Tuesday Tales From the Word CURLY

Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day in Canada. I have so much to be grateful for–my health, my family, and you, my friends and fans. Thank you for being part of my life. This week, our word is CURLY. I’m continuing with Listen to the Stones. Enjoy!

Grabbing her jacket from the closet and her purse, she locked the door and headed to the elevator once more.

She was halfway across the lobby when she saw that one of the two men she’d seen earlier had left. The one remaining, the man with the dark, curly hair turned to get the bartender’s attention. Marina froze. In profile, she could’ve sworn he was the same bearded man she’d seen at Heathrow airport, the one who’d claimed to know her, the one who’d been surprised to see her there, the one who’d made a grab for her. Fear pooled in her stomach as the idea that someone might not be happy she was coming to claim her inheritance filled her once more.

If this was the same man, how had he followed her here?

Gasping, she realized what had happened. He’d seen her get into Liam’s car at the airport. Hadn’t she noticed him at the taxi stand? He could’ve noted the license plate number and followed her to the hotel in London. He’d probably watched for a chance to get her alone, but Liam had never left her side.

He had to have followed her here to Inverness. Since most of the economy fare passengers had loaded from the rear of the plane, she hadn’t seen him, but he’d seen her.

He must’ve seen Neev pick her up and bring her here. Had he been waiting for her to return? Perhaps going out alone so close to dark wasn’t a good thing. Hadn’t Lenore quoted some statistics about women traveling alone disappearing? Even Aunt Flo had mentioned something similar.

Retracing her steps, she took the elevator to the floor below hers in case he was watching and walked up the last flight to her room. Once inside, she double-locked the door, and as an added precaution, shoved her two suitcases and a chair against it. No one was getting in there tonight, and since the windows didn’t open, she was as safe as she could be.

If she saw the man in the morning, she would tell Neev and they could go to the police. In the meantime, she would stay right where she was. It was a good thing she’d had a big afternoon tea because nothing would get her to open that door for anyone tonight.

That’s it. Stay safe, and don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.