47: Just the beginning

For the time being, I had secured a hotel that offered a semblance of safety. However, I remained uncertain about whom I could trust. The puzzle pieces refused to fit together, leaving me in a state of disarray. To maintain anonymity, I had made the reservation under a pseudonym I frequently used. I met the hotel clerk in the parking lot to retrieve the key, ensuring his cooperation with a generous five-hundred-dollar tip.

Against my better judgment, I decided to call in a favor, hoping to uncover the identity of the unfortunate girl who had become entangled in this dangerous web. It was crucial to inform her family of her demise. Dominick would handle the disposal of the other bodies. I couldn't afford to have an active investigation interfering at this critical juncture.

We ascended the back stairs until the elevator became a necessity. Once inside our secure suite, I meticulously inspected the rooms, drawing the curtains and illuminating only a single light. Madeline observed my a