Undercover in Glimmer Creek

by Julianna Morris

  “I don’t know what to think except that something hasn’t added up from the very beginning.”

  A flicker of emotion flitted across his face. If it had been anyone else, Tessa would have guessed chagrin, but he was probably too arrogant for that.

  “Rob is my brother,” he admitted.

  “That explains the resemblance around your eyes. Are you really retired from the navy?”

  “Yes. I didn’t lie on my job application.”

  “But you obviously didn’t tell us everything. Why are you in Glimmer Creek?”

  * * *

  GABE GLANCED AROUND. Tessa had chosen her spot well. They were visible to traffic from two sides of the park, yet no one was around—possibly because, however pleasant, it lacked the picture-postcard appeal of the original city center in Poppy Gold.

  “Someone has been stealing information from Thomas International Products,” he said grudgingly. “Data on pending contracts, future acquisition plans, that sort of thing. They’re using the information to sabotage TIP, or at least to make a profit elsewhere.”

  Tessa regarded him narrowly. “I’m sorry to hear that, but... Oh, my God, you think someone at Poppy Gold is doing it, don’t you?”

  “This is the only place where all the information has been together outside Rob’s office. And when something happens, it’s right after TIP has had executive training or planning sessions here. The company has lost a great deal of money.”

  Her mouth opened and closed, then opened again. “Why didn’t Rob talk to me about this?”

  “I advised against it.”

  “Wise of you. After all, I might be involved.”

  Gabe waited while the other shoe dropped. Tessa was upset and still recovering from her fall, or she would have gotten it earlier.

  “Damn it,” she exclaimed a second later. “That’s exactly what you think. Do you actually believe I’d steal business secrets from one our clients? If something like that came out, it would destroy Poppy Gold Inns.”

  Yeah, now Gabe understood her devotion to the bed-and-breakfast complex. She was practically obsessed with making it a premier visitor and conference center.

  “It isn’t that far-fetched,” he defended. “You’re Patrick Connor’s granddaughter and worked as an executive with Connor Enterprises until fairly recently. Basically, you and Liam are the only heirs of a company in direct competition with TIP.”

  “You mean my father is a suspect, too.”

  “That isn’t what—”

  “You’re insane,” Tessa interrupted. “My dad could never cheat, and Granddad would be appalled at the thought of using stolen information.”

  “You can’t believe that. Patrick Connor is a ruthless businessman.”

  She breathed hard for a moment, visibly trying to control her temper. “Grandfather is a good businessman. That doesn’t mean he’s ruthless. What sort of people have you been associating with? I’ve always thought men and women who served their country must be pretty decent on the whole. But maybe you weren’t in the navy.”

  “I told you, I didn’t lie on my job application,” Gabe ground out. “I’m a retired navy SEAL. We don’t advertise ourselves, even after getting out of the service.”

  “You also didn’t say that you’d come to spy on us. To think Dad actually told me to give you a chance. He said it takes a while for a veteran to adjust to civilian life, but you’ve been playing us the entire time.”

  “Give me a chance? I thought Liam was my boss, not you.”

  “He is, but I wasn’t thrilled about you having contact with guests, so we discussed it. Or do you think we don’t talk to each other about Poppy Gold?”

  “Of course not.” Gabe frowned. “Why didn’t you think I should be around guests?”

  “Because we’re in the hospitality business, and your personality is less than stellar. In fact, most of the time you’re stiff and look surly.”

  “Oh.”

  Tessa let out an exasperated breath. “Did it ever occur to you that spying is unethical? You have a lot of nerve accusing my grandfather of being ruthless.” She pointed across the street at the police department. “We’re going right over to tell my great-uncle about this. He’s the police chief. He’ll start a full investigation, and Poppy Gold will cooperate fully.”

  “Fine, but it needs to stay confidential. Public trust is involved for both Thomas International Products and Poppy Gold Inns. You won’t get far as a conference center if executives are worried their information will be stolen here.”

  Some of the anger faded from Tessa’s face. “Uncle Milt won’t tell anyone.” She sank onto a bench, looking as if the wind had been knocked out of her sails. “But the news will come out at some point, even if only when an arrest is made.”

  “Except that will mean the problem has been resolved. TIP is owned by the family, so we don’t answer to any stockholders, but other companies will be reluctant to do business with us if they think they’re at risk of being undermined. The company has lost a ton of money since this started. Rob has put all acquisitions and new contracts on hold right now because of it.”

  “That can’t go on forever.”

  “No, it can’t. Rob and I talked to the FBI, but there wasn’t any evidence to give them. Frankly, they acted as if we were paranoid. That’s why I came here to see if there was any way to track down what was happening. I figured that if I could present evidence or point to a specific suspect, they might be willing to take the investigation further.”

  * * *

  TESSA’S STOMACH ROILED and she could barely think. She’d been too uncomfortable and upset the previous night to sleep, realizing that her fall could have been fatal.

  Now this?

  “Why were you so curious about my accident at the El Dorado?” she asked finally.

  “Frankly, it seems suspicious. That’s a private staircase to the suite. Housekeeping normally uses the back stairs, right?”

  She blinked. “Yes, and only by key access. My parents built the deluxe suite seven years ago. Obviously, we can’t have penthouse elevators in historic buildings, but the idea was to give a sense of exclusive luxury. It’s also good for—”

  “Hell,” Gabe exclaimed, cutting her off.

  Tessa looked up and saw Great-Uncle Milt coming toward them. He must have spotted her from his office window. His proximity was why she’d chosen the park as a place to speak with Gabe.

  Milt Fullerton inspired confidence. He’d looked after Glimmer Creek for decades, and everyone was dreading his retirement in a few months.

  “Hey, Uncle Milt.”

  “Is everything all right?”

  She exchanged a look with Gabe. Their choice was to talk in the park or follow her great-uncle into the police station and make people wonder what was going on. “Not exactly. This is Gabe McKinley. He has something to discuss with you.”

  She kept an eye out for anyone who might overhear them, while Gabe laid out why he’d come to Glimmer Creek and his suspicions that someone had tampered with the staircase.

  Great-Uncle Milt had looked grim when he joined them, and his expression darkened as Gabe spoke.

  “So we have two problems, possibly related,” he said finally. “Stephen Seibert talked to me yesterday, Tessa. He’s suspicious about your accident. The stair riser that collapsed is a different type of wood from the rest of the steps, and a piece appears to be missing. The damage to the railing is also strange. It might be completely innocent, but I’ve sent everything to the state crime lab for analysis.”

  Tessa’s pulse skipped. “Normally I use the rear stairs to deliver the courtesy baskets, but nobody was checked in at the mansion and I was in a huge rush.”

  Great-Uncle Milt shook his head. “It’s unlikely anyone would target you. I have to agree the i
ntended victim was probably Mr. McKinley’s brother, particularly with the increased number of threats against him. The postmarks from town close to Glimmer Creek are too big a coincidence to ignore.”

  Tessa let out a breath. “I don’t know, industrial espionage and attempted murder? That doesn’t make sense to me. It’s a huge leap to go from white-collar theft to killing someone,” she said at length.

  “Any thoughts on that, Mr. McKinley?”

  Gabe shrugged. “Rob claims he’s gotten other hate mail in the past, but I think it’s possible that somebody is trying to hurt him or TIP for personal reasons. Maybe they’re getting impatient or decided economic damage isn’t enough. I told him to take the letters either to the police in Los Angeles or to the FBI agent we spoke to a few weeks ago.”

  “I’d like copies, as well. Have there been any other suspicious accidents?” asked Great-Uncle Milt.

  “No, just the letters.”

  “But why turn violent all of a sudden?” Tessa interjected.

  “Opportunistic crime, prompted by the earthquake,” Gabe said. “The saboteur could have hoped everyone would assume it was freak damage. I realize it sounds paranoid, but they would have had the whole night to rig the steps. And that business of someone reserving the whole house and not showing up or canceling is questionable, as well.”

  Tessa rubbed her forehead, still trying to process everything. It did sound paranoid, but what was the saying—just because you’re paranoid, it doesn’t mean everyone isn’t out to get you? Besides, if the step had been sabotaged, who else could be the target?

  “Gabe, was Rob’s request to move to another house in Poppy Gold part of your investigation?”

  “I asked him to do it. I keep thinking the thief could be in Housekeeping because it wouldn’t be overly suspicious if they’re seen entering a suite at odd hours, say with a load of fresh towels. So I told Rob to ask for a change of accommodation, hoping someone on the housekeeping staff would ask to switch assignments, as well.”

  Tessa raised her chin. “Why couldn’t it be an outsider, posing as one of our housekeepers?” The idea that an employee might be behind this made her nauseous.

  “They’d need keys. Besides, surely a stranger would be noticed,” Gabe argued. “It has to be someone who works here, or else hired a person who does. Either way, there’s nothing you could have done.”

  It seemed uncharacteristic for Gabe to try to make her feel better, but it didn’t matter. Tessa felt responsible. A good manager ought to know when something fishy was going on. And she still needed to consider whether somebody might be stealing from any of her other corporate clients, not just TIP.

  “What do we do now, Uncle Milt?” she asked. Perhaps she’d get an idea later, but right now her brain seemed stuffed with cotton wool.

  “I’m already in place,” Gabe said quickly. “And confidentiality is critical, not only to TIP, but for Poppy Gold’s reputation. I’m an ex-SEAL. I can take care of myself and obviously have the necessary skills.”

  Great-Uncle Milt gazed at him for a long moment. “Loath as I am to go along with someone who suspected my great-niece of being an industrial spy, I’m inclined to agree with you. I can’t go in myself or send one of my officers without it being obvious.”

  Tessa was annoyed to see a faintly smug expression on Gabe’s face.

  “I’ll help, too,” she declared.

  “No,” both men said simultaneously.

  “Yes,” she shot back. “If the FBI investigated and didn’t think I was involved, they’d almost certainly come to me for help as an inside contact, or whatever they call it. Poppy Gold is my responsibility and I have to do whatever is necessary. Gabe can be the brawn, and you and I will be the brains.”

  Gabe scowled while her great-uncle laughed.

  “I’ll think about it,” Milt declared.

  “While you’re thinking about something I’ve already decided to do, I’m going back to work.” Tessa got up slowly from the park bench and walked away.

  * * *

  GABE TURNED, PLANNING to follow Tessa.

  “Stay right here, Mr. McKinley,” Milt Fullerton ordered sternly.

  Gabe turned and raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”

  “I don’t appreciate being backed into a corner, young man. Tessa means the world to me, and I refuse to let her get hurt.”

  “I tried to keep her out of it.”

  The police chief snorted. “You weren’t protecting her—you were deciding if she was guilty or not. That girl wouldn’t steal a paper clip.”

  “I don’t suspect her any longer, but frankly, most people don’t believe a relative could be guilty.”

  “I’m not just anybody. I’ve kept the law around here since long before Tessa was born.”

  Gabe liked Milt Fullerton, but the old guy couldn’t have much investigative experience. The local police were probably fine with traffic stops and petty theft, but industrial espionage was another matter. Maybe that was even part of the reason the spy had set up shop at Poppy Gold. It would be easy to spot anyone investigating in such a small, tight-knit community.

  “Are you going to tell any of your officers about what’s going on?” Gabe asked instead of challenging Milt.

  “Not at the moment. And I’ll have to decide what to do if any search warrants are needed. You’re right about one thing—this needs to stay confidential, and very little stays private around Glimmer Creek. It’s a good thing I decided to come over to check on Tessa. Everybody is used to me being nosy, but if you’d come to my office, there would have been even more talk.”

  Gabe sighed, missing the anonymity that large cities offered. The average citizen of Glimmer Creek could probably tell a tourist and a local from a mile away.

  More than once he’d heard someone exclaim, “You’re that new guy,” when he walked into a store or restaurant.

  “What are they going to think after seeing us together in the town park?”

  “The truth—that I was checking up on you. They might even speculate that you and Tessa are involved, but that won’t hurt anybody. So let’s shake hands and pretend we’re getting along.”

  “Aren’t we getting along?” Gabe asked, putting out his hand. Milt Fullerton’s grip was surprisingly strong and firm.

  “Time will tell, young man. Time will tell.”

  * * *

  RETURNING ALONG THE pedestrian shopping street gave Tessa a strange sensation, and she realized it stemmed from Gabe’s revelations. What if someone had seen her talking to Rob and Gabe? What if she and Gabe had been seen talking to Great-Uncle Milt? What if she went to the Tofton House to see Rob, and the thief thought there was something suspicious about it?

  There were a thousand “what-ifs,” and she shook the thought away. She had to be careful or else she’d start seeing sinister motives in everything. Nevertheless, she wanted to speak with Robert McKinley and see what he had to say.

  First she stopped at her office to get a flyer about upcoming Glimmer Creek community events. While she didn’t need an excuse to visit one of her top clients, it would look better if she arrived with a purpose. She answered a phone call before leaving, only to see Rob at the office door as she hung up the receiver. Maybe he’d been thinking the same way.

  He gave her a sheepish look. “I hope you don’t mind—one of the employees let me come up here. May I come in?”

  “Of course. I was just about to go look for you.”

  He closed the door, and she motioned to the small seating area at the end of the room. They’d met in her office before, discussing various upcoming TIP visits to Poppy Gold, but it was different now that she knew what was going on. When they were both comfortable, Rob leaned toward her with an earnest expression.

  “I’m so sorry about the deception, Tessa. Gabe genuinely thought
it would be best for him to get a job here without anybody knowing he’s my brother.”

  “How serious are the thefts?”

  “Serious. Several major deals have fallen through, enough to have a substantial impact on our profits. If we had a board of directors, they’d be screaming for my head.”

  “I don’t understand why you suspect someone at Poppy Gold, rather than one of your own employees. I’m not an expert on industrial espionage, but surely that’s more likely than one of my housekeepers or other staff.”

  “Other than me, no single person at TIP has had all the information. Deals have always fallen apart immediately after one of our executive sessions here, but it hasn’t been the same executives involved each time. I’ve tracked it. One time it will be a group from LA, another from the East Coast or Asia. The only common factor is Poppy Gold.”

  “Not necessarily.” Tessa looked at the computer on her desk. Her brain was beginning to work faster, the way she wished it had worked when she’d been talking to Gabe and Great-Uncle Milt. “What about cybertheft? Anyone with the right know-how can break into a computer, no matter where they are.”

  “Agreed, but most of the information has never gone on a computer with internet access, especially after the first leak became obvious. Anything committed to paper has stayed with me, and I never leave it, or my laptop, behind at the office or home.”

  Tessa released a breath. She kept hoping Poppy Gold wouldn’t have any role in the thefts and wanted to suggest Rob’s phone had been tapped or another option, but she would just be grasping at straws. It was important for Robert McKinley to know she was taking things seriously.

  Rob touched her hand. “Tessa, please understand. I never seriously thought you had anything to do with this, even after Gabe told me you were connected to Connor Enterprises.”

  “He was spying on us, Rob.” A renewed surge of anger swept through her. “Spying.”

  “I’m sorry. And I know it bothered Gabe. He’s honorable and decent, the finest man I’ve ever known, so please don’t think too badly of him because of it.”