“There’s actually a different woman taking care of my room today,” Bellamy tells me.
“Really?”
“Yeah. She came this morning, and when I asked where Tracy was, she said that she's on leave and that she'll be back.”
“When I was talking to Alonso earlier, he introduced me to the other manager, then he reminded Frederick that the next round of leave begins tomorrow,” I explain. “I thought that sounded really strange.”
“It does,” she shrugs. “But maybe that's part of working here. You get a certain amount of time off every so often?”
“Maybe,” I say. “Well, see if you can talk to the one standing in for her. Find out what you can, and we'll meet back up later to go down to the village.”
Bellamy agrees and leaves. When she's gone, I call the number listed on the directory in my drawer to get in touch with the housekeeping services. I request extra towels and wait for Graciela to get there. When she does, she has a confused look on her face.
"Did I forget to bring you towels this morning?" she asks.
I shake my head. "No. You did. I just wanted a few extras."
She laughs softly like she doesn’t really know what to think about the request but isn't going to question it.
“Well, here you go. Is there anything else?"
“I actually have a question,” I say. “You were telling me about how you got this job and all the perks and everything. It seems really amazing and like it would appeal to a lot of people. How often do new girls come here to work?”
“I have only been here for a few months, but there have been new girls that have come every couple of weeks. It can get very busy, and management never wants any of us to be overworked or end up with too much to do and not be able to get it done to their standards,” she explains.
“Makes sense,” I say. “Do you know which room my friend Bellamy is staying in?”
“Yes,” she nods. “It's at the other end of the hallway.”
“Right,” I say. “And you know Tracy, the woman who takes care of her room?”
“Sure, she is one of the newer girls. She started here about a week ago. Maybe a couple of days more than that.”
“That recently?” I ask.
“Yes, why?” she asks.
“When you first started working here, when was the first time they gave you leave?”
“Leave?” she asks. “I haven't taken any leave. I get two days off every week, but that's it.”
“Bellamy said that she was told Tracy is on leave right now,” I tell her.
“I can't imagine why she would get leave after only working here for such a short time. Maybe she has a personal issue going on that she needed the time off?” she suggests.
“Possibly,” I shrug. “But I overheard the manager Alonso earlier. And he mentioned to Frederick that another round of leave was beginning tomorrow, which sounds like it happens regularly.”
Graciela thinks about this for a few seconds, then shakes her head.
“I don't know. Like I said, she was hired at a different time than me. Maybe that was something she requested or a perk she was offered and I wasn't,” she tells me.
“I have one more question. And this one might sound completely ridiculous. Have guests ever been able to rent one of the staff cabins for a night? Or are they used for any type of guest activities?” I ask.
Graciela shakes her head firmly.
“Definitely not,” she says. “That is one thing that is strongly emphasized during training. No guests are permitted in the staff village. Not for any reason. Most of us live in the dorm buildings, anyway. There are some who live in the cabins, but those tend to be the married couples who work here, the older employees, and the upper-level staff.”
"So, you live in the dorm?" I ask.
"Yes."
I nod. "Do you know who lives in cabin three?"
Her eyes narrow, and she shifts her weight.
"Why are you asking all these questions? Is something going on?"
"No," I tell her. "I'm just curious."
"That probably comes with being in law enforcement, doesn't it?" she asks.
"I think it does," I confirm. "My parents always encouraged me to be curious and figure things out, and both of them had careers that had to do with criminals and helping people."
She told me about how her mother encouraged her and supported her dreams, so hearing me mention my parents and finding that similarity between the two of us seems to put her at ease.
“I don't know who lives in the specific cabins,” she says. “Why cabin three?”
“I just thought I heard somebody talking about it,” I tell her. “It must have been a mistake.”
“Anything else?” she asks.
“No, thank you. I really appreciate you humoring me.”
“No problem. Let me know if you need anything else,” she says.
When she leaves, I take out my phone and text Bellamy that I'm going down to the lobby but will be back in my room soon. I make my way directly to Constance's desk.
“I was just talking with Alonso a little while ago, and I mentioned to him that I may know some friends who could possibly be interested in working here. He said if they are, to reach out to him, but I forgot to get his card. Do you happen to have one available?” I ask.
“Absolutely,” she says. She reaches
