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“THERE YOU ARE!” CARTER covered the expansive lobby in full stride. Slow down. Look natural. You don’t want to mess this up. Brandy took a step toward him. Do I kiss her? Even Palmer kissed his mother when he came home.
Gina’s friend must have had acting experience. She played the part of his wife to perfection; beaming up at him as if they had been apart for days and eager to be together again. He bent forward and wavered, not sure where to aim. Finally, he placed a chaste kiss on the very edge of Brandy’s lips and then reached for her overnight bag. “I was beginning to think you got lost.”
“I took the long way through town. I can’t wait to walk the square and explore every inch of the place. That reminds me . . .” She ambled over to the desk clerk. “Do you have a map of the property? I would like to acquaint myself with your facility.”
The perky girl behind the desk offered the same brochure and map he had received upon his arrival. “If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Why thank you,” Brandy responded with a warm smile as she reached out with her left hand—ring up. At the last second, she turned her hand over to take the map.
My turn, Carter thought. Afraid he might sound like a croaking frog again, he lifted a knuckle to his lips and cleared his throat. “Speaking of the facility, I have something for you.” He handed her the envelope with Garland Creek Resort printed in gold lettering. “I think you’ll like this.”
Brandy held up her left hand to accept the gift, and her grandmother’s diamond reflected the overhead lighting. She read the coupon and squealed. “A spa package! You’re the best.”
“I booked your massage for one o’clock. I have my meeting downtown at that time.”
“Thank you, honey.” She threw her arms around him for a brief hug.
Carter patted her arm, not wanting to touch her anywhere else. He felt like he was cheating on Gina even if she had made it clear she wanted nothing to do with him. Once Brandy released him, he gestured toward the exit, but then he noticed the security manager standing in the boutique. “Before we go to the cottage, I want you to pick out a new pair of earrings for tonight’s dinner with my boss.”
“Nothing says good taste and success like diamonds.” She flashed her ring.
His stomach clenched. He didn’t want to spend a lot of money on a woman he didn’t even know. I would spend a fortune on Gina. His heart hurt when he thought of all he had lost. The least he could do was help her find the burglar. “All right. Let’s look at some diamonds.”
When they entered the boutique, Brandy beelined it to the display cases while the security guard shot him a confused look.
“Hello, Isaac,” Carter said as he joined her side. “I want you to meet my wife, Brandy.”
Isaac nodded. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.” He narrowed his eyes at Carter, apparently thinking he had an affair with Gina before the wife joined him.
He might as well think I’m slime. Gina does. Then he remembered his plans to move to Garland Creek. Small towns have big rumor mills. Carter turned to Brandy. “I met Isaac recently when he agreed to help one of my clients.”
The security manager’s expression relaxed. “Well, I hope I can help her.”
Brandy placed her left hand on Carter’s shoulder so both the security guard and the boutique’s sales clerk could see her two-karat ring. “Honey, there is so much here to choose from, and I do want to unpack before my massage at one o’clock. Why don’t we come back later so I can take my time?”
“That’s a good idea. That will give me time to go over a few notes before the meeting I have downtown, during your massage.” Carter held the door open for her. Once they were out of earshot, he said, “You’re good.”
“Why thank you, sir.” She took a bow. “Let’s stop by the cafe. You never know if your thief might be having lunch.” She quickened her pace until she reached the cashier’s counter. “I would like to order a snack to be delivered to the spa at one o’clock.”
“Sweetie, I could pick it up here and deliver it to you on my way to my meeting.”
She placed her left hand on his chest again. “Honey, it is so kind of you to think of me, but your meeting is important. I want your mind on your accounts.”
Brandy started to reach for the menu with her right hand until he nudged her with his shoulder and she quickly lifted her left. The hostess stared at the sparkling diamond ring.
Could the hostess be guilty? But how would she get into the cottages? She wouldn’t have a key. A partner perhaps? One with access to rooms? He glanced around the crowded cafe while Brandy ordered a fruit bowl and charged it to his cottage. Small price to pay to help Gina. He wished he could do more.
He held the exit door open for Brandy, and the crisp air cooled his face. “I hope this works,” he said.
“Me, too.” She stopped on the path and glanced up at him with concern written all over her face. “You seem like a nice guy. What happened between you and Gina?”
“I messed up.” Big time.
“So, you did use her?”
Carter shook his head. “No. I fell in love with her. My father, on the other hand, did not know her last name had only one r in the middle and fell in love with the idea that she might be related to the sports car manufacturer. He decided to tell my boss that she’s an heiress and would send work our way.”
“And you didn’t correct him?”
“I found out in front of another client. My mistake was not ushering my boss away from the group to clear things up right away. I thought I had time.”
“Your other mistake was not telling Gina.”
“I was going to,” Carter said. “But the time never seemed right. First, we were in a crowded lobby, then we were taking a carriage ride, and then I kissed her. No one would ever describe me as romantic, but I did get caught up in the moment. Discussing what had been said by my boss would have ruined everything. I thought I could clear up the misunderstanding without her ever knowing.”
“And because you didn’t, she doesn’t trust you.”
“That pretty much sums it up. And I don’t know what I should do now. I did give away the promotion. My father won’t talk to me for months. I can live with that.”
“Gina wouldn’t want you to give up your promotion for her.”
“I didn’t do it for her. I did it because it was the right thing for the firm. I also did it for me. I don’t want to work eighty-hour weeks when I start a family. I’m also moving to Garland Creek to open our northern division. I’m attracted to the slower pace and peaceful mountain views.”
“Sounds like you’ve straightened out your priorities. Now, help prove Sophia’s innocence, and who knows, there may be hope for you yet.” Brandy checked the resort’s map. “There’s a housekeeping supply room over there. Follow my lead.”
Up ahead, a maid, clad in black pants and a burgundy tunic, took her time restocking a cart while chatting with Leo, one of the maintenance men. As they grew closer, Carter recognized the blonde. Emily. The last time he saw her face, it was on a hotel website, only the name beneath her picture was Elizabeth, not Emily. He made a mental note to check his email for a response from her former employer. This woman could have stolen someone else’s identity.
Brandy pushed a lock of hair away from her face with her left hand, and Emily’s gaze followed the sparkling diamond.
“I hate to bother you,” Brandy said. “May I have two bottles of shampoo? I always need more than hotels leave in the room.”
She ran her left hand through her thick hair, and Leo’s gaze followed the diamond this time.
“Sure.” Emily reached for the bottles and handed them over. “I’ll leave extras when I clean your cottage.”
“Thank you so much.” Brandy flashed the ring before collecting the bottles from her. “I would have called for them, but I have to unpack for my one o’clock spa appointment, and my husband has to leave for a meeting, so we’re short on time.”
“No problem. Whatever we can do for you. Don’t hesitate to ask.”
It must be the resort’s motto. Carter waited for Brandy to slip the bottles into her purse before continuing to his cottage. Once inside, he placed her bag on the bed. “The safe is in the closet. You can set up the pen camera on top of the table.”
Brandy handed him the pen and began unpacking. He panicked.
“What are you doing? You’re not really staying here tonight, are you?” What will Gina think?
She laughed. “Of course not, but I need to make it look like I am.” She hung a dress in the closet. “I’ve never had a man react the way you just did. I’m not sure if I should be insulted.”
He could feel his face turn red. “It’s not that . . . You’re a beautiful woman.”
“I get it. I’m not Gina.” She took the pen from his hand and clicked the end to begin recording. After moving his legal pad to the edge of the table, she placed the pen on top of the paper with the green light facing down so no one could see it. She also directed the lens to face the closet with the safe tucked away behind sliding, mirrored doors. She stood back and admired her handy work and then patted him on the back. “You, sir, are obviously head over heels in love with Gina. Lucky girl.”
****
GINA SNAPPED ANOTHER picture of a happy family standing in front of the Christmas tree and then checked her watch. Four o’clock. How long does it take to get a massage and facial? She went through the motions of wrapping up her shoot. “Your complimentary photograph will be waiting for you at the front desk tomorrow morning.”
Catching the burglar in the act occupied all her thoughts. She glanced down at her camera; afraid her work had contributed to the crime spree. After watching the footage of Amy going into the cottage to deliver photographs, Gina suspected the burglar had spied on her aunt. When Sophia had delivered gift baskets and photos, she knocked on the door. If the guests were there, she handed over the items. If they were not there, she entered and placed them on a table. The burglar could have watched and then hit rooms right after her aunt left the area. This system would have been the perfect way to know if the coast was clear. It also cast doubt on Sophia.
Gina checked her cell phone. No calls or texts yet. For their plan to work, Brandy had to make it clear to as many employees as possible, that no one would be in Carter’s cottage after one o’clock. There wouldn’t be any photo deliveries to signal that the coast was clear. She jumped when her phone suddenly beeped. The text message from Brandy read, “We caught him!”
Heart pounding, Gina scooped up her camera bag and rushed out of the lobby without bothering to grab her coat from her office. Yes, yes, yes. We caught him! She carefully made her way over the cement to Carter’s cottage, careful not to fall. A light snowfall the night before had left the path damp and slippery. Not bothering to knock, she pushed open the cottage door and found her friend standing next to Carter at the table. “Who is it?”
“See for yourself.” Carter pushed the button that started the playback on his laptop.
Gina watched the screen while her pulse raced in anticipation. She couldn’t believe her eyes as Leo, one of their maintenance men, opened the closet door and proceeded to break in. He unscrewed the company nameplate on the safe’s metal door. He then wiggled a wire inside the hole where the screw had been. A moment later, he opened the door to reveal an empty box. Leo slapped the side of the safe and spat out a line of expletives. He then closed the door and screwed back the nameplate. No one would suspect an intrusion, except for them. Gina heard the blinds shift before he left the cottage. “He looked out the window to make sure no one would catch him.” She turned to Carter. “He knows what happened to Amy. I can feel it in my bones.”
“Speaking of bones . . .” Brandy squeezed her hand. “I hate to say it, but he could be a murderer. You need to be careful. No one knows what happened to Amy.”
A wave of nausea crashed against the sides of Gina’s stomach. She waited until the feeling subsided. “Her parents are flying in from Maryland tonight. I want to help the police find her before their plane lands. They will need this footage.” The time had arrived for the second stage of her plan. “Carter, please call the police. Ask for the detective working on the resort burglaries and let him know what you recorded. Did you save that download?”
“On my laptop and a thumb drive. What are you going to do?”
“Save my aunt’s job.” She picked up the hotel phone and asked the front desk to connect her to the manager’s office. “This is Gina. I have proof that Leo is the burglar. Not Sophia.”
“I’m heading to Isaac’s office,” the manager said. “Meet me there.”
Gina unplugged the cable connecting the camera pen to the laptop and held the pieces tightly. “Brandy, come with me. Carter, we’ll be in Isaac’s office. You should probably wait here for the police. They are going to want to talk to you and see the room for themselves.”
Both women rushed down the wet cement path as fast as was safely possible. They had almost reached the entrance to the lobby when they spotted Leo changing a lightbulb near the door to the main building. Gina slowed her steps and Brandy ran into her back.
“Hi,” Leo said, still standing on the step ladder. His gaze traveled from Gina to Brandy, then back to Gina. “What’s the rush?” he asked with a deep tone and menacing stare.
“It’s cold outside. I forgot my coat.” Gina tried to sound casual, but she knew she had failed.
He glanced at the pen camera in her grip and stepped down off the ladder. “What’s that in your hand?”
Gina stepped backward, bumping into Brandy.
Leo sprang forward and tried to snatch the pen camera out of her hands.
His fingernails scratched Gina’s wrists as she struggled to break free. “Let go!”
Brandy kicked his shins. “Leave her alone, you thief!”
“You witch!” He elbowed Gina in the face and used her momentary shock to grab the pen camera and then ran. The heavy door to the lobby closed behind him.
“That . . .” Pain throbbing from Gina’s cheekbone to her jaw kept her from finishing her thought.
Brandy grabbed the doorknob but didn’t enter. “Are you okay? What should I do? Call for a paramedic, run after him?”
“Go see where he’s going, but don’t leave the resort and don’t go near him!” Gina held her cheek. “I’m going to tell security. I’ll call you.”
Brandy ran inside. Gina tried to run, but her cheek hurt too much. She clutched the side of her face all the way to the hall leading to the administrative offices. Isaac and the manager met her halfway.
“Leo stole the camera,” she explained, “but we have the attempted burglary saved on Carter’s laptop.”
“Are you okay?” Isaac examined her cheek.
“He hit me when he took the pen camera.”
Brandy rushed around the corner, into the hall. “He just drove off!”
“I’ll call the police again and give them Leo’s address.” The manager ran to his office.
“You’re going to have a shiner.” Isaac placed his hand gently on Gina’s shoulder. “Let’s get you some ice.”
Keeping a close eye on her, he led her to the cafe. Brandy followed. Isaac talked to the hostess about needing ice while Gina found an empty table. There were only a few customers, so they maintained some semblance of privacy.
Her phone, clipped to her waist, signaled an incoming call. She didn’t want to talk to anyone, so she pushed the button to send the caller to voicemail. If it was the manager, he could reach her through Isaac. If it was Carter, she didn’t want him to know she had been hit. He would worry and want to see her. There was no need for that. The police would deal with Leo. She could rest now, and Carter could go back to Scottsdale after the police interviewed him.
Isaac returned to the table with a clear baggie filled with ice. “Tell me the whole story.”
“I’ll tell it,” Brandy said, as she took the ice and passed it over to Gina.
Five minutes later, Gina listened while Isaac took a call from the manager. “Our guest, Carter Hayes, has a recording of the burglary saved on his laptop.”
“Cottage six,” Brandy said. “He’s waiting there for the police.”
Isaac repeated the cottage number to the manager. “If Leo wasn’t at his place,” he said into his cell phone, “what are the police going to do now?” He ended his call and stood. “I’ve been summoned,” he told her. “You two relax. The police will want to question you before they leave.”
Gina removed the bag from her cheek and felt the injury with the tips of her fingers. The ice had numbed the area for the most part.
Brandy slapped the table. “What now? The police may never find him. You’re not going to just sit here, are you?”
“Of course not. Give me a minute to think.” She placed the ice on her cheek and closed her eyes.
“I know you don’t feel well, but we’ve come too far to let him slip through our fingers,” Brandy said. “He knows where Amy is, remember?”
Gina wasn’t sure he knew, but her gut told her he did. “I’ve seen him drinking with some of the resort’s employees at The Saloon downtown on Tuesday nights. Let’s talk to the other maintenance men. They might know where Leo hangs out. He could have a cabin or favorite fishing hole.”
Back in the lobby, Gina noticed Violet, the assistant boutique manager, walking briskly out the front doors carrying a purse and a black pouch. She spoke rapidly into the cell phone pressed against her ear.
“That’s odd,” she told Brandy.
“What?” Her friend followed Gina to the boutique where they found the door unlocked and no one in sight.
Gina searched the back room, and no one was there either.
Brandy leaned against the counter. “Why would anyone leave the cash register and all of this jewelry unattended?”
“That is what I was thinking. Violet was in a big hurry to get out of here.” Gina’s gaze followed Brandy’s into the display case where the acrylic holders at one end sat empty. “Violet had memorized the poem The Raven. She said it was her favorite and now The Raven Collection is missing.”
“And that means, what?” Brandy waited for an answer.
Blue topaz, garnets, diamonds, and emeralds were all set into The Raven designs. They were also among the list of stolen gems. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Violet rushed out of here without locking up five minutes after Leo made his escape. I think she may be his accomplice. Find Isaac and tell him. I’m going to grab my coat and keys and then drive by her house.”
“Don’t confront them,” her friend warned.
“I’m not. I’m just going to see if Leo parked his car at her house.”
“How do you know where she lives?”
“I put the paper copies of the employee files in my car. I was going to go through them at home.”
“What? Why?”
“Later,” Gina said. “Go tell Isaac.”
“You should take Carter with you,” Brandy suggested.
“He has to show the police his laptop. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”