ROOM 408 PART - 4

ROOM 408

PART 4 — THE ACCUSATION

Maya had entered Room 408 at 10:16 that morning.

The privacy sign was gone, and the room appeared empty. She knocked twice, announced housekeeping, and used her key card.

Victoria was standing near the window when Maya entered. She had not answered the knock.

For one second, neither woman moved.

Then Victoria recognized her.

"Maya."

"Ms. Hale."

On the desk lay a leather folder with the name of Victoria's law firm embossed on the cover. A printed witness list rested partly outside it. Maya could see her own name.

Victoria closed the folder.

"You're working here now?"

"Yes."

"How appropriate."

Maya took fresh towels from her cart.

"Would you like me to return later?"

"No. I was just leaving."

Victoria collected her handbag but remained beside the desk.

"Tuesday will be unpleasant for everyone," she said.

Maya replaced the towels in the bathroom.

"I only have to answer the questions."

"Memories can be unreliable after two years."

"The records aren't based on memory."

Victoria watched her smooth the corner of the bed.

"You could still tell the attorney you no longer wish to participate."

Maya turned toward her.

"I could. But I won't."

Victoria left the room without another word.

Maya continued working. She did not know that Victoria had paused beside the cart, removed the bracelet from her wrist, and placed it inside the tote.

She learned that in the security office.

* * *

Two police officers arrived twenty minutes later.

Daniel gave them the bracelet, the security recording, the electronic key log, and the time of Victoria's complaint. Maya gave a statement. Victoria called an attorney before answering any questions.

As an officer led Victoria from the office, she stopped beside Maya.

"You think this makes people believe you?"

Maya looked at her.

"You were so afraid they might believe me that you did this yourself."

Victoria said nothing more.

Daniel waited until the elevator doors closed.

"You should take the rest of the day off," he told Maya.

"Will I still be paid?"

The question surprised him, then embarrassed him.

"Yes. Of course."

"Then I'll go home."

Maya removed her name badge and placed it in her pocket. Her hands had begun to shake now that she no longer needed them to remain still.

Daniel noticed.

"You knew the camera would show what happened."

"I hoped it would."

"And if it hadn't?"

Maya looked at the tote on the desk.

"Then I would have been the cleaner with stolen gold in her bag."