EXTRACT FOR
Love Hotel
(Faye Valentine)

Meanwhile, in a picturesque town some ninety miles away, Officer Cassie Cummings of the Emerald City Police Department was out on her daily patrol when her work cell phone vibrated in her pocket. Quickly fishing it out, she answered despite not recognizing the number. "Hello?"

"Please tell me this is the right number. Please tell me you're Officer Cassandra Cummings," a frantic female voice replied.

"I'm Officer Cummings, what seems to be the problem?"

"The problem is that fucking hotel and why you allow it to remain in business despite how many lives it has ruined. Are they paying you off? Is that why you just sit on your asses doing nothing while they torture and abuse hundreds, if not thousands of people?"

Holding back what was really on her mind, Officer Cummings replied in as calm a tone as possible. She did not even need to ask the name of the hotel in question as everyone spending more than an afternoon in the city knew the rumors. "I don't know how you got this number, but if you have a complaint about the Love Hotel then you can take it up with the owner. If you have an actual emergency you should hang up and dial nine-one-one."

"You're a cop! Your job is to protect and serve. Well, I need protecting and serving so do your fucking job and put them out of business!"

"We do not have the power to force people to shut up shop because you're not happy with the services provided. They've been investigated and have not been found doing anything even remotely illegal so?"

"So, you're saying it's legal for them to use and abuse their guests? Well, I suppose someone like you would say that," the caller scoffed.

"Meaning?"

"Meaning you're exactly their type. How much are they paying you to look the other way while they torture their guests?"

"I've never stepped foot in the Love Hotel and even if I did it wouldn't be any of your business. Have a good night."

"I bet you're a regular in their executive suits! I bet you let the whole staff screw you! That's why you refuse to do anything about it. You're their fucking property! I hope you rot in hell with them!" And with that the call ended.

Shrugging off the insults, Officer Cummings continued on her route for another hour before stopping for lunch at Ruby's - a local restaurant known for having the best burgers and ribs in a hundred miles. Unfortunately, just as she was stepping out of her cruiser her cell phone once again vibrated in her pocket. Seeing the same number as before, she answered fully intent on politely telling the woman she needed help.

"I'm sorry I went off on you like that," the woman apologized. "It was completely uncalled for, but in my defense I'm tired of no one taking complaints about that horrible place serious. If you investigated then you didn't do a very good job because there are entire floors of rooms used to sexually abuse the guests staying in them."