“Probably her cousins.” I gave her a reassuring shoulder pat. “Think no more about it.”

I thought about it. No hotel likes a male patron who invites women up to his suite, particularly in the evening. But any good house would rather have a dozen like such than one woman who attracts men to her suite. That’s bad. For business, I mean.

I knocked at the 21MM living-room door.

No answer.

I rattled keys.

A gruff bass voice: “Who you want?”

“This the house officer.”

“Miss Marino’s not here.”

“Open the door.”

“Hell I will.” He sounded tough.