The hotel pool was edged with a tall privacy fence and large stadium lights, but the lights were off. As they approached the gate, Patrick could hear the steady lapping of water and quiet laughter inside the fence. Out here behind the hotel, the sounds from the street and the city were muffled, faraway, and the lights from the parking lot were just pinpricks, like the lit windows of the hotel and the stars above. After the rush of people through their booth today, this solitude was a welcome change of pace.
At the gate, Carey knocked softly. “Hey, it’s me.”
His voice carried easily into the night. The only response was more laughter from inside the fence.
Carey raised his voice and rattled the gate. “Open up already, guys!” To Patrick, he muttered, “Sometimes I don’t know why I hang out
