Assumed Identity

11

Buchanan went with her down the fire stairs to the third-floor landing. Her instructions were to take the elevator from that floor down to the lobby. That way, to anyone watching the numbers above the elevator in the lobby, it would seem that Holly had been in Mike Hamilton’s third-floor room all evening. “If anybody stops you, tell them to leave you alone or you’ll call a cop. But if it gets serious, tell them a version of the truth. You’re doing a story on the Maria Tomez disappearance and whether there’s some connection between Tomez and Drummond. If they pressure you about Mike Hamilton, tell them he’s a confidential source who works for Drummond. Tell them the man contacted you, using a false name. He’s a disgruntled employee. He wants to make trouble for Drummond, but he doesn’t want the trouble to be traced to him. So far, he hasn’t been much use.”

At the third-floor fire stairs, Buchanan motioned for Holly to wait while he checked that the corridor was safe. After peering cautiously out the door, he stepped back, his expression concerned enough to make Holly frown.

He motioned for her to follow. “We have to hurry. Two men are outside Mike Hamilton’s room.”

Before leaving 512, Buchanan had packed, made sure that the books and research files were in his travel bag, and filled out an early checkout form, putting it on the bed. A note explained that Mike Hamilton was checking out, too, but that as agreed all expenses were to be on Charles Duffy’s credit card. “I don’t want any more people looking for me than necessary. Quickly. Let’s go.”

He hurried with Holly down the fire stairs to the exit for the lobby. “Wait until some people get off the elevator. Go out behind them. Where do you live?”

She told him.

“I’ll leave a minute after you. I’ll take a taxi, and if I’m not followed, I’ll have the driver go past your place. By then, your own taxi should have brought you home. Leave a light on behind an open window in front. If I see that a window’s open, I’ll know you’re okay.”

“Taxi? I brought my car.”

“Then you’ll get home faster. The elevator’s opening. Now.”

She touched his cheek. “. . Be careful.”

Buchanan felt the impression of her fingers for quite a while after she was gone.