Harper thought it was a little anticlimactic as they pulled into the motel’s parking lot. No one was following them and nothing suspicious had happened. In fact, it had been a rather uneventful dinner, so much so that they’d taken the time for a piece of pie for dessert.

“So they’re all here already?”

“Yes. We’re to check in like normal. The guy behind the desk is a cop. The room we’re assigned will be between two already occupied.”

“And Reid will be in one, right?”

Harper smiled as she got out of the car. “Yes. And I think that’s the first time you’ve referred to him as Reid and not Detective Springer.”

Dani walked beside her toward the office. “That’s because I didn’t want to get too friendly with him.” She nudged Harper’s arm affectionately. “But you I can call Scout and get away with it.”

Harper laughed. “Please don’t call me that in front of Reid. He wouldn’t let it go.”

She recognized the guy behind the desk, but she couldn’t place his name. He smiled at her then turned his attention to Dani. No…he turned his attention to Danielle Stevens, she noted as he blatantly stared at her, his eyes traveling up and down Dani’s body in awe. Harper had to tap on the desk several times to force his gaze back to her. He cleared his throat before speaking.

“Welcome to the Eastside Budget Inn,” he said with a wink. “Looking for a room?”

He was playing his part well, but Harper wasn’t in the mood to reciprocate and she didn’t return his smile. “Key?”

He nodded. “Of course.” He slid it across the desk. “Detective Springer is in room twelve. Detective Hernandez is in fourteen.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Really? We’re in room thirteen? Thirteen?”

“What? You superstitious, Detective?”

“Yeah, I’m getting that way.” She snatched up the key. “You here all night?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be relieved at seven.”

“Good. Don’t fall asleep.”

“Of course not. You and Ms. Stevens have a good evening. We got the place locked down.” He cleared his throat again. “Umm…I don’t suppose I could get an autograph, could I?”

“No, you cannot,” Harper said sharply and led Dani out of the door. “And stay alert.”

Dani laughed quietly. “You were mean.”

“Yeah, well, he needs to take his assignment seriously.” She handed Dani the room key, then opened the back door of the car, taking out both of their bags. “He probably thinks he’s got a cushy deal going. He gets to ogle you for a bit, then sit in the office and watch TV all night as if he doesn’t have a care in the world.”

“Ogle me?” Dani laughed again. “Is that what he was doing?”