“Good.”
She sat on the edge of the bed.
“Stay away.”
“What happened?”
Margaret told him.
Not emotionally.
Fact by fact.
No room.
Christian arrives.
Room available.
Derek.
Eight thousand.
Stolen card insinuation.
Bag search.
Room 214.
Daniel said nothing for several seconds.
Then his voice became very quiet.
“I'm terminating him tonight.”
“No.”
“Margaret.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because tomorrow exists.”
Daniel understood.
“You want to see more.”
“I need to know whether this is one bad interaction or a culture.”
“I think we already know.”
“I want to know how far it goes when nobody thinks the owner is watching.”
Daniel exhaled.
“Fine.”
“Tomorrow you arrive exactly as scheduled.”
“Ten thirty.”
“Yes.”
“Margaret.”
“What?”
“Lock the door.”
She smiled faintly.
“I've stayed in worse hotels.”
“You own this one.”