I was running late to meet my wife for dinner. It was our 5th anniversary, we were due to spend the evening dining and then retreat to a pre-arraigned hotel room. I got stuck in a meeting longer than anticipated, and then the traffic was terrible.
My wife, Chris, had already checked into the suite and headed down to the lounge to wait for me. When I got there I left my bag in the room and went down to find her.
As I surveyed the lounge, from a darkened corner, I noticed a man in a cheap suit dropping a something into one of the drinks he had just purchased. The way he was dressed screamed detective; his activity screamed something else. I stayed in the shadows and watched. He returned to his seat in a booth near the hall to the bathrooms.
The man was experienced; the hall also leads to a door to the alley behind the hotel. If he suspected someone was on to him he could make an escape by heading out the door.
Let me introduce myself; I am Mark Edwards I am the chief of detectives in this town. I do not like it when someone tries to pull a fast one here. I stepped into the lobby to a point where I could see him and called for 3 of my best to provide back up.
After the call I headed back to the bathroom; as I passed the table I saw Chris leaning into a corner with the guy leaning in real close. This just got very personal.
As I left the bathroom I stumbled and fell toward the table, catching myself and rolling a little bit into the empty seat in the booth. I slightly slurred my words as I apologized for interrupting them and asked if I could rest there until my head cleared in a minute. I introduced myself as John, a machinery salesman from Chicago.
He introduced himself a Paul; he said he was here in town looking for a new job.