Carlos Alvarez did not interview new hires, as rule. His management staff conducts the interviews. Lenore Collins applied for a job as a bartender, passed her background check and showed up on time for the schedule interview. Carlos happened to be in the manager’s office when she was escorted in. His first thought was that Elenora had returned, but he knew that was impossible. He took an appreciating look at the woman, she showed no reaction, Carlos decided to sit through this interview. She intrigued Carlos, this Lenore Collins. An intelligent, goal driven woman, unaware of her own attraction, determined, and with principles. There was no doubt in Carlos’ mind she would walk out if anyone crossed the line she drew. He hired the woman on the spot, and she started that night.
For six months, Carlos kept an eye on this fascinating creature. Flirt, men did, but Lenore took it all in stride giving no encouragement. If a man crossed her invisible line, Lenore Collins confronted him herself, there was none of this running to management. It was her place to put the offender firmly in his place. And that she did, in a voice so sweet and smooth, Lenore Collins told the offender to go to hell and in such a way the man enjoyed the journey. If the offenders complained to Carlos, he informed them that Lenore Collins was off limits. The word soon circulated through the club that the bartended was under Carlos’ protection. After a few weeks, the beautiful bartender had developed a following of patrons who considered it their duty, if not their privilege to sit at the bar and stand ready to rebuke any man who got out of hand.
Carlos Alvarez decided this woman would be his next mistress, but he knew it would not be easy to win that one over. He steadily avoided any contact with her she might misconstrue as an advance. He needed to win her respect and trust, then he could begin his subtle seduction. The process would be lengthy, but Carlos knew he would win Lenore Collins over. Carlos Alvarez was very aware that women found his good looks, charms, and wealth hard to resist. Also, he had yet to have a woman he did not please as a lover. Lenore Collins would succumb, it was inevitable. Carlos didn’t want her heart, just her body and companionship. H buried his heart with his wife Elenora and the child she died giving birth to, his son.
Lenore showed up for work on time, six days per week for six months, the only exception, one long weekend she flew home to be with her father for his birthday. Three days ago, Carlos returns from a trip to Miami and found Lenore absent from work. Why? She quit. Why? Your brother, sir. Luis Alvarez, his younger brother, ruined everything. Luis returning home from a trip two weeks ago fell for Lenore at first sight. He waited for a chance to approach her. For the first time in his adult life, a woman rebuffed Luis Alvarez. A bartender, at that. Furious, Luis played the boss card, calling the lovely bartender in his office and offering her the ‘honor’ of serving as hostess for one of his private parties. Lenore refused, not her job description she told him. Luis cornered the woman and insisted if wanted to keep her job, it was very much her job description. He had tried to kiss her, receiving a slap in return. Lenore then walked straight to the club manager’s office and quit. The two brothers had a terrible row. Luis stomped out of the club; Carlos had a stiff drink and hoped his brother had not brought more trouble down on Club Nocturno. Oh well, there will be other women to pique his interest, Carlos thought. He resolved to forget the woman.
Until now, that is, when Carlos comes to this hick town to complete a business deal and finds Lenore Collins here, also. He knew of course that Hylton is her hometown. He knew everything about the woman. All potential employees undergo a background check before their final interview at Club Nocturno. Still, Carlos had not expected seeing the woman again this soon. Not usually an impulsive man but always ready to take advantage of opportunistic moments, Carlos threw caution to wind. A woman of honor such as Lenore Collins is more likely to accept an apology and a reassurance that Luis will not trouble her again than money. Carlos was not surprised when the woman, fully understanding the meaning behind his offer of monetary compensation, firmly declined the bribe. Her refusal only added to his admiration of the lovely bartender. It disappointed him that she refused to return to work at his club. The woman had already shaken the proverbial dust form Club Nocturno from her sandals.
The relator, Bethany Allan, was concluding her business call. Carlos rerouted his thoughts to the woman and inquired if the mayor agreed to a change of time for their meeting today.
“Oh yes, Mr. Alvarez. Mayor Andrews will rearrange his schedule to accommodate yours.” Bethany smiled. “I do hope we can come to an understanding with the Mayor this morning.”
“I am sure we will, Ms. Allan.” Alvarez gave her his signature smile.
Really, the woman was too much. The fluttering of her eyelashes at him and that syrup sweet voice did nothing for him at all. She was not his type, and this is a business meeting. Carlos enjoyed his women, but business came first.
Alvarez found this Kentucky town quaint. When one is accustomed to cities such as Miami, New York, Los Angeles, London, and Paris, Hylton compared more with a village. It is no surprise then that he chose to stay at the Port City Casino Resort. He would meet with the Mayor in a private dining room at the Casino. Not that Port City itself was any more sophisticated than Hylton, indeed the town was even smaller, but the casino offered entertainment and luxury accommodations. Alvarez did have his standards and this place was a low as the man would stoop. The sooner he returned to New York the better.
Alvarez sat through the excoriating painful meetings with his two attorneys and Brad Andrews hearing little of what they discussed. His attorneys knew his wishes, had their orders, and will complete the deal to his satisfaction. Alvarez had other business interests needing his attention more than this land deal, but his attorneys insisted his presence would be a good will gesture, otherwise he would not have left his New York penthouse to come here. Now, Alvarez was sitting in a useless meeting, occasionally smiling, and nodding at this wannabe political bigwig. Andrews is nothing but a big fish in a small pond. Alvarez dealt with big sharks in the ocean of politics regularly, an ocean with predators that will eat this mayor alive if he ventures in. Alvarez was not impressed with Andrews successes in business either. Hell, the man had no successes; Andrews was content to rest on the laurels of his forefathers’ success. If one wants to be a multimillionaire, you must take chances and risk failure here or there to expand your horizon and your bank account. Ruthlessness and balls are what it takes to succeed in the world of Carlos Alvarez and Brad Andrews had neither. Still, the man was eager and easily manipulated. Carlos could deal with the mayor as long as Andrews is still useful to him.
The realtor had been an easy mark. In a troubled marriage, struggling to prove herself in business, Bethany Allan fell right into his pocket. Carlos and his brother had seen potential in this Kentucky town given its proximity to the casino. Casino gambling is in the future for the state, Carlos did not doubt this. The brothers decided to buy up land cheap and then resale to developers at a profit. The plan worked smoothly despite the necessary trips to Hylton. Soon, the town will have its new hotel with a private penthouse suite on the upper floor built to his specifications. Carlos did not like roughing during business trips.
Alvarez longed to be on his private jet approaching La Guardia airport and civilization once again, his business here over. Luis may like Kentucky with its horseracing and thoroughbreds, but Carlos had other interest. He preferred fine antiques, art work, and music not found in this Bluegrass state. He did not consider himself a snob, but a man of refined taste and style. The only beauty Carlos found in this state has been the lovely bartender with the chestnut brown hair and whiskey eyes. She did not belong here in this small town. Such a woman belonged in New York, Madrid, Paris; not Hylton, Kentucky. Carlos regretted he would never show her those places or know the depths of the passion he was sure lay waiting to be awaken in her. There will be other women, he reminded himself, there always was. Those women were content to share his bed and have lavish gifts shower upon them. Lenore Colli
ns was much like his Elenora, an all of you or nothing type of woman. It is best this way; Lenore Collins might have proven too much of liability for him. While he enjoyed a woman with spirit, Carlos needed a woman loyal only to him not her private ethics and family loyalty. But he could not rid his mind of the vision of the woman with whiskey eyes.
A barely audible sigh of regret escaped Carlos as he pulled up a picture on his cell phone, one taken of his beautiful wife years ago. My own Elenora, I miss you so.
Bethany Allan, sitting to his right, had seen Mr. Alvarez looking intently at his phone. Engaging her mouth before her brain, Bethany remarked. “Why you have a picture of Lenore Collins. How do you know her, Mr. Álvarez?”
Alvarez clicked his phone off, glaring at the nosy woman. “My personal life is none of your concern, Ms. Allan.” He could not get out of this room and back to New York quick enough.
An impatient Carlos Alvarez was not happy therefore, when Mayor Andrews received a phone call from Chief Preston of HPD.
“Be brief Preston,” Andrews told Doug Preston curtly, swiveling in his chair so his back faced the group at the table. “I informed you earlier I will be in an important meeting most of the day.”
Chief Doug Preston did not like the new mayor for several reasons. Primarily, was the man’s attitude towards HPD. The mayor made no secret of the fact that he considered the police department and its employees a group of overpaid and incompetent people. Preston knew his officers to be highly trained and his detective squad topnotch. Since taking office in January, Andrews had cut the department’s budget forcing a decrease in patrols, even in high-risk neighborhoods; he put a freeze on the hiring of officers and promotions with raises. The new mayor did not renew the contracts with Dr. Paige Nelson, the Forensic Psychologist who functioned on a part-time basis as department psychologist, and Julie Evans, Forensic Artist. Mayor Davis had provided Julie with reduced rent for an unused office in the building housing HPD, in return, Julie charged nothing for her work as forensic artist. Julie Evans wasted no time in finding a fulltime job elsewhere. Dr. Paige Nelson agreed to work as needed if she is available and told the new mayor to expect to pay her usual fee, not to expect any discounts. Dr. Nelson enjoyed her work with HPD, but the psychologist was in high demand, and she soon had jobs offers from other agencies, as well as her private consultation firm. Officers complained of an increased work load and no raises. Citizens complained about decreased police presence, increased response times, and increased in vandalism.
Andrews is also an arrogant, overbearing foot-licker; a fork tongued politician, in Doug Preston’s opinion. He had no liking at all for that type person. Preston, now a short-timer, had no qualms interrupting the mayor’s important meeting with a rich investor. The shortsighted mayor did not realize or care that a strong, involved police department made for a safer city. Safer cities draw more investors and more people. Doug Preston shouldn’t care. The mayor wants fresh ideas in the police department he told the press the day he took the oath of office, this meant new leadership. Preston made his decision that day after careful consideration and a long discussion with his wife. Doug joined HPD just after his twenty-fifth birthday, after thirty-five years with the department, he will retire at this end of this month. Mayor Andrews had yet to appoint a new chief of police.
“You are the one who wished to be called before any statements are issued to the press regarding matters of import,” came Preston’s acerbic reminder. “Otherwise, I would have waited to let you hear the NEWS AT 6 tonight.”
“Get on with it, Preston.” Andrews insisted, gritting his teeth.
“A recently dug grave was discovered on the old Twin Maples property last night during the search for a missing person. The ME completed his autopsy of the male victim CSI recovered. The victim happens to be a missing FBI agent working undercover in the area. The Feds are on their way.” Preston knew it was not professional, but he took pleasure in imaging the look of dismay and annoyance that will be on Andrews’ face after the news. “The man we issued Golden Alert on yesterday evening has been found also. He was in a secret room in the old manor house, suffering from head trauma. EMS transported Mr. Collins to St. Raphael Hospital in critical condition.”
“The FBI?” Andrews asked, forgetting the presence of the others around the meeting table. “Who is your lead detective on this case?”
“Detective Shane Travers,” Preston told him. “He and a K-9 unit came upon the grave last night while searching for Mr. Collins.”
“We will have a press conference later this evening and I want Travers there since he will be lead detective on the case.” Andrews ordered. “I want complete transparency with this, Preston. I want to meet with the FBI agent in charge also.”
“Mayor, my department has nothing to hide. It’s the FBI you need to be concerned with. They do not take having agents killed in undercover operations lightly.” Preston rang off. Andrews acted as he, not Doug Preston, is Police Chief. Why, when it came to law enforcement, the man did not know his ass from a hole in the ground.
Andrews swivel his chair around to face the group once more. Curious faced stared at him expectantly.
“I apologize for the interference, Mr. Alvarez. That was my Chief of Police.”
“Did they find Mr. Collins, Chief Preston?” Bethany asked.
“Yes, Ms. Allan. He is not doing well, I am afraid.”
“Did I hear you mention the FBI?” one of the attorneys inquired.
“Nothing to be concerned with, sir. They need HPD’s help with an issue;” Andrews explained, “a dead body and a missing FBI agent. I have planned a press conference for this afternoon.”
Alvarez drew his brows together. “Where was Mr. Collins discovered, Mr. Andrews?”
“On your property at Twin Maples.” Andrews informed him. “Back to our business gentlemen and Ms. Allen. Are we agreed on the terms then Mr. Alvarez? The city of Hylton will sell you the discussed property to the east of Sinking Creek at the agreed upon price. You will make improvements before the end of this year once the access road is prepared. The city will of course provide tax credits and guarantee easements as discussed.”
“That is correct, Mr. Andrews,” one of Alvarez’s lawyer replied after receiving a nod from his client. “The city is to the access road within sixty-days or the contract void.”
“It is a deal then,” Andrews smiled smugly. “Mr. Alvarez, the city council will want to review the plans of your hotel before construction starts. Makes the citizens feel they have had a say in the process.
Alvarez annoyance at this man flared, ignoring the man he addressed the city’s attorney.” “Have the necessary paper work drawn up. My attorneys and Ms. Allan will complete this transaction at their convenience. If you will excuse me, I have other matters to attend. Good day, Mayor Andrews, Ms. Allan.
A smug Mayor Andrews smiled at the retreating form of the man. Alvarez thought himself such a shrewd business man. The man did not even try to negotiate a better deal. Andrews turned to the attorneys and relator, his triumph hard to disguise. This day could only get better. He would honor the invitation to dinner he extended to the sexy realtor, it is the right thing to do as she is Alvarez’s agent. His after-dinner plans for the woman had changed, though. Darcy Cole had arrived in town early this morning. He could not conclude his dinner date with Ms. Allan too soon.
Chapter 11
Lenore’s ride to the emergency room in the ambulance transporting her father seemed a lifetime to the distraught daughter. She heard the cacophony of sirens and saw the flashing of lights as if in a dream from afar. The EMT driving said little focusing on weaving in and out of the maze of traffic. Lenore, relieved not to have to answer further questions, sat in silence with her hands clenched and worry for her father gnawing at her. Except for an occasional cold or sinus infection, Lenore had never seen her father ill. He was always the strong one, kissing her boo boos, carrying her upstairs to the bed when she broke her leg, soothing her fea
rs telling her everything will be okay. Now, her father is lying behind her, strapped to a stretcher with some monstrous looking thing around his neck, needles in his arms, and a tube in his throat attached to a bag shaped liked a football squeezed by a paramedic. It is her turn to be strong for him now, she realized, and Lenore Collins did not feel up to the task. An adult Lenore said you can do this, but the childhood memory of twenty years ago when they put Mr. Paul on a stretcher and took him away by an ambulance never to return played in her anxious mind over and over.
The paramedics wheeled the stretcher carrying her father in a brightly lit room when they at last arrived at the hospital, equipment lined the walls. Lenore was vaguely aware of someone asking her questions about her father while staff surrounded her father. The room housing Lenore’s father was overflowing with staff; nurses, techs, phlebotomist, X-ray, EKG, respiratory therapist, and a doctor all worked as one on James Collins. She heard voices calling out commands as the paramedics transferred their patient to Emergency Department larger stretcher. A voice at her side reassured Lenore that the staff will take care of her father. She turned and regarded the owner of that voice momentarily. Realizing the man at her side is the same EMT that drove the ambulance, Lenore thanked him with a weak smile for the help he and his partners provided.
The machines and monitors attached to her father beeped in tandem. The atmosphere was urgent but controlled. A doctor gave orders, a nurse repeated them. For them taking care of the patient was routine. Lenore sensed an underlying current of compassion throughout the room. This could be one of their own family members. Standing there alone watching the scene, Lenore felt alone and more than a little scared, until someone touched her arm gently. She did not have to look to know it was her friend Shane Travers.
With CSI now in charge of the scene at Twin Maples, Shane was just a detective in the way. He needed to be at the hospital to question Professor Collins when he became more alert. He wanted to be with Leni. Watching the scene playing out at James Collins’ bedside, Shane understood the situation was critical. His arms encircled the woman at his side and watched James Collins wheeled away to CT for a brain scan.
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