Beastly Winter — Chapter 20

Charles Humphrey looked from his motel office window through evening gloom at the crime scene tape across the blue door numbered 8. Two county vans had been parked in front most of the day, but they were gone now.

A fine sleet blew sideways in the gusting wind. Stubby firs at each end of the line of rooms were plastered dark gray.

It was unlikely any travelers would pull in at this late hour in this weather. After what happened here, he wouldn’t welcome anyone else, at least until he knew what had happened.

Mind made up, Charlie reached over and toggled the switch to light up NO VACANCY on the sign out front. After dimming the office lights, he went back to the window and gazed outside.

The sleet had thickened, tiny balls of ice swelling larger. Charlie was glad he had no need to venture out into their stinging midst. He had his small back room, furnished with twin bed and half-bath, for stayovers. Winter compelled more frequent use, and this was turning out to be one for the books.

A dark form, low to the ground, ran into the lane in front of the door he was watching. Coming from the right side of the building, it stopped next to one of the metal poles in front that prevented drunks from driving into their rented rooms.