Page 45 of Sentinel's Kiss

Chapter 11

They got to the hotel in about a half hour. Josh went in to secure the room so she wouldn’t have to wait in the lobby with most of her clothes either sliced off her or in shreds. She couldn’t stop grinning even though her emotions were raw. All she wanted was a bottle of wine and a long nap.

But instead she had to meet with Harry and go over the shots he’d taken of the hunting lodge before the interview with Reynolds. Thankfully, Sentinel gave her some space. He said he was going to look for a decent place to eat dinner. She took the opportunity to take a long, hot shower.

She had expected to leave Pennsylvania with a good story. She hadn’t expected to leave with a boyfriend too. Maybe it was time for her to settle down into a more traditional relationship instead of just one-night stands and weekend flings. Sure, Josh had the stuff that would make her come back for more, but she wasn’t sure if they would be able to fit into each other’s worlds.

“That’s what dating is all about, dumbass,” she said to herself, wiping the steam off the mirror with the cuff of the hotel robe.

And the best part was she got to sleep next to the big hunk all night tonight. Grinning, she got herself ready to interview Peter Reynolds. He had been gracious enough to reschedule their interview. She just wished she could have connected someone on his membership list to the murder victims. Of course, the police detectives had already begun their investigation and she didn’t want to get in their way, but she wanted enough to keep the interest going and her ratings up.

Sentinel came back in time for a quick shower of his own. Afterward they drove out to the Poconos Hunting Club, where they met Harry in the parking lot. Sentinel surprised her even further by grabbing some equipment and helping Harry haul it.

“Thanks again,” she said.

“Not a problem. I found a Pennsylvania Dutch–style restaurant. What do you say to some chicken and dumplings or some pot roast and apple fritters?”

“You’re making me hungry.” She couldn’t help the flash of happiness that his smile brought out in her. “But are we sure we want to eat such a heavy dinner?” She winked at him.

“Good point,” he said.

The hunting lodge was set back in the woods, away from the parking lot, but it was well tended so she wasn’t tripping over loose stones. Unlike a lot of the lodges in the area, it was modernized and had a slick urbanness that made it stand out. There were a few men sitting on the porch, drinking beers. She saw a few shotguns propped up against the walls and frowned. Gun safety wasn’t high on their list, apparently. Ashley saw that Josh was scanning the area, and although no one seemed threatening, she was glad he was there for support.

Glancing at her phone, she saw she had a few minutes before the interview but she didn’t want to waste time setting up an introduction shot now. “Let’s set up right here after we talk with Reynolds,” she said to Harry in a low voice. “I want you to zoom in on the drinking and the weapons, just in case we need to slant the piece a little.”

“Got it,” he said.

Harry had been able to walk around yesterday with Reynolds’s permission and she thought she had all the exterior and interior shots they would need. They got a few raised eyebrows when they stepped up on the porch and into the lodge, but no one stopped them, especially as Josh took up the rear.

The main room of the hunting lodge looked like the world’s biggest living room, with wide leather couches and chairs. A roaring fire blazed in the fireplace even though it was eighty degrees outside. Various animal head trophies decorated the walls. She was pretty sure that the furs draped over the chairs and used as rugs were real too.

One of the hunters broke away from the pack and came up to them. Directing his comments to Josh, he said, “Can I help you?”

“I doubt it,” Josh drawled.

“I’m here to see Peter Reynolds,” Ashley answered.

The hunter looked surprised.

I guess arm candy isn’t expected to speak up.

“We’re here to do an interview with him. Do you know where I could find him? He’s expecting us.”

“Miss Carver?”

Ashley recognized Peter Reynolds as he entered the room. He was smoking a cigar and held a glass of amber liquid.

She moved past the hunter and shook his hand. “You know my cameraman Harry, and this is my friend Josh Lehmen.”

Reynolds shook Josh’s hand too. Harry gave him a nod because his hands were full of equipment.

“I saw the news segment. You’re Stan’s brother-in-law.”

She tensed, but Josh smiled good-naturedly and said, “I was.”

“Where would you like to set up?” Ashley broke in.

“Why don’t we go outside by the lake?”