright smile and kind eyes. "Clara! You are back from the stall!" Sarah exclaims, rushing forward to embrace her friend. She turns to Emily, her smile widening. "You must be a kind soul who gave Clara a ride. Thank you so much! It's so nice to meet you. I'm Sarah." She extends a hand to Emily, her grip warm and genuine. "Please, come in for a bit. I just made some lemonade." Emily studies Sarah's face, searching for any sign of deceit or ulterior motives. Sarah seems genuinely welcoming, but Emily's years of experience have taught her not to trust appearances.

Well, Sarah, that's mighty kind of you," Emily says, returning Sarah's smile with one of her own. "Lemonade sounds lovely, but I really should be heading back. Got chores piling up, you know how it is." Emily shifts her weight, signaling her intention to leave. "But I appreciate the offer. It's good to see Clara's found a friendly face in this town." She turns to Clara, giving her a knowing look. "You take care now, honey. And remember what I said. Don't hesitate to call if you need anything, anything at all." Emily pauses, then looks back at Sarah. "You seem like a good friend, Sarah. Look after her, alright?"

Emily smiles warmly at Sarah, a practiced gesture that hides her inner turmoil. "Thank you so much for the offer, Sarah, but I really must be going. I have a few errands to run before the day is out," Emily says, her voice friendly but firm. "It was lovely meeting you both. Clara, you have my number. Don't hesitate to call if you need anything at all." Emily gives Clara's hand a gentle squeeze before turning to leave. As she walks back to her car, Emily replays the encounter in her mind, searching for any clues or inconsistencies. Sarah seems nice enough, but something still feels off. Emily can't shake the feeling that Clara is in danger, even if she doesn't realize it yet. "I need to figure out what's really going on here," Emily thinks to herself, her mind already racing with possibilities.

Emily steps into taxi. "Take me to the Grandview Hotel," Emily instructs the driver, her voice clipped and professional. As the taxi pulls away from the curb, Emily glances back at the apartment building, a knot of worry tightening in her stomach. Clara's safety is paramount, and Emily won't rest until she knows the young woman is truly out of harm's way. "I need a plan," Emily thinks to herself, her mind already sifting through the limited information she has. Sarah seems nice, but appearances can be deceiving. And something about the situation just doesn't add up

The Grandview Hotel looms into view, its faded grandeur a stark reminder of a bygone era. Emily pays the driver, her mind still racing with thoughts of Clara and Sarah. As she steps onto the cracked sidewalk, Emily takes a deep breath, steeling herself for the task ahead. Finding a safe room and organizing her thoughts will be the first order of business. Then, she needs a plan. "This town has more secrets than it lets on," Emily thinks, "and I'm going to uncover them, one by one.

The hallway on the third floor is dimly lit and eerily silent. Emily walks purposefully, her footsteps echoing on the threadbare carpet. As she reaches room 302, she pauses, taking a moment to assess the surroundings. The door is old and worn, the lock looks flimsy, and a faint musty odor emanates from within. Emily pulls out her lock pick set from her bag. "Old habits die hard," Emily thinks to herself

Emily raps lightly on the door of room 302, her expression neutral and her voice calm. "Housekeeping," she calls out, hoping to catch anyone inside off guard. She waits a moment, listening intently for any signs of movement or voices. The silence stretches on, broken only by the distant hum of traffic from the street below. After a few more seconds, Emily tries again, her knock a little firmer this time. "Housekeeping. Is anyone there?" Still, there's no response. Either the room is empty, or whoever's inside is deliberately ignoring her.Emily closes the door behind her, the sound muffled by the thick walls. The silence of the room is broken only by the frantic beat of her own heart. The question echoes in her mind: Why would Clara willingly leave a good life behind to come to a place like this? It doesn't make sense. "Something's not right," Emily mutters to herself, her brow furrowed in concentration. "There has to be a reason she came here. Sarah may have been part of d reason why Clara is living in the tough Southern part. Emily sighs, a mixture of fatigue and frustration washing over her. The weight of her mission, the uncertainty surrounding Clara's situation, and the oppressive atmosphere of the town are starting to take their toll. "I need to clear my head," Emily thinks, rubbing her temples wearily. She rummages through her bag, pulling out a small package of crackers and a bottle of water. It's not much, but it will have to do. After a quick bite to eat, Emily collapses onto the bed, her eyes closing almost instantly. The day's events replay in her mind, each detail scrutinized and analyzed. "Something's not right," Emily murmurs to herself, her voice barely a whisper. "I just need to figure out what it is."