“At the light coming up, take a right.” Anna pointed out the powerless traffic lights up ahead.
“How far away is Jessie’s place from here?” I asked, driving around a late-model panel van that blocked a portion of the street.
Cindy chewed her lip, biting at the dry, crusty skin. “Not sure. He lives more in the downtown area. Maybe twenty minutes or so.”
We blew through the traffic light. I hugged the corner and pulled onto the street. We drove down the stretch of road, plowing through the carpet of ash that concealed the street.
The buildings lining the road had little to no foot traffic in front. Light gleamed through some of the storefront windows while others sat powerless and dark.
“It’s the Palace Inn on the corner,” Anna said.
“They might be open but not sure from the looks of things,” I replied, scanning both sides of the street.
“Doesn’t matter. We’ll improvise. Besides, they have a covering toward the back half of the property that we can park the SUV under. Keep it out of the ash. It’s close to the room I use when I stay there.”
We drove a bit farther, then pulled into the parking lot of the motel. The headlights of the SUV shone over what few cars parked in front of the rooms. We followed the drive toward the main office and stopped.
I shifted the SUV into park, but kept it idling. Darkness loomed from the interior of the office. I couldn’t spot any shadowy figures lurking about.
“Doesn’t look like anyone’s at the front desk, but it’s hard to tell with the power out,” I said. I cracked open my door.
“I got this. You wait here. I know where they keep the keys for the rooms.” Anna pushed open her door and hopped to the pavement. The whistling wind rushed inside the SUV, stealing what little warmth we had. Shadow followed, jumping down behind her.
Anna walked toward the door with the Glock down at her side. She shielded her face with her free arm. She peered through the glass, then looked side to side. Her hand grabbed the black-metal door handle and tugged. The door opened with ease. She turned, looked over her shoulder at us, then shrugged.
Shadow tested the air before walking in. Anna kept the Glock lowered with her finger resting against the trigger guard. The German shepherd took the lead. Anna followed.
Cindy sat in the passenger seat, silent and tapping the tips of her fingers against the door while muttering something under her breath. She stared through the windshield with a blank look, still shaken from the ordeal she’d been through, then glanced over at me.
“Nervous habit I do when stressed,” she said, removing her hand from the door. “I know it’s annoying, but it helps me calm down and think. Most people hate it.”
I held up my hand. “No need to apologize. I get it more than you know. You’ve gone through a traumatic ordeal. I’d be surprised if you weren’t rattled from what you experienced.”
Cindy tucked her hand under her leg, then nodded. “I’m not sure how to process everything, to be honest. It still feels surreal. Almost like it didn’t happen and maybe I’m dreaming. I know I’m not, but it feels that way. Do you know what I mean?”
I bowed my head. “I do. It’s that surge of adrenaline flooding your body. Fight or flight taking hold. You’ll be riding that wave for a bit.”
Cindy glanced at her trembling hand, then balled her fingers into a fist. She lowered her arm and rubbed her palm up and down the fronts of her jeans. “I’m sorry I’m such a mess.”
“No need to apologize,” I replied. “Like I said, it’s understandable.”
Anna pushed her way through the office door, then ran for the back seat of the SUV. She slung open the door. Shadow climbed inside the cab with Anna close behind.
“Man, it’s chilly out there. Feels like the temp is still dropping.” Anna slammed the door behind her, then blew into her hands.
I turned in my seat and glanced back at her. “Did you see anyone in there?”
Anna shook her head, blowing into her cupped hands. “Nope. The office behind the counter was empty. Looks like they might have bailed and forgot to lock up.”
“You got the key to the room, though, right?” I asked.
Anna flashed me the key wedged in her palm, then pointed ahead of us. “Go straight through here and head to the far side of the complex. It’s room 20B on the bottom floor.”
I turned about face, shifted the SUV into drive, and pulled out from under the covering. We drove across the parking lot, past the few cars, toward the far corner of the motel. The shades in most of the rooms had been drawn. A door to one of the rooms sat open, allowing the gray ash to blow inside.
“And you’re sure this place is safe?” I asked, peering inside the dimness of the room as we passed by.
“It’s about as safe as any place can be, all things considered,” Anna replied through chattering teeth. “We needed a place to hold up for a bit and you got it.”
I drove to the far end of the motel, passing room 20B. I spun the steering wheel clockwise, turning the SUV toward the row of empty parking spaces that lined the wooden fence.
My foot pumped the brake. I shifted into reverse and backed under the covering attached to the side of the building. The bulk of the SUV blocked the narrow drive, leaving maybe ten feet or so between the vehicle and wooden privacy fence that had vines growing all around the tops.
I
