Chapter 1: The Silent Approach
The morning sun was just beginning to peek through the curtains of room 417 at the Grandeur Hotel. The room, usually pristine and welcoming, was eerily silent. The usual hum of the city outside seemed distant, as if the room itself was holding its breath.
Maria, a seasoned room maid, knocked gently on the door. “Housekeeping,” she called out, her voice echoing in the empty hallway. When no response came, she used her master key to unlock the door. The sight that met her eyes made her gasp.
In the center of the room, sprawled on the plush carpet, was a man. His eyes were wide open, a look of surprise frozen on his face. A dark red stain spread across his crisp white shirt, right over his heart. A small, neat hole was visible - the unmistakable sign of a gunshot.
Maria’s hand flew to her mouth, stifling a scream. She had seen many things in her years of service, but a dead body was not one of them. She backed out of the room, her heart pounding in her chest, and ran down the hallway to alert the hotel management.
The news of the murder spread through the hotel like wildfire. The police were called, and the hotel was soon swarming with detectives and crime scene investigators. The guests were questioned, their statements taken. But no one had heard or seen anything unusual. It was as if the killer had approached in complete silence, leaving no trace behind.
As Maria watched the investigators work, she couldn’t help but shiver. The hotel, once a place of comfort and luxury, now felt cold and dangerous. The silent approach of the killer had shattered the peace of the Grandeur Hotel, in its wake, a chilling mystery.
Chapter 2: A Gun
Maria, still shaken from the morning’s gruesome discovery, continued her duties. She found herself on the eighth floor, four floors above the room where the murder had occurred. Room 817 was her next stop. She knocked gently, announcing her presence, “Housekeeping.” When no response came, she unlocked the door and stepped inside.
The room was immaculate, untouched. The bed was made, the desk was clear, and the bathroom was spotless. It was as if no one had stayed there. As she began to clean, she noticed a briefcase tucked under the bed. Curiosity piqued, she pulled it out.
The briefcase was heavier than she expected. She popped open the latches and lifted the lid. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw stacks of neatly bundled money. Beneath the money, wrapped in a piece of cloth, was a gun. It was sleek, black, and terrifyingly real.
Panic surged through her. She quickly closed the briefcase and backed away. Her mind raced. She remembered the man from room 417, the gunshot wound, and the silence. Could this be the murder weapon? Could the occupant of this room be the killer?
She knew what she had to do. Leaving the briefcase where she found it, she rushed out of the room and down the stairs. The police were still in room 417, their investigation ongoing. She approached them, her voice shaking, “Officers, I found something in room 817. A gun and… a lot of money.”
The officers exchanged glances before following Maria to the eighth floor. As they entered room 817 and saw the briefcase, the atmosphere grew tense. The quietude of the hotel was once again disrupted, this time by the discovery of a potential clue. The silent approach of the killer had left a trace after all, and Maria was at the center of it.
Chapter 3: The Drop Of Blood
Maria, her nerves burning like fire from the morning’s discoveries, returned to room 817. The police were busy examining the briefcase and its contents. She decided to continue her cleaning duties, hoping the normalcy of the task would calm her racing heart.
As she entered the bathroom, something caught her eye. On the pristine white tiles, a single drop of blood stood out starkly. It was small, almost insignificant, but to Maria, it felt like a beacon. She called out, “Inspector Loraine, there’s something else here.”
Inspector Loraine, a seasoned detective with a keen eye for detail, joined Maria in the bathroom. He crouched down, examining the drop of blood. “Interesting,” he murmured, “This could be another piece of the puzzle.”
He straightened up, turning to look at Maria. “You seem to have a knack for finding clues, Maria,” he said, his tone thoughtful. “How do you do it?”
Maria shrugged, her hands wringing the hem of her apron nervously. “It’s just bad luck, I guess,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “And the more I find, the more worried I become that the killer might come after me.”
Loraine gave her a reassuring nod, understanding the fear behind her words. “We’ll do everything we can to ensure your safety, Maria,” he promised. “Your discoveries are invaluable to this investigation.”
Chapter 4: Foot Steps In The Silence
Maria made her way to the ninth floor. The elevator ride felt longer than usual, the silence within the small space amplifying her own heartbeat. As the doors slid open, she stepped out into the hallway, her cleaning cart trailing behind her.
The ninth floor was different from the others. It was newer, less frequented, and at this hour, eerily quiet. Room 901 was at the end of the hallway, its door identical to the others, yet somehow more intimidating. She pushed her cart along the plush carpet, the soft whirring of the wheels the only sound breaking the silence.
As she neared room 901, a strange sensation washed over her. It was as if the air around her had shifted, grown colder. She paused, her hand hovering over the door handle. In the silence, she thought she heard something - a soft sound, like a footstep.
She turned around quickly, her eyes scanning the empty hallway. But there was no one there. The hallway was as deserted as before, the silence now feeling even more profound. She stood there for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest, the sound of her own breathing loud in her ears.
Shaking off the unease, she turned back to the door. “It’s just the silence playing tricks on you,” she muttered to herself, trying to calm her racing heart. She knocked on the door, her voice barely above a whisper, “Housekeeping.”
When no response came, she used her master key to unlock the door, half expecting another gruesome scene. But room 901 was just like any other room - untouched, immaculate, silent. AS she went into the room she heard the elevator doors slide open.
Quickly Maria closed and locked the door behind her be she could still hear the footsteps. Now they were in the room. But no one else was there.
She went about her duties. When she opened the closet door a body fell out. Like the one in room 417 this one had a bullet hole through the heart. But this time it was a woman.
Maria returned to room 817 using the stairs. Inspector Loraine was still there.
“There is another murder Inspector.” Maria Gasped.
Chapter 5: The Second Was The first
Inspector Loraine looked at Maria, her face pale and her eyes wide with fear. “Take a deep breath, Maria,” he said, his voice steady. “Tell me everything.”
As Maria recounted her discovery, Loraine’s mind was already piecing together the puzzle. The woman in room 901, the man in room 417 - two victims, both shot through the heart. But something didn’t add up.
He made his way to room 901, his experienced eyes taking in every detail. The room was immaculate, just as Maria had described. There was no sign of struggle, no indication that anyone had been there recently. Yet, the body had been found in the closet, a bullet hole through her heart.
Loraine knelt beside the woman, his gloved hand gently lifting her arm. Rigor mortis had begun to set in, indicating that she had been dead for some time. He remembered the man in room 417 - his body was still warm when they found him. The woman, it seemed, had been dead longer.
The gun found at the scene of the man’s murder was the missing piece. Ballistics would confirm it, but Loraine was certain - the same gun had been used to kill both victims. Yet, the woman had been killed first.
A chilling realization dawned on him. The woman’s body had been moved. After she was murdered, her body was hidden in room 901, a room rarely visited by anyone. The killer had used the room as a temporary morgue, buying himself some time.
Loraine returned to Maria, his expression grave. “Maria,” he began, his voice gentle, “I believe the woman was killed before the man. Her body was moved to room 901 after her death.”
Maria’s eyes widened in horror. The hotel, her workplace, had become a hunting ground for a killer. Fear gripped her, but she knew she had to stay strong. She was, after all, the one who had stumbled upon this horrifying mystery. And she was becoming an integral part of it. A key witness. But she didn’t know how or why and wondered if a moth knew why it was attracted to the light. Maybe she had a sense of the crime. A sixth sense she could not control.
Chapter Six: Where Are You Maid Maria
Inspector Loraine was left in the chilling silence of room 901, the echoes of Maria’s revelations still ringing in his ears. He needed to confirm her discoveries, but Maria was nowhere to be found. The usually bustling hotel seemed to have swallowed her up, leaving only an unsettling quiet in her wake.
Just as Loraine was about to call out for her, a porter appeared on the ninth floor, his face ashen. In his hand, he held a note. “Help Me, Inspector,” it read, the words scrawled in what looked disturbingly like blood.
“I found this in the service elevator on the parking floor,” the porter explained, his voice trembling. “I saw some blood, Inspector.”
Loraine took the note, his mind racing. The blood, the note, Maria’s sudden disappearance - it all pointed to one horrifying conclusion. Maria was in danger. The killer had taken her.
The inspector sprang into action, his every instinct screaming at him to find Maria. She had become more than just a key witness. She was now a potential victim, caught in the crosshairs of a ruthless killer. And time was running out.
As Loraine raced through the hotel, his mind was on overdrive. He needed to find Maria, to ensure her safety. But he also needed to catch a killer, to prevent any more blood from being spilled. The stakes were getting too high.
The hotel had become a labyrinth of fear and mystery Loraine hated mysteries. But he was determined. He would find Maria. He would catch the killer. And he would bring an end to the terror that had gripped the hotel. No matter what.
.
Chapter 7: Shadows on The Parking Floor
Inspector Loraine’s heart pounded as he descended to the car park on lower level one. The elevator doors slid open, and a muffled scream pierced the silence, “Let Me Go!” It echoed off the concrete walls, a desperate plea that sent a chill down his spine.
He stepped out of the elevator, his eyes scanning the dimly lit parking floor. A group of cars huddled near the service elevator, their shadows long and ominous. Among them, a grey delivery van stood out, its presence incongruous in the otherwise deserted area.
The scream had come from that direction. Loraine moved swiftly but cautiously, his every sense alert. As he neared the van, he saw shadows moving across the floor, fleeting and elusive. They danced in the faint light, creating a macabre ballet that made his skin crawl.
He reached the van, his hand instinctively going for his gun. The shadows had stopped moving, and all was silent. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he might find.
As he rounded the corner, he saw her. Maria, her face pale and her eyes wide with terror. She was bound and gagged, her captor looming over her. But she was alive. And Loraine was there. He had found her just in time.
There was no secret to shadows on the parking floor anymore. The hunter had become the hunted, and Inspector Loraine was ready to pounce like a starving leopard
“Give it up.” Loraine ordered but he was answered by a gun shot that zinged past his ear.
“I’ll kill her if you don’t give me the briefcase with the money.” A coarse voice bellowed.
Chapter Eight: The Briefcase Reveals Its Secret
The sound of sirens echoed through the parking garage, growing louder with each passing second. A uniformed officer, Officer Daniels, emerged from the elevator, clutching a briefcase. His face was stern, his eyes focused on the scene unfolding before him.
“Inspector Loraine,” he called out, holding up the briefcase. “I’ve got the money.”
Loraine nodded, his gaze never leaving the captor. The briefcase was filled with money, as promised, but it also held a secret - a notebook filled with codes. It was a risk, but it was one they had to take.
“Let’s make the exchange,” Loraine said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. He held out his hand, signaling for Daniels to approach.
As Daniels moved forward, the captor’s eyes flicked to the briefcase, a glint of greed flashing in his eyes. But as he reached out to grab it, there was a sudden movement. A switch. In the blink of an eye, another figure emerged from the shadows, a gun in his hand.
Loraine was caught off guard, his attention divided between two threats. He was caught between two guns, his mind racing to find a way out of the deadly standoff.
The captor laughed, a harsh, grating sound that echoed off the concrete walls. “Looks like the tables have turned, Inspector,” he sneered.
But Loraine wasn’t defeated yet. He had faced worse odds, and he wasn’t about to give up now. Not when Maria’s life was at stake. He glanced at the briefcase, at the notebook filled with codes. It was a long shot, but it was the only shot they had.
“Maybe,” he replied, his voice calm. “But this game isn’t over yet.” He tightened his grip on his gun, his eyes never leaving his opponents. The briefcase had revealed its secret, and now, it was time for Loraine to reveal his. The hunter was ready to become the hunted once again.
Chapter 9: Double Twist
Inspector Loraine grabbed the briefcase and ran for the elevator.
“We will kill the girl.” A voice roared angrily.
“Then you’ll never get your code book back.” Loraine shot back. “Let the girl go and you will get the briefcase. Meet me in room 901.”
Loraine, clutching the briefcase, made his way to room 901. His mind was racing, trying to piece together the puzzle. Something wasn’t adding up. Maria, the victim, was now the suspect. But why? What was her motive?
As he entered the room, he saw Maria standing there, her face a mask of fear and confusion. But there was something else in her eyes - a hint of desperation, perhaps even guilt.
“Maria,” Loraine said, his voice steady. “I know you’re not the victim here. You’re the killer.”
Maria’s eyes widened, but she didn’t deny it. Instead, she nodded, her shoulders slumping in defeat. “I didn’t have a choice, Inspector,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “They made me do it.”
Loraine frowned, his mind whirling. Then it hit him. The codes. They weren’t just random numbers. They were a message, a cry for help. Maria wasn’t the killer. She was a spy, caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
“But why the elaborate setup?” Loraine asked, his eyes never leaving Maria. “Why not just ask for help?”
Maria looked at him, her eyes filled with regret. “I couldn’t risk it,” she said. “They’re watching my every move. I had to make it look real.”
Loraine nodded, understanding dawning on him. Maria had been forced to play the villain in her own story, all in a desperate attempt to save herself. And now, it was up to Loraine to help her finish the game.
“And I am really sorry Inspector.
Chapter 10: The Maid and The Bodies Vanish
Inspector Loraine woke up with a throbbing headache, his vision blurry. He was at home, but he had no recollection of how he got there. The last thing he remembered was being in room 901, confronting Maria.
He quickly returned to the hotel, but it was as if the events of the previous night had never happened. The staff claimed to know nothing about any murders or a maid named Maria. Even at the office, there was no record of the call that had led him to the hotel in the first place.
Loraine was left in a state of confusion and disbelief. Had it all been a dream? But then, a few hours later, his phone rang. It was Maria’s voice.
“Thank you, Inspector Loraine,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude. “No one will ever know what you did, but I wanted you to know that you saved our country from getting caught up in an international intrigue that would have ruined us. Those codes, well… Goodbye and thanks again.”
Inspector Loraine hung up, his mind reeling. He stared at the ceiling fan as it churned round and round silently. The phone rang again. Another case. Another murder. But nothing would ever be like the silence of the briefcase, the codes, and the maid who vanished without a trace.
