"When did she check in?" asked Sabrina.

The manager checked the computer. "Last Thursday."

We decided to stay for the night and I offered—like a perfect gentleman—to take another room, hoping, of course, that she would say "no need." She did, but only because she knew that her sister had rented a two-bedroom suite. I could have the other bedroom. I had to keep reminding myself of the purpose of this visit.

We let ourselves into the room and looked around. It was pretty devoid of Izzy's things; a single carry-on suitcase, a pair of shoes and a jacket in the closet, and a few toiletries. I kept looking at Sabrina, trying to get a sense as to her mood. Was she sad seeing her sister's belongings? But I saw no signs of sentimentality. It was clear there had been no love lost between the sisters.

"This looks like a bust," I said.

"Anything in the safe?" asked Sabrina.

"I'll see, but I'm sure the police would have checked that." In fact, the safe was open and empty. I shook my head and asked, "What now?"

"She was obviously intending to come back," she replied. "And quickly. She only had the room through Sunday, so I'm thinking that she set up the meet with you for Saturday and had a ticket to come back the next day. She wanted to get the information and leave."

"Hmm," I said.

"Hmm what?" she asked.

"Oh nothing." I hesitated for a minute. "I'm sure you've never had to do online dating, but I think for most people, the first thing they do when they meet their date is to do a quick evaluation of their chances to eventually sleep with them." I was blushing. I could feel the blood rushing to my head.

"That's not limited to online dates," she said. "That happens with regular dates too."

"I guess you're right. It's been so long since I had a date not initiated online, I kind of forgot. Anyway, my first thought about Izzy was that I had no interest in ever sleeping with her. Turns out, she had no interest in me. Kind of a blow to the ego."

"Have you evaluated me?"

I swallowed. I suddenly was very dry.

"You don't need to answer that." She turned away with a little smile on her face. Was she flirting with me? "And to answer your assumption about me and online dating, no, I've never done it, but don't for a minute think that just because I'm a little famous—I hate using that word—that I have men hovering all around me. I suppose I do to a certain extent, but it's not sincere, and it doesn't mean I'm interested in any of them. You saw it on the plane. People have a fascination with famous people. But you begin to question everyone's intent. I love being successful with my writing, but I don't particularly like the fame that comes with it."

"I hadn't thought about that," I said.