It was Joe with Hailey. She let out a breath and opened the door to the moon above the palm trees. “Well, hello.”
Joe held up a take-out box. “We ate at Zachry’s Riverhouse, and I decided you needed to know about the best crab cakes around. Hope you like them.”
She took the proffered Styrofoam box. “I love crab cakes.” She opened the door wider. “Want to come in?”
He caught Hailey’s shoulder as she started forward. “Another time. It’s nearly nine, and you want to eat those while they’re hot.”
Hailey scowled but held out a white bag. “I got you chips and salsa too. Want to go look for nests with me tomorrow?”
“I think I can do that,” Torie said. “I don’t start work until Monday so I have a few days to acclimate.”
Joe turned his daughter away from the door. “Enjoy your dinner.”
Torie shut the door behind them, and her stomach rumbled at the aroma wafting from the box. While she wanted to believe he’d brought her a meal out of friendliness, she didn’t quite buy it. Was he suspicious of her already?
The flavor from the crab cakes lingered on her tongue after scarfing them down. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was. Her lids were heavy, and it was hard to think. She’d study more of Lisbeth’s notebook tomorrow.
Chapter 4
The coast was clear. No sign of Aunt Genevieve.
Torie followed the rich scent of espresso and slipped into the coffee shop inside the hotel lobby. She got into the line of five people. Just ahead of her, she spotted the desk clerk from yesterday when she’d checked in. “Bella, isn’t it?”
The blonde turned with a practiced smile. “That’s right. And you’re Torie. Did you get settled into your cottage okay?” Her smile faltered. “It’s a nice place.”
“I did. It’s lovely.” She started to mention that she knew Bella had lived there before Lisbeth’s death, but she caught back the remark. Bella would want to know how she’d heard that news, and Torie didn’t want to mention Lisbeth. Not yet.
“It’s a favorite with staff.”
“Has it been empty long?”
Bella’s smile totally vanished at the question, and she looked away to move forward as another customer stepped to the counter. “Just a few days.”
Why hadn’t she admitted she’d lived there? It could be an innocent decision made so she wasn’t asked questions, or it could be something more.
Torie wet her lips and told her racing heart to slow. She needed to get to know Bella. “You have time to sit out on the patio with me for a bit?”
“Sure. I know what it’s like to come to a new place.”
Torie ordered lattes for them both, and they found an empty table under the patio awning. An aerobics instructor barked orders at a group of five people on the lawn. Gulls seeking a handout waddled close to her feet, and she shooed the boldest one away, but it quickly returned to sidle close again.
Bella sipped her latte, and her blue eyes peered over the rim of her cup. “They are pesky. Where are you from, Torie?”
All over would be the best reply, but Torie didn’t want to dig into her nomadic childhood. Not yet anyway. “Scottsdale. The landscaping is a little different here, though we like our flowers in the desert. They take a lot more watering. The grounds are lovely here.”
“Miss Genevieve is crazy picky about the gardens. And the happiness of the guests with our internet.”
Bella wasn’t telling Torie anything she didn’t know. She nodded. “I hope I’m up to the challenge of working for Miss Genevieve. There’s a lot to keep up with.”
She wasn’t trying to be modest either. If there was one thing she knew about herself, it was that she had to perform her job well. It was part and parcel of her personality and her work ethic. While her goal here was to bring justice for Lisbeth, she couldn’t dismiss her drive for excellence any easier than she could change her brown eyes to blue. Even when she was a little girl, her pictures of flowers had to be just so with neat rows and complementary colors. Her own garden in Scottsdale had won awards, and she’d put the same effort into the IT job. She loved computer work because it was so regimented and exact.
She took a sip of her latte. “Where are you from, Bella, and how long have you been here?”
“I’m from a small town in Indiana, so this place felt perfect. I love everyone riding bikes and strolling the beaches. No big box stores either. I came here a year ago, and I stayed in your cottage until a few days ago. I, um, my roommate drowned, and I couldn’t bring myself to stay there and think I heard her in the other room.”
Tori relaxed once Bella mentioned she’d been in the cottage. “Your roommate drowned?” She had to pretend she knew nothing so she could uncover every bit of evidence.
Unexpectedly, Bella’s eyes filled with tears. “She was a good friend. I still can’t believe it. I’ve never even known her to go swimming, so I don’t know how it even happened. But the currents can be treacherous.” She wiped at her eyes. “Look at me, bawling like a baby. I’m normally not so emotional, but Lisbeth’s death has left me rattled.”
It was all Torie could do to keep her own tears at bay. “I’m so sorry.” More than you know. “When did this happen?”
“Almost a week ago. I didn’t even get to say good-bye. Her body is still with the police, but there will be a service in about nine days. I’d also thought about having a little wake with friends, just to celebrate who she was, you know? A lot of us really cared about her. She was the kind of person who made you feel good about yourself.”
“You could hold the wake before the funeral. I’d like to come if you do.”
Bella wiped her eyes with her napkin. “Why would you want to do that?”
“I want to feel part of the community here, and it’s clear she was a good person if you loved her.”
“That’s very sweet. I’ll think about it and let you know. I’m glad you’re here. I think we will be friends.”
Torie stared down at the gulls to hide the moisture in her eyes. She couldn’t let anyone know why she was here. Not yet. But maybe someday Bella would be an ally.
“I hear the hotel has game nights. That sounds like fun. Do you usually attend?”
Bella sipped her latte and nodded. “I try to be there once a week. Usually Fridays. It’s loads of fun. I like charades, though it’s very old-school. Lisbeth was good at it.”
She was indeed. Torie had played it with her often. “I’ll have to come. Is it every night?”
“Every day but Sunday. Our guests love it. You’ll find a cupboard full of board games, too, just about every kind. Guests sit at tables and play all sorts of games.” She picked up her phone and glanced at it. “Gosh, I need to get to work. It’s been nice getting to know you, Torie. We should do lunch or dinner one night.”
“I’d like that.”
What kinds of secrets did Bella know about the resort and what went on here? At least Torie had an ally, even if Bella didn’t know it yet.
* * *
Dusk lit the sky with red and orange as Joe tied up the boat and shooed away a gull trying to land on his passenger’s head. Hailey was helping “babysit” his coworker Danielle’s twins while he did a little work for the hotel. The three-year-olds adored Hailey, and she was a little mother to them.
He extended his hand. “Good evening, sir.”
Anton Bergstrom, hotel magnate of the worldwide chain of Bergstrom Hotels and Resorts, ignored Joe’s offer of assistance and stepped easily onto the dock.
Joe had never met the famous man, but he’d read up on him last night when he’d realized he was transporting him to the island. Bergstrom started his massive hospitality business on a modest inheritance from his grandmother and now owned one of the most well-known hotel brands in the world. He was a widower with one daughter, Victoria, and they both avoided media interviews.
Though sixty, Anton looked forty with wings of gray at the temples only beginning to shimmer in his brown hair. He wore
a gray Armani suit with a white dress shirt and red silk tie. His black shoes oozed money, as did the cologne he wore. Joe didn’t recognize it, but the robust scent suggested it cost plenty.
Steely blue eyes took in Joe’s measure, and he extended his hand in a firm shake. He was as tall as Joe’s six four. “I don’t believe you worked here the last time I was in Georgia, Mr. Abbott.”
“No, sir. I’ve been working at the hotel part-time for three years. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. I have a table reserved for you here at the Grand Dining Room.”
“Excellent. It’s always my first stop. Have to make sure the food and service stays five star.”
Joe fell into step beside Bergstrom as they walked the oyster shell–embedded concrete sidewalk around to the hotel. The briny scent of the water vied with the aroma of steaks and seafood wafting their way.
Bergstrom stopped inside the hotel door on the polished floors and sniffed. “Ah, the scent of this hotel always takes me back years. My wife came up with it, you know. Lily was quite entranced with essential oils and fragrances. That pine and sandalwood fragrance always reminds me of her.”
There was no self-pity or pain in his voice so Joe held back an automatic “I’m sorry for your loss” comment. Lily’s death had been eighteen years ago, and Bergstrom spoke of his wife in easy tones that indicated he’d healed from the trauma. Joe wasn’t sure how Lily had died, but he’d heard it had been on this property.
Joe led him past the lobby toward the dining room. A few wide-eyed employees greeted Bergstrom by name. He stopped and inquired after their families as if they were old friends. His easy manner made it clear to see why Joe had heard only glowing stories about him. Bergstrom seemed to truly care about other people, and Joe’s estimation of the man went up even higher.
The hostess, a young woman Joe hadn’t met yet, greeted them at the entrance to the restaurant. Her bright smile brushed past him and landed on Bergstrom.
“Mr. Bergstrom, the staff has been eagerly awaiting your visit. If you’ll follow me, your table is ready.”
“Come with me, Joe. I hate eating alone,” Bergstrom said.
Joe nodded and swept his gaze over the busy tables draped in white linens as he listened with half an ear to Bergstrom getting acquainted with the hostess.
Joe took the chair facing the rest of the room, and Bergstrom seated himself facing the window. The hostess unfurled Bergstrom’s napkin and placed it across his lap, then handed them their menus before she lit the candle in the center of the table.
“Your server will be right with you. Enjoy your dinner.”
Anton glanced around. “Looks like they have a full house.”
Joe settled into his chair with his back to the window, allowing him to see anyone approaching. “Holiday weekends are usually packed, and the fireworks will be starting in another couple of hours.”
The older man smiled. “Ah, the fireworks. I haven’t been here on Independence Day to see them in four years. I’m looking forward to mingling with guests at the hotel too.”
“Is that safe, sir?” In this day and age Joe didn’t trust large crowds, especially with a person commanding Bergstrom’s wealth and power. Someone might try to grab him when everyone was distracted by the fireworks.
Bergstrom picked up his menu. “No one has ever tried to harm me in a crowd.”
“There’s always a first time, Mr. Bergstrom.”
“I have faith the security team will see any threat approaching.” Bergstrom steepled his fingers. “So, Joe, how did you end up here? I reviewed your résumé. Your main job is training sea lions, but the Navy is down in King’s Bay. Jekyll Island seems off the beaten path for the job’s location, and working part-time as a security officer is different from training sea mammals.”
Joe’s gut tightened. He hadn’t wanted to go there. Not yet. “My family and I lived in San Diego, where I trained sea lions. My wife died, and I needed a change from Southern California. I wanted to raise my daughter in a small area that wasn’t part of a naval base. Genevieve Hallston is my godmother. She was best friends with my mother, so I’ve known her all my life. She offered me the use of a cottage here if I worked twenty hours a month for her. Hotel security isn’t hard, and I’m close by if she needs to call me. I leased some space here and put together a team to train my animals. When the sea lions are ready, the Navy takes them.”
“I’m sorry about your loss. We have a similar heartache in our background. She must have been young. You’re what—thirty?”
“Thirty-four. I was thirty and she was twenty-nine.” The man’s kind expression eased Joe’s discomfort of talking about a painful subject. “Freak accident. I tried to help her, but I failed.”
His throat closed at the image in his head of her wide, panicked brown eyes. And that horrific scream. He closed his eyes at the memory.
“How terrible.” Bergstrom shook his head. “My wife fell from our apartment rooftop deck. No one really knows how it happened. Victoria was ten at the time, but it’s still not something she talks about.”
Joe caught his breath. Bergstrom’s daughter hadn’t been much older than Hailey.
“Poor child,” Bergstrom said. “Well, I’m glad you’ve found a haven here.”
The server arrived to take their drink orders and Joe was glad to leave those awful memories behind.
Chapter 5
The moon peeked through a bit of the leafy bower overhead.
The live oak along the tree line by Driftwood Beach was larger than Torie remembered, but she spied a few weathered boards through the canopy of leaves. Had her tree house survived all these years? She kicked off her heels and reached for the first handhold. Stupid of her not to change into shorts. She wasn’t sure if she could climb the tree as easily as she did when she was ten, especially in the dark, but her feet remembered the footholds and hand spaces for the ascent.
She wasn’t even breathing hard when she clambered past the Spanish moss and onto the platform. The floor barely wobbled when she crawled across it to the side overlooking the ocean.
She sat with her legs dangling over the edge and stared out at the moonlit waves, inhaling the familiar scent of salt, sand, and pine. The fireworks would be starting soon, and she wanted a chance to talk to her dad before the noise started. Where was he?
While she waited, she looked around her favorite spot from her childhood. She’d spent many afternoons perched up here with her Mary Janes dangling at the ends of her spindly tanned legs. Her mom would scold her when she came home with torn clothes and mud on her shoes and socks.
The image of the perfect daughter of the hotel magnates was a heavy mantle on Torie’s shoulders, and she’d never measured up, not really. The thought that her inadequacies might have contributed to her mother’s death had nearly driven her crazy when she was growing up. Now that Torie was older, she realized in her head that Mom’s death had to have been so much more than that. But that truth had yet to penetrate her heart.
Shiny new nails glimmered in the moonlight on several new boards on the platform. Who had repaired it? Had another child found this spot? She didn’t want to be interrupted or overheard tonight when her father got here.
Someone cleared his throat below her, and she looked through the leaves into her father’s face. “Dad, you made it. I can come down.”
“No, I’ll come up. We can watch the fireworks like old times.”
He’d changed into shorts and a tee, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen him out of a suit. Most of the time they were at resorts in Europe or bigger cities where he had to maintain his image. This place brought out the real Anton Bergstrom. Here, he was the old Dad, the one who’d taken her out to hunt seashells and rescue turtle clutches. They’d examined tide pools, and he taught her the names of the various sea creatures inhabiting them.
She watched him climb the tree with alacrity, and he settled beside her and dangled his deck shoes over the edge beside her bare feet.
He gave her a fierce hug before he released her. “Any clues yet?”
“A few. I spent most of the day getting settled in the cottage.” She told him about finding Lisbeth’s notebook. “I haven’t read all of it. Honestly, it’s a little painful hearing her voice in my head and knowing she’s gone.”
And knowing it was because of me.
“I found out why she really wanted to come here though, Dad. When she had visited us in Copenhagen, she told me she thought the reason I keep people at arm’s length was because of Mom’s death. I told her she was wrong, but she came here to see if she could find more answers. That’s a little nutty.”
He frowned. “I wouldn’t have hired her if I’d known that. We didn’t need anyone poking into our business—not even Lisbeth.”
“She wanted to help me.”
“I have been concerned about how you go to work and then home. You don’t let people get close to you. That’s no way to live, honey.”
“Why haven’t you ever talked to me about it then?” She couldn’t look at him right now, so she stared out over the waves. “I’m happy just like I am, Dad. I don’t need a boyfriend or a husband to live a full life.”
“It’s not just that you don’t date. You don’t even go out with friends. No one is meant to be alone. That’s why Lisbeth’s death has hit you so hard. She was your one true friend. Your confidant. I’m sorry you lost her.”
The truth slammed into her heart, and her eyes flooded. “I miss her. And it’s even harder now that I know it was my fault. When she got here, she started asking questions about Mom. And someone sent her a message telling her they knew who she was. I think she was killed because she was poking around.”
Her dad squeezed her hand. “It’s not your fault, baby girl. You didn’t know what she was planning.”
Stranger's Game Page 3
