I remained focused. “I’m investigating the death of Jackie Harrington.”
Shirley’s hand went to her heart. “That woman who was found dead?”
I nodded. “That’s right.”
“I heard her boyfriend did it,” another woman said.
“There’s evidence that he may have been set up,” I said. “He did do some unscrupulous things, but I don’t believe he killed her.”
“Who did then?” Deanna asked.
“That’s where I need your help. You’re all the eyes and the ears of this hotel. Did any of you see anything strange going on here recently? It may seem minor, but that’s okay. Anything could help.”
Everyone took turns glancing at each other. Finally, a skinny woman with dirty blonde hair spoke up. “The management has been coming down hard on us lately.”
“About what?”
“We have to maintain the image of a luxurious, safe hotel.” The woman shrugged. “I guess there have been too many mistakes lately. The manager’s not happy.”
“You mean Bentley Allen?” I could picture him clearly in my mind from my brief encounters with him. “What kind of mistakes?”
The maids looked at each other again. Finally, the dirty blonde spoke again. “It varies, really. I mean, we’ve had a couple of cars stolen from the parking lot. That never looks good. Then Maurice—the bellhop—died in that kayaking accident. A couple of the valets quit.”
“Those are all unrelated, right?” I asked, not putting anything together.
“Most likely. I mean, I don’t see how they’re connected, other than making us look bad,” Deanna said. “Image is everything here, if you haven’t noticed. It was a big snafu when the valets quit because it left us shorthanded. It’s not that easy to fill positions out here in the middle of nowhere.”
I nodded, trying to absorb the information and what it might mean for my investigation. Finally, I reached into my pocket and pulled out Derek’s business card. I held it up and showed the group Derek’s picture. “Have any of you seen him?”
The dirty blonde snorted. “He makes himself known.”
I tilted my head. “What do you mean?”
“He hits on everyone with an X chromosome,” Deanna said, shaking her head. “He’s the talk of the hotel.”
Interesting. “Did any of you see him talking to the woman who died?”
Shirley raised her hand. “I did. It’s funny that you asked because I haven’t thought about it since then.” She stopped talking and stared at me with her hand raised, as if waiting for permission to continue.
“You definitely don’t have to raise your hand. Please, share.”
She leaned closer. “I accidentally walked in on them arguing. They didn’t put the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on their door, so I went into his room to clean. Whatever they were talking about, it was heated. I started to leave, but they both got quiet and told me to go ahead.”
“Did you hear anything they were talking about?” I asked.
Shirley shook her head. “Not really. But I did see something while I was cleaning.”
I leaned closer this time, waiting with bated breath. “Okay … ?”
She looked from side to side. “It was a contract with Jackie Harrington’s name on it. It had the name of a law firm at the top.”
“What kind of contract?”
Shirley shrugged. “It had a whole bunch of numbers on it. And it wasn’t signed. It was from Waters and Associates? Does that ring a bell?”
I leaned back and let the information sink in. Did that have anything to do with Jackie’s death? There were so many pieces floating out there. Certainly one or two of them had to connect.
“If any of you find out any more information and remember anything, please let me know. This woman deserves justice. Everyone does.”
The group around me nodded.
I took a step back. “Thanks again, everyone. This really means a lot.”
I opened the door and stepped out, nearly colliding with someone. I jerked my head up, an apology on my lips, until I spotted Derek … and Lane, Veronica, and Lillian. They all stared at me, occasionally glancing back at the maids who filed out behind me. The looks on their faces were a mix of curiosity, disgust, and amusement. I got that. We were like clowns fleeing a tiny car at the circus.
Only I wasn’t supposed to be part of the act. But the truth was, I fit in more with these ladies than I’d ever fit in with them.
I heaved in a deep breath. “Hi, guys.”
Derek raised his chin in the air. “Gabby. If we’d realized you were so down on your luck that you’d been forced to stay in the maid’s closet, I’m sure we could have all pitched in to get you another room.”
I let out a mocking laugh. “Save it, Derek. Have any of you seen Riley?”
Lane shrugged. “Last time I saw him, he was in his room.”
I pushed past the group, not afraid of their looks of pity. “Thanks.”
Derek mumbled something, and everyone in the group laughed. I was sure his comment was about me. That’s when I pulled out my wild card. I stopped and turned toward them. “And Derek?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Yes?” He drew out the word a little too long with that smug little voice of his.
I held up his business card. “Did you lose something?”
His face went pale. “Where’d you get that?”
“I found it not far from where Jackie died.”
He stepped closer and held out his hand. “Strange. I’ll take it.”
I pulled it back and shook my head. “Not so fast. I’m taking this to the police first.”
His lips parted ever so slightly. “Why would you do that?”
“It’s evidence. Why don’t you tell all of us where you were on the night Jackie died?”
His eyes narrowed. “Why don’t you mind your own business?”
“This isn’t about minding my own business. This is about justice for Jackie.”
“I’m going to report you,” he growled.
“Go ahead.” I smiled and turned.
Just as I took a step away, I heard him mumble, “You little … ” Thankfully, I didn’t hear the end of his sentence.
As soon as I rounded the corner, and I was sure that group couldn’t see me anymore, I took off in a jog. I found the emergency stairway and raced up a flight. I reached Riley’s room and pounded on the door. “Answer. Please!”
I waited, tapping my foot impatiently. I’d given the man almost twenty-four hours to think things through. Wasn’t that enough?
I heard no movement inside, so I knocked again. Still nothing.
I sighed. Okay, I had to think things through. And right now that meant that I needed to call the police, just in case Derek made good on his threat to report me. I slipped into an area filled with vending machines and pulled out my cell phone. I dialed the number for the officer whom I talked to earlier. Officer Sharples.
He answered on the first ring, and I explained what I’d found. He promised to come out right away and told me I should meet him in the lobby.
My pulse was still racing as I hurried down the stairs. So many things could go wrong. So many things had gone wrong.
I had to turn this all around. The answers were getting closer. I could feel it.
I paced across the marble floor, the business card still burning in my back pocket. I had to believe that things would turn out for the best. I had to. Otherwise, I’d lose my mind with anxiety.
I glanced across the room, feeling someone watching me. Finally, I found the source.
Lane.
He was at the courtesy phone.
As soon as we made eye contact, he hung up and hurried away. I started to go after him, when someone called my name.
“Miss St. Claire?”
I stopped pacing as I saw Bentley Allen staring at me. “Yes?”
He pulled his lips in a tight line before saying, “May I have a word with you?” Each of his words was cr
isp and sharp.
They left a bad feeling in my gut. I shoved my hands down into my pockets. “About?”
His nostrils flared as he leered at me. “I’d rather discuss this in private.”
Oh, no. I really hoped I hadn’t gotten any of the staff in trouble. That was the last thing I wanted. “This is a bad time.”
“It’s urgent.” He nodded behind him. I followed his gaze and saw a security officer standing there.
My eyes widened as the entirety of the situation began to sink in. What in the world was going on? I shook my head. “I’m waiting for the police. Can’t you just tell me here?”
His scowl deepened. “We’ve had some complaints about you.”
“About me?” I jabbed my finger into my chest as my voice rose at least an octave.
“That’s correct. Apparently, you’ve been disturbing some of our guests.”
At the word “guests,” I narrowed my eyes. I could only guess that those “guests” were Derek, Lillian, Jack, Lane, and Veronica. “If they have a problem with me, they can take it up with me. That’s what real people do. They don’t have other people do all of their dirty work … or wait on them hand and foot for that matter.”
“Ma’am, can you please keep your voice down?”
My index finger shot out. It came out at the worse times and seemed to take on a mind of its own. Right now, my digit pointed at the hotel manager accusingly, wagging back and forth with more sass than a scorned Southern Belle. “You’re the one who started this conversation.”
He raised his chin, obviously taken back by the finger. “And I asked if we could do it in private for a reason.”
My finger began wagging again. “Whatever someone has said against me, it’s bogus.”
His chin rose even higher. “Disorderly conduct. Running through the halls. Taking their things. Sneaking into rooms.” His voice contained the lilt of someone who thought they were better than everyone else. I really hated that lilt.
My eyes widened as I moved beyond his snotty ways and focused on his words. Taking their things? What had I taken exactly? “That’s ridiculous.”
He cupped my elbow. “Miss St. Claire, we’re going to have to ask you to leave Allendale Acres.”
CHAPTER 30
My mouth gaped open, and I dug my heels into the floor. “Are you serious?”
He nodded. “Very serious. We can’t have our guests unhappy.”
I swatted his hand away from my arm. “I’m a guest here! Don’t you care about my happiness?” People were starting to stare, but I didn’t care.
“Please, lower your voice.” If steam could come out of ears, the vapor would be pouring from Bentley Allen now. The man was seething, his face turning red, until finally he motioned the security guard. The man appeared on my other side. He was probably only twenty and built like a twig. I could take him if I had to.
As the security guard took my other arm, I shook my head. “I’m going to talk to my lawyer. This is discrimination.” My lawyer? I knew about five of them here, but I doubted any of them would jump at the chance to be legal counsel for me. Not even Riley.
They began leading me to the stretch of front doors. “Ma’am, I can file formal charges against you for theft,” Bentley said.
“I did not steal that business card. I found it, and now I’m turning it in to the police. Besides, it’s just a business card.” Had the man lost his mind?
Bentley stopped. “What business card?” He blinked, as if the conversation had just taken an unexpected U-turn.
“Derek—” I stopped before I incriminated myself. I shook my head and ran a hand over my face as I bought time and gained my composure. “What are you talking about?”
Bentley actually sighed. I made people do that a lot. Like, a lot a lot. “A necklace that’s worth half a million dollars was stolen from someone. He doesn’t want to press charges, but he doesn’t want anyone else to be deceived by your charms.”
I glanced over at the man’s office in the distance. I knew from all the time I spent wandering the facilities where it was located—right behind the check-in area.
Ajay stepped out and stared at me. Gone was his earlier friendliness.
Heaviness pressed on my chest as I tried to comprehend what was happening. “Ajay?” Dread filled me when I remembered his necklace. I’d just been asking him about it—totally innocently—and now it was gone. This was not looking good for me.
He stepped forward, a new solemnness about him. “I am sorry. I fell for your act. Now I realize that you are just a con artist.”
Fire shot through my veins. “I’m not a con artist. I didn’t steal anything.”
He stared at me, suddenly looking less like Prince Charming and a lot more like a royal pain in the buttocks. “Are you saying you did not slip my keycard while we were out today and then use it to sneak into my room?”
“Of course I didn’t do that.” I didn’t even have to think about my words. They came out fast and adamant and passionate.
The manager shifted, that hungry gleam in his eyes again as he looked at me. “Then why did we find the necklace in your room?”
My mouth gaped wider. “I was set up, that’s why! That’s the only possible explanation.”
Ajay shook his head. “I am sorry. I truly am. I do not want retribution. I only hope that others do not suffer from their choices as I have.”
“You’ve got to believe me. I would never do something like that!”
Ajay only continued to stare at me.
Great. The screw up has struck again. The problem was that this time I didn’t do anything.
Bentley spread his hand toward the door. “If you don’t mind. I’ve already had your key card de-activated. We’re going to have to ask you to leave.”
I sighed and shrugged out of both the manager’s and the security guard’s grasp. I could do this gracefully. Now that I knew what the charges were that had been leveled against me, I had to accept the fact that I was being kicked out. “I don’t have a car even.”
The manager’s eyebrows flickered upward. “I’m sure you’ll figure out something.” He gave me one last little shove.
I shook my head and stepped outside just as a police cruiser pulled up. I might as well throw myself inside and tell Officer Sharples to lock me up.
“Jailhouse Rock” wasn’t my song of choice, however.
Besides, if I did that, someone would get his way, and I wasn’t about to let that happen.
***
Two hours later, from the front seat of the police cruiser parked in front of the hotel, I’d turned in the business card and explained how I found it. I got a lecture about why I wasn’t supposed to be at the scene, and then I explained how when I’d discovered Jackie’s body, I’d lost my ring and how when I went back to look for it, I’d stayed away from the area that was taped off, etc., etc., etc.
I’d seen curtains fluttering from the hotel as guests had peered out, wondering exactly what was going on. I’m sure they were all more than glad that a troublemaker from the wrong side of the tracks was leaving their fine facility.
Only, at the end, I stepped out of the cruiser. I waved goodbye to Officer Sharples. He waved goodbye to Valet Bill behind me, and pulled away.
I ignored the curious look from Bill and grinned up at the hotel, just in case anyone was watching. I realized how absolutely psycho that seemed and stuffed my hands down into my pockets instead.
I glanced at the nighttime around me. What now? I’d been kicked out of the hotel. How was I going to break that one to Riley? What would he think when he found out about this mess I’d gotten myself into?
I pinched the skin between my eyes and pushed my head back. Every time I thought that things couldn’t get worse, they did just that.
Now I was homeless, in the middle of nowhere, with almost no money left, no clothes, no fiancé, and no car.
“You okay?” Bill asked.
I shrugged. “Just peachy.”
&n
bsp; He stepped forward. “Listen, you don’t want Mr. Allen to catch you loitering around here.”
I pointed toward the distance. “I think I’ll just walk into town then.”
That seemed to satisfy him because he nodded. I started walking, not necessarily to the town, though. I wouldn’t go in the woods or anywhere too secluded. But maybe I’d just walk around the resort for a moment and clear my head. Maybe I could finally figure out a plan.
As a last option, maybe I’d call Sierra or Chad to see if they could pick me up. I could even call my brother, Tim, or my dad, if worst came to worst.
I walked past the pond where Riley and I had our talk last night. Crickets and frogs sang their evening song and some bugs buzzed by in the not-so-far distance. Humidity hadn’t set in around here, and I was grateful for that, at least.
Guilt continued to pound at me as I remembered the disappointment in Riley’s eyes. I had someone really great in my life, and I’d let him slip away.
I shook my head. I didn’t want to feel sorry for myself, but it felt like all of my other emotions were drying up. Guilt and self-loathing … they were abundant. I just wished Riley understood me better. I wished he’d never asked me to make that promise.
I rounded the West Wing of the building. Inside, windows were lit with a warm glow. I could see silhouettes of people happily moving about, enjoying their lives and all the fine things that came with it. I shoved my hands deeper into my pockets.
In the distance, the pool area came into view. It wasn’t just any pool area. There were five pools, some with slides, others with jet sprays, some with sprinklers. Everything you could imagine. Right now, the area was dark and the lifeguards had gone home.
I walked between some lounge chairs. I wondered if I’d be caught if I slept here tonight? I wasn’t tired right now, so it didn’t matter. I just kept wandering.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw a text message.
From Riley! My pulse quickened.
Where are you? I’ve been looking for you all day.
My heart soared and then immediately crashed. Looking for me with good news or bad? I couldn’t be sure.
Christy Barritt - Squeaky Clean 04 - Dirty Deeds Page 19
