Chapter 8

The sweetest words Jessie heard in a while were that of the captain of the plane telling them that Palm Springs was having a warmer than usual winter with temperatures reaching into the high seventies and low eighties. They could shed their coats and do a little sunbathing. She smiled in anticipation.

The car from the resort turned into the grounds. Everywhere Jessie looked she saw landscaped gardens full of palm trees, colorful bougainvillea flowers, flowering cactus, and passionflower vines. The grounds were lovely, and so was the resort; their luxury home away from home for a few days, complete with staff working overtime to provide for their comfort. Sadie arranged for their rental car through the resort. A new red convertible was waiting for them in front of their suite.

Jessie opened the door to a beautifully appointed suite of rooms. The interior was an outstanding mix of new and traditional furnishings with beautiful fabrics and rich textures in soft yellows and blues. A vibrant red and dark blue in the vases and pillows added a pop of color. It was a feast for the eyes, from the paintings on the walls, to the fresh flowers that filled the vases. A bottle of California wine with cheese and crackers placed artfully on the table gave them a delicious welcome. It would be a few glorious days and a small taste of the high life.

“Oh look, there’s even a small kitchen, with a well-stocked mini-fridge.” Katie held up a water bottle and showed them.

Jessie smiled as Katie gushed on about their accommodations. She had to admit they were wonderful. A private entrance from the outdoors and a secluded courtyard with a hot tub made it the perfect place to relax. She could get used to this.

“Well, girls, what do you think?” Sadie grinned, looking around her.

“I think I can handle it.” Jessie hugged Sadie and then stretched out on the couch. “I mean it’s only for a few days.” She laughed. “Grams, it’s perfect.”

“I second that.” Katie plopped down in the floral chair. “What do you say we dress for dinner and then later have a nice soak in the hot tub before we turn in?”

“It sounds like the perfect end to a day of traveling to me. I’m going to shower.” She closed the door to her room.

****

Showered and dressed, they entered the resort’s famous five-star restaurant. They were ready for the great food they had read about in all the brochures. Looking over the menu, they made their choices. Sadie wanted the filet medallions; Katie ordered the lobster, and Jessie ordered a Blackened Grilled Salmon on a bed of greens. A Riesling rounded out their meal followed by an incredible chocolate mousse and coffee.

“The lobster was wonderful and the mousse was unbelievable.” Katie licked her spoon one more time. “I would love the mousse recipe for the Inn. My guests would enjoy it. I wonder if I talked to the chef and told him I would put his name on it if he’d share it with me. I’m going to give it a try.” Katie got up and went to talk to the maître d’. Jessie watched her friend charm her way back into the kitchen for a conversation with the head pastry chef.

“I believe that girl could talk her way into almost anything.” Sadie smiled at Jessie. “Or out of it, depending on the circumstances. She’s something. I can see why you two have been friends so long. You complement one another.” Sadie shook her head at the waiter when he offered her more coffee. “I believe I’ve had enough.”

“I’m good, too.” Jessie placed her hand over her cup.

Jessie watched Katie coming out of the kitchen with a big smile on her face and a paper in her hand. She gave them a thumbs up.

“He gave it to me.” She was slightly breathless. “He said since I had a five star inn, and it was in the East, he would let me have it. Of course, I had to butter him up more than a little and stroke his male ego. But it’s in my hot little hands now, with only minimal groveling on my part, and soon my guests will be enjoying it.” Katie sat down and showed them the recipe with the chef’s signature on it.

“I, for one, am impressed, Katie.” Sadie smiled at her. “I doubt just anyone could have gotten it.”

“Katie could talk a man out of his last dollar and convince him it was his idea to give it to her.” Jessie watched Sadie sign the receipt, charging the dinner to their room. “Shall we head back?” Jessie opened the door for Sadie. They walked out into a beautiful starry night. The temperature was still mild, and they opted to take a leisurely stroll around the grounds. Jessie inhaled the fragrance of the evening air. She didn’t miss the cold of Blue Cove.

“The vegetation around this place is beautiful, especially the passion flower vines.” Sadie pointed out certain plants they passed along the lighted walkway. “Look over there. I think that’s a butterfly bush.”

Jessie let her eyes follow Sadie’s finger. She shivered, a sense of panic growing in her. He was watching her. She could feel his eyes on her. How? Where? Her eyes darted back and forth, searching all the places where he could hide. Jessie grabbed Sadie’s arm linking hers through it. Stop it, she told herself. It was just Katie’s constant chatter on the plane affecting her. Shaking her head, she mocked herself for letting Katie’s words affect her so. She shivered. He was nearby.

“What are we doing tomorrow?” Katie grabbed Sadie’s other arm.

“We are scheduled for a massage and a facial to be followed by manicures and pedicures.” Sadie looked from one face to the other. She smiled as Katie cried with delight. “Here we are, girls. Be sure to shut that gate so it locks. You have to have one of these to open it.” She held up the card in her hand. “Get your suits on; the hot tub is calling to us.”

****

Jessie grabbed her towel and was on her way to the courtyard when her phone rang. “Grams, I’ll be there in a few. I need to take this call.” She thumbed her phone. “Hi, Matt, what’s up?”

“Are you enjoying yourself so far?”

Jessie told him all about the resort—every little detail. She followed that with what they had for dinner and their conversation. She ended with how Katie now had the recipe from the chef and how she had obtained it.

“Is everything okay?” He sounded concerned. “I’ve never heard you talk so much or so fast.”

“I think I’m trying to put off the inevitable.” She groaned. “What’s the news?”

“He’s been watching you, both in your store and your house.”

“When you say watching me, what exactly are we talking about?” She sighed.

“In every way you can imagine but don’t. You’ll be better off if you don’t think about it.”

She sat down on the chair clutching the towel to her chest. Her stomach turned, she suddenly felt sick. “How am I supposed to not think about it? Are we talking about the bedroom or what?”

“I’ll be honest with you, he’s probably seen you in all states of dress and undress if our perp was monitoring you.”

Jessie’s hand clutched the towel tighter.

“How?” She sucked in a shallow breath. “Why? Who is this creep? Just knowing he was watching me freaks me out.”

“It’ll be okay, Jess. We’ll get him. Gary has taken all of the equipment out of your house.”

“I don’t know what I’m going to do. How did he get in?” Tears filled her eyes.

“We’re working on that right now. It looks like some of the wires in the store come in from the coffee shop. He could have been someone who came to wire your lights or hook up your phone. It had to be someone who had to go up into your attic to do some of the work. You need to think. You do have a surveillance video, so we’ll check out the tape, but he seems to be aware of things like that. I doubt he’ll be on it. Can you think of anybody who fits that description?”

“Not really, I wasn’t paying attention.”

“If you think of anyone, let me know.”

“Sure, you know I will, but there were several people who had to go up there. No one stands out to me. No wonder I felt like he was watching me.” She shuddered. “He was.”

“It’ll be okay, Jess. You’re safe now, and he doesn’t know where you are.”

“Of course, you’re right. He can’t know, could he? I mean we didn’t even know so how could he. Right?” Her hand clutched the towel, closing it tighter around her.

“Jess, Gary mentioned that you should put a piece of duct tape over the camera lens on your computer. He said it would be easy to hack into and watch you from there,”

“Matt, could you ask Gary something for me?”

“Sure, what do you want me to ask him?”

She frowned, pursing her lips. “Ask him how easy it would be to trace my cell phone to know where I am?” She could hear his intake of breath and his muttered curse.

“Hell, Jess, I didn’t think about that. He knows where you are, doesn’t he?”

“I’m pretty sure that’s an affirmative, but I doubt he’ll try anything with the others around.” She closed her eyes and shivered.

“You’re probably right, but just as soon as Jeremy gets here tomorrow, we’ll be on a plane headed west. We’ll be close if you need us, but try to let you have a vacation without interference.”

“I don’t think it’s necessary. I can’t imagine anything happening when I’m with the others and in this well-patrolled resort,” Her voice softened. “I wouldn’t mind if you wanted to come, though.”

“I’m coming. Stay close to them! Do you hear me? Don’t go running by yourself, don’t go anywhere by yourself. As soon as I have the details, I’ll let you know when I’ll be there.”

“Okay.” She felt relieved.

“Remember, Jess, he could be anyone, the guy bringing room service, a waiter, or someone who tends the gardens. Be careful who you talk to and keep your eyes open.”

“Now you sound like Katie.”

“Who sounds like me?” Katie walked in the room. “What are you doing in here talking when you could be in the hot tub? Sadie sent me to get you.”

“I need to go, Matt. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Jess, promise me you’ll be careful. You’re smart, and you need to use your head.”

“I will.” She hung up.

****

The warm water felt good on her body but did nothing to soothe her mind. What had made her think of asking about the cell phone? Matt would come. If someone was watching her, he would know when Matt arrived. Was it possible they could lose their chance to help Adriana? She let the water swirl around her, closing her eyes as Sadie and Katie talked. She was afraid and knew what she felt each time she sensed him. She was the one who could help find Adriana. Without her, Adriana didn’t stand a chance. Still she was happy he was coming.

“Are you sleeping?” Katie nudged her foot.

“No, just relaxing.” Jessie opened her eyes.

“I think we should turn in early. We have an action-packed day tomorrow starting at eight a.m.” Sadie stood up and grabbed a towel.

Jessie helped her grandmother out of the hot tub. “I think you’re right, Grams. Are you coming, Katie?”

“Yes, you don’t think I want to stay out here by myself, do you?”

Sadie went to bed. After talking with Katie for a while, Jessie double-checked the locks and went to call Matt. He had made it clear that he would come sooner rather than later because that’s what partners do. She was happy he would be nearby. Jessie shut off the light and climbed into bed. She listened in the darkness, straining to hear any noise, but there was only silence. The sheets wrapped and bunched around her in knots before she finally went to sleep.