They say three time’s a charm. Not today.
“Detective Merlin, welcome back.”
“OH JESUS!”
Detective Merlin’s heart skipped five beats when he got surprised. And it hadn’t been three steps since he walked into the Diamond Hotel. Even as an officer of the law, armed with a Glock 9mm in his holster – he was still human. He still cannot stomach jump scares in a horror film.
Merlin took a moment to lean against a marble pillar to catch his breath and turned to the one who came up behind him. “M-Mr. Hoffman, we meet again—Wait. Did you even go to sleep!?”
Hotel Manager, Karl Hoffman, gave small chuckle as he folded his hands in front of his suit with decorum. “Yes, I have. Thank you for asking. This is my evening shift, so I have well rested for the long night.”
“Wow. I mean, how can you work? Especially after what happened last night?”
“The circumstances of Liam Ferguson's passing is unfortunate.” Karl Hoffman bowed his head with a pause of respectful silence. “As much as I wish to take the day off to honour him, the hotel is still responsible for two hundred other patrons. It is our duty to ensure they are not troubled by the events as much as possible.”
“No rest for the wicked huh?” Merlin waved a finger at the hotel manager with a smirk. “They should give you an award, or even make you Employee of the month! Always on time. Like, I just got here and you greet me like I’m the master of the house.”
“The staff like myself are the eyes and ears of the hotel.” Karl Hoffman would bow his head. “We tend to the needs of our guests, all without disrupting their peace and quiet. And you are correct, we are more or less like butlers, only we serve multiple masters.”
Merlin clapped his hands at the hotel manager, adding a thumbs up. “Service with a smile. You guys get a 10/10 stars on my review!” A pause, then he got down to business. “You mentioned Liam Ferguson has been a long term guest right?”
“Yes. About a year long.”
“Being known to be a busy man, he must have a lot of friends or clients that come to visit him, yes?”
“That is correct.”
“Do you recall anyone in particular?”
Karl Hoffman brushed the cuffs on his sleeves. “It is not our business to pry into the privacy of our guests.”
“But didn’t you just say, you are the eyes and ears?”
“Yes. However, we maintain strict professional conduct. What they say, what they do, or who they meet exactly, unless the patron says specifically – we do not pay much mind.”
“...Hahahah...Efficiency. Yes. Alright uuh.” Merlin rubbed his hands together to come up with a new strategy. “Let me make it easier for you. Does Liam Ferguson receive any female guests?”
“Mr. Ferguson meets many people. Both male and female. I would not remember them all.”
“...Ah well. I tried, you tried. We’re both human. Hahahah. Even I don’t remember what I ate like an hour ago. Was it crispy chicken wings from a gas station or a box of sushi from a Japanese take out. Hah!...” Merlin clapped his hands and looked around. “...Welp that’s all the question I have. I should be reporting back to the station. Or else my boss will eat my badge for dessert. Hahahahahaha—Buh-bye.”
“Thank you for your time.” Karl Hoffman would give a deep bow as the detective laughed and walked out of the revolving door.
Once out of sight, Karl Hoffman straightened to his full height and adjusted his suit. And went about his duties. The hotel manager walked to the front counter, checking several things with his subordinates and management assistant. Then, he went straight into a room in the back.
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A security booth, commandeered by several guards in uniforms. They all had their eyes glued to tens of hundreds of cameras. Each screen broadcasting a live feed of the hotel lobby, hallways, cafe, to even the back stairs and fire escape. Karl Hoffman stood behind the men, instructing them to check on certain guests, zoom into any suspicious activity and--
“Oh by the way Mr. Hoffman. I—Oooooooooh. I get it now.”
Karl Hoffman jumped at the sudden noise behind him!
He turned to see Detective Merlin pushing through the door, not a sound as he let it go to close automatically. Merlin eyed the many cameras, examining the contents. His presence alerted the guards and they rose...only to sit back down when Merlin flashed his police ID to them.
“Aaaah.” Merlin cooed as he walked up to the screens, hands on his hips. “So that’s your trick.”
The hotel manager relaxed and adjusted his suit. “My trick sir?”
“Yeah. When you found me walking into Liam’s room earlier this morning, and when I just came in. That’s the secret, you have eyes on everyone. And here I thought you were a precog. Disappointeeeeeeed!...Joke, joke.”
Karl Hoffman chuckled. He patted a security guard on the shoulder, to get him to focus on several cameras, and approached the detective. “As a hotel manager, administration, staff management, guest coordination, as well as security fall under my responsibility. I cannot slack off, or else I would jeopardize the comfort and safety of the patrons.”
Merlin nodded with respect and gave the manager a thumbs up, make it two thumbs up. “Well I assume you always have eyes on everyone who walks in, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then surely you would have seen three particular women who often visited Liam Ferguson.”
“Not really no.”
Merlin produced a series of photos on his phone to help with the following description. “Barrister Amelia: pretty and spiffy lawyer lady; you personally acted as her valet; came three days ago...
...Madame Belle, super famous YouTube celebrity dancer, exotic blue dress that shines like a walking mermaid; you opened the lift for her; came in four days ago....
...Then you got Mrs. Cambridge, lady as rich as the Kardashians; your hotel don’t allow doggos, yet she said you personally smuggled her puppers up the staff elevator; five days ago... Ring any bells?”
Karl Hoffman glanced at the photos and would take a moment to look around himself. Then he would gesture Merlin to bring him into a corner of the security booth, the only space for privacy. After pushing a finger to adjust his glasses, he spoke in a whisper.
“When you put it like this, there may have been a chance I ran into them.”
“Come on Mr. Manager. Why so secretive?”
“As you may know, the staff at any hotel are bound to client confidentiality. I am not at the liberty to discuss private details without the consent of the person involved.”
“Even if it involves a murder?”
Karl Hoffman then replied, “The same rule applies in a medical setting, don’t you agree?”
Merlin laughed with a shrug, “You got me there. Do you know what they visit Liam Ferguson for? Business...or pleasure?”
“If they say business, who am I to question the customers?”
“Let me rephrase: did you see any of these three women show up at the hotel on the day of Liam’s murder. Before and or after his body was found?”
“The only woman who visited Liam that day was the one you arrested last night. Miss Roads.”
“...How many times has Tessa Roads visited Diamond Hotel?”
“I met her for the first time yesterday. She asked about the coffee shop, in which they do not operate in the night, and I took her to see Mr. Liam. I recall she was rather nervous, troubled, but I never asked what was the matter – I did not want to be rude. Otherwise, I am not aware if my colleagues have seen her before. If you like, I can ask around for you.”
“Nah. All good. It be pointless anyhow, because I need to know who came to see Liam when he died. And it happened at night, not the morning so. Eh.”
“Any further questions detective? I am due to make my rounds.”
“...I think that’s it really. Nothing more to say. You’re so thorough!” Merlin swung his arms back and forth, playing patty cake with himself front and back. A nod and he retreated for now, but asked one more question as he grabbed the door knob. “By the way, I want your honest opinion: you really had no idea what those three women have been doing to Liam, do you?”
Karl Hoffman returned a shrug, “Diamond Hotel has seen many things in its year. Many of which – I am in no position to judge. I simply carry out my due diligence to the operations of this hotel. I see no reason to be nosy of the fine details behind their doors.”