Bonny Hopper walked out to the curb in front of Cedars Sinai Hospital and got into the cab that was waiting there for her. Thank God for James, she thought. I didn't want to wait around for a cab. Bonny was still unnerved by having had Herman Krause so close to her. She was really going to have to be extra diligent in noticing everyone and everything around her to prevent any chance meeting with him until she was ready to face it.
During the ride back to the hotel she revisited the conversation between Bunny and herself regarding Krause. Bunny felt that Bonny should face Herman down and get it over with, and Bonny supposed she was right. Herman had seemed to be genuinely contrite. But the thought of actually having to go through with meeting him and having a conversation about that dreadful experience two years prior made frissons of terror ripple throughout her body. It will take a little more time and thought for me to adequately prepare for that encounter, thought Bonny.
When the cab pulled up to the hotel, Bonny paid the driver and stepped out of the cab. She entered the hotel and swiftly marched straight to the bank of elevators situated at one side of the spacious lobby. Thankfully one of the elevator cars speedily arrived and soon she was entering her room.
Bonny threw her handbag onto the bed. She walked over to the dresser and, bracing herself with both hands, leaned forward to critically observe her reflection in the mirror. The disguise seemed to have succeeded; certainly Herman had paid no attention to her beyond a cursory glance in her direction. Thank the good Lord I like to read mystery novels, Bonny thought grimly. But now she wanted to get out of this garb, take a nice long, hot shower, order some dinner from room service, and lose herself in some silly movie until she unwound enough to sleep.
Mercifully when at last she fell asleep, exhausted by the events of the day, Bonny slept very soundly with no nightmare to disrupt her slumber. She did not awaken until she heard a knock at the door. Now who could this be? Maybe it's James; he's the only person besides Bunny who knows I'm here.
"Who is it?" she called out.
"Hotel Security, ma'am. May I come in, please?"
"Would you please slide an ID under the door? I hate to be so suspicious but one never knows."
Bonny quickly donned a thick, terrycloth robe and slid her feet into some slippers while closely scrutinizing the ID that the guard obligingly slipped under the door. It appeared to be genuine. Undoing the locks on the door, she opened it and gazed questioningly at the guard for an explanation of his visit.
"There's been a theft in the hotel. I'll have to ask you to step into the hall while I have a look around. It won't take long, I assure you. I'm awfully sorry to have to put you through this Ms. Cooper, isn't it? However, we have our orders to search every room."
Bonny silently blessed the foresight that had prompted her to obtain a phony ID for use in registering at the hotel. "Yes, I'm Ms. Cooper, she replied. "That's quite all right. Have a look around. I guarantee that I certainly have nothing in here that doesn't belong to me. I do feel a bit discomfited at having to stand in the hallway in my nightclothes."
"I am sorry, Ms. Cooper. I guarantee you that we'll have you back in your room in no time."
Bonny reluctantly stepped out into the hallway, watching as the security guard walked into her room and partially closed the door. Insides quaking, she leaned dispiritedly against the wall, her mind racing. I hope he doesn't find that bag and ask questions. I should have disposed of those things properly, but I never imagined that anything like this would happen.
Hmm, you could tell the dame was not just an ordinary everyday "housewife" type - discomfited; who used words like that! Stephen closed the door until it was only open a crack so that she didn't have a full view of his "search." Quickly he began to rummage through her things, taking note of the high quality clothing and the expensive luggage in the closet, and the sexy silken under things reposing in the drawers of the bureau. He even dropped down to the floor and scanned beneath the bed. Well, well, what have we here? Stephen pulled out a bag that had been stuffed there. The bag contained some clothing and a long red wig that perfectly matched the description, as supplied in Mr. Krause's note, of the items worn by Bunny Hopper's client. What do you know…old Hermie's instincts were right on. The broad was Bunny Hopper's long lost sis! He placed the bag back where he had found it, and rising from the floor, dusted off the front of the borrowed 'uniform' and stepped over to the door.
"Okay, Ms. Cooper. You may return to your room now. Please accept my apologies again for having had to trouble you."
As he walked down the hallway Stephen thought how pleased Mr. K. was going to be upon hearing what he had to say.
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