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One more roadblock treated them the same way, and by the time they reached the hotel lot, Sa islanders who glared at the van as it drove by Though nobody did anything, they could sense the ate, Sauard looked as worried as he felt, although there were no signs of a mob anywhere near the hotel—perhaps because it was located near the main police station

When they entered the lobby, the front desk clerk signaled to theave them a professional smile and asked the an obligatory sincerity suit

“Good evening, Mr and Mrs Fargo I’ your stay?”

Re’s been satisfactory”

“Good, good” Trench shifted nervously and looked down at his shoes “I wanted to greet you and introduceto say We’re advising our guests not to leave the hotel grounds The situation in town isunsettledand we don’t think it’s safe”

“Really?” Sam said “Then ould it be safer here?”

“We have extra security co that we expect any trouble Purely precautionary But it would be unfortunate if any troublemakers used the current uneasy sentiment opportunistically, and there’s always a faction” Trench’s Australian accent was crisp, but it was impossible to mistake his concern

“Do you really think there’s a risk?” Remi asked

“It would be better not to test your luck, for the ti under control, but I was here during the lastunrestand it got out of hand rather quickly A hotel down the beach was gutted”

“Right, but this is completely different, isn’t it?”

Trench nodded but wouldn’t meet their eyes “It always is, unfortunately Please Be our guest in the restaurant tonight I’ll be happy to provide a cone as an incentive”

Rene, Sam”

Saot a deal Do we need to make a reservation?”

Trench shook his head “Just let me knohat time you’d like to have dinner and I’ll take care of it”

“Sayseven?”