From the Shadows (Buckhorn, Montana #2) - B.J. Daniels Page 0,61

he’s gone.”

“Why would you even say that?” Jen demanded.

“Because we all kind of had to show up, didn’t we? Claude shows up and leaves right away. Seems like a no-brainer to me,” Jason finished.

“Don’t you think that’s kind of a leap?” Shirley asked.

“She’s right, but if it was Claude,” Patience said, “well, then, I’m glad he’s gone. You have to admit, he was acting oddly.”

Jason nodded in agreement. “Clearly, he’s never gotten over Megan, that’s for sure.”

“Unlike the rest of us,” Benjamin said sarcastically.

“I suppose if he killed her, that would explain it,” Patience said.

Jen made a disgusted sound and shoved away her almost-empty plate. “His leaving doesn’t mean that he’s the killer.” But she didn’t put up much of an argument. None of the others joined in. If anything, they all seemed relieved that Claude was gone.

* * *

DEVLIN WOKE ON the bathroom floor in the dark. He pulled himself up and grimaced at the smell. How long had he been lying here? A long time, since it seemed to be dark outside. Through the open doorway he could see shadows filling the room.

Getting to his feet, he turned on the light and blinked. This wasn’t his bathroom. A shot of adrenaline rocketed through him, chasing off the hangover for a moment. Where the hell was he?

He stumbled into the adjoining room, turned on a light and looked around. This wasn’t his room. Except it looked enough like it that he figured at least he was still in the Crenshaw Hotel, although he had no idea how he’d gotten here. He must have only thought he was drunk and sick and full of regrets in his own room.

The regrets were still there, but he was no longer drunk and, for the moment, not feeling that sick. He looked down, surprised to find himself dressed. Had he gone out somewhere after passing out earlier? He’d never been blackout drunk before. Until now.

He moved to the door and opened it to peer down the hallway. The hotel seemed unusually quiet. It felt really late. Since he didn’t seem to have his phone, he had no idea how late. He noticed the room numbers. Apparently he hadn’t gone far. He was still on the staff wing.

Devlin could hear voices in the kitchen. As quietly as possible, he tiptoed down the hallway to his room. The door was ajar. He looked in, wondering if anyone had come looking for him. The overhead light was on, but he could have left it that way.

Everything seemed to be where he’d left it. He stepped in, closing the door quietly and locking it before leaning against it for a moment. Through the open window he could smell the scent of rain. The wind lifted the drapes. In the distance he could see storm clouds. A thunderstorm was on its way.

Spying his cell phone, he stepped to the bed and picked it up. More messages and calls from the investors. For a moment, he just stared at it. Then he checked his bank account and swore. He had enough that he could run. Not far, but maybe far enough that he could start over somewhere. Do something else. Be someone else.

The lease at the apartment was in his girlfriend’s name. There was really nothing tying him down anywhere. He doubted she would be surprised when he didn’t return. It was one reason she’d wanted the lease in her name. She hadn’t trusted him even when things had been going well between them. Not that he could blame her.

He’d never felt more like a loser. It made no sense. In high school he’d been voted most likely to succeed. He was smart, got good grades, had his whole life ahead of him the summer he’d taken the job here at the hotel before he planned to head to college.

He thought of Claude and some of the others. They blamed Megan for their failings. Devlin scoffed at that. Even with her head trips, she hadn’t been what had led him to this point. He’d just assumed he would succeed, as if it was written in the stars.

Now he could see that he’d been waiting the past ten years for it to happen. Not that he’d been doing badly. He had a degree in business, drove a nice car that would be paid off in four years and still had most of his hair.

Who was he kidding? His life wasn’t supposed to turn out like this. He’d thought he’d be