CHAPTER TWELVE
No News.
For two weeks after discovering the email Miles let one of this father’s private investigators do what he did best while he waited, and this man, one of the best in the business, flew to the Bahamas, spoke to people, and showed Ivy’s photograph around.
No one remembered seeing her. Impossible. How could they not remember her? Whenever she entered a room it was as if someone turned on the sun restoring light and colour to a grey world. And grey was what his world had been for three weeks now. His once bright existence had clouded over and grey skies were becoming black.
How had he not seen before that the world was only in colour when she was with him? How had he not realised how vital she was until she was gone? Why had he waited to tell her how he felt? If he’d told her sooner, kissed her sooner, then maybe she never would have been on that plane to begin with.
Guilt was gnawing away at him from the inside, and only the burn of whisky seemed to dull it. He stared at the email again. One line.
No new leads.
Every minute that passed consumed a little more hope. He knew first-hand the statistics, how many missing people were found, and the percentage of those who would come home alive. That was what had driven him to the plane. She couldn’t become just another statistic. She was more than a number; she was his world, and he’d never told her. The P.I. had identified the hotel, and that was where her trail went cold. She’d checked out electronically, and no one had seen her since. What was there left to do but purchase a room for a week?
He knew it had to be the place when he was sent a NDA with his booking confirmation. He’d pulled a few strings, saying his friend Ivy had told him how great it was, and he wanted the room she’d stayed in. The hefty gratuity he offered ensured it happened. Even if he did have to wait a few days for the occupier of that room to check out. It was the one time he was glad that his name moved mountains and cleared road blocks, because his name would help him find her.
Losing her was not an option. He had carried brothers in arms across hostile lands, taken bullets for his comrades, and faced overwhelming odds. On the battlefield, even here, he would give his life for them, but for her there was no limit to what he would give. His body, his soul, whatever would be asked from him he would deliver if only he could find her safe.
Becca wasn’t handling Ivy’s disappearance well either. Before finding out Ivy was missing, she had just found the boutique she had been looking for ‘all her life’. While she had purchased it, it still sat empty, untouched.
When he left for the flight, in an uncharacteristic moment of weakness, she’d gripped his arm, her eyes boring into his as she made him promise he would bring her home. He wanted to speak the words. Instead, he’d given her something to do, he’d told her to get her shop ready because when he did find her, Ivy would love nothing more than to see her best friend’s dream brought to life.
When he’d left, he knew Becca would throw herself into the shop layout designs. She’d stopped him one last time at her door, holding his gaze. ‘I’ll do my part, you do yours,’ was what she had said. And he was damn well going to.
So far he had spoken to the baggage clerk, who had handled her missing case, and now the pilot, Shane, who had shuttled her across to the island, motioned for his approach. He had paid him extra for a private flight, and to the man’s surprise joined him in the cockpit.
At least this man remembered her.
Shane told him everything. How he’d found the flustered looking English woman charming and how, because she wasn’t like his normal passengers, he’d been secretly looking forward to taking her back over to the main island. He’d not only radioed the airport to track down her missing bag, but had also checked with a few of the usual suspects who loitered around the terminal for these smaller flights.
When he learnt she was missing from the P.I. he’d asked for a copy of her picture and questioned the locals. Just yesterday a young woman had approached him, confessing to stealing the bag, to cutting the strap after she’d adjusted it on her shoulder. She didn’t have it anymore, but she had sworn it was a last-minute decision. She’d needed to make rent or she and her son would have been evicted. Miles had requested to talk to the woman on his return, if he didn’t find Ivy first.
He told Shane to reassure the woman she wasn’t in trouble, that her actions were the only reason they knew Ivy was missing and had not simply boarded a flight to England and disappeared. Thieves were known to be wary of their surroundings. He needed to know if she’d witnessed anything unusual, anyone else watching her, and he would happily compensate her well for her time.
Even with this new lead, he was finding it hard to remain positive. He found himself drinking more, using spirits to expel the burden of guilt. His outlook darkened with every passing day. Despite telling himself he needed to keep hoping, Ivy was the one who had always made him see the good in a world filled with evil, and now she was gone, so too was the reminder of this light.
There was no denying that the hotel was impressive. He’d stayed in his fair share of elite resorts. He’d even been in this one before, but the memories he had of this place were not good, nor did it seem they would ever be.
A few years into his service his squad had been under heavy fire, herded methodically towards an unmarked minefield by hostile fire. They hadn’t realised the danger until that first device was triggered. He’d watched one of his friends be reduced to red mist before his eyes while the squad was knocked to the ground by the force of the explosion.
He didn’t remember much about that engagement, just the red mist, and watching another of his friends trying to scoop their intestines back as they bled out, pleading for them not to let him die.
There had been twelve of them on that patrol, and only five of them had survived the ambush. They were given leave, and he’d brought them here, knowing the rules were lax and there was very little that couldn’t be done to blow off steam.
Drugs, drink, women, he’d done it all to try to erase the tingling sensation upon his skin he still felt when that memory surfaced. Red mist and blood rain. Even now it haunted his dreams with the cries of the fallen, both ally and enemy alike.
He had never intended to come here again. He didn’t see the grand architecture; he saw painful memories, and the faces of people who had been lost. Like Ivy. No, he couldn’t afford to think like that. She wasn’t lost, not in that way. She was alive; she had to be, or why else did his heart continue to beat?
“Good afternoon, Mister Taylor. I’m Alexander, I’ll be your Personal Concierge for the duration of your stay. If you would like, I can escort you to one of our bars while I unpack your belongings.” The young man with perfectly styled, spiky blond hair gave something of a small bow as he lifted Miles’ small travel case from the car. He watched as the young man’s hazel eyes appraised him, no doubt trying to read his posture and body language to interpret what kind of client he was receiving.
“I’ll accompany you to my room,” he insisted, his tone a little more hostile than he’d intended. As the elevator doors closed, he levelled a stare at the young man, appraising him. “Are you Lex?”
“You may call me Lex, sir, if that is your preference.” Miles opened the email on his phone, showing his Concierge the email and watched as his face lit up with the first genuine smile he’d seen this man offer. Then, as if remembering himself, he glanced towards the camera in the corner of the lift.
“Yes, I can attend to that for you, sir. There is a selection of small spirits in the minibar, but may I order you any refreshments while I attend to your room?” he questioned as he left the elevator.
“That won’t be necessary.” Lex opened the door for Miles. Stepping inside, he studied the young man. The only crack in his professional armour had been when he’d seen the email he’d forwarded himself from Ivy’s account. There was no question that this was the man he was looking for, the person who had seen Ivy’s needs while she was he
re. “Are the rooms private? I have sensitive matters to attend to.”
“While our rooms are private, for your security we offer discrete cameras. All suites benefit from twenty-four seven surveillance. Only our more expensive accommodations contain a dark mode. However, please be assured the NDA signed by staff ensures your complete privacy while allowing our security teams to monitor your room to ensure your safety.
“While they are skilled in lip-reading, you can be assured anything discussed will not be repeated.” Lex removed the ironing board and began pressing and hanging the few items of clothing he had brought with him. Miles could see the small glances Lex was giving him and nodded. “Might I ask what it is you are hoping to get out of your vacation, I’d like to ensure I can compile an itinerary of suitable activities for your consideration.”
“I was hoping for some solitude. Do you have any recommendations?” After hanging the pressed clothes and placing away the ironing board, Lex walked to the shelf-table behind the far sofa.
Miles couldn’t help but notice the rooms hadn’t changed at all from how he remembered, still possessing the two sitting areas and the dining table.
As promised, the bar area had a selection of miniatures. Taking one of the glasses he cracked one of the small bottles, tipping it into one of the fine crystal glasses. He wondered for a moment if Ivy’s lips had also touched this glass, before downing it.
As he looked to Lex, he saw he had lifted one of the many brochures from the small area and was leafing through it. “Sir, if you would care to browse this brochure it has some of our more prominent locations.” As Miles approached, he noticed how the young man had positioned himself with his back to the camera. Moving forward he saw two more. It was with no small amount of admiration he realised Lex was standing the only place where his lips could not be seen. Extending his finger, Lex pointed to one of the listed vistas.
“Did Ivy get home safely then? I was worried when she just disappeared.” Again the formality dropped and he wondered how different the man who received Ivy was to the one who attended to him now. He turned the page a few times before settling on another image, tapping it lightly as if they were discussing the area.
“She’s missing. Were you here when she checked out?” Miles answered, rubbing his fingers over his lips as if in thought.
“Missing?” He faltered, his mask dropping again for the briefest moment before he flicked through a few more pages, motioning to another a picturesque landmark. Miles found himself stunned by the severity of the reaction. People like him were used to seeing all manner of things. They were the silent valet, ensuring needs were met whether it was drugs, sex, shopping, or just a drink. Their role was to be a picture of indifference, and twice now he had reacted. For his face to betray him so openly meant either he had grown very close to her, or he knew something. “Since when?”
“Since she came here. Is there anywhere we can talk freely?” Placing the brochure down, Lex turned towards the camera.
“Of course, I’d be happy to. You may want to wear something more comfortable. I’ll arrange refreshments while you change. Do you require me to be your valet?”
“No, I can dress myself, thank you.” Miles saw the way Lex smiled as he thanked him. A real smile in response to manners. He must have loved Ivy, she was all please and thank yous. Maybe that was why she stuck out in his mind, that and the fact there was no denying she was stunning. He could just imagine her, walking this place with mouth agape, feeling out of place. Her innocence and unease was bound to turn some heads. Rich people loved to prey on the innocent.
His fists clenched as his thoughts ran away with him. He needed to get answers without alerting anyone to what he was doing. He was certain Ivy had been lured here, but was the person responsible a guest, or had this just been a way to know where she was? He needed to find out about the job offer, and the best way to do that was through this young man. The NDA meant no one here would disclose anything, and yet Lex had risked talking to him about another guest. He knew something; he needed to find out what.
“Very well. Do you have a preference for food?”
“Anything simple. Make sure you bring some for yourself as well. I feel like company and would like to hear more of what events are happening locally.”
“Very good, sir.”
“Miles,” he corrected. Lex nodded and left the room.
Miles walked the length of the room, looking out of each window in turn. Standing at each one he wondered what Ivy had thought of these views. They were nothing short of breathtaking. He could see her ghost, walking across the room, marvelling at every detail, touching everything in that way that she did, feeling every texture, savouring every fragrance.
He ran his finger along the table at the back of the sofa before moving to the bedroom. He resisted the urge to smell the pillows, to see if there was the faintest lingering of her scent. So many people had stayed here since then, and he knew every removable item was cleaned thoroughly and replaced each day. He would no more find a trace of her here than he would find a crease in the bedding.
Lex had been waiting for him when he arrived, a wicker hamper secured to his back. His demeanour remained formal, greeting him politely before escorting him on a walk down one of the paved beach paths. He had clearly made this walk many times before, and took the time to talk about the island, point out the best vistas, and gesture towards where various activity start locations could be found in a well-practised manner.
As he watched the man crouch under the guise of adjusting his footwear, Miles tensed witnessing how Lex’s hand had darted out to the side of the path, scooping one of the many rocks into his possession. Tensing, Miles waited, wondering if he was getting too close to something, if the young man was about to strike. But when his posture remained calm, showing no signs of hostility, he too relaxed a little, watching him carefully, all too aware that unlike the previous parts of their walk, this area seemed oddly deserted.
When they reached a small cairn Lex set down the basket on the short coarse grass, taking a moment to add the stone to the monument, using the motion to check the surroundings.
“When did she go missing?” he asked finally, opening the picnic blanket. Shaking it several times before laying the plain red cloth across the ground. Miles noted from the way it moved it must have been weighted around the edges to prevent the wind from lifting it.
“We’re not sure exactly, sometime after Wednesday morning.”
“And you’re looking for her?” His voice was still guarded, as if he didn’t quite trust Miles’ intentions.
“Yes. The hotel’s NDA agreements mean they wouldn’t even confirm she stayed here. What can you tell me?” Lex continued to set out the picnic. His jaw set.
“I am bound by the same NDA as everyone else. So officially, I can’t say anything.” He seemed to bite the inside of his cheek in thought for a moment, chewing over his decision.
“And off the record?” The man knew something, that much was certain. He wondered what it would take to make him open up and ignore the legal contract.
“Off the record. Ivy was like a breath of fresh air here. A lovely girl. I knew the moment I saw her with her case she wasn’t like the other people who stay here. I don’t remember the last time, before her, that someone took their own case from the car. Most clients wouldn’t dream of trying to carry their own luggage, and her reaction when she saw the hotel, I’ve never seen anyone so awed.” He hesitated, before serving a plate of finger food to Miles. “She was fun, quick to blush, sweet, polite. I was disappointed to learn she’d checked out.”
“Was there anything unusual about her stay?”
“She was required to speak to Tiffany, the hotel manager, when she first arrived. There’s nothing too odd about that. Every now and again she takes a special interest in personally greeting one of our female guests but …”
“But?”
“On the way to the room she said something that struck me as odd. She sai
d she was disappointed about the job.”
“Yes, she came here for a property management position.” He saw the way Lex’s fingers hovered above the bottle of water for a second, and again his exterior cracked just slightly. When he said nothing Miles pressed him with a simple, “What?”
“That’s not possible. We have live-in contractors. Any issues get reported to the room’s Personal Concierge and we contact the necessary on-site crew to resolve the issue. We also check our allocated room twice daily for any issues while the client is enjoying themselves.”
“Maybe it was a Concierge position?” Miles volunteered, looking at the plate in his hand. Eating was the furthest thing from his mind.
“No, we have no vacancies. If we require cover, we have a register of thirty people who can step in at a moment’s notice. The Reverie Muse Group keeps reserves on retainer. To even be considered for this position, you have to have studied at The International Butler Academy.”
“What did she do while she was here?” Miles pulled apart the small finger sandwich, his stomach knotting with anxiety. A quick glance in the basket confirmed the only liquid refreshments to be water. It was just as well, he needed to keep his wits about him.
“You’ve seen the photos. I booked her in the spa Tuesday evening. She had a late supper at the beachfront bar before turning in for the night. She spent the next morning at the beach, and had an appointment with Toni, one of our hairdressers, before her lunch date with one of our regulars. She’s a smart girl, she knew to refuse an in room dining invitation.”
“Then what?” he asked, pretending the word date hadn’t just felt like a kick in the gut. What did he expect? She was a breathtaking woman, any man here would have been lucky to escort her to lunch.
“Truth be told, I’m not sure. We usually sync our phone to our client so we can track them, but with hers being stolen I tried to keep my eye on her. I had a service request come through from another Concierge for some flowers to be delivered to her room. While we handle the affairs of our client exclusively, if the request involves another client both parties have to be involved for security reasons,” he explained.
Breaking Sin: A kidnap abduction story (Addicted to Sin Book 1) Page 17
