The Reunion

“If you’ll excuse me,” he said, “I have to check in with the office.”

He got up, walking to the rear of the banquet room. He didn’t notice the waiters and waitresses were different from the ones who served them. The replacements were moving to strategic locations about the room. Some pushed small carts covered with tablecloths. Others carried trays covered by open napkins. They covered each exit and stationed people by the windows overlooking the courtyard.

Kevin opened the door to leave glancing at one of the men. He was shifting back and forth nervously from one foot to another. Kevin felt uncomfortable. The man was too nervous for a waiter. He left the room, heading for the lobby to complete his call and get back to the luncheon. He passed a Caucasian who looked familiar. He was walking with one of the managers, a pretty woman, and two other men dressed in hotel uniforms.

He reached the bank of telephone booths when he realized who he just saw. The man disappeared when Kevin was in grad school, but he remembered the family controversy about him. He now understood his uncomfortable feeling. He picked up the phone nearest him finding it dead. He picked up the next several, finding them in the same condition. He cautiously looked around spotting several people he guessed might be part of what was taking place. He found himself walking towards the stairs as calmly as he could. He made it to the lobby, again cautiously looking about. The people behind the desk were ones he hadn’t seen before. He noticed several people about the lobby he suspected weren’t supposed to be there. He quietly moved to the doors looking at his watch. He thought he might be rushing so forced himself to take an even pace. He hoped the people watching the lobby would think he was late for an appointment. Once outside, he realized his pulse was racing and his blood pressure was up. He needed to get to the authorities as quickly as he could.