Page 17 of Postmarked December
Heather sat up, excitement filling her. “Would you want to go?”
“I can’t. Anthony’s got a huge work party for his law firm this weekend that I have to attend. I’m trying to put forth some effort and embrace our couplehood.”
Heather’s shoulders fell. “I don’t know what to make of these letters. But I also can’t just ignore them. Whoever’s behind this has put in some effort. At the very least, I need to try to figure out their motives.”
“I don’t like the idea of you going by yourself and staying in a hotel that the person who sent these things chose for you. If they do have malicious motives, you’ll fall right into the trap.”
“What if I stayed in a different hotel?”
“You’re a regular Nancy Drew.”
She grinned. “The only thing is, if I’m supposed to get something when I arrive, it will probably be in the hotel that was booked with the tickets.”
“They could literally have their name on your room and have a key to it, Heather. I wouldn’t stay there.”
“I could stay there but get my own room under an alias.”
Marion blew out a loud breath. “You make me so nervous.”
“If this person wanted to hurt me, wouldn’t they have met me at the first location and kidnapped me then? Instead, I got wine and then the tickets, and then, rather than trying to abduct me, the SUV took off in the opposite direction, literally running from me.”
“True… So you’re actually gonna go?” Marion asked.
“I think so.”
“Please be careful. Call me as soon as you get there.”
“Okay. It’s a quick flight, and I’ll call you the minute I land.”
After a few more cautious warnings from Marion, Heather got off the phone and called the hotel, booking herself a room under the alias Missy Harland. With the email in hand, she checked in via the airline’s website using the confirmation number from the email. Her boarding pass came through, and she put it in the digital wallet on her phone.
Her trip organized, she pulled her suitcase from the closet. Her mind went back to the last time she was in Greenville with Toby. She’d need a pair of comfortable sneakers suitable for walking. When they’d gone, she’d worn new boots, and Toby had had to carry her piggyback through Falls Park.
December would be cold. She packed with the expectation of crisp mornings and chilly afternoons. Into her suitcase went a warm coat, a few cozy sweaters, and long-sleeve tops she could layer easily as the weather shifted. She added jeans and a couple of pairs of leggings. The evenings could turn frigid, so she tucked in a scarf, gloves, and a knit hat, along with a lightweight rain jacket in case of winter showers. Finally, she added travel-sized toiletries, minimal makeup, and her charger.
In her backpack, she stowed some lip balm, hand sanitizer, a couple of novels for the flight, a big pair of sunglasses to help disguise who she was, and her new journal. She zipped up the bag, prepared for her winter getaway. Underneath the monotony of the tasks, there was an element of anticipation, despite the possible danger.
She stepped back and put her hands on her hips. Just like that, she was ready to go. But what would she be walking into? Why had she been given the ticket in the first place? What was the point of all this if not to make her feel as if Toby was with her?
“Are you somehow making this happen?” she called out to Toby in the middle of her empty apartment. As always, she was met with silence. “I guess I’ll find out.”
With one last look around her apartment to make sure everything was in order, she slipped on her backpack and, with ticket in hand, dragged her suitcase out the door.
About twenty-five minutes later, she was parked and at the Southwest Airlines bag-check kiosk, entering her information. The airport was swarming with holiday travelers.
She waited in line, unloaded her bags, pulled up her ticket, and headed over to the security checkpoint. Once through the massive line of passengers, she stopped to take in the glittering trees and merry music humming through the lofty expanse of Nashville’s BNA airport. Families rushed to their planes, while others chatted happily at restaurant tables with red-and-green gift bags at their feet. There was a noticeable lift in the air with the holiday. She looked around to see if there was anyone suspicious lurking; however, she found nothing but fellow travelers.
Feeling jovial and a bit more relaxed after going through security, she went down to the coffee shop on the way to her plane and ordered a seasonal beverage, then found a seat among her fellow passengers, dropped her backpack at her feet, and called Marion.
“I made it to the gate, with a few minutes to spare,” she said when her friend answered.
“That’s good. No weirdos?”
“Already checked. None so far.” She looked around again. “Mostly couples and families on this flight. There is a single person over by the window. He’s got a magazine under his arm, a cup of coffee, and…” She squinted. “Maybe a laptop bag? He looks well put together.”
“If he offers, don’t drink the coffee. It could be laced with something.”
“Why would I drink a random man’s coffee?” Heather laughed, causing the woman next to her to glance over. “And I already have some. I got it on the way to my gate.”
