GABE HAD VOLUNTEERED for lawn and garden maintenance on the Victorians around the Tofton House, and he kept a close watch the next morning.
Apparently a group of ghost hunters was staying in the Mill Race Cottage across the street. They looked normal, but he questioned the sanity of anyone who believed in spirits. Nevertheless, the only time he saw them was when Sarah’s Sweet Treats and Catering delivered breakfast.
Later he saw Tessa drive up in one of Poppy Gold’s electric carts, rather than walking as usual. Obviously she was still suffering from her fall, and he watched as she limped first to the Tofton House and then to the Mill Race Cottage.
He was waiting by the cart when she returned from talking to the ghost hunters.
“Did the Ghostbusters find anything interesting?” he asked.
“Go ask them yourself.”
“I prefer staying away from crazy people.”
Tessa shook her head as she got into the cart. “Opinion polls suggest that thirty to fifty percent of the people in the United States believe in ghosts. They can’t all be crazy.”
“Maybe, though it isn’t reassuring to hear about presidents having séances in the White House. They have too much power to be listening to unseen spirits.”
“I don’t think that’s happened for a while.”
“I’ve heard that Abraham Lincoln had séances during the Civil War.”
Tessa jerked and a curious expression flitted across her face. “Actually, it was Lincoln’s wife who hosted the séances after one of their sons died of typhoid. I believe Abraham attended at least one to make Mary Todd happy, only to discover it was a political liability.”
“Yup. That much more proof that wives just get men in trouble.”
“And that comment is more proof that you’re a cynic,” she said crisply. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, we both have to things to do.”
An unaccustomed grin split Gabe’s face as she drove away.
* * *
TESSA FUMED AS she parked the cart behind the train depot. Dealing with Gabe McKinley seemed to remove all of her verbal sensors. He didn’t guard his tongue, either, but that was no excuse. On the other hand, maybe she should be pleased that he was confident their tense exchanges wouldn’t affect his job with her father.
Yet Tessa frowned as she went up the rear stairs to her office. Gabe’s remark about Lincoln was curious. She’d had a number of discussions with Rob McKinley about Abraham Lincoln. They both admired the martyred president, and she’d even put a copy of her favorite Lincoln biography in one of his courtesy welcome baskets.
Still, since Abraham Lincoln was one of the most admired men in American history, it wasn’t totally bizarre that his name would come up in conversation.
* * *
AFTER SIGNING OUT for the day, Gabe walked nonchalantly toward the historic shopping street. There were various stores, all offering products with a Victorian flair, and a large number of people were still out shopping. It had seemed a likely place to engineer a “casual” encounter with his brother.
He looked into various store windows and finally stopped in front of the Glimmer Creek Mercantile as planned. Bolts of fabric were displayed along with other artifacts, some of which looked quite old, including a kerosene lamp. O’Connor Dry Goods was stenciled on a burlap sack and several other items.
“Do you think there was a store like this in 1849?” asked a voice.
Gabe cast a sideways look at his brother. “I understand the O’Connors largely sold their supplies from the back of a wagon, but Glimmer Creek was their home base. Of course, if they had a store, it probably started out as a cramped log cabin.”
“You could be right.”
Gabe waited until the chattering group of tourists surrounding them had gone by. “Have you seen anything questionable?” he asked softly. “Anyone around the Tofton House who shouldn’t be there, or someone who comes at odd times?”
“Nothing out of the ordinary so far.”
“No papers disturbed or luggage out of place?” Gabe pushed.
They were gazing through the window and not at each other, but Gabe saw Rob’s head shake in the reflection. “Nope.”
“We found out someone might be trying to hurt you. That’s valuable. It’s safer to know than to be surprised. I’d feel a lot better if you had an emergency and left early.”
“Then you’ve dismissed the possibility that Tessa could have been a target?”
“Pretty much.”
Gabe tried to read his brother’s expression, but the image in the glass wasn’t distinct enough. “She’s popular and hasn’t fired any employees since taking over at Poppy Gold. Now that I’ve thought about it more, it also seems unlikely that anything would have followed her from San Francisco.”
Gabe deliberately turned his back to Rob and checked his watch, then looked up and down the street as if searching for someone before facing the window display again. “Have you checked into getting a bodyguard?” he asked. “One of the men I used to command has a personal security company. He might even do the job himself. He’s tough and reliable.”
“That means he’s an action guy. A businessman’s life is too dull to interest someone like that—he’d skip town within a week. There are no adrenaline rushes in my line of work.”
It was the first time Gabe had heard a hint of dissatisfaction from his brother about running TIP. “Are you bored? You could get somebody else to run the company and do whatever you want.”
“We aren’t all cut out for glorious heroism like you.”
Images flashed through Gabe’s mind of injured and starving children in war-ravaged countries. “I’m not a hero, and there was nothing glorious about what I used to do,” he said bluntly. “Somebody has to take care of messes, so that’s what I did.”
“I guess there’s more than one way to look at something.”
“Yeah, and you’re deflecting. I’ll text KJ’s number to you. His company is on the East Coast, but he sends his guys all over the world.”
“I’ll think about it.” Rob didn’t sound enthusiastic about the idea, which meant he probably wouldn’t consider a personal security guard.
Another group of tourists came out of the mercantile, so they fell silent again, still trying to gaze at the window display with fascination.
* * *
“THANKS FOR THE HELP,” Ollie told Tessa. Ollie ran the general store, and Tessa was helping him carry a load of empty picnic baskets back from the train depot.
Tessa went warm with embarrassment. “No problem.” She’d offered after seeing Gabe head across Poppy Gold and down the pedestrian shopping street. He wasn’t the type for touristy activities, and she’d gotten curious. “How are the picnic baskets doing?”
“We sell out every day. I’ve asked Sarah’s Sweet Treats to increase our order three times already. Fried chicken is our bestseller, but the baked ham and biscuits are popular, too.”
“That’s nice,” Tessa said absently, keeping an eye on two distinct figures ahead on the brick sidewalk—Gabe and Rob McKinley, standing next to each other in front of the mercantile.
Ollie turned into the general store, and Tessa reluctantly followed.
“Here you go.” She handed the collection of baskets she carried to Ollie’s wife.
“Thanks, Tessa,” said Virginia. She would wash the cotton linings and sanitize the wicker for use the next day. Tin pails, the contents covered with red-checkered cloths, were also popular with picnickers, who were able to return either container to a variety of locations throughout Poppy Gold.
Tessa gazed around the crowded store, noisy with the cheerful babble of tourists deciding on postcards and other souvenirs. “You’re certainly busy.”
“Isn’t it wonderful? We’ve had tour buses stopping all day long,” Virginia explained before bustling away to help a customer.
Ollie and Virginia were relative newcomers to Glimmer Creek, but they’d embraced the spirit of the community. Both of them were plump and cheerful, and they never failed to dress in the garb of Victorian storekeepers; Virginia even removed her long white apron and donned a bonnet whenever she went out during business hours.
Tessa stepped out into the sunlight again and saw that Gabe and Rob were still standing in front of the Glimmer Creek Mercantile. Though they weren’t facing each other, she could swear they were talking.
Interesting. While Gabe was taller and more strongly built, they shared a similar body type. Broad shoulders, erect posture, powerful legs in a wide stance...
She determinedly walked over. “Hello, gentlemen. Do you mind telling me what’s going on?”
Rob whirled around with a distinctly guilty expression. Gabe turned more slowly and gave her a calculating look. “Hi, Tessa. How are you recovering so far?”
Tessa shrugged. She was still sore and the skin around her elbow was a glorious purple, along with a few other places, but she was okay.
“Limping some, but I’m all right.”
“I’ve noticed you’re wearing long sleeves, despite the hot weather. I assume it’s to conceal your bruises from Liam.”
Gabe’s perception put Tessa’s teeth on edge, maybe because it was so hard to read anything from him in return. “It also hides the elbow brace,” she explained. Aunt Emma had told her to wear a light support for a few days.
“I see.” Gabe checked his watch. “It’s late, I’d better be going.”
Tessa shook her head. “You can’t get away that easily. Rob, what is going on?”
“Uh...” Robert McKinley shot a glance at Gabe, similar to the one Tessa had seen the previous day, and it confirmed her suspicions.
“Maybe we should talk somewhere else,” Gabe suggested.
“Maybe you should explain why you’re pretending you don’t know each other.”
“Not here,” Gabe ordered in a low, urgent tone that didn’t brook disagreement. “I’ll talk to you later, Rob. Watch your back.”
Robert McKinley walked away as Tessa pondered the “watch your back” warning. Gabe gestured toward the park with a sharp jerk of the head and started walking without even checking to see if she followed. She stayed put. After a few steps he turned and glared.
She smiled sweetly as he stomped back.
“We need privacy,” he snarled.
“Perhaps, but I’ll choose where we get it.”
Tessa began walking toward the more modern part of Glimmer Creek. After a moment Gabe caught up and matched her pace, frustration radiating from him. At the new city park, she stopped. They were in full view of the buildings along the street, but far enough away they could talk without being overheard.
“Give me a break,” Gabe muttered, looking pointedly at the police station sign. “Do you honestly think I’m a threat?”
“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 intended 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.”
Tessa tried to regain her equilibrium, remembering Rob might be the target of more than information thefts—his life might be at risk. Curiously, it was easier to forgive him than Gabe.
“What’s done is done,” she said, forcing a smile. “It must be strange to have a brother who went into such different work than you. A navy SEAL?”
“Our childhood was complicated, and our folks were furious when he enlisted instead of going to college. I don’t know why he took his twenty-year retirement. I’m just glad he’s out. He really got banged up in the service.”
In more ways than one, Tessa thought. Gabe’s faith in human nature must have taken a major beating. Or maybe he’d been born mistrustful. Some people seemed naturally skeptical, and no matter what they experienced, they never changed.
“Well, right now you’re the one who needs to be careful,” she murmured. “I understand my fall may not have been an accident, after all.”
Regret filled Rob’s eyes. “It’s a possibility. You’ll probably be glad to see me leave for Los Angeles in a couple of days.”
Only if you take your cynical brother with you, Tessa wanted to say, but she forced another smile. “Don’t worry about it.”
“That’s very generous. I, uh... What are the chances of my returning with some of my executives in June? Gabe wants to set up another sting operation and would prefer not waiting until the retreat scheduled for August.”
Great. Another potential disaster.
“I’ll do my best,” she said, “but I know we don’t have an open block of rooms then. The best possibility will be to track cancellations and hold rooms as they become available. You might have to come on short notice.”
“This isn’t a problem. Put any expenses on my business account. Thanks for all your help.”
Rob left quickly before she could say anything, and she wondered if his brother had told him about the tongue-lashing he’d received earlier. Probably not. A man like Gabe McKinley wouldn’t care about anything she’d said.
Lord, a navy SEAL?
That was like having a combination of Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi working for Poppy Gold, though she wasn’t convinced that wisdom and insight were lurking beneath Gabe’s rhinoceros hide. The only redeeming trait she’d seen in him was concern for his brother.
To think she’d actually felt a flash of heat as the louse had carried her down the steps of the El Dorado, when all the while he was trying to decide if she was a criminal. Her reaction had come largely from adrenaline and the survival instinct, of course, but it was still annoying. She didn’t like Gabe McKinley enough to warrant wayward impulses.
The ceiling fan cooled Tessa’s face as she began mapping out a plan of action. While she was furious that Gabe had been spying on them, the worst part was knowing someone may have stolen from their clients. Poppy Gold wasn’t just a business, it was home. Most of her aunts and uncles and cousins were connected to it in some way, so if somebody hurt Poppy Gold Inns, they hurt her family, as well.
Nobody was getting away with that.
Gabe and Great-Uncle Milt probably still hoped to keep her in a sideline role in the investigation, but that wasn’t going to happen.
This was war.