"A key"

The phone rang. I fumbled in the dark for it. "Hello." I said into the receiver. I turned the handle rightside up and spoke again, "Hello."

Music played on the otherside.

I cradled the phone and turned the light on. It took about a second for my eyes to adjust. I got up and stumbled into the bathroom. I changed my mind, turned, walked back and crumpled on top of the bed. I counted to twenty. 'Might as well get up now Karen. You have things to do.' I got up and went through all my exercises. Push-ups, male style, sit-ups, calisthenics, and a stretching cool down. The clock displayed, "5:30 am." I put on some clothing, got my keys, and walked down via stairs to the front office.

"Yes, may I help you?" A gentleman said at the counter.

"Yes, Toothbrush and lotion."

"We don't have any toothbrushes, how about mouthwash?"

I ran my tongue across my teeth, smooth. "Okay, that'll be fine."

He stepped inside a partitioned area and emerged with four packets. Two mouthwashes, two lotions. I thought, 'A lotion packet for each arm.' The packets were small. He gave them to me.

I said, "Thank you." And went back to my room. I walked into the bathroom and started bathwater. Since I was not in a rush, I could afford another bath. Never hurts to be clean.

I washed up, combed my hair, finger brushed my teeth, and dressed casual and cool. I could dress no other way. All I brought was casual and cool. 'A trip to the store for me.' I said. The woman in the mirror smiled, I smiled back.

"8:00 am." I left the hotel and walked to the Ramada INN. I could see it off in the distance, maybe half a mile away. It was chilly, probably fifty-five degrees. 'Hope it warms up soon . . .' I stopped, 'doing a lot of hoping lately, Karen' I chuckled and continued walking.

It took about twenty minutes to get to the Ramada INN. Once inside I walked up to the Information counter. A young woman was behind the counter.

"May I help you, Miss?"

"I'm suppose to meet a Mr. Thomas Carter here, could you tell me what room he's in?"

"Why, yes. Miss . . ."

"Miss. Haggart. His Secretary."

She eyed me and typed something out on her computer. "I'm sorry, Miss. But Mr. Carter hasn't checked in."

"H'mmmm. That's strange. He told me to meet him here. Well, that just ruins my day." I acted miffed.

She looked at me.

I looked back. "Sorry, I guess I have to let him find me."

"Wish I could be of some help."

"Thank you very much. Could you tell me where a phone is?"

"Is this a local call?"

"I was going to call a taxi . . ."

"There should be several taxicabs outside."

I said, "Thank you." and walked outside. Four cabs were parked on the curb before the entrance. I waved my hand at them. The first one's lights came on and it drove up to me.

"Were to lady?"

"Do you know were the WINCHESTER Mystery House is."

"Sure do, its in San Jose."

"Good," I said getting in. "Take me there."

He turned his meter on and gun the engine. "It'll probably take 10 minutes."

"Great." I sat back and watched the traffic pass by.

Fifteen minutes later he stopped in front of a very large house. It was enormous. I looked at my watch. "8:50 am." Perfect timing. I paid the taxi driver. "Keep the change." I said and got out.

"Gee, thanks lady."

The house, no I take that back, the mansion was gigantic. Huge, overwhelming. From the brochure the WINCHESTER house was supposed to have 160 rooms, 110 of which were actually open to the public. A line gathered outside the ticket booth, I stood in it also. It shrank quickly, and within minutes I had a ticket. A tour started ten minutes later. We went through room after room. I saw stairs leading up to the ceiling. A lot of doors opening to a wall or floor. It was like carpenters and builders being possessed, having free reign on the house. Doing whatever strange whim overcame them. The group walked into another bedroom. It looked just like the other 80 rooms we walked through.

"Mommy, the tray is exactly like ours." I heard a little girl tell her mother.

"That's impossible," The mother started, "The brochure said, 'In 1884, a wealthy widow named Sarah L. Wincester began a construction project..."

The little girl tugged on her mother's dress. "Mommy look."

The woman looked up, squinted and said, "I think you're right. It does look identical to mommy's dinner tray."

The conversation went on for several more minutes. I examined the tray from a distanced. I had been looking for a tray similar to the one in the picture. When the tour group walked out into the other room. I stepped over the rope guard, and walked up to the tray. It was indeed new. I lifted up the plate cover and found a key, a note was under it. I took it before the next group walked in on me. As far as I was concerned the tour had ended. I placed the key and note into my purse and walked out of the house. Sometimes clues can bite you in the face. I flagged a taxi down, got in and said, 'Super 8 Motel, please."

The cab driver said, "Right'o" and stumped on the accelerator. I was back at the hotel in ten minutes. I paid this cab driver, got out and went to the room. Once in the room I collapsed onto the bed. The clock read, "10:07 am." I had at least two hours before I could even think about going back to the Ramada INN for the Tour. I got up, picked up the phone and dialed zero.

The operator answer, "Yes, may I help you?"

"Yes, A wake up call for 12 o'clock please."

'For 12:00 to 12:15. Will that be all?"

"Yes, thank you."

The phone clicked! I hung it up.

I pulled my skirt and top off. The nice cool sheets were inviting. I rolled over and read the note. "Bid two-thirds. Keep the rest. If more is needed. Throw in your amount. Will of course reimburse as usual? 043 786." The note had an address. Somebody had to have a lot of pull. A note and key in a tourist hangout. I suddenly didn't like the smell of this case. Too many ifs and possibilities. I don't like them. I have to admit, it does give a certain challenge, but I was in no mood for a challenge now. I rolled back over on my stomach, placed the note and key on the table, and closed my eyes. A good nap would make me feel better.