The Cold Kiss Read Online Free PDF Page B

computer until the power’s back, so you’ll have to pay for the room later. I’ll take down some of your information now, if you don’t mind.”
    I took the driver’s license out of my wallet and set it on the counter.
    “Minnesota, eh?”
    It was the worst attempt at a northern accent I’d ever heard, and I couldn’t bring myself to smile, not even to be polite.
    I stood and watched him copy my name and address into the notebook. While he did, I tried to decipher the tattoos on his arm.
    The ink was swamp water green and most of the detail was gone. The only one I could make out was a dark-haired woman bent over an anchor with one hand against her cheek in a classic pinup pose. The others were harder. One might’ve been an eagle with a flowing banner in its claws. The words on the banner were lost to time.
    When the man finished, he handed everything back and said, “A lot of times, a good night’s sleep is all someone needs. Maybe your friend will feel better in the morning.”
    ”You might be right.”
    “I usually am.”
    I motioned toward the radio on the shelf. “What’s the latest on the storm? Any good news?”
    “They say it’ll clear up tomorrow, but you can’t trust ’em. I saw a girl on the TV last night telling me we’d only get a few inches.” He pointed outside with the end of his pen. “Got to be at least six out there now, and it just keeps coming down.”
    “Closer to eight, I’d say.”
    The man shook his head. “I wouldn’t be surprised if that doubles before it’s done. These spring blizzards can get nasty.” He turned and opened a scarred wooden cabinet behind the desk. Inside was a pegboard lined with keys. He took one out and set it on the counter next to the notebook. “I’ll put you in building three, just around the corner. If you need anything, let me know.”
    I looked at the key and smiled.
    Number thirteen.
    “There are glass ashtrays in the room.” He took a box of milk white emergency candles from the shelf. “I’d appreciate it if you burned these in them and not on the furniture. And make sure you keep the flame away from the curtains or anything else that can catch fire.”
    “I’ll be careful.”
    “You need matches?”
    I told him I didn’t, but he ignored me and fished a half-empty matchbook out of his breast pocket and held it out. There was a rainbow on the cover. On the back, in neon pink and green letters, were the words THE MAXX along with a phone number.
    “Those should get you through the night. And like I said, let me know if you need anything else or if your friend gets worse. Just knock and I’ll hear you. I’m usually up all night anyway.”
    I thanked him then started toward the door. Halfway there I stopped and turned back. “What was your name?”
    “Butch Sollars,” he said. “U.S. Navy, retired.”
    He held out his hand and I shook it.
    “Real name is Emerson, but I go by Butch. Nobody’s called me Emerson since my mother, and I didn’t like it much then, either.”
    “I’ll remember,” I said. “And thanks again.”
    Butch nodded. “You stay warm out there.”
    I pulled my coat tight then walked out into the cold. I thought about what Sara was going to say when I showed her the room number and told her the news about the phones.
    All I knew was that she wasn’t going to be happy.

7
    I walked out of the office with my head down, shielding my face from the wind. The footprints I’d made on my way in were already half filled with fresh snow, and for the first time, the idea that we might actually be stuck seemed more like a reality than ever.
    I stepped off the walkway toward the car, then I heard Sara’s voice behind me.
    “Nate?”
    She was crouched against the building in the dark. Her legs were tucked into her chest and she had her arms wrapped around her knees. She was shaking, but when I knelt next to her and put my hand against her cheek, her skin felt warm.
    “What are you doing? It’s freezing.”
    “I