by Robin Caroll
“No, sir, but they’re very sure they will be able to trace him.”
“I see. Does anyone know how this hacker was able to penetrate our system?”
“Not yet. The police have begun their preliminary investigation and will start with all the employees here at the Darkwater who have access to the system.”
“I see. And what is Lissette doing in regards to the . . . ‘incident’?” Dimitri sat up straight in the chair.
“Obviously there’s no way Adelaide or I would’ve thought to train her how to handle such an emergency, so she’s following our lead.”
“And what, exactly, is your and Ms. Fountaine’s lead?” Claude tented his hands over his desk, a common gesture he used to indicate his displeasure in a conversation.
Resisting the urge to squirm under his father’s scrutiny, Dimitri kept his posture straight. “First and foremost, we’re following the directives of the police. As I’ve said, they’ve just begun their investigations. Their cyber-crimes unit will coordinate with the homicide department to work the simultaneous investigations. For right now, they’re gathering statements and garnering insight, and we need to stay out of their way and let them do their jobs.”
“Yes, I saw how effectively they were doing their jobs.” Claude dropped his hands to his desk. “How effectively are you, Lissette, and Adelaide doing your jobs? Have you started a risk analysis? Have you pulled the employee files for everyone who had access to the security system?” He lifted a pen from the holder on his desk and flipped it through his fingers. “Have you even bothered to locate the princess to inform her of her guard’s demise and her crowned jewels being stolen?”
“Not yet, Father. I just gave my statement to the police. As soon as Adelaide has concluded hers, we’ll visit the princess together with Lissette to inform her of the situation.”
“This isn’t a slumber party, Dimitri. The princess and Edmond don’t need a group to inform them of the situation. You and Ms. Fountaine can do the announcing.”
“But Lissette—”
“Will only be awkward and in the way. You yourself said she hadn’t been trained in what to do. She’s not needed.”
“But the only way she’ll learn is to be taught.”
Claude’s eyes narrowed into slits. “Then you can tell her later. My business associate will not be a guinea pig on teaching your . . . Lissette how to manage a hotel.”
“My sister, you mean?” Dimitri blurted it out before he could think that statement through.
“Your half sister.” Claude’s face was as devoid of emotional connection as it was lined with controlled rage. “I’m still not certain she belongs at this hotel in such a capacity.”
Dimitri let out the breath he’d been holding. “We’ve been over this, Father. She’s a legal heir. She has as much right to the hotel as I do.”
“No, Dimitri, she doesn’t. You are a legitimate child. A Pampalon. You were born and raised to conduct yourself as such, even though you often forget your upbringing.” Claude shook his head.
“It’s not Lissette’s fault you abandoned her and her mother.” Dimitri had already fought this battle last year—and won. But there had been little things his father had said over the last several months that made Dimitri wonder if maybe Adelaide had been right and Claude had given in too easily. Dimitri and Lissette had demanded that their father accept Lissette and allow her to be groomed to take over the management of the Darkwater Inn and let Dimitri follow his passion as a chef. Adelaide had warned that Claude was a man used to getting his way, and yet he’d accepted their arguments fairly easily . . .
“I owe neither you nor Lissette any explanation. Despite the blood running through her veins, she isn’t a Pampalon and was raised with voodoo and such nonsense—some of the very reasons I couldn’t abide her mother’s ways. While I’ve been generous in allowing you and her to be indulged, make no mistake that from a legal standpoint I’ll soon owe her nothing.”
Dimitri sat glued to the chair. He recognized his father’s tone of voice. Claude had consulted with lawyers—some of the best, Dimitri would bet—and had learned that in some way Lissette’s claims could be disregarded. Both of their positions at the Darkwater were at Claude’s sole discretion.
His father smiled that smile of his that held no humor. “Yes, you understand. See, Dimitri, that’s why you’re a Pampalon. You can pick up little nuances and manners and know when it’s best to hold your tongue. You read people, which is valuable in the hotel business.”
“What are you going to do, Father?”
“Nothing, at the moment. Once this murder and burglary business is concluded, I’ll decide what to do about Lissette, you, and Ms. Fountaine. A lot depends on how this sticky situation is handled.”
Meaning if they didn’t have it solved and wrapped up before the princess and her fiancé left, heads would roll. Dimitri didn’t care so much about his own future, but he cared greatly about what happened to Adelaide and Lissette. He was, as his father loved to remind him, a Pampalon and had many options because of the weight his last name carried. He would be okay, but Lissette and Adelaide? They needed their jobs. They needed the Darkwater.
“I see we understand one another, yes, Dimitri?” His father’s expression had morphed into one of a cat toying with a mouse. The hunter having his prey exactly where he wanted it.
No sense arguing. At least not while he didn’t know his father’s hand, or his own play. He’d have to consult with a legal specialist to find out where his and Lissette’s legal standings were. That didn’t even take into consideration Adelaide, who was, in his father’s eyes, just an employee who worked for him. A dispensable employee at that.
“Yes, sir.” Dimitri stood. “I’ll get Adelaide, and we’ll go speak with the princess immediately.”
“Good boy.” Claude kept that infuriating smile in place as the condescending tone rolled off his words. “And Dimitri, do keep me updated.”
Jaw locked, Dimitri nodded and strode from the office. His father was the most infuriating, irritating, frustrating man—
He turned onto the main hallway behind the offices and ran right into Detective Taton.
“Whoa!” The tall African American detective steadied him. “Dimitri.” He dropped his hands.
“Sorry. I wasn’t paying attention. What are you doing back here?” The offices were off limits as a general rule.
“Addy told Beau that your dad had some personal items in the safe but didn’t know what exactly. I need to get an inventory for the report, and he’ll need that for the insurance claim. Unless you know what he had in the safe?”
Great. Something else his father would blame Adelaide or Lissette for. Dimitri shook his head. “I know he often keeps a wide range of items in the safe, even more over the course of the last several months, but I have no idea what he had in there as of today.”
Claude had been furious last year to learn that Lissette—although they didn’t know it was her at the time—had been able to enter the house several times without their knowledge. He’d since updated their security system but still felt vulnerable at home. Now he’d probably feel that way about the safe here at the Darkwater, which meant a preventive upgrade would be forthcoming. Along with many more updated security measures Claude would deem necessary.
The detective pointed at the door to Claude’s office. “That’s your dad’s office, right?”
Dimitri nodded. Maybe he should warn Detective Taton about his father’s mood. He hesitated. It wasn’t a secret that his father could be quite . . . Well, he was just difficult. Which led Dimitri to tilt his head at the detective, then just walk away. The man had a badge and the authority behind it. Maybe he could bring Claude Pampalon down a few much-needed notches.
He cleared the lobby, then spied Adelaide and Lissette behind the front counter. He made a line for them.
Adelaide looked up as he approached, and for a split second her eyes softened as she looked at him. Then, just as quickly,
they focused back into work. “Records show the princess is still in her room. We’re on our way there now.”
Dimitri placed his hand on Adelaide’s shoulder. “Perhaps you and I should go speak to the princess alone.”
Lissette’s eyes widened. “Why shouldn’t I go? I’m going to need to handle such situations.” Confusion and hurt marched across her face.
He licked his lips, hating his father for putting him in this position. “I understand, and normally I would agree with you entirely.” He sighed. “In this case, because of international protocol that I’m not even totally sure of myself, I think the fewer people who show up at her door to give her such news the better.”
“Then why don’t I go with Adelaide and you check in with the cyber-crimes unit?” Lissette put her hands on her hips.
“Because this one is a little dicey, Lissette. Let’s not forget who the princess’s fiancé is and why she’s here.”
Adelaide caught his gaze, held it, then turned back to Lissette. “I think Dimitri might be right. Additionally, we need someone to keep tabs on what’s happening with the investigation. I can’t be in two places at once.” She smiled at Lissette. “Since the crime scene unit is working in the vault, why don’t you go back to security and see if there’s anything happening with the cyber-crimes unit. I’m sure Sully will need guidance.”
Lissette let her gaze dart between him and Adelaide before she let out a long breath and nodded. “Please come get me when you’re done?” she asked Dimitri.
“Of course.”
Adelaide smiled at Lissette before gesturing for Dimitri to walk with her toward the elevators. As soon as they were out of earshot of Lissette, she turned to him. “Claude demanded she not go to tell the princess?”
He nodded, grateful that she understood. “I know my father, and he’s got something up his sleeve. I’ll need to meet with our attorney again.”
“Oh, Dimitri.” She rested her hand on his forearm as they stepped into the elevator. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered to him before she smiled at the elevator attendant. “The penthouse suite, please, Richard.”
The Darkwater Inn boasted a history almost as old and rich as the Big Easy itself. Records of the Darkwater dated from the 1840s, and several of the original structures had survived the ravages of time and hurricanes such as Isle Dernière in 1856, Audrey in 1957, Camille in 1969, and, most recently, Katrina in 2005. Dimitri knew how much Adelaide loved the history and nuances of the old build- ing as well as the fact that it had endured so much yet still stood proudly. This was her home, in every sense of the word, and Dimitri would do whatever he could to allow her to stay.
The third floor of the hotel housed the penthouse suite along the side of the building, looking out over the courtyard, but the back and opposite side of the floor also held two executive apartments: one for the owners’ use and one for the general manager. The elevator they rode now let out directly in front of the penthouse while the private elevator let out in front of the apartments.
The elevator dinged, and Richard held the door for Dimitri and Adelaide. They stepped into the hall and headed toward the penthouse suite. Adelaide sucked in air and squared her shoulders. “Come on. Let’s do this.”
Dimitri had never admired her more.
4
Addy
“I’m Adelaide Fountaine, the general manager of the hotel. I need to speak with Princess Katerina von Pavlovna.” The muscular man with the handgun on his hip didn’t seem to understand . . . or care. “It’s very important.”
A young blonde woman crossed the room behind him and smiled at Adelaide. “Luca does not speak or understand English.” It was easy to tell German was her native language as she spoke rapidly to her guard.
The bulk of a man stepped aside, allowing them into the room. He grunted as he shut the door behind them, then stood with his back to the door, barring an escape.
“Please, come sit.” The princess waved them to the sitting area of the penthouse suite. “Luca is doing his job. He is protecting me. I told Edmond I do not need to have a guard here in the room, but they insist.” Although German was the official language of Liechtenstein, the princess’s English was very good. Probably the royal tutor’s doing.
Addy had done her homework as soon as Mr. Pampalon had informed her the princess and entourage would be guests of the Darkwater Inn. Despite her years in college, she had to admit she hadn’t a clue about Liechtenstein. Her research taught her that Liechtenstein was a doubly landlocked country—one of only two in the world—in Central Europe, located in the Upper Rhine Valley of the European Alps. Austria bordered the country to the east while Switzerland bordered the south and west. Liechtenstein was also one of the few countries in the world that maintained no military. Also, interestingly enough, in the US all consular affairs for Liechtenstein were handled by Switzerland.
She’d also learned that the princess wasn’t merely a courtesy title, it was an official office. The country was a constitutional monarchy headed by the prince of Liechtenstein. Although all members of the royal family, no matter how distant, were named princes or princesses, because of Princess Katerina von Pavlovna’s birth into the royal family, she was a legitimate princess. As such, she lived in one of the castles deemed to be royal residences, even if it wasn’t the famous Vaduz castle that overlooked the capital of the country.
Addy now considered the woman who plopped down on the chair across from where she and Dimitri sat on the couch. Naturally blonde, mid-twenties, with the lightest blue eyes, the princess looked more like a sorority girl than a royal. Except for the manner in which she carried herself. No slouching, no bad posture, no lack of grace. Her privilege showed with her every movement.
Addy caught sight of the table, still covered in plates of food from an obvious room service order. “I’m sorry to disturb your dinner.”
“It is no problem. I had finished my meal already. The food here is quite remarkable.” The princess’s smile revealed perfectly straight and stunningly white teeth.
“Thank you,” Dimitri spoke, almost automatically.
The princess gave a slight dip of her head. “Now, what may I do for you?”
Addy took a deep breath. “Princess—”
“Please, call me Katerina. Princess is too formal among friends.”
“Katerina,” Addy corrected, “there’s been an incident at the hotel this evening.” She swallowed, choosing her words carefully. “A robbery.”
The princess gasped and put her hand to her neck. “A robbery?”
“Yes. I’m . . .” Adelaide hesitated, then squared her shoulders and continued. “I’m so very sorry to tell you that your guard was killed during this robbery.”
Katerina’s eyes widened and filled with moisture. “Rubin? Dead?” She looked over Addy and Dimitri’s head to her bodyguard at the door. “It cannot be.”
“I’m so very sorry. The police are here now.” Addy could only imagine how she’d feel if she were in Katerina’s position.
Luca had obviously been alerted by the princess’s reaction that something was wrong. He began moving in their direction, and the princess stood as he came to support her with his hand under her elbow, whispering to her in a thick German dialect.
Addy and Dimitri stood as well. Might as well get it all out. “I’m also very sorry to tell you that your tiara was one of the items stolen in the robbery.” Addy lifted her chin, determined not to sob along with the royal.
The princess dropped back down to her chair. “My crown? Is stolen?”
The suite door clicked, then opened. Luca rushed toward it, hand on his handgun, as Edmond Jansen entered.
Edmond took a split second to register Luca’s demeanor and that of his fiancée and brushed past the bodyguard to be at the princess’s side. “What is going on here?” His stern stare hit Dimitri and Addy dead in the face.
“Rubin is dead. My crown is gone.” Tears spilled out of the princess’s eyes, silently sliding down her
cheeks before she ducked her head.
Luca once again held vigil at the door to the suite, but stood even more rigidly if that was possible.
“Rubin? The crown? What?” Edmond kept his arm around the princess as he sat on the arm of the chair, but looked at Dimitri. “What is going on here?”
“We had a robbery this afternoon. During the course of that crime, your guard, Rubin, was killed. One of the items stolen was the princess’s tiara that was stored in our safe.” The back of Addy’s throat burned as she pushed the words out.
“Stolen? That is unacceptable.” Edmond’s face flushed a deep red.
Addy sunk back down on the couch, and Dimitri eased beside her. She leaned forward, closer to the princess. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Jansen . . . Princess. The police are here now, starting their investigation. They’ll most likely need to speak to you soon. I wanted to let you know as quickly as possible as I’m sure there are certain protocols that need to be followed.”
“Yes. We will need to contact the Swiss embassy, as my crown belongs to my country, not me personally.” The princess leaned against Edmond. “I cannot believe Rubin is dead. He was a good man. Loyal.”
“What happened?” Edmond asked.
Addy shook her head. “I haven’t received the details just yet. We’re waiting on the report from the police for the official cause of death.”
“Is there a chance he might still be alive?” The princess shifted just slightly out of her fiancé’s embrace to look at Addy.
“I’m so sorry, but no. He’s dead, as is one of the hotel’s security guards as well.”
“How did this happen, Dimitri?” Edmond ignored Addy.
“As Ms. Fountaine said, the police are just beginning their investigation, so it’s too early to be sure. But from our best estimation, a hacker gained access to our security system to release the locks on our vault room and the safe.” Dimitri’s tone came out evenly, and once again Addy felt a surge of gratitude that he was with her.
“A hacker killed two people as well?” Edmond pushed.