by JLee Meyer
Joey and Ember high-fived each other behind him and Ember pulled out her cell to text Stef when the front door buzzed as someone let themselves in.
Ben’s only utterance was, “Shit.”
Filling the doorway was a tall woman with perfect features, auburn hair, and intense blue eyes. She stepped inside, walked up to Ben’s desk, slipped her hands into the pockets of her perfectly tailored trousers, and stared at the data on the screen.
Addressing Ben, she said, “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
*
The limo once again wound around the streets and hills of Marin County, after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. Stef was even more tarted up than she had been the first time, the better to complete her assignment. Mrs. C was looking dowdier and dizzier by the minute, probably preparing for her mental competence examination.
Stef hadn’t intended to break Seraphina Drake Holloway out of the Heath Center, but Agnes was sure that if they tried a writ of habeas corpus, it would only give Seraphina’s son time to tighten security and make sure she was so drugged she couldn’t put a sentence together.
Agnes had been putting in long hours, digging her way to the truth. From searching public records, she found out that Seraphina had been placed at the Heath Retirement Center without a court order. If they could spirit her out of there and get her cleaned up, she could testify on her own behalf about what had happened to her. The plan was to file a writ as her advocates, as soon as they rescued her.
Sika had made arrangements to place her in a facility that specialized in drug detox and discretion. The bills were mounting but, so what? Stef couldn’t worry about cost overruns anymore. They were making a stand, and it was all or nothing at this late stage of the game.
The second phase of their plan was to get their hands on the complete membership roster of the Bohos. Laurel had assumed the task of researching the group, enlisting Ember’s help. The most powerful white men in the world had belonged or did belong, although they passed themselves off as just a fraternity of men who liked to get together with their peers and play. The ultimate good old boy network. Good old rich boys.
They were able to obtain the directory of the board of directors of the bank that held the first mortgage to the hotel because it was public knowledge, and Agnes located the list of private investors in the second firm. There were no common names. They were betting everything that many of them knew each other through the Bohos. The car slowed and arrived at the gate. Denny was about five minutes behind them in her own car, a beater that she’d had since college. She had to look like “the help” because she had the most important task, stealing Mrs. Holloway. She was strong enough to handle an almost comatose woman if she needed to, and she could be invisible or formidable if someone challenged her.
Everyone else had also volunteered to help, but Laurel couldn’t handle the physical demands, and Jock was needed at the job site too much to risk a night in jail. Stef thought she detected more than a little friendly worry on Jock’s part that Denny might be caught. Ember was on her mission to obtain the Bohemian Club membership list and Sika was down at the courthouse, filing the writ so they could obtain an order to show cause today, after they sprang Seraphina.
They had their plan timed to the minute, with very little room for screwups. Stef had talked to Mrs. Stonewell and scheduled the evaluation on a day she wouldn’t be there, saying it was the only day she could bring her grandmother. Mrs. Stonewell wasn’t about to give up a day off, so didn’t argue.
The gate swung open and they glided in and drove to the front of the old building. Stef yanked her bodice down a little lower and said, “It’s showtime. Let’s do this.”
The chauffeur opened the door, and Stef eyed the security camera before turning to help “Grammy” out of the limo. To the driver, an old acquaintance she could trust, she said, “Pull over there and wait for the signal.”
Once Mrs. Castic was in the room with the psychologist, Stef insisted she be allowed in the security room to observe the testing. The assistant director refused at first, but Stef told her Mrs. Stonewell had okayed it and she could call her to verify. Her gamble paid off when the woman immediately gave in and escorted her to the security room. No one disturbed the director on her day off.
The guard operating the console was the same one as before and smiled at Stef’s chest in welcome. Feeling like a complete idiot, Stef flounced her way to the console and looked around at all the monitors, trying to seem impressed instead of terrified. She found the outside camera screen and was relieved to see the limo had moved out of range.
Then she located the TV room and tried to find Seraphina. There she was, in the same location. Stef wondered if she had come there every day to wait for Mrs. C. Stef would have. They had purposely scheduled the evaluation at the same time as their last visit. Seraphina’s tinted red hair was visible on the monitor. That was how Denny would recognize her.
Stef introduced herself to the security guard and started peppering him with questions about his important job. Boobs, don’t fail me now. Denny’s beater rolled up and the gate buzzed. She claimed she was here to pick up a Mrs. Smith to take her to her daughter’s for lunch. Stef pretended to study the monitor trained on Mrs. C’s testing procedure but was holding her breath, praying for Denny. If this didn’t work, she wasn’t sure what to do next.
The security guard asked which Mrs. Smith. He was still checking out Stef’s chest.
Denny acted harried and put out. “Lemme check. Hold on.” She rattled some papers and muttered, “Shit. I didn’t write it down. Who you got there? I’ll recognize it.”
Without hesitation or care, the guard checked his manifest and said, “We have Hazel, Sarah, or Elizabeth.”
Scrunching up her face for the camera, Denny said, “I think it’s Sarah. I have a description so I’ll know her. Look, I gotta hurry and deliver this one and go get another one up in Novato, so could you move it along? I get in trouble if I’m late.”
He hit a button Stef memorized and Denny drove in. She hurried out of the car, then was inside, asking directions for the TV room. A secretary pointed and Denny commandeered a wheelchair from beside the front desk and disappeared.
Stef distracted the guard again, asking about this and that, allowing ample time for him to ogle her breasts. She was going to have to scrub them with pumice to get his eyeball energy off her. Ew.
Denny had made it to the TV room and was looking around. Stef slid her hand into her pocket and pressed a button that would vibrate a phone in Mrs. C’s jacket. Mrs. C suddenly made startled movements, waving her hands around.
Stef pointed to the screen. “Gram’s upset. Maybe I should go to her. What do you think?”
While the guard seemed to be assessing the situation, Stef watched covertly as Denny marched over to where Mrs. Holloway was sitting and lifted her into the wheelchair before whisking her out of the room. Stef buzzed Mrs. C again and she got even more animated, standing and appearing to yell at the psychologist.
Stef leaned forward, her chest almost in the guard’s face and studied at the screen. “Oh, God. I think she’s having a fit.”
“You better go calm her down,” the guard sputtered, obviously torn between staring down her front and trying to see the monitors. “We can’t give her a shot without a doctor’s order because she’s not a resident yet.”
Having seen Denny load Mrs. Drake into her car, Stef said, “Okay, I’ll deal with her, otherwise she’ll need an ambulance. Will you help me?”
The gate button sounded because Denny was trying to leave. “Hey, lemme out. I’m ten minutes late already.”
The guard distractedly slapped the button to open the gate while explaining to Stef that he couldn’t leave the security room. Mrs. C continued her machinations and the psychologist was looking decidedly uncomfortable, trying to calm her down.
Stef said, “Damn. I have to get her. We’ll reschedule.”
The gate buzzer sounded again and S
tef saw the very clear markings of a sheriff’s cruiser waiting to enter. Offering one more cleavage shot, she marched out the door, heading toward the test room as fast as she could. Her freaking high heels were killing her.
The psychologist was thrilled to have the out-of-control patient taken off his hands. Mrs. C calmed down right away and clutched her purse to her chest.
“My dear child. Where have you been? You promised me lunch at the Top of the Mark.”
“See what I mean?” Stef informed the man conducting the tests. “She’s crazy. Write that down.”
By the time they reached the front steps, the limo was there and they managed to fall into the backseat and squeal out of the gate just as it was closing after the cruiser. Hopefully, the notice would be served by the time they arrived at their rendezvous point. Three blocks later they pulled over and Denny assisted a very wobbly Seraphina into the limo, where she collapsed into Irina Castic’s waiting arms. Mrs. C held her tightly and crooned words of love and safety to her.
Denny said, “Wow. What a rush. I’m shaking like a leaf. I hope Mrs. Holloway will be okay.”
“Let’s give them a moment,” Stef said. “I think we just scored a point for team Elysium.”
Denny smiled. “It’s about time.”
*
“Who the hell are you?” Stef focused on the stunningly attractive woman who, along with a bashful-looking Ember and a couple of young men, had just interrupted her meeting.
The woman cast an impatient look at Ember. “Want to explain?”
“We couldn’t decrypt the file,” Ember mumbled. Pointing to the men, she added, “This is Joey G, the guy I told you about. And this is his partner Ben. He was helping us.”
“Using the resources of my company,” the auburn-haired woman inserted. “Which triggered our alarms, and here I am. Looking for one good reason why I shouldn’t file a police report.”
Stef kept her cool, especially since the woman standing before them hadn’t offered any more information. “That still doesn’t explain who you are.”
Ember winced. “She’s Ben’s boss.”
“I see.” The knot in Stef’s stomach had grown to a fist.
“I own the systems he used to break the encryption program.”
“Oh. Well, I’m sorry if he used your resources. We’ll pay you for the time.” She just wanted this woman to go away, and it didn’t look like that would be happening anytime soon. She hadn’t budged.
“Not good enough. Do you have any idea what was on that hard drive? In addition to the list you were trying to steal?”
Stef had a terrible sinking feeling. She said a silent prayer that this woman wouldn’t turn them in to the authorities. “What’s it to you?” she said boldly. Her father had always taught her to try to stay on offense if she found herself in a bad situation. “I said I’d pay for the time he used.”
“Still not good enough. There are some highly classified files on the hard drive. Even the complete list that you wanted has names that could get you killed. I’m not joking here. Do you get that?”
Stef deliberated for a moment, then took a gamble based on nothing more than a gleam she detected in the eyes of this compelling stranger. “I’m Stefanie Beresford and this is my hotel. The men whose names you want to protect are trying to shut us down. They don’t like the idea of a women-only hotel and club.”
The woman studied her for several long, intense seconds, then said, “How is it going to help you to have the membership list?”
“I need some proof of conspiracy,” Stef replied. “I’m trying to match some of the names to the board of directors of the bank and private investor firm who hold our paper, so that I can prove conflict of interest. That’s the truth. I don’t care about anything else on that hard drive.”
This time, the pause was infinitesimal and Stef understood that she was looking at a woman accustomed to making her decisions quickly. “It’s going to take some time to erase the footprint on the laptop as well as the traces to Ben and to my company. Meantime no one, and I mean no one in this room will ever say anything about this. Using the information will be up to you, but they cannot know how you got it. Understood?”
Stef nodded. She felt almost giddy. “Who are you?” She asked again, aware that the question sounded clumsy.
“Conn Stryker.” A firm hand met Stef’s. “Stryker Software.”
Stef returned the handshake. She wasn’t sure what to say, exactly. Pathetic gratitude seemed in order, but with her team watching she opted for a display of dignity. “I appreciate your help. We’re planning to leave the laptop where it can be found and returned to the owner.”
Ember’s idea seemed reasonable. Jock was going to turn in the computer to the police, claiming one of her crew had found it on the way to work.
Conn Stryker shook her head. “I’ve got the hard drive. Dump it in the bay.”
“You said the other files are sensitive?” Stef said. “So you’ve seen them. What are you going to do with the information?”
“It’s of no interest to me, at the moment.” Conn reached in her pocket and placed a flash drive in front of Stef. “Here’s your list. Use it wisely. Oh, and one more thing. I want to be considered for membership. I’ll help you design your secure floors.”
Stef cast a sharp look at Ember. How much had the young woman given away to try to save their skins? It sounded like Conn Stryker knew everything about the hotel.
The woman glanced at the laptop and moved toward the door. After a quick, pointed look at Ben, she told Stef, “I’ll be in touch, and good luck.” Then she and the men were gone.
There was a group sigh as the door closed. Gazing dreamily into thin air, Ember said, “I think I’m in love.”
Stef snapped her fingers, finally realizing why the name seemed familiar. “Of course, now I remember. She’s the woman who was held prisoner in Pakistan last year. She’s famous and she’s an out lesbian. Wow.”
Everyone stared at the closed door as if she were still there.
“What did she mean, ‘considered for membership’?” Ember asked.
“She must think we’re starting the Elysium Society again,” Stef murmured. She was instantly gripped by a thrill of excitement and anticipation. “And perhaps we are.”
Chapter Twenty
Stef finished dressing and took the stairs to her office. It wouldn’t be long before she and Laurel and Mrs. C would have to move out to let Jock start on their floor. Things were moving along quickly and the money was almost gone. First things first. They had to get rid of the threat that the Bohos and George posed. Part of that was dealing with Seraphina Drake Holloway’s competency hearing. She hoped to dispose of all three items with one meeting.
When she opened the door to the waiting room she found Seraphina, Mrs. C, and Agnes huddled around the computer monitor.
“Good morning, everyone.” Stef smiled. “What’s up?”
Clayton Holloway III aka Trip Boynton must have ordered some heavy sedation for his mother, because without the drugs her eyes were as clear as a thirty-year-old’s. From the looks on their faces, she and Mrs. C were determined to deal with any obstacle in their way.
Agnes, who seemed equally joyful, said, “I just finished a motion for summary judgment to dismiss the petition to remove Mrs. Holloway as the trustee of her husband’s estate. We have her sworn affidavit setting forth all the facts that will warrant the dismissal. We’ll have it ready for you in the next hour.”
“That’s wonderful, dear Agnes. You are my friend, and I want you to call me Sera. You, too, Stefanie. Irina has told me everything. Those old fools will not get their hands on this hotel if I have a say in it.” She squeezed Mrs. C’s hand and got a delighted smile as her reward.
Mrs. Holloway had no desire to pursue criminal charges against her son, no matter how much of an ass he’d been, and Stef had assured her that wouldn’t be necessary. The collusion they could document was actionable on a number of levels, and she in
tended to take full advantage of the fact.
“Is it just me or is love in the air today?” Stef winked at Mrs. C, who blushed a rosy pink.
That was so cool, Stef thought. It was nice to imagine that she and Laurel would be just as much in love when they were eighty as they were now. That thought made Stef stumble and almost smack into her office door. She righted herself and escaped inside, smiling foolishly.
For the first time in weeks she felt as though she could breathe again. They weren’t out of the woods yet, but once she’d downloaded the list from the flash drive Conn Stryker had given her, it didn’t take long for her to grasp the lengths their enemies had gone to in order to secure the hotel. There were Bohemians on the board of directors for the bank that held the first mortgage, and several members were among the private investors in the group that held the second mortgage.
Working feverishly, Agnes had not only written the motion, but all the complaints they could file against them, both individually and collectively. Because of the list they had stolen, they also knew which members of the club were judges. There was no way one of their members could sit on the case without exposing his conflict of interest. Stef decided that if they had any money left when they got out of this mess, she’d figure out a way to help Agnes with school. She’d been invaluable.
For the first time since she could remember, she was looking forward to talking with her brother George. She placed a call and left a message with his assistant, requesting a meeting with him, Trip Boynton, and two others who she guessed were most involved. George and Trip would be sweating bullets at this point, because they were no doubt well aware of Seraphina Holloway’s escape.
Just as she reached for the phone to let Laurel know she’d be right down, it rang, and her brother didn’t bother to exchange courtesies. “Be here at two o’clock if you want Trip and the others to attend. And you’d better have a check in hand, too, you bitch. I’m in no mood to waste more time on you.”
