the woods to be near—” Duncan seemed to catch himself. “That is, methinks my accommodations will not meet with the lady’s approval.”
“Direct me to the nearest inn, then, and I will bid you farewell.”
“There is a hostelry of sorts in Hannah, but it is not of good repute.”
“It will have to do.” Grim reconnected with the Provider. “Show me this lodging, Provider.”
An image appeared in Grim’s mind. He focused on it, and Duncan and the woods melted away. A moment later, he and Sassy were standing outside a one-story building with peeling paint and cheap shutters. A sign in front of the building flashed on and off, first red and then black as the lighted squiggles went dark. Grim concentrated on the strange script. The letters arranged themselves into something comprehensible.
HANNAH INN, the sign said.
Sassy stirred and opened her eyes. “What happened? Where are we?”
Grim met her woozy gaze. “An inn, though I fear not much of one. You would be more comfortable staying with friends or family. That is the custom among humans, is it not?”
“I don’t have friends or relatives in Hannah.”
“Is there nowhere else you can stay?”
“Trey’s house, but that is out of the question.”
“Why? Was there discord between you and your brother?”
“There was nothing between us. Trey wouldn’t have anything to do with me when he was alive. Leaving me a bunch of stuff won’t make up for that.”
Pain laced Sassy’s voice. Her sibling’s indifference had hurt her deeply. It was a good thing Trey Peterson was dead. Were he alive, Grim would be tempted to return the favor.
“The Hannah Inn it is,” he said.
He strode across the lot and through the swinging glass door marked Office with Sassy in his arms. The room was small and cramped, and smelled of musty carpet and used food. Against the wall to the left of the entrance, a tall white box emitted a mechanical hum. A squawking cube on top of the tall box displayed a series of moving images.
A man sitting behind a partition looked up as they entered. He was a slovenly creature, as disreputable in appearance as the lodgings he managed. Thin strings of black hair slicked across his balding pate and his dingy white shirt was sleeveless, exposing his flabby arms. The flimsy fabric of the garment stretched across the doughy paunch that rested on his lap.
“She looks rode hard and put up wet.” The proprietor showed a mouth full of crooked yellow teeth. “She drunk? Don’t want no caterwauling. Police already been here once this week on a domestic dispute.”
“She is not inebriated,” Grim said. “She swooned.”
“She is right here,” Sassy said. “You can put me down, now, Grim. I’m all right.”
Grim complied and Sassy smoothed her wrinkled dress. “Are you the manager?”
The human worm behind the desk rolled his eyes. “Naw, I’m hanging around this shithole for my health.”
“It is a bit depressing,” Sassy confided. “A fresh coat of paint and some new sofa cushions would do wonders.”
“Do tell? I’ll get right on that.”
Sassy gave him a brilliant smile. “Good. You might consider a wardrobe change while you’re at it. A man looks professional in a starched button-down.”
“Uh-huh. Look, lady, this is a motel, not a makeover show. Whadda ya want?”
“Your best room,” Sassy said cheerfully. “The honeymoon suite, if it’s available.”
“Honeymoon suite?” The man chuckled. “That’s rich.” He pushed to his feet and looked Grim up and down. “That blood on your shirt?”
“Yes. I killed a deer.”
“Hunting out of season? Game warden won’t hear it from me, but don’t gut the damn thing in the room. Last customer did that, I had to Kilstain and repaint.” His eyes held an avaricious gleam. “You’re a big son of a bitch. Reckon you’ll need a king. It’s forty-five bucks a night, up front. No checks. No money orders.”
“We’d like to inspect the room first,” Sassy said. “Please.”
The man plucked a key from a hook on the wall. “Sure thing, princess. Y’all come this away.”
They followed the man out the door and down a cracked sidewalk.
“What is this bucks?” Grim asked Sassy in a low voice. “Surely the man does not expect an entire herd of deer in recompense for one night’s lodging?”
“No, he means money.” Sassy worried her bottom lip. “What are we going to do? My purse is at the bottom of the creek. How will I pay?”
“It is of no moment,” Grim said. “What passes for currency in this realm? Precious metals? Gemstones? Furs or spices, perhaps?”
“Oh, dear,” said Sassy.
The manager