Chapter 5
She heard a knock on the door and realized the person holding her had done the knocking.
“Let me up,” Trixie said quickly. “I was trying to find my contact lens.”
“Yeah, right,” the voice said. She recognized it as the deep, scratchy voice from the fun house.
“I was.” Trixie knew she had to figure a way out. “I was going to meet someone and was rubbing my eyes when my lens fell out.”
“What are you doing?” a second voice asked.
“I caught her listening at the door.”
“I wasn’t,” Trixie said angrily. “I dropped my lens and was trying to find it. Then this oaf knocked me to the floor.”
“Let her up,” the second voice said.
She felt her arms get released. She put her hands on the floor and pushed herself to her feet. She looked at the man who had been holding her. He was on his 40s with very little hair and dark eyes. Her gaze moved to the man standing in the doorway. He was about the same age as the other man. She could see his muscles in his arms since he was wearing a T-shirt. His hair was blond and cut short.
Trixie reached up and massaged her right eye making it look like she was trying to find her lens. She blinked a few time. “Oh, I am such a dope. The lens was in my eye the whole time.”
“You haven’t worn lenses before?” the man in the doorway asked.
“I’m still getting used to them,” she said. “I have to remember not to rub my eyes.”
“I’m sorry I knocked you down,” the first guy said.
“I shouldn’t have been in your way,” she said. “I’m sorry.” She looked at her watch. “I need to get going. Do you know which way is room 31?”
“That’s on the next floor.”
“I can’t believe I’m on the wrong floor,” Trixie said. “I really am sorry.”
“It’s all right.”
“Good night,” Trixie said and made her way to the elevator.
As the door opened, she climbed in and pressed the button for the third floor. She knew she had to go up, but planned to walk down the stairs in case the two men were waiting for the elevator to come back down. She knew she had found the two men she had overheard, but still didn’t know what they were up to. That would be her next step along with finding out who they were.
*****
That night, Trixie and Jim rode through the game preserve. When she had arrived at the stables at Manor House, Jim had Jupiter and Susie saddled. He helped her mount Susie before getting on Jupiter. Jim led the way into the preserve. Trixie tightened her hold on the reins as they picked up the pace.
As they rode along enjoying the quiet of the night, Trixie thought about the two men she had met earlier. Part of her knew they hadn’t recognized her, and she was slightly relieved. Her instincts, however, told her that something was going to happen.
But what? she thought. Could the alarm at the bank have been a distraction as to what was really going on? What is going on? What are those two doing? Are they going to cause trouble here in Sleepyside?
Suddenly, Susie reared up on her hind legs interrupting Trixie’s thoughts. She tried to stay in the saddle, but Susie’s sudden movement caught her off guard and she fell to the ground hard.