Chasing Glory

by Galbraith, DeeAnna

  “You go ahead honey,” Glory said, giving him a wide-eyed bat of lashes. “I’ll wander around and soak up some atmosphere. Meet you back here.”

  He leaned toward her, unsure whether to laugh at the impromptu endearment or grab and kiss her, which was his personal choice. Instead, he whispered, “Good one,” and strolled after the concierge.

  The administrative offices for the hotel were plush by any standard. Cream-colored marble was covered in beautiful oriental rugs running past mahogany doors with discreet brass nameplates. “If Mr. O’Mara is here on a Saturday, he must be dedicated to his job,” Tal said, dangling his invisible hook.

  The concierge wrinkled her brow. “Today is an exception. He’s usually gone on weekends.”

  She stopped in front of one of the doors and tapped before entering and waiting just inside the door. The interior of the office was well appointed; expensive and subtly refined.

  Not so, the man behind the desk. Whatever else O’Mara was, he was not subtle. Even with his limited knowledge of men’s apparel, Tal saw he was wearing expensive clothes. Which was only fair considering the silk suit was accessorized by a gold watch worth at least $10,000, without the diamond encrusted bezel. Tal knew its value because William had one. Hotel management must be extremely lucrative.

  That, or O’Mara had another income.

  The object of Tal’s perusal stood and extended his hand. “Ian O’Mara. How can I help you Mr. . . ?” The Irish accent was thick. Tal half expected to be called Boyo.

  “Kingston,” Tal said. “Tal Kingston.”

  Expensive clothes aside, Ian O’Mara had a terrible poker face. His glance flicked over Tal, taking his measure.

  Tal’s heart ticked faster as he did his best to look innocuous and keep his handshake mild. “Hopefully, it’s not a big deal. My wife’s decided to make gift baskets for each of her wedding attendants. She wanted to include some items from our honeymoon.” He shrugged. “She figured she couldn’t go wrong with chocolate sauce.”

  “Sorry you had to tramp all the way back here,” O’Mara said, shooting a look of disapproval at the young woman. “Our concierge is new or she would have taken care of this for you. We’ll be happy to see to your request. Enjoy the rest of your stay at Deux.”

  He sat down, effectively dismissing them.

  A glance at the woman’s thin line of a mouth spoke to her disapproval of the treatment she’d received.

  Ian O’Mara had an agenda that involved Tal’s presence on Antigua. That much was clear. But how in the hell had he found out?

  Tal followed the concierge to her desk.

  “I’ll forward the shipping information to your room at Deux, Mr. Kingston.”

  “Thank you,” he said, glancing around the large lobby. He spotted Glory standing in front of a huge oil painting. On his way, Tal stepped into the gift shop. There was a display of Kingston products just inside the door. He verified the sauces’ origin by checking the labels and left.

  Tal looked at the immense painting Glory stood in front of. It depicted Lord Horatio Nelson’s fleet anchored at the mouth of English Harbour. Her attention was rapt as he walked up softly behind her. “Pretty amazing place. Sailing ships to cruise ships.”

  Glory nodded. “The original peoples were overwhelmed by the British Navy and the pirates. After a while, I doubt if they cared about the difference between an English sailor and a pirate.” She looked at her watch. “We’d better take off if we’re going to be on time for lunch. Did you learn anything?”

  “Yeah, some good news, bad news. I’ll explain after we eat.”

  • •

  They arrived before the Petrones and chose a table on the inside edge of the veranda. The couple at the next table had two straws in an extra-large snifter full of dark pink liquid. “A Deux des Anges,” their waiter informed them. “The house specialty drink for honeymooners.”

  Glory laughed as Tal’s nose scrunched up at the mention of all the fruit juice it contained. She took pity and ordered a margarita.

  The waiter left as the Petrones approached. Glory composed her features and grabbed Tal’s hand in a squeeze. Patti, bless her heart, wore a tight white t-shirt with PRECIOUS spelled out in gold sequins across the bust. Not to be outdone in the tightness department were her leopard-skin print shorts. She tottered forward on shiny gold spiked sandals, a big grin on her face. “I’m glad we’re sitting in the shade. It’s really hot out here.”

  Johnny Petrone wore a black fishnet tank top, tight red shorts, flip flops, and a look of boredom. “Hiya.”

  Glory smiled as they sat down. “We were discussing whether or not to have a Deux des Anges, but Tal thinks it’s too sissy.”

  The redhead giggled. “Johnny only drinks beer, but I read about it in the room brochure. I love pink and I love fruit drinks. I’m going to have one all by myself.”

  They discussed menu selections and placed their orders.

  Glory regretted not using eye drops to treat her eyes and at least attempting to style her hair a little. “Think I’ll make a quick trip to the ladies before the food gets here.”

  “Me, too.” Patti said. “I had my hair done this morning and I want to see how it’s holding up.”

  Glory patted her own hair. “Okay.”

  The ladies’ room was decorated in tourist kitsch. Plastic tiki torches served as lights over the sinks. Patti turned her head back and forth in front of the mirror, squinting. “The stylist took off the hairpiece. This is all mine,” she said, poking at the mass of curls and wisps framing her face.

  “It looks really nice,” Glory said. “Probably not as hot or heavy.”

  “Speaking of hot and heavy, my Johnny’s about to wear me out, you know?”

  Glory didn’t know how to respond to that, so she just nodded and smiled.

  “You got something special going with Tal, though. You are so lucky.”

  She looked at Patti’s eyes in the mirror. They were watching her expectantly.

  “He’s kind of quiet and conservative, but once you get to know him …,” Glory started. He also makes my insides all flippy, she finished to herself.

  “Oh, not that,” the redhead said. “I mean my Johnny loves me in his own way.” She gave a wry smile. “I wish he was as crazy about me as your husband is about you, though. You know the kind of crazy in love that lasts forever.”

  Glory avoided Patti’s direct gaze and considered for a minute that maybe the redhead’s reading material consisted solely of romance novels. “Um, I beg your pardon?”

  “I heard a big fuss on the beach this morning as I was walking back from the salon.” She sighed. “I’m kind of curious, so I walked down. I saw you on your knees, coughing hard. Your husband was in front of you and man; he looked like he’d almost lost his whole world. It was the most intense and sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  Glory’s hands started to tremble and she had to leave her lip gloss half applied.

  The redhead shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’ve gotten too personal. It’s just that you don’t see the real thing every day. Know what I mean? I think you’re a very lucky girl is all.”

  “Thank you,” Glory said, meaning it.

  On their way back, she tried to remember the way Tal had looked at her this morning, but her eyes had been watering from coughing. She remembered he’d hugged her and patted her back. And he’d kissed her cheeks. It had to be an overreaction to how it would look. Didn’t it? How would he explain taking a female co-worker to Antigua and then have her drown? Easier that than to think Talbot Kingston was beginning to have romantic feelings for her.

  When they got back to the table, their drinks had arrived, and so had Samson.

  “Ah, the ladies,” he said. “You are very fortunate men.”

  Glory’s hand moved to her hair again. Great.

  Samson arranged them as a foursome and took several shots. Glory breathed an inward sigh when he didn’t ask the couples to kiss for the photos. She was still unne
rved by Patti’s observations.

  The food was delicious and they talked about everything from neighborhoods to the weather.

  They were finishing fresh pineapple sherbet when Patti turned the conversation to families. “Johnny and I both come from big families. We want a whole house full of kids. How many do you two want?”

  The question caught Glory off guard. She glanced at Tal, but he was looking at the floor. He surprised everyone by stomping several times.

  “What’s the matter?” Patti asked.

  “Bug,” Tal replied. “Big as a horse.”

  Patti squealed and lifted her feet as Johnny’s gaze followed Tal’s.

  “I don’t see anything.”

  Tal shrugged. “Must have got away.”

  “Three,” Glory said, her lips quivering. “We want three children.”

  • •

  They said good-bye to the Petrones and headed back to the Hibiscus Suite.

  That must have been some bug,” Glory remarked.

  “Yeah,” Tal grinned. “Huge.”

  Once inside, they saw the message light blinking on the room phone. Glory picked it up and punched the number to retrieve the call. “Oh,” she said, turning to Tal after listening. “The concierge at the Royal Blue Majestic saw one of the hotel management group heading for a spa appointment and approached her about my blog piece. The director agreed on the spot. The concierge wants to know if I can come back this afternoon. They can spare me a half hour interview.”

  “Great,” Tal said. “That works perfectly into my plans.”

  Glory crossed to the chair by the small table and sat. “What plans? What happened in O’Mara’s office? You said you learned something.”

  Tal nodded. “For one thing, he has very expensive tastes and it doesn’t look like he denies them. He also has a heavy Irish accent, as if he’s fairly new to the islands. Our purchasing manager looked me over as if I was expected. I got the feeling we’ve been ratted out, but I can’t figure out how. You and I and William are the only ones who know about this trip.”

  He paced toward the bed and back, igniting that flippy feeling in her stomach.

  “Both hotels carry the fake products and O’Mara’s the buyer. He’s got to be involved.”

  Glory tapped a finger on her chin. “So, what do we do now?”

  “I have an idea,” Tal said. “Can you hang out here after the interview? I’m going to take the Jeep and follow a hunch. Alone.”

  The hair stood up on the back of her neck. “Could this hunch get you into trouble?”

  He didn’t answer immediately and she thought he might remind her this little jaunt was on his dime. She flushed under his direct, but unreadable gaze.

  “I won’t do anything stupid. But I appreciate the concern.”

  He walked to the table and picked up the room brochure. “Why don’t you take advantage of the free massage that comes with the room?”

  Glory knew when she was being distracted, but if he insisted on going alone, she wouldn’t argue. However, she was uncomfortable leaving his foray open-ended. She raised an eyebrow. “Subtle, Kingston. But as diversions go, a massage sounds fabulous. I’ll make the appointment. If you agree to be back, or contact me within two hours.”

  Tal was holding a baseball cap and a different t-shirt he’d pulled out of his carry-on. He turned away from her, changing the shirt and giving Glory a view of a well-toned back.

  “You’re putting conditions on my coming and going?”

  She couldn’t see his face or decipher the tone in his question, but felt safe in her demand. “Yes.”

  He turned, a smile quivering. “I’ll do my best, and if I’m successful, let’s celebrate. Dinner and dancing in town?”

  Relief at his good-natured answer was replaced by a shimmer in Glory’s belly. She opened her mouth to politely refuse. He’d already held her and kissed her twice today, and she was barely over those shock waves. Why put herself through an evening in his arms while he might be thinking of Alyssia? Inward sigh. Get a grip. Tal is a nice guy and just wants to thank you for coming by showing you some of the sights. She smiled and injected a cheerful tone. “That sounds great.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Tal checked out the walkways and gardens at Deux and strolled down to the beach and back to the hotel bar before finding his quarry. The young photographer smiled and raised his glass in salute at his approach.

  “Are you and the beautiful missus ready for your next picture?”

  Tal shook his head, pointing to the drink in front of Samson. “Rum and cola?”

  “Cola straight up. Can’t drink on duty. Besides, that Caribbean rum is so smooth, it’ll sneak up on you,” Samson said, grinning.

  Tal acknowledged the answer and got to the point. “Care to earn some extra money giving me a geography lesson?”

  Samson slid off the barstool and took his drink, pointing toward a table. “For you, a good deal.”

  As they started for the more private area, Tal asked, “Were you born in Antigua?”

  “Best place in the world,” Samson replied. “And I’ve been to your country.”

  Tal laughed outright as he sat. “Fair enough.”

  “What kind of geography lesson are you looking for? Casinos are legal, booze is legal, and after seeing your new wife, pardon me for saying so, but you don’t need an island woman.”

  He liked the young photographer’s directness, and privately agreed with his assessment of Glory. “First, let me ask if you would be willing to discuss a fellow employee, Ian O’Mara? If not, I understand.”

  Samson’s expression flattened. “He’s not someone I’d trust.”

  Tal suspected as much. “Do you know if he owns any real estate on the island?”

  The younger man glanced around the nearby tables. “He lives at the Majestic, but bought an old sugar plantation last year. Bragged he was going to build his own hillside resort. As far as I know, he’s never started construction. Otherwise there’d be gossip.”

  “Here’s where the geography lesson comes in,” Tal said, spreading a map on the table. “Do you know where this plantation is located?”

  “Off Fig Tree Drive.” Samson pointed to a hilly area in the south central part of the island. “I don’t know which side of the road.”

  Tal slid a fifty-dollar bill across the map. “You’ve been a big help.”

  Samson tipped his head. “Are you some kind of cop?”

  Tal knew instinctively he could trust the islander. “No. I’m investigating a private matter. I hope to get enough information to turn over to the police.”

  The younger man nodded. “I can help there, too.”

  “You can?”

  Samson tapped the fifty. “You didn’t have to be this generous. If you find what you’re looking for, go to the main police court and ask for Lieutenant Costa. Tell him hello from his cousin Samson.” He winked. “It would help to offer to supplement his salary.”

  Tal’s initial joy at this bit of good luck was quickly tempered. He realized the photographer didn’t seem to doubt that O’Mara was capable of something that required police involvement.

  An icy thought wormed its way in. His plan of following the purchasing agent to try and get incriminating evidence left Glory completely on her own.

  He had two choices. Go roaring around in search of Glory and when he found her, not let her out of his sight until they left. For which she definitely would not thank him. Or trust the man across from him to keep an eye on her. He chose Samson.

  “There’s another fifty in it for you,” Tal said. “I need someone to keep tabs on my wife.”

  At Samson’s widened eyes and startled expression, Tal held up his hand. “Not for that reason. I’d just think clearer about today’s plan if I knew she was looked after.”

  Samson nodded. “Done. Where is she now?”

  “At the Majestic, interviewing one of the management group for her blog. Then she’s getting an in-room massage.�
��

  The photographer winked. “I have a very large cousin who would happily take your money for a couple hours work.”

  Tal released a sigh and extended his hand. “You are the man.”

  • •

  He left Deux and drove to the Majestic, cruising the parking lot. There was a shiny black Land Rover in a reserved slot labeled O’Mara. Tal backed into a nearby shady spot, went into the hotel, bought a bottle of water and a magazine, then returned to the Jeep. After a while, even the shade was oppressively hot and he was beginning to believe his objective was impossible, when Ian O’Mara emerged. He’d changed into cooler, but still expensive, clothes.

  According to the map, there were two ways to get to Fig Tree Drive, which was where Tal hoped O’Mara was headed. Both routes went through the capital city, St. John’s. Tal enjoyed the sights of the old town as he stayed a couple of cars back on the narrow streets.

  St. John’s surrounded two coves on the water. In a short while, they were bumping along the main road inland. Tal marked the mileage on his odometer, not wanting to trust his memory. The road climbed and the uneven surface jarred his back teeth. It couldn’t have been more than six miles, although it felt like twenty. An occasional side road disappeared into dense foliage.

  He was beginning to think O’Mara had recognized him, even in sunglasses, baseball hat, and a different shirt. Then he rounded a curve and nearly rear-ended the Land Rover. It sat, blinking a left while a small group of tourists on mountain bikes, followed by a brightly-colored Jeep, passed in front of its turnoff. Tal noted the name of the tour company on the helmet and t-shirt of the man on the lead bicycle. It would come in handy for the plan he was formulating for tomorrow. He tilted his head down, pretending to scan his map and wrote the odometer reading in the margin. If he was lucky, this turnoff led to the one place he’d come to find.

  The road cleared, Tal put his Jeep into gear, and overcame the urge to glance down the side road O’Mara had just taken. He smiled all the way back to Deux.

  • •

  Tal walked down the path to the suite. A cool shower would be great. He pulled off the baseball hat and tried to smooth his hair before reaching the door.