Page 30 of Serving my Dragon
“The clerk didn’t know. His English wasn’t the greatest but he seemed to think they might have been animal biologists. He said they had a bunch of equipment and a cage.”
I waited for my uncle to gloat that his theory of poachers might be right. Instead, he asked, “Did the clerk give you any of their names?”
Kayleigh shook her head. “No names, but he did recognize Sally when I described her. As for the other people we were with—several men, apparently—they cleared the rooms out a few days ago.”
“Around the time I found you wandering the canyon,” I replied.
Her head bobbed. “I asked the guy if he knew where they went but he didn’t have a clue. He did let me see the room, though, after I explained I’d been in an accident and didn’t remember anything.”
“Did you remember anything?”
“No.” She sighed. “I’d really hoped it would jog something loose.”
“When they cleared the rooms was Sally with them?”
Kayleigh bobbed her head. “She was and the clerk said it looked like she’d been crying. Makes me wonder if I was out hiking with them and had an accident where they thought I died. And then instead of sticking around, they decided to go home.”
I hated to remind her, but… “Or they had something to hide, hence why they’ve been faking posts on social media.”
“Sally wouldn’t hurt me,” Kayleigh huffed.
“Sally might not, but the group you were with might have. Maybe they threatened her and she’s the one who’s been posting to make it seem like you’re alive. At least until they’re out of the country and away from the reach of the authorities.”
Kayleigh chewed her thumb. “I guess that’s possible.” She blew out a breath. “I really wish Sally wouldn’t keep blowing off our messages. She could probably shed a light on why I’m here and what happened. If only I could call and speak to her in person.”
Honestly, seemed to me this Sally might not be the great friend Kayleigh remembered. From Sally ignoring messages, to posting fake images, those weren’t the actions of someone grieving the loss of her bestie. Then there was the fact Sally was associated with this group in the first place, which led to me trying to ignore the fact Kayleigh might have been just as involved.
Juan cleared his throat and asked, “Did the hotel by any chance have you fill out an emergency contact?”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, my goodness, you’re brilliant.” She went on tiptoe to buss his cheek before dashing back into the hotel.
Juan glowed a ruddy color as he growled, “We’ve got to keep her safe.”
“We don’t know for sure she’s in trouble.” But even I had to admit that mounting evidence appeared to indicate otherwise.
Kayleigh returned skipping, waving a sheet of paper. “I used Sally as my emergency contact and he gave me her phone number.”
I held out my phone. “Want to call her now?”
“Yes, please.” She dialed the number and when it was answered said, “Hey, Sally, it’s me, Kayleigh. Please call me back at this number as soon as possible. I’m in Peru and I don’t remember how I got here on account of having an accident and losing my memories. I really could use— Drat! Stupid voicemail cut me off.”
“Want to try calling back?””
She bit her lower lip. “I don’t know if there’s any point. I know for a fact she’s got her phone set to not even ring for unknown callers. We both do, to avoid spam calls. Same with texts.”
“I might be able to help with that,” Juan stated. “Give me your number and let me see what I can do about having it show the next time you call.”
Kayleigh gave him the info and we parted ways. We started the journey back to my house only Tío Santiago, Tía Carmelita’s husband, texted me to say I might want to avoid my house and to meet him at their place.
I called and asked, “Hey, what’s wrong? Why shouldn’t I go home?”
“Because the police came by looking for your guest.”
Chapter Ten
My initial reaction at hearing the police had come, seeking Kayleigh? Disappointment, because obviously someone had finally reported her missing despite Juan’s claim the police hadn’t kept a record of my call. Guess that meant she’d be leaving soon.
Then paranoia hit and I thought of Juan’s claim someone wanted to keep Kayleigh quiet. It led to me asking Tío Santiago quietly in Spanish, “Were they real cops?”
