At around 7:00, the sun was still shining but beginning to set. Jim stopped the police car in a parking spot at the Travelodge and got out. He went to the trunk and put his belt with his gun and equipment inside and pocketed his keys. He opened the back door and assisted the Cathy, the prisoner in the backseat out of the car.
She was tall, blonde, and very attractive. Sexy, even. She was dressed in an orange shirt and matching pants. The shirt was marked on the back "Department of Corrections." Her hands were cuffed behind her. She had a nervous look on her face, but tried to hide it.
"Handcuffs and a motel on a first date, Officer? Moving a bit fast, aren't you?"
Jim didn't respond. He closed her door, locked the car and, holding her by her arm, walked her into the lobby. The desk clerk gave an odd look as they entered and approached the desk. Cathy tried to avoid eye contact.
"Can I help you," asked the clerk.
"I'll need a room for the night," Jim said. "Two double beds."
The clerk let a moment pass, unsure what to say.
"Um, can I ask...I mean..."
"I'm transporting a prisoner," Jim said in a monotone voice. "I need an overnight."
"Is she...dangerous?"
"She won't be once I have her secured. Can I have that room, please?"
The clerk began typing on his computer, his eyes inevitably drifting back towards Cathy and to Jim, no doubt unused to the events that were going on.
"That room will be eighty-nine dollars for the night," he said.
Jim took out a credit card and handed it to the clerk who swiped it.
After the clerk swiped it and keyed Jim's information into the computer, he handed the card back.
"What did she do," the clerk asked.
Jim put the credit card back into his wallet and looked back up.
"Is that really important," he asked, somewhat annoyed.
"I suppose not," said the clerk. "Just curious."
"Despite what this may look like, I'm just doing my job," Jim said. "And this woman has not been tried yet, so what she has or has not done is still in question. And with all due respect, it doesn't concern you?"
The clerk handed him the key card.
"Room 318," he said.
Jim took Cathy by the arm and walked her out of the lobby and down the hall. Two both of their annoyances, they weren't in the elevator alone and curious eyes stared at both of them on the ride up. Cathy still attempted to avoid eye contact. They exited the elevator and walked down the hall to the room. Both were happy that no one else saw them in the hallway. Jim opened the door to the room and led Cathy inside and closed the door.
"Thank you for what you said to the clerk," she said, simply and quietly.
"I didn't do it for you," said Jim. "It was none of his business."
He unlocked the cuff from one of her wrists and turned her around. He cuffed her hands back together in front of her.
"That will give you some freedom of movement," he said.
"Thank you," she said.
