“No, I sure didn’t.”
“Well, I was just released from the hospital, and the thing is...I haven’t been able to locate my wallet. None of my personal belongings, in fact.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that.”
He thought he saw Lisa’s smile lose just a touch of its initial enthusiasm.
“So how exactly will you be paying then, Mr....?”
“Burke. Ethan Burke. See, that’s what I’m trying to tell you. I won’t be able to pay for the room until I get my wallet back tomorrow. I’m informed the sheriff is in possession of my things. Not sure why, but...” He shrugged. “Is what it is.”
“Hmm. See, I’m not really allowed to open a reservation without a cash advance or at least a credit card number. It’s hotel policy. In case—and of course I’m not saying that this would necessarily happen—but in case there was any damage to the room or charges incurred that—”
“I understand that. I’m well aware of the purpose of deposits. What I’m telling you is that I will be able to pay you tomorrow morning.”
“You don’t even have a driver’s license?”
“Everything’s in my wallet.”
Lisa bit her bottom lip, and he could see what was coming—a nice girl working herself up to be the bad guy.
“Sir—Mr. Burke—I’m afraid that without a credit card or cash or identification, I’m just not going to be able to give you a room tonight. I would love to. Really. But this is just hotel policy and...”
She stopped talking when Ethan leaned over the counter.
“Lisa, do you know why I’m wearing a black suit?”
“No.”
“I’m a special agent with the United States Secret Service.”
“You mean those guys who guard the president?”
“That’s only one of our duties. Our primary mission is to protect the integrity of our nation’s financial infrastructure.”
“And so you’re, like, on an investigation in Wayward Pines?”
“I am. I had just arrived in town when the accident happened.”
“What kind of investigation?”
“I can’t discuss any details.”
“You’re not pulling my leg, are you?”
“If I was, I’d be committing a federal crime.”
“You’re really a special agent?”
“Yes. And I’m tired and I’m asking you to give me a break. I need a room for the night. I promise you—I’m good for it.”
“And you’ll pay tomorrow? First thing?”
“First thing.”
* * *
Key in hand, he trudged up the steps to the second floor and emerged into a long, quiet corridor. Faux lanterns had been mounted to the walls every twenty feet, and they shed a weak, yellow light on the Persian carpeting.
His room was at the far end, number 226.
He unlocked the door, stepped inside, hit the light.
The decor ran to the folksy side of the spectrum.
Two badly done iconic Western scenes.
A cowboy on a bucking bronco.
Group of ranch hands huddled around a campfire.
The room was stuffy, and there was no television.
Just an old-school black rotary phone sitting on one of the bedside tables.
He walked inside.
Three tables occupied, but otherwise, the place was dead.
He took a corner stool at the bar.
Through a pair of swinging doors drifted the sizzle of meat cooking on an open grill.
Sitting in this pub, his arms resting on the well-worn bar, he felt at peace for the first time in days. The memory of Stallings and the accident was near, threatening to muscle its way in, but he refused to let it dominate his mind. Simply breathed in and out and tried to stay as firmly planted as possible in the moment.