Page 120 of We Chase Shadows

‘But you took the money,’ says Ernesto.

‘To cover your friend’s lunch,’ says Tiggy. ‘Sorry, is there anything else? I’ll keep an eye out for the man with the eagle tattoo.’

Ernesto looks at her. ‘Is a bribe. The money.’

‘A bribe?’ says Tiggy.

An older man emerges from the office behind reception. His name tag says GAWAIN – MANAGER.

‘I’m sorry, is there anything I can help with here?’

Tiggy looks at her manager. ‘This couple just offered me a bribe to take a look at the names of all our guests.’

‘A bribe?’ says Gawain. ‘Tiggy, go on your break, let me deal with this.’

‘Do you want me to call the police?’

‘In time,’ says Gawain. ‘In time.’

Tiggy disappears into the back office. Gawain puts the money clip into his jacket pocket and ushers Rosie and Ernesto around to the reception computer. God bless the bribable.

‘We just want to leave a surprise in someone’s room,’ says Rosie. ‘Nothing more than that.’

Gawain shrugs and pats his pocket. He opens a window on the computer and Rosie scans the list of guests.

‘What should we look for?’ she asks Ernesto.

‘Often aliases are showy,’ says Ernesto. ‘Makes them easier to remember.’

Rosie scrolls down the list, but nothing stands out. There’s an Ezekiel. Is that showy? There’s an Adam. The first man?

Ernesto jabs his finger at the screen. ‘Stop!’

Rosie stops scrolling, but can’t see what she’s missed.

‘It’s not the hitman,’ says Ernesto. ‘But see?’

He points to a name.

ERIC JACOBS

‘Eric Jacobs?’ says Rosie. ‘You’re thinking?’

‘Jakob Eriksson,’ says Ernesto. ‘Keeping an eye on things as always.’

‘Jakob Eriksson’s even got an alias for his alias,’ says Rosie. ‘Room 413.’

Ernesto shakes Gawain’s hand. ‘Thank you. You are a terrible manager, but you really helped us out.’

‘You might want a key?’ says Gawain.

‘I’ve got no more money,’ says Rosie.

‘No need,’ says Gawain, handing her a key card. ‘I’m a big fan. Read all your books.’

Rosie takes the card. ‘Well, that’s lovely to hear, Gawain. How do you like the new one?’

‘New one?’ says Gawain. ‘You’re still writing?’