Cat 'N Mouse by Yvonne Harriott

distant, it was all quite peaceful and serene, yet he felt far from it.
    Following the sounds of a string orchestra, he came upon the staff setting up for an evening wedding. Chairs were placed in neatly lined rows with a red carpet down the aisle.
    Guests of the hotel were scattered all around the lawn and he saw nothing out of the ordinary. He walked around the perimeter again and found nothing.
    If the man hadn’t exited from the south east emergency doors then that meant whatever door he exited he knew the alarm would sound sending everyone running in the wrong direction. Conclusion—the perpetrator knew the layout of the hotel. Chances are he was still in the building somewhere. That thought sent Sam racing back to the hotel.
    Alexandria was standing outside the meeting room where she had her committee meeting earlier. Any minute now he figured she would fall apart. She stared at the wall, her body stiff. Hanes caught him taking in her oversized black T-shirt and flip-flops. Her dress was in a clear plastic bag on a table beside her.
    “We offered to buy her something from the dress shop but she didn’t want it,” Hanes said. “She keeps asking for you, man”
    “I don’t care what you have to do, but this incident does not leave this hotel, Hanes.”
    “I don’t know how we’re going to do that. I can’t control the guests once they leave here.”
    “Do what you can.”
    Sam looked over at Alexandria who had begun pacing the floor. When she saw him, she hurried over to him.
    “Can we leave now?” She grabbed onto his arms, desperation in her voice. “Please.”
    “Give me five minutes.” Sam turned to Hanes. “Who’s in charge?”
    Hanes pointed over to a police officer, a middle aged man with short grayish hair, medium build and trim. “He wants to see you. I told him about the threats to Alexandria’s life.”
    The police had locked down the south wing when pandemonium had broken out. Guests wanted to find out about family members and it became a shouting match between the officers and guests.
    Sam didn’t want to get caught up in it anymore. His only concern was Alexandria and the sooner he got her away from the nightmare, the better.
    He approached the officer and introduced himself. His intent was to ask if he could get a copy of the report when they analyzed the dress. He was given a card with a number to call and an ear full about being irresponsible. There was nothing the man could say that he hadn’t already said to himself. He had messed up—big time.
    “Let’s go.” Sam extended his hand to Alexandria and she looked down at the dried blood. The woman cleaning up offered him a damp towel and he wiped his hands.
    Alexandria followed him in silence to the SUV. He was close enough that he could put his arm around her if need be, but she wouldn’t allow him to touch her. They exited the hotel leaving the sea of spectators behind thankful that Hanes had the vehicle moved to the service entrance.
    “Why did you leave? You said you wouldn’t.” She stared at him when he opened the door for her and she got in.
    “Your father called on the hotel phone.”
    “What did he want?”
    “Don’t know. I got half way to pick up the house phone and I just got the feeling that something was wrong.” He closed her door moving around to the driver’s side. When Sam got in, he said, “I figured you would stay put until I got back. I screwed up. I shouldn’t have left. It won’t happen again.”
    “Doesn’t matter. The dinner plan that fell apart yesterday is on tonight,” she said as he started the engine.
    Apparently when she’d called Robyn to tell her what had happened, Robyn wanted her to come by. Well, too bad. They were staying put once they got to the condo.
    “After what happened a few hours ago? No way.”
    She pulled the T-shirt down over her knees smoothing the material down her lap as if she was trying to get the wrinkles out.
    “I’m not going to sit around all evening