When Twilight Comes - By B. J. Daniels Page 0,12
he knew something she didn’t.
“If you’ll just sign the book…”
She dragged her gaze away from the photograph, surprised she’d been so drawn to it she’d completely forgotten to sign in.
She started to write her full name, then stopped. For a few moments, with everything that had happened, she’d forgotten what she really had to fear. Not ghosts, but Lorenzo. She signed her name as Jenna Johnson and made up an address in Oregon. Best not to even use her maiden name, McDonald. Lorenzo would be after her. Might already be hot on her trail.
“I’ll bring up the tuna and cat box. If you like I can scare up something for the two of you to eat,” Elmer offered.
“That is very kind of you, but not necessary.” She had some cereal and dried fruit in her purse for Lexi. “We’ll be fine tonight.” At least, she hoped so.
“Are your suitcases in your car?” he asked. “If you give me your keys, I’ll run down and get anything out that you might need for tonight,” he offered.
“Oh, that’s not necessary. I feel like we have imposed on you enough.”
“Please. I get bored to tears here. It’s nice knowing there is someone else in this big old place. And you and your daughter are going to need dry clothing.”
He was right, Jenna thought. “Thank you,” she said, as she handed him the keys.
“The elevator to your wing is right down there,” Elmer told her. “I’ll be up in a few minutes with your things.”
“Come on, Mommy.” Lexi pulled on her hand.
“Thank you,” Jenna said again to the security guard. She felt shaken and weak, stumbling around in a haze of exhaustion. A little rest and she’d be fine. Thank goodness the hotel had been here. She didn’t know what she would have done otherwise.
Her daughter broke free again to skip toward the elevator, her eyes bright with excitement.
The lobby seemed too large and empty as Jenna followed. The elevator doors opened as if expecting them.
Jenna took Lexi’s hand and stepped into the empty elevator car. But as the doors closed and the mirrored, wood-paneled cage began to hum upward, she had the strangest feeling that they weren’t alone.
HARRY BALLANTINE STOOD in the corner of the elevator wondering what he was doing. What had he expected? That there was some reason he felt drawn to this woman? That maybe she’d been sent here?
She was totally oblivious of him. Just like the little girl and the cat.
He noticed the diamond ring on the woman’s left hand. She was turning it nervously with her thumb. True to his former profession as a con man and jewel thief, he assessed the diamond in the half second it took to do so. Not bad quality. An average cut. A carat and a quarter. Not worth stealing.
The thought surprised him. He hadn’t thought about stealing anything in years.
His gaze went to the woman again. Who was she? But more to the point, what was it about her that had him thinking about the past again?
He’d almost forgotten what it had been like, the night of Fernhaven’s first grand opening. Standing at the bar watching the men in tuxedos, the women in expensive gowns, all whirling around the spacious ballroom to the music of the Johnny Franklin Orchestra.
Those had been the days. Harry had been thirty-two and had never seen that much wealth in one room before. Not surprisingly, he’d been down on his luck—until he’d conned his way into an invitation to the grand opening.
June 12, 1936.
It had been nothing short of heaven for a jewel thief.
Until the fire.
The elevator slowed. The woman glanced in his direction, and for just an instant he thought she might have sensed him there.
JENNA LEANED AGAINST the elevator wall, the past few days finally catching up with her as she stared at the empty space across from her, telling herself no one was staring back at her and Lexi.
Her reflection in the elevator mirrors made her wince. Not only did she look terrified, but there were dark circles under her eyes and her face was pale and drawn. Her hair hung limply from her ponytail.
The elevator ride seemed interminable but she was sure it only took a few seconds before the car stopped.
As the doors hummed open Lexi looked up, breaking into a smile as if there was someone waiting just outside the elevator. Jenna felt a cold draft curl around her neck. There was no one standing there. Nor did she see