by Anne Ashby
She clasped Debra’s hands. “Deb, the place was profitable enough for that woman to get away with stealing so much.” She rushed on as the figures started rolling around inside Debra’s head. “We might not even need an influx of capital to help us trade our way back. The staff provided amazing service under very difficult constraints. Just imagine what we’ll be able to do with a healthier working budget.”
“You’ve been giving this more than a bit of thought,” Debra mused.
Karin’s body stiffened. “Don’t think you’re indulging an old woman, Debra.”
“Old? Where do you ever come off calling yourself old?” Debra had to smile. She stretched out a hand, but didn’t quite make physical contact. “I’m not indulging you, Mother, I promise.”
She sent her mother a half smile. “I admit I’m a little surprised at your fervour, but I’ll back you. I’ve been feeling sick about the possibility of firing all those people. I’m not sure I’ve liked getting close to those who work for us. They’ve all been so friendly.”
She shook her head and asked, “Tell me some of your ideas? I imagine you have lots...”
****
Jase was delighted with the response of the Japanese businessmen to his proposals. He was pleased when Karin offered to join him in escorting them to the airport. Having the hotel owner rubber stamp his ideas, and offer some of her own, had added weight to his overall presentation. Now it was a waiting game to see if their efforts would bear fruit.
It was only when they returned to the hotel that Karin’s two-edged actions dawned. She’d kept him busy and out of the way for another two hours. He caught her smirky little smile as she fluttered her fingers and disappeared into the conference room.
“What’s going on, boss?” the head of reception queried in a whisper.
“Who the hell knows?” he snapped back. He shot the man an apologetic grimace. “Who have they spoken to?”
He named the managerial staff members. “I can’t be sure but I think all of us. They grilled me about guest numbers and how our payment records are kept. They’re a closed-mouth lot, wouldn’t give away anything. No hint of why they’re here or what they want.”
“I’ve had about enough of this,” Jase strode toward the conference room. He knocked, but didn’t wait for a reply before thrusting the door open.
In a less serious situation Jase might have laughed at the contingent from Head Office huddled around one end of the table. Looking more like extras from a Matrix movie than accountants, Jase could visualise adding dark glasses to complete the parody.
“Ah, Jason. Terry was just about to call you.” Karin’s nod held none of the friendliness she’d been showing him. She introduced him to each of the three men. “I’m sure Jason will provide you with anything else you might need.”
With another cool nod the woman disappeared and he was invited—or was it ordered?—to sit.
“You’ll appreciate we had very little notice of your arrival—”
“We understand, Mr. McEwan.” The red-headed man in the centre was the man in charge. His offhand response annoyed Jase. With narrowed eyes Jase glared at him.
Jase’s anger had no affect on the man shuffling through notes on the table in front of him and clicking his computer mouse. He bombarded Jase with a variety of unrelated questions about the hotel’s running costs.
After only a few moments’ conversation there was a pregnant pause during which Jase was pierced with dark blue eyes. “Thank you, Mr. McEwan. That’ll be all for the moment.”
“That’s it?” Jase snapped, leaning across the table. “I don’t think so, buddy. I want to know what the hell you think you’ve uncovered.”
The indifferent coldness in Terry Donaldson’s demeanour stirred Jase’s temper further. This clown thinks he can just dismiss me? Jase’s shoulders bunched and his hands tightened into fists. This is my hotel, damn you.
“I’ll be making my report to my superiors immediately.” The redhead glanced at his watch as he stood and began shuffling all the papers together. “I suggest you assemble your managerial staff to meet here later this morning.” He nodded to one of his henchmen. “My associate will advise you what time.” The placating tone did little to ease Jase’s anger.
Jase was given little choice but to follow the Matrix characters out. He waited beside the lift they’d disappeared into, unsurprised when it travelled to the third floor. As he suspected, they were reporting to Karin Laurie.
Fuming all the way back to his office he cursed under his breath, remembering the man’s dictum as he slammed shut his door. Only after some minutes dredging an even deeper groove in the carpet did Jase’s shoulders relax. Grimacing, he swung around and dropped into his chair to call reception and summon the staff.
He acknowledged that although Terry Donaldson might be young, he’d had high enough backing to assert control over this situation. It seemed Jase was going to be privy to whatever this debacle might have unearthed at the same time as the rest of his senior staff.
****
Jase led his management team into the conference room when they were summoned. They were invited to sit opposite Karin Laurie and the three Matrix clowns. The empty seat at the top of the table bore no significance to Jase as he remained on his feet glaring at Karin.
“Before anything is said, I want it on record I object to the devious way this audit has been carried out. No member of my staff has been given a chance to respond to any allegations—”
“There are no allegations being levelled at any of your staff, Mr. McEwan.”
So intent at reporting the unfairness of their treatment, Jase hadn’t heard the door open. Shock took his legs from under him and he fell into his seat as Debra, his Debra, marched around behind the dark-suited men and Karin and authoritatively sat at the table’s head.
He jammed shut the mouth that had dropped open as he stared. She wore the powder-blue suit they’d bought together, but she looked nothing like the woman who’d modelled it the day before yesterday. This woman was as far from the Debra of his dreams as...
Debra! Of course. He kicked himself for being such an idiot. Why hadn’t he ever put the names together before? This was Debra Laurie, the hotel chain’s CEO.
His lips twisted. No wonder she’d appeared ham-fisted in the dining room. She was their supreme leader, not a waitress-in-training. He swung his head and caught George’s eye, incensed. The man must have known—and kept secret—Debra’s real identity.
Debra took control of the meeting with the assurance of a woman used to being in control. “Two weeks ago I became aware of some issues at Riversleigh that needed drastic and urgent attention.”
“I apologise for misleading you all.” She had the gall to focus on Jase for more than a millisecond before her gaze encompassed his staff as well. “But it was necessary to uncover why the unprofitability of this venture has been so excessive.”
“Terry,” she ordered, “would you share your findings please?”
Jase took little notice of the red-headed man getting to his feet and flicking open his laptop. His seething glare remained focused on Debra, who, after the merest of glances, refused to look his way again.
The significance of the report Terry gave via Power Point crashed through Jase’s smouldering anger. The projected running costs and budgets for each department, as per Head Office, had everyone on Jase’s side of the table protesting loudly.
Quietening them, Terry continued. He recited detail after detail of expenses Jase and, by their astounded looks, his staff had no knowledge of. Even the figure for the salary cap Jase knew to be in place was far in excess of what he’d been told.
“It was necessary to exclude all staff members from the investigation until we were certain who was involved in what is certainly misappropriation of funds.” Debra’s voice was emotionless, but Jase caught her drift. She’d suspected him. Damn her! She’d suspected he was stealing from the hotel.
His fists clenched under the tab
le, hurt turning to white-hot anger. “The matter has been reported to the police and at the moment Madeline Murphy and Claire McKenzie are helping them with the enquiries.”
A gauntlet of emotions raged through Jase. His hurt and anger at Debra’s deception slid sideward as astonished disbelief rose. “You mean Madeline—?”
“So it would seem.” Debra’s harsh response showed for a moment her disillusionment in a trusted employee.
Consummate businesswoman that she obviously was, she covered her own feelings and continued. “My mother will be overseeing Riversleigh from now on.” She opened the floor with a flick of her hand.
“Thank you, my dear.” Karin rose and encompassed all his staff in her gaze. “First, I want to congratulate you all for the way you’ve continued upholding our high ideals during recent months. You’ve done a very sterling job under what we now realise were very constrained circumstances and from the Board I thank you for your efforts. I trust my thanks will be passed on to all staff members?”
Stunned heads nodded.
“Our appreciation will also be shown in next week’s pay packages.” A little disconcerted, Karin looked down at some notes she’d made. “I will be remaining at Riversleigh for an indefinite period. I have some changes I intend to implement. The first one...” Her gaze slithered to Jase. “If you are no longer considering your resignation, Jason, I would like you to take over as general manager.”
Still struggling with the realisation that the Madeline problem had been fixed without any input from him, Jase could only stare at Karin.
“And unless you have any objection, I believe George Rivers will make an excellent operations manager in your wake.” Karin’s voicing of a couple more immediate changes she envisioned gave Jase the time he needed to re-engage his brain.
In less than thirty minutes his whole world had tilted. Insulted and angry with Debra’s ploys to extract information, and her doubts about his honesty, warred with growing excitement at his unexpected promotion.
Working with Karin wouldn’t be a problem. She’d had her eye on him, had been testing him in her own way and he guessed he’d passed whatever yardstick she’d set. From now on he could market the hotel, make impromptu decisions, and change anything he wanted. No more Madeline blocking every plan he attempted. He had only to consult Karin or Head Office.
His head spun as he turned to Head Office. She looked so unapproachable now in her power clothing, but he’d helped her on with that jacket. His lips twisted, although his hopes of helping her out of it hadn’t materialised.
“Congratulations to Mr. McEwan and Mr. Rivers. I’m sure you’ll continue to do an excellent job.” She nodded to the rest of the resort staff. “I’d like to add my thanks for all the extra work that has gone on behind the scenes. I’m very proud to have had the chance to work alongside some of you.” She stood up. “I wish you all the very best.”
All the men jumped to their feet as well.
Before Jase could think of stopping her Debra had sailed out of the room.
Chapter Eleven
Racket exploded within the conference room. Jase elbowed his way past the throng trying to congratulate him and rushed out the door. Seeing the blue suit disappearing inside the lift he dashed over and thrust his arm between the closing doors.
“Sneaking away like a fox in the night?” he accused as the doors enclosed them in a world of their own.
Debra’s head shot up. “Of course not. I’m finished here.”
Jase grabbed her arms. “You might be finished, lady, but I’m not. I’m a long way from finished.” He glared into her blazing eyes, anger and hurt taking control of his good sense.
“What was the angle, Debbie? Were you coming on to me to see if I’d lose my head and betray myself as a thief? Or were you so bored in dreary old Riversleigh you needed some amusement?” He shoved his face so close he could feel her indignation in the shallowness of her breathing.
Her chin jutted out. Colour stole into her face. “Coming on to you?” she scoffed. “You’re deluded.”
A mocking chuckle burst from his lips. “I’m not deluded, boss lady.” The shiver caused by his hands running up and down her arms confirmed his certainty. He made a show of looking around the lift. “If these walls could only talk,” he murmured against her lips.
He felt some satisfaction as the colour drained from her cheeks as fast as it had tainted them. “Lying and manipulating people might come easy to you but it grates the hell out of me.” He leaned against her resisting body, pinning her into the corner against the mirrored wall. “How’s the claustrophobia?” he ground out between clenched teeth. “Oh, that’s right, I forgot. That was all an act, too.”
The hand he rubbed up and down her cheek wasn’t gentle but she stopped struggling, growing even paler at his taunts.
“How about one more for the road?” he nibbled at her bottom lip with his teeth. All his angry frustration burst from him as he smothered her mouth with savage mastery. His fingers dug into her hair, dislodging its tidy style into disarray. Drinking from her sweet mouth, Jase groaned as he farewelled his dream of them spending eternity together.
“Don’t mind me.” He released her and stepped away. “I need to check out my new office.” He allowed a scathing glance to drop from her head to her feet and turned his back as the doors slid open. “It seems I earned it.”
****
The shakes still had control of Debra as she sank onto the bed in her mother’s room. She’d expected no less from Jase. She knew he’d be upset by her duplicity. She just hadn’t planned for his anger to affect her so strongly.
With her head buried in her hands she surrendered to her pain, berating her stupid weakness. Congratulating herself for a successful undertaking and telling herself she’d done well eradicating the source of Riversleigh’s steady decline wasn’t easing her anguish.
Had she destroyed something precious? Jase might have imagined an attraction to Debbie the waitress, but no man had ever harboured a burning passion for Debra Laurie, CEO. Jase McEwan was no different.
She’d witnessed the distaste in his expression. As soon as he realised the dominance her position demanded of her, he’d changed from considerate and attentive to aggressive and boorish.
She jerked to her feet and stomped to the bathroom. She’d been crazy. Crazy to even wish...
It was time to get back to Wellington. Back to the stimulation of her real work. Back to the solitary life she’d planned.
****
“You okay?”
Debra glanced up at her brother as he entered her office. She avoided his concerned gaze and nodded.
“You don’t look okay.”
Debra had found sleep elusive since her return to Wellington. She’d resorted to sleeping pills, but inevitably awoke feeling miserable and woolly-headed, so had given up taking them after a couple of weeks. She looked far from her best and didn’t appreciate Paul pointing this out.
She jumped to her feet, her fingers clenching the side of the desk. “Get off my back, will you?” she snapped. “I’m busy. What do you want?”
She turned her back as he settled himself into a chair. “Come to dinner tonight.”
“I’ve got too much work to catch up on, Paul—”
“I want you to meet Chloe.”
Debra’s taut shoulders sagged at the soft way he spoke her name. Afraid this unknown woman had already changed the dynamics between the twins, Debra dreaded the meeting.
Paul was the one genuine person in her life, the only person she trusted. She wrapped her arms across her chest, wishing she could hide her feelings from him, but knowing that was useless.
“She’s a bit nervous about meeting you, too, so I thought we’d have a quiet meal at my flat.”
Debra almost laughed out loud. An uneasy glance over her shoulder caught her brother’s gaze. While his faint smile reassured, she detected something else in his expression.
“I’ve asked her to marry me, Deb.�
��
Although half-expecting this, his words sucked the strength from her legs and sent her stumbling back into her chair.
“Before I’ve even met her?” she gasped. The enormity of her loss washed over her.
“You’ll love her. I have no doubt about that.”
Yeah right. Fat chance.
Listening to her brother extol the virtues of his beloved grated more with every word. “What time is dinner?” she interrupted when he showed no sign of taking a breath. “If I’m not able to work tonight, I need every minute I can to play catch-up.”
Thankfully he took her hint and jumped to his feet. Debra summoned up a smile but it didn’t fool her twin. He leaned all the way across her desk and kissed her cheek. “It’ll be all right, Deb. I’ll never let you down.”
He tweaked her nose and shot out the door before she could find something to throw. “Come any time after six. And don’t forget the wine.”
Work was the last thing she could apply herself to after the door clicked shut. She was about to lose Paul. Furious blinks stopped the build-up of moisture in her eyes.
Did this woman truly care for Paul? What if she was after him only for materialistic gains? What if she was Roger in a dress?
As her mind took off at a million miles an hour Debra forced on the brakes. Didn’t she have any faith in Paul’s own discernment? He was too intelligent to fall for a gold digger. Wasn’t he?
With fists clenched she swore to root out any possible mercenary thoughts this Chloe might have. Paul was not going to be hoodwinked like she had been.
****
Shock was Debra’s first response to meeting her brother’s intended wife. Geared to meet a stunning, tall, svelte, sophisticated blonde like those Paul had always favoured, Chloe was almost the exact opposite.
The short brunette with out-of-control hair was definitely not svelte. In fact she was almost dumpy, Debra thought unkindly as she shook the clammy hand extended toward her. And she was young—very young.
So young, Debra could virtually feel the crows’ feet digging trenches across her own face. Startled, she glanced at her hands. Miraculously no ugly age spots had developed in the intervening seconds.
