A Number, Not a Name

Collision Course

Jason and Tasha both laughed and made a dash for the front door. They stepped into the lobby and walked over to the front desk, where they were greeted with a receptionist's cheery welcome.

"Good evening Madam, Monsieur. Welcome to The Chardell"

"Hello, I'm Melinda Tylerson and this is Edward Delucas. We have reservations."

The hotel clerk opened the hotel's registry on the computer and scanned the list of names.

"Let me see, Tylerson...Delucas....Ah yes, you have booked rooms 202 and 204." The clerk retrieved the keys and handed them to Tasha and Jason.

"Here are your keys."

"Thanks" Jason responded as he took both of them. "Here you go, Melinda."

"Thank you, Edward."

"The bell boy will bring your luggage up to your rooms." The receptionist pressed down on the service bell.

A young teenage boy emerged from the curtains behind the desk.

"Yes, Mr. Perot."

"Henrie, take Mr. Delucas' and Ms. Tylerson's luggage to their quarters. It's rooms 202 and 204."

"Of course sir." Henrie bent down and grabbed their suitcases.

"Right this way."

"Thanks," Jason replied.

"Thank you."

Tasha, Jason, and Henrie began making their way to the elevator. As they walked Tasha and Jason took in the sights around them. The inside of the hotel was breathtaking, even more lovely than the outside of the establishment. The floors were made of stunning Carrara marble and along the walls striking paintings of various styles hung. Ornate gold carvings lined the windows and doors. Beautifully carved marble statues were also placed throughout the hotel. In the lobby, there was a fireplace in front of which a walnut victorian sofa, two-hand carved chairs, and side tables were placed. The hotel even had a spa, restaurant, exercise room, and pool.

Once on the second floor, the three of them first made their way to room 202.

"Here is your suite Ms. Tylerson," Henrie said as he opened the door for her.

"Thank you," she replied as she entered the room. Henrie followed behind and placed her suitcases on the luggage rack. He then exited the room and opened the suite next to it which was room 204.

"And here is your room Mr. Delucas."

"Thanks," Jason responded as went into the suite. Henrie entered and then also placed Jason's belongings on the baggage rack.

"Will that be all?" Henrie asked as he turned to Jason.

"Yes, that's everything."

"Of course sir. I hope you have a wonderful stay here. If you ever need anything don't hesitate to ask."

"Thanks," Jason replied.

"I'll be off then" Henrie turned to leave.

"Wait, before you go," Jason said as he reached into his pocket to grab his wallet.

Henrie turned back around. "Yes sir?"

Jason pulled out several dollars. "This is for you," he said as he placed the money in the boy's hand.

Henrie's face lit up. "Thank you so much," he replied, his voice full of gratitude.

"Don't mention it" Jason responded as he placed his wallet back in his pocket.

"Thanks again," Henrie said before turning and making his way out the door.

As he passed her room Tasha, who was standing in her room's doorway, called out to Henrie.

"Henrie!"

"Yes, Ms. Tylerson."

"A little something for you," Tasha spoke as she held out some money.

"Thank you. You both are so generous" Henrie replied, taking the money, his smile even wider.

"Thank you. You're very sweet. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day."

"And you as well."

Henrie walked down the hall toward the elevator leaving Tasha and Jason alone. Tasha walked over to Jason's suite.

"I must say these suites are lovely." Tasha said as she entered the room, "They're definitely much better than most places I've stayed. And believe me, I've stayed in quite a few places over the last couple of years."

"I know right. This suite is incredible!" He said, looking about the room which had a large window that overlooked the skyline of the city with mountains in the distance. There was a large mahogany bed with tufted bedding and a crystal chandelier that hung from the ceiling. The walls were lined with ornate wooden panels and expensive impressionist paintings. Jason continued, "It's not every day you get to stay in a hotel room with such fine works of impressionism."

"So you know your art?" Tasha said playfully.

Jason shrugged. "Somewhat I suppose. My mother loves art. She pretty much knows all the styles and artists. Everything I know I got from her," he paused remembering, "and from the two of us visiting art galleries together."

"That's very sweet," Tasha smiled.

Jason smiled as well. "Yeah, my mom, she's really amazing."

Jason stood there for a moment, as he suddenly realized just how much he missed her. Her smile, her laugh, the feeling of her warm hugs, nothing compared to them. It had been quite some time since he had last seen his mom and dad. He quickly snapped out of his reverie. There would be time to see them later for now he had to focus his whole attention on completing this assignment. Right now he couldn't afford to have any distractions.

"Well, I better go unpack and then get some rest. I'm exhausted." Tasha spoke.

"Sure. I was planning on doing the same myself. A seventeen-hour flight can really wear a person out."

"Yes, it certainly can. Sleep well, Edward."

"You too Melinda."

Tasha exited the room and closed the door behind her, leaving Jason to unpack his luggage.

.....

Outside The Chardell, a man sat in a dark car with tinted windows, listening to a woman speaking over his comms.

"Black Hawk, this is Red Sparrow. Do you copy"

"Coming in loud and clear" he responded as he glanced outside his car window.

"Do you have eyes on the targets?"

"Affirmative. The man and woman are now in The Chardell. I have eyes on them through the second-story windows."

"Very good. Continue monitoring their movements. If anything significant happens contact me immediately."

"Will do."

The woman ended the call and sat back in her leather chair. She glanced down at the photo on her oak desk. It was a picture of her and her father. She smiled as she thought of all the wonderful times they had shared together. Her favorite memory was of the two of them in his office playing chess. Every day she'd go there around noon. The chessboard and pieces would be all set up on a table in the center of the office, and they would play there for hours. He taught her everything he knew. He showed her that the game was not about luck but strategy. When to advance and when to hold back. How to know your opponents and anticipate their moves. When she was eight she thought he was only talking about the game but now she knew he was also talking about life. She shifted her gaze to the chessboard displayed on a bookcase to the left side of the room. She smirked. All the pieces were falling in place; it was just a matter of continuing to make the right moves. Whatever happened she still held the queen; she knew the players from the pawns.