Chapter 3

"Maria, are you okay?"

Maria heard detective James' voice asking. she started moving her fingers and felt the moist grass underneath her, so she realized she was laying on the ground. "yeah, I guess." She held her head "What happened?"

"You fainted in the cab."

"Oh God. I thought I was just dreaming or actually nightmaring if that's even a word." She got up a little "There was a dead body and blood everywhere, it was Jessica, the woman I told you about, I have her notebook" she paused scratching her head "Oh and there was this really creepy guy, he kept staring at me. This is just too much, I mean what if they trace her back to me and blame me for her murder because I have her notebook." Maria was distressed, she was talking none sense and way too fast.

"What are you talking about?" James was confused "First of all, You have a really strong alibi Maria, you weren't even there, so calm down." He helped her stand up "More importantly, she's not the woman you came here for; The body belongs to a Sierra Brook, not a Jessica"

"No detective, I swear on my life it's Jessica. I know I've just met her yesterday, but we sat next to each other for hours" She raked her fingers through her her "and, not to brag, I have really good observational skills!"

"Everyone here and her personal ID says otherwise."

"So you don't believe me?" She sounded angry "Well, I'll prove it to you."

"Don't be upset it's just my job to believe the facts that are right in front of me."

"I know, but it would also be really weird if she was lying to me. why would she even?" She shrugged

"Maybe she doesn't like talking to strangers. I don't know. All I know for a fact is that we have the dead body of a woman named Sierra." He gasped "Look I promise I will look into what you're saying, but for now, let's just keep this between us. Don't tell anybody else, cause the only explanation I can find right now for her to fake her identity is that she was hiding and I don't wanna put you or anybody else in danger."

"Ok, I won't." She assured him "Anyways, who are these people over there?"

"These are the guests who attended the party, all of them were there during the time of the murder. They can't leave before the interrogation cause..."

Maria interrupted "One of them is the murderer." She added proudly "Detective, do you know a place to stay here? Maybe a hotel, but the good kind not like the one we stayed at last night."

"Yes, downtown near the city hall and in fact, I hear it's a really good hotel," He said "but why are you asking? Aren't you supposed to be on the train to Twinbrook by now?"

"No, I'm staying. I can't leave now. What if the notebook has some kind of evidence in it. I can't leave unless I'm 100% sure that this notebook has nothing to do with what happened"

"Look, I know it may seem 'exciting', you investigating a crime, but this is not just one of your books," He tensed "this is real life and you're putting yourself in some dangerous shit Maria."

"I really appreciate the FATHERLY concern detective, but I'm old enough to make my own decisions and I'm staying. I just have a feeling that this notebook is more important that it looks." She turned away leaving
_______________________________________

Maria grabbed her luggage and took another cab to the hotel. From the first look she realized that it's definitely 5-star hotel that would compensate for her unfortunate night at "Creepy Town" or maybe Sunset was the real creepy town "after all I was welcomed with a dead body of a multi-named woman." she thought.

She entered the hotel gate, the doorman welcomed her opening the door and saying "Welcome to La Luna Resort miss." She found her way to the lobby and booked a room for 2 nights then she went upstairs to her room.

The room was clean, neat and beautfully decorated, it even smelled nice and fresh; the walls mostly made of glass the kind that allows you to see the outside, but still have your privacy. The room was overlooking the hotel's huge pool with the artificial waterfall. Morning sun brighten up the room which made it seem even more cosy. Maria walked to the balcony to look at the view and felt the warm sun rays tickle her skin allowing her to relax for a moment and forget about everything going on. She turned around and saw the huge bed that looked so comfy with so many pillows and even a complimentary chocolate bar on it. Maria just ran to the bed and jumped on in then layed down on her back slowly sinking in.

"Oh so comfy. Well, I can shower later, I'm gonna sleep first and then later I can take a look at the notebook and do my detective homework." She thought "Speaking of detectives, I need to talk to detective James, I was really mean about his 'fatherly' attitude; the man just lost his daughter. Oh my God, I'm such a bitch for saying so".

She removed the extra pillows on the bed and threw them on the floor, then she ate the chocolate bar because she was starving, but she was too tired to go to the buffet and thought sleeping would be better.

As she ate the chocolate, she remembered her first date with David; they were at a party and he was so nervous that he accidentally dropped the chocolate fountain on her white dress, she instantly fell in love with his clumsiness. "Oh crap! David, I forgot to call him." She grabbed her phone from her handbag and dialed him. As soon as she heard his voice, she smiled.

"Hey babe" He said

"Did you miss me?"

"Not really." David laughed then he continued saying "just kidding, of course, I did, so did you give the woman her notebook back? When do you arrive today?"

"I'm sorry, but you're gonna have to settle for just making out with your pillow for 2 more days." She laughed "You would never guess what happened today" she exhaled "Jessica, the woman I told you about, was murdered, the police says her name is Sierra, so apparently she's got 2 different names and I really believe that the notebook might have some important evidence," she paused "so I'm staying."

"What the hell Maria? There is a loose murderer and you might have proof he's guilty; you're definitely gonna be his next victim." His voice quivered "Give the police the notebook and leave. This is serious and I don't want you in any danger."

"That's so sweet, but I can't give it to the police, detective James doesn't want me to, it's a long story."

"Who is that guy? Maria please leave and come here, I'm waiting for you and I have a surprise."

"I can't; I already made up my mind. Look just count exactly 48 hours and I'll be in your arms. Don't worry babe, I can take care of myself." She paused Anyways, I really need to hit the hay cause I didn't sleep last night at all so talk to you later?"

"Ok, love you"

"Love you too"

Maria switched off her phone to sleep without any disturbances till she was fully rested.