Kathryn couldn’t think straight. Samuel didn’t know what happened in the crash, and he knew Bolin, whoever that was? And why did that guy gasp when he saw her? What was happening?
Kathryn grabbed the phone. She called Bethany.
“Hi, Kate.” Bethany greeted when she answered. “Is it so horrible you need to be picked up?”
“No, I mean yes. Well, I need to be picked up, but not because it’s horrible. I’m sorry you have to keep driving me places-”
“No, it’s fine. It’s fun, actually. I might be a taxi driver. Maybe I’m too chatty though. I’m comin’, don’t worry. Be there in fifteen, since I only left fifteen minutes ago.”
Bethany arrived in fifteen minutes exactly, not that Kathryn was counting.
“Thanks for the ride.”
“Sure, where we going?” Bethany smiled. Kathryn took out the folded paper and unfolded it. Diane’s handwriting was on it.
Florence Hotel
Napa
Room 312 under the name “Diane Hennigan”
“I guess the Florence Hotel.” Kathryn told Bethany. “In Napa.”
“Never heard of it. I’ll search up directions.”
They were well on their way to the Florence Hotel. Why? Kathryn didn’t really know. What had she said? ‘Already said too much, go to the hotel, nice casino, go swimming if you’re feeling mixed emotions, especially confused.’ Wow, that was so helpful. Not. Kathryn was confused. Maybe she would go swimming.
No! There were more important things to do. Kathryn was wondering if ‘go swimming’ meant something.
Maybe the missing piece was in the ocean? No, she did say the pool. Kathryn nearly fell asleep. It was late. She didn’t eat lunch, and lunch was hours ago. It must’ve been nearly dinnertime.
They didn’t arrive at the hotel until nearly six o’clock.
“Thanks for driving me.” Kathryn said as she got out.
“No problem. Okay if I stay here with you?” Bethany asked.
“Yeah, you’re dad won’t miss you?”
“Nope!” They walked in the large and extravagant hotel. It was bright white and had an entrance with large pillars, lights, and plants. They walked in the double doors and went straight to the front desk.
“Hello.” The woman at the desk said in a smooth voice. “Welcome to the Florence Hotel. Are you here to go back to your room, checking in, or on a spontaneous vacation?”
“Um,” Kathryn stepped forward. “I’m here . . .for, uh, room 312? Under the name Diane Hennigan.”
The woman typed something up on her large computer. “Alright, here’s your room key, Miss Hennigan. Floor 14. Remember to check out our restaurants, indoor pool and hot tub, and mini golf course. Have a nice night!” Kathryn and Bethany walked towards the elevator.
“Were we supposed to tell her you aren’t Diane Hennigan?” Bethany asked casually.
“I dunno.” Kathryn smiled. “Maybe we should’ve said, ‘Oh no, actually this woman who I barely know told me to check into this hotel, but she’s paying for it and everything, we’re just here for the night.’ Yeah right!”
They went in the elevator, which played a slightly aggressive symphony piece, then got out on floor 14 to search for room 312.
“Over there!” Bethany pointed. Kathryn unlocked the door and walked into the large room. Two beds with white covers and blue pillows filled up part of the room. There were two seats next to a large window that showed a beautiful view of the sky and lush ground 14 stories below them.
“Hey Kate! There’s clothes in here!” Kathryn looked over and there was indeed a dresser with piles of clothes in the top drawer and a note on top.

For whoever has decided to help
I assume you have the Book of Xag
I hope these clothes fit, and thank you for helping, whoever you may be
Small clothes on the bottom, large at the top, and medium in the middle

“Book of Xag?” Kathryn murmured.
“Cool! Our size is probably in the middle . . .” Bethany pulled out a tye-dye shirt. “Awesome!” She took it to the bathroom to change. Kathryn reached in and pulled out a blue swimsuit.
“Maybe I will go swimming.” Kathryn murmured. “Hey Beth? I’m gonna go down to the pool, okay?”
“Okay!” Bethany’s voice called from the bathroom. “Cool! There’s grapefruit-scented soap!”
Kathryn grabbed the suit and the towel and went down the elevator to the pool. She was confused, so maybe she should take a swim. But what was the book of Xag? Diane said in the note she knew they would have it. Was it the journal? Is that why Diane looked at the journal and said with the missing piece it would help?
She was feeling mixed emotions, so a swim would help, according to Diane. Kathryn reached the pool. There was no one in the indoor pool, except an old man leaving. He waved as he exited. Kathryn went into the bathroom to change, then stepped into the pool. It was warm. She dove it. The water felt good.
Kathryn felt that the bottom of the pool was bumpy. Looking down, she realized it was pebbles and stones of different colors. Mostly gray, but quite a few were purple and blue. Kathryn ducked under the water and opened her eyes. The water didn’t sting. She swam to the corner of the pool and was about to push off, when she felt something loose under her foot. Must be a loose stone. Kathryn thought. She dove under and felt around for the loose stone. She found it and easily pulled it out of it’s spot.
Kathryn inhaled the air as she came up out of the water. She examined the stone, which looked like a normal stone, purple and smooth. Kathryn remembered she was hungry. Not feeling any less confused, she got out of the pool and wrapped the white towel around her waist. She set the stone on the table, hoping an employee would find it and fix it.
When Kathryn got back to the hotel room, Bethany was eating some noodles on her bed, which was covered in clothes.
“Goshu shom noofles.” Bethany said with her mouth full. “Der buttery and delishish.”
“Thanks.” Kathryn untied the towel and something small fell out. Kathryn picked it up and saw it was the purple stone.