Page 26 of Is Anyone Listening?
"So, what do we do now? Do we go downstairs and talk to her?"
Tessa didn't answer right away, her conflicted gaze matching the churning uneasiness inside me. "I'm not sure that would get us anywhere. Let's think about this. Nothing was taken. Your notes were clearly visible and easy to read through, but let's say they believe our cover story that we're writers putting together a book on historic inns. Maybe the papers back that up."
"Except that the focus is on Natalie. If they took time to read everything, they would have seen that I spoke to Natalie's brother, that I compiled articles on her disappearance."
"Did anything in your notes mention our podcast?"
I stared back at her, then shook my head. "No. But you have the recording equipment in your closet."
"The backpack wasn't opened," Tessa said. "Even if it was, maybe they wouldn't necessarily put a microphone and a light together with a podcast about Natalie."
Tessa was trying to think logically while I was still caught up in emotional panic.
"Maybe we just sit on this and keep moving forward," Tessa suggested. "We need to get as much done as we possibly can before we get kicked out of here, which could happen as early as tomorrow."
"I suppose," I said. "But Ellen warned us about taking pictures inside the inn. Are we really going to break all the rules and film and record a podcast from here?"
"No one will know, and we have to do it. This is why we came here, Cassidy. We wanted to bring our listeners to the scene."
"I know. You're right. I'm just a little shaken."
"So am I. It's disturbing," she agreed. "But I don't think we're in immediate danger. Someone came in when we were out. It could have just been housekeeping. We don't know for sure if the rooms were searched." Pausing, Tessa added, "We were going to call Morgan before we did the podcast. Let's do that now." Tessa pulled out her phone and made the call. She put it on speaker as Morgan picked up.
"Hi, I'm glad you called," Morgan said. "I have some news."
"So do we," Tessa said. "Someone may have searched our rooms while we were out today."
"What?" Morgan asked in surprise. "Was anything taken?"
"No, but it's concerning."
"I'll say. You need to leave," Morgan said immediately. "Pack your bags right now and get out of there. I'm serious. This is getting weird. Just come home. We can investigate from here."
Tessa and I looked at each other. After a moment, I shook my head, then I said, "We're not quite ready to leave yet."
"We're just getting started," Tessa added. "And if we're going to investigate crime, we can't let a simple room search scare us off. Anyway, we can talk more about it when you get here tomorrow. With three of us, we'll have even more strength in numbers."
"I'm not coming," Morgan said.
"Because of this?" I asked in surprise.
"No. That was the news I mentioned earlier. I can't come. I have to take care of Aiden."
My heart sank. "Why?"
"Steven has to work overtime this week, and his ex-wife is out of town. I'm so sorry. I know you need me there, but I couldn't say no."
"It's okay," I said automatically. But it wasn't okay. Without Morgan, everything felt more precarious.
"I can still help," Morgan said. "I can do research, make calls, whatever you need. But I think you should both consider coming home. This feels like it's getting dangerous."
"We'll think about it," Tessa said. "In the meantime, we're going to record a podcast tonight with a recap of what we've learned so far. And we're going to do it from Cassidy's room, because we found out that's the room Natalie stayed in."
"That’s creepy."
"It will make a good setting," Tessa said.
"You said record, not live?" Morgan questioned.
