Page 67 of Unburied

Mason looked at her, his expression serious. “He lied.”

Vivi’s heart felt like it would beat out of her chest. “Let’s go check on Tyler.”

They were mostly silent as they drove to the hotel where Tyler was staying, and Vivi felt a prickly sensation along the back of her neck. Something wasn’t right. The first thing she noticed when they pulled in was that Tyler’s car wasn’t there.

Mason noticed the same thing. “Let’s go check, just in case.”

Vivi hopped out of the truck and followed along quietly as they made their way toward Tyler’s room. Mason knocked several times, but inside everything was silent and still. Mouth set in a grim line, Mason turned to Vivi. “I’m going to talk with the manager.”

The hotel lobby was located on the corner of the building on the ground floor, and an older man occupied the seat behind the desk. “How can I help you?”

“I’m Mason Kane with Vantage Security,” he introduced himself. “My client was staying in room 204, but I haven’t been able to reach him for several days. Can you tell me if he checked out?”

The man seemed to consider it for a second. “Sure thing.” His fingers flew over the keyboard, and he shook his head. “He’s paid up through the end of this week.”

Mason turned to Vivi, his face unreadable, and her insides quivered. Where was he?

Mason drew in a deep breath. “Is there any way you can open the room for us? We won’t need to go in. I just want to see if his things are there.”

The manager finally acquiesced with a small nod, then grabbed up a ring of keys. They followed him back to Tyler’s room and stood off to the side. Mason’s arm settled low on Vivi's waist, tugging her close, and she leaned into him.

The manager inserted the key, and Vivi held her breath as the knob turned and the door swung open. Beside her, Mason swore as he took in the room. Papers littered every inch of the floor, and the mattress hung half off the bed, the covers twisted and lying in a heap next to it. The entire room had been tossed. But why?

Mason thanked the hotel manager, and they made their way to the truck in silence. Once inside, Vivi turned to face him. “Where could he be?” she fretted.

“I don't know.” Mason gave a little shake of his head as he cranked the engine and shifted into gear. “I don't like the way this feels. Someone was in that room, looking for something.”

“But what?”

“I don’t know. But it’s more important than ever that we find out where Tyler is.”

“Maybe we can get a hold of his parents, see if they've heard from him.” Vivi pulled her phone from her purse and brought up the Internet search bar. She began to type Tyler's name as she spoke to Mason. “Do you remember where in Colorado he's from? If I can…” She trailed off as the search populated results automatically.

Her gaze landed on a recent headline, and she froze.

Oh, my God.

She didn't realize she’d spoken out loud until Mason’s voice penetrated her fog of disbelief. “Vivi? What's wrong?”

She opened the article and skimmed the first couple of lines before lifting her eyes to Mason’s. “Tyler's dead.”

CHAPTER

THIRTY-SIX

Mason wrapped an arm around Vivi's waist as she hopped down from the passenger seat of his truck, then led her into Vantage, shielding her between his body and the building. He didn't think anyone would be stupid enough to try something there, but one could never know. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and Tyler and Vivi's questions had definitely stirred up a hornets’ nest of trouble.

Somebody obviously had a lot to lose if the truth came out, and Mason wasn't going to let him get anywhere near Vivi. One way or the other, they were going to find the truth. What happened to Russ, what really happened to Christine, and if that person was responsible for the incident at the bar last night.

He had texted Knox on the way to let him know they were stopping in and that Tyler was dead. Zane sat at the front desk, and he met Mason's gaze as they stepped inside. Mason tipped his head toward the hallway, and Zane vacated the seat, leaving it open for Vivi.

Mason moved to Zane's side as Vivi settled herself behind the desk. With all of them around, she was safe enough there.

“I need to talk with Knox. Can you stay here with her? I don’t want her left alone,” Mason said.

“Sure thing,” Zane replied, nodding his assent and moving to stand sentry next to the front door.

Vivi’s gaze was fixed on the computer screen in front of her, and Mason knew it was a coping mechanism for her. She was throwing herself into her work, trying desperately to forget about the reality of the situation. He didn't blame her at all. Vivi was no stranger to death. She had lost both of her parents at an early age in a tragic car accident, and now Tyler had died the exact same way.