Runaway Tide

by Julie Carobini

  Lucky turned to Jackson. “Yeah, I didn’t even know she had gone. You probably did, though. Right? Where’d she go in Italy? She didn’t say and now I can’t ask her myself.”

  His mind went to that morning at the awful apartment that she’d rented in Florence. He had scooped her up in his arms, her body fitted against his, her eyes large and welcoming. He snapped a benign look at Lucky. “Can’t say that I know. She was due a vacation, so hopefully she was able to get the rest she needed.”

  Lucky sighed like a romance reader. “Sounds divine. All I know is Florida, from coast to coast.” She pushed her chair back. “Maybe I’ll give her a call and get inspired.”

  He nodded. “Sounds like a good plan.” He almost wanted to add, “Tell me if she is okay,” though he knew the truth. He had broken her heart—again. Even if she were to forgive him for their latest argument, when you added up all the other confrontations they’d had, he feared there would be no chance left for repair.

  Pepper licked her lips, her brows low. He’d never known her to be a worrier, unless you counted that fake worry over the company’s expenditures.

  He prodded her. “Doing okay, Pepper?”

  “Yes, yes. Of course.” She exhaled a staccato breath. “If Meg wanted a room here, I am sure we could have worked something out. Is it possible she is still in town?”

  The possibility existed that Meg was still somewhere in the state, especially if she had not been able to book a flight home. But he knew she would not come anywhere near Sea Castle—he had seen to that.

  Pepper’s about-face where Meg was concerned intrigued him. “Kind of you to be concerned about our Sales Director.”

  “I am concerned for the welfare of all of our employees,” she said. “Especially poor Meg. It must have been difficult for her to walk around Italy with that broken foot. Do you happen to know how she managed?”

  Jackson folded his cloth napkin and left it on the table. “Meg is resourceful. I’m sure she found a way to see the sights.” He stood up. “It’s getting late and I’m going to have to get some sleep. Let’s meet here at 8 a.m. for coffee and then we’ll begin our site tour. Sound good?

  Those eyes of hers steeled again. “I have very little time tomorrow, but I will try to work you in to my schedule.”

  “Really? What do you have planned for tomorrow?”

  Her eyes would not connect with his. He could tell by her inability to raise that smug smile of hers that she struggled. “I have an … appointment to look at a condominium with my Realtor.”

  “Skip it. The weather might not be conducive to home buying tomorrow anyway.”

  She slapped her hand on the table. “I will decide what I do or do not have time for. My Realtor is a very busy man. I cannot just make changes on your whims.”

  He stuck a tongue into his cheek and watched her for several seconds. “I plan to return to California as soon as possible. If you want to see an influx of investment dollars, as I do, then make time to meet with me tomorrow.”

  He had dangled a carrot in front of the horse, and by the resolve on her face, he knew he had won. Hopefully by tomorrow he would have the proof he needed to convince authorities that Pepper had assumed his sister’s identity. Until that time, he would keep her busy.

  “Fine.” She threw her napkin onto the table but did not stand. “I will meet you here in the morning and we will have that proposal done by afternoon.”

  Perfect.

  Chapter 22

  “Hey there, where are you?”

  Lucky’s unmistakable voice greeted Meg. She glanced out at the rain-soaked sky. “I’m still in Florida. My flight was grounded but I’m in line for another. Depends on the weather.”

  “If you’re so close, why didn’t you come to the inn?”

  The million-dollar question. “Ton of work to do. I decided to stay close to the airport and work.”

  She hated lying. But could she confess to her that not only had Jackson forced her out of the company, but that his sister was an imposter, and oh, she finally learned last night how her father had died so many years ago? Her mind had numbed overnight and a part of her wanted it to stay that way—immune to more trouble.

  “Okay, fine. Bummer. I have news about a tour coming in, but first I want to talk to you about Italy. Was it everything I’ve ever heard?”

  Meg exhaled, her laughter shaky. Lucky had asked the question with a dreamy air to her voice, but she teased her anyway. “Depends on what you’ve heard.”

  “Oh come on! That there’s art everywhere, you cannot get a bad cup of coffee, and the men are beyond beautiful.” She paused. “Is it all true?”

  A memory of Jackson’s grin rose in her mind. Beyond beautiful. She swallowed, glad Lucky could not see her inability to smile. “Pretty much.” She spoke as lightly as she could. “Especially the art. It was everywhere—in the museums, in the churches, even in some of the streets.”

  Lucky’s sigh rippled through the phone. “I’m so jealous.”

  “You should go. It’s a lot closer for you than for me. So, go.”

  “I will, I will. You’ve convinced me!” She giggled. “I’ll have to talk the dragon lady into letting me go on vacation, though. She looked kinda shocked that you went all the way to Italy. I think she was real jealous.”

  “Really? What did she say when she heard?”

  “Not much. But you know that face of hers. She got all bug eyed, like she couldn’t believe you’d gone to such an amazing place. Hey, maybe she was jealous.”

  Not by a long shot. “Maybe.”

  “By the way, Pepper said something about you and Jackson being together, but I didn’t respond. I’m guessing there’s nothing to that, what with you being in Tampa and all. But I thought I should mention that she’s spreading stories.”

  “Pepper is full of stories, that’s for sure.”

  “Yeah, well, I would have stayed and talked more to them but there were these two creepy guys watching me. They checked in yesterday—I think they’re the ones that got your reservation. Anyway, they’ve been hanging around in their flip flops and board shorts, staring at the women around here. They look kinda like surfers but never actually, uh, surf.”

  “Has anyone pointed them toward the surf line?”

  Lucky’s giggles filled the line. “Who knows? They look the part but only seem to sulk about the halls. Can you imagine coming to a resort and hardly venturing outside?”

  Meg peeked again through the curtain at the drizzly day. “It’s not exactly beach weather.”

  “Yeah, but you know how it is around here. It clears and everyone runs outside. Ya gotta be ready for it when it breaks.”

  It sounded to her like the men Lucky described were used to being couch potatoes. Or maybe they’d never been to a resort—small as theirs may be. She shook her head. Whatever. “You had something you wanted to tell me?”

  “Oh my gosh, yes! So that tour operator you connected me to said she’d bring a group through here. Wanted to let you know!”

  Meg’s nose got that familiar tickle, like tears congregating near her sinuses. Lucky had scored a big one, based on her guidance, and wanted to celebrate with her. She would miss milestones like this. “I am so proud of you, Lucky. This was all you.” Tears started to fall, but she wiped them aside and forced a laugh. “You-you landed a really big fish, hon!”

  “I owe it all to you. Just hope they’re happy here. I’ve asked Housekeeping to shine things up as much as possible—wish there was money in the budget for some sprucing, but Dragon Lady about chomped my head off when I suggested a few upgrades.”

  How long would Jackson allow Pepper to hang around there and bother the staff? Surely the news would be out soon. She turned this terrible situation over in her mind. Maybe he was waiting for those investors to infuse the company with cash before he let the word out. They could cancel the deal if they knew about the company’s turmoil…

  Her mind tumbled back to the nightmare she’d had, th
e one with the imposing man, his posture accusing. A fissure of fear ran up Meg’s back. What if Pepper’s sudden interest in moving had nothing to do with fixing what ailed the inn, and everything to do with getting to Jackson’s investment team first?

  My sister … insisted on being on the call.

  Pepper had already been infiltrating Jackson’s business dealings. If she found out that Jackson was on to her … what would keep her from taking everything he owned?

  “You still there, Meg?”

  “Yes, sorry. I’m here.”

  “I should let you go. Oh shoot!”

  “You okay?”

  “I completely forgot that Dragon Lady wants me to get her a free room in Miami. Ugh. It’s getting late—hope I can get ahold of one of my contacts.”

  “What’s in Miami?”

  “Who knows? A meeting, I think. She told me to call one of my contacts and offer a free room swap. Completely forgot until now. Guess I’d better go.”

  She hung up and dialed Sea Glass Inn. If Jackson had not announced to the staff at Sea Castle that she had quit, she might still be able to garner the information she needed now.

  “Hello, this is Sally. How may I help you?”

  “Sally, it’s Meg.”

  “You sound rested. How was your vacation?”

  No sign that Sally knew she would not be back. “It was nearly perfect.” A true statement.

  “Wonderful. What can I help you with?”

  “Jackson’s been meeting with a firm in Miami and the name of their company has slipped my mind. Can you help?”

  “Certainly. One moment.” She clicked off the line. About a minute later, she was back. “I’ve found it. Knowing you, you’ll try to book them for a three-day meeting or something.” She laughed.

  Meg laughed with her. “What was that name?”

  “Oh yes. They are Power Financial. I have spoken with Sarah when I’ve called. Would you like her number?”

  “That would be lovely.”

  She took down the number, thanked Sally for her help, then clicked off the line. If she were going to warn Jackson, she would need all the evidence she could get. She glanced at the number she had written on the hotel’s pad of paper. It would be her final act of honor for William.

  Chapter 23

  Jackson had all the evidence he needed. He ran his fingers over the birth certificate of his sister, Sophia. He had received it by email after Domenic found an old friend with a scanner. The document on the desk next to it was a signed affidavit from Sophia admitting to her real name, along with a photograph. The woman with the vibrant green eyes looked so much like his father that he could hardly pull his gaze away.

  Meg had seen it too. He reached for the phone, as if to call and talk to her about what he now had in his possession, but stopped. He wanted to keep her out of harm’s way, and in doing so, he had put another wedge between them. He longed to do something about that … if it weren’t too late.

  Speaking of late, if he were going to make his meeting with Pepper, he needed to get a move on. He tucked the birth certificate back into its file and hurried downstairs.

  “Let’s get this over with.” Pepper had overdressed. Her fitted, houndstooth suit shimmered with silver and black and she wore enough onyx shark teeth to consume an overweight sea lion.

  In contrast, he’d thrown on shorts and a T-shirt, his iPhone in his pocket. When he was ready to start recording, he would simply pretend he was checking his messages and open a recording app that he had downloaded last night.

  “You planning on walking the beach path in those?” He pointed to her two-toned pumps.

  “The weather has cleared so I have kept my appointment with the … Realtor. Let’s make this a quick meeting.”

  He shrugged, giving her a wan smile. “Suit yourself. No pun intended.”

  They walked through the lobby, taking note of areas that needed rehabilitation. “What do you think, Pepper? Paint? New carpet?”

  She shrugged. “Whatever you want.”

  He jotted a note in his journal. He should not be dragging this out—this he knew. But he was looking for just the right spot to drop the hammer, someplace quiet so the recording would be crystal clear. Besides, he enjoyed seeing her uncomfortable.

  They passed the pool bar, which was busy now that the weather had cleared some. He turned to her. “Did you work up some numbers for adding food service to the bar?”

  “What?”

  His eyes narrowed. “The bar. I told you we should open it for food service in season.”

  She nodded. “Right. You mentioned that.” She made a note on her own notepad.

  The men he had noticed in the café last evening walked behind them on the path. They had donned shorts, though their shirts were long sleeved. He made a note to ask reservations to include information about the weather in the inn’s confirmation emails.

  At the end of the path stood a tired gazebo, one they had used in the past for weddings, though it would need some updating to become photo worthy again. Its platform sagged, its color had dulled. “What do you think about the gazebo?”

  A sheen of perspiration made Pepper’s face glow—and not in a good way. She scowled. “Tear it down.”

  “C’mon, Pep. Where’s your sense of romance?” He slapped a post, its paint peeling. Was all that damage from wood rot or termites? “This gazebo alone could put Sea Castle on the map.”

  She shrugged. “All right. I would agree to fix this.”

  He pushed away from the post, vaguely aware of the wood shuddering beneath his hands. “Wonderful. Let’s keep going.”

  She held up one hand, her nails poking the air. “Stop. I have to leave soon.”

  “Hold on a sec, will you?” He glanced at her, noting her unease. “I’m getting a text.” He fiddled with his phone, opened the recording app, and hit “on.” He looked up. “We’ve only started. Where are you going again?”

  She sighed, agitated. “To see my real estate agent. She will be showing me a condo.”

  “I’ll go with you. Another set of eyes is always a good idea when purchasing real estate.”

  She crossed her arms. “That’s not necessary. I-I know what I like. My agent … she knows too.”

  He tilted his head to one side. “I thought your agent was a man.”

  For the first time that he could remember, Pepper went mute. She rolled her eyes and sighed like a child. Pepper then tapped her pointy-toed shoe, her arms crossed. “I really must go, Jackson. I will talk to you about all this—” she waved one of her hands toward the small inn—“after I return.”

  He squinted in the sun. “When will that be, exactly?”

  She frowned and dropped one arm by her side but left the other across her middle, as if protecting herself. “I will let you know.”

  He would not let her leave. Not until he had a chance to confront her with the evidence, with all he knew about her … lies. She had pretended to be his family. For the past week, he had nearly been in denial. As difficult as she had been to work with, it had become just as difficult for him to believe that he had been taken in by her lies.

  He turned to follow her and she stopped him. “I must use the restroom. Are you planning to follow me in there, too?”

  I’m not letting you get away until I get what I want: your confession. “I will walk you back to the inn. Nothing more.”

  “I do not need an escort.”

  Testy. “There’s only one path, you know, and we happen to be walking in the same direction.”

  “Right.”

  They walked in silence, her in her heels and suit and he in his casual wear. He had planned to confront her in the gazebo, but she had managed to weasel out of further conversation. No doubt there would be airspace on his recording.

  Perhaps he had been too hasty in barring Meg from the inn. He’d been concerned for her safety, worried about what a lying thief like Pepper would do. She had been her obstinate self since he got here, but danger
ous? She was a thief, but he doubted she was capable of anything worse.

  They reached the door to the lobby and she reached for it.

  “Pepper?”

  She turned. “What is it?”

  “We still have a few things to discuss before you leave for your appointment. I have to grab something from my room, but I’ll meet you back here in about ten minutes.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Sure. Now, I will excuse myself.”

  He watched her walk down the inner hallway toward the restroom, then he quickly turned toward to path outside that led to his room.

  * * *

  “Nice to see you again, Meg.”

  “You as well,” Meg said. Gracie had only been with the inn since the beginning of the year, but they had met on one of Meg’s earlier trips out.

  “I’ll be with you in just a moment, okay?” Two men hovered near the desk, apparently checking out.

  “No problem. I won’t actually be staying, but I’d like to leave my luggage with you.”

  “Absolutely.”

  She slid her things behind the desk. “I’m looking for Lucky. Have you seen her on the property today?” Meg didn’t mention the score she had to settle with Pepper—that would come soon enough.

  Gracie thought for a few seconds. “I’ve been busy here at the desk, but I did see her a little while ago. I think she may have gone back to the sales office, but I’m not sure. Would you like me to call her for you?”

  “Not necessary. I’ll find her on my own.”

  She wandered around the corner and down the hall, her mind still overcome with the news that Pepper had a meeting with the investment team at Power Financial in Miami at four-thirty this afternoon. Sarah had been all too happy to fill Meg in on the details.

  “We’re so excited to be a part of Riley Holdings,” she had gushed. “My boss says he can probably swing me some discounts—I’ve never been to California!”

  “And we would love to host you at Sea Glass Inn. I’m just thrilled that funding appears to be imminent,” Meg had said, hoping for confirmation.