Hendrix remembered that meeting. She shuddered. Burning Man had been the worst two days of her life. No toilets, no shower. Grandma refused to get a hotel room. She did Burning Man old-school.
“They had bad auras,” Olivia continued. “I’m surprised they haven’t hired a hit man.”
“I’m sure if they lose the twenty million dollars, a hit man will be next on their list.”
“Sweetie, do you think you might be projecting a little?”
“No.” Hendrix shook her head, firmly. “They’re crazy. They’re not even fun crazy like great-aunt Edna.”
Olivia grinned. “I remember when Edna used to stand out in the middle of Haight-Ashbury and belt out show tunes. Those were the days.”
Hendrix had always had the opinion that great-aunt Edna was crazy because she’d had a little too much to smoke. She’d always been mellow. Yet Hendrix had really fond memories of her. There hadn’t been a mean bone in her body.
“Why are you here? You didn’t come all this way to discuss my sister.”
Hendrix leaned her elbows on the table. “I was offered a job in New York. I think I should take it. If I leave the hotel, Lisa and Susan might not follow through on the suit. And then I’ll write down the three hundred variations on the champagne cake recipe I’ve worked up and give them to them.”
“I doubt that will satisfy them, not when this all hangs on twenty million dollars and the accusation that you stole Mitzi’s recipes.”
Hendrix covered her face with her hands. “What do I do?”
Her grandmother patted her cheek. “Running away isn’t going to help.”
“What would you do?”
Olivia raised a clenched fist. “Fight. I didn’t raise your mother, and your mother didn’t raise you, to give in to the man. You learned from the cradle to fight the bogus system of the oppressors.”
Hendrix sipped her tea. “Grandma, this is just a little mom-and-pop bakery. They aren’t the man.”
“When I marched on Washington in 1963...”
Hendrix held up a hand, a tiny laugh erupting. “It’s sort of nonsensical talking about champagne cake and the Civil Rights March in the same sentence.”
A customer entered. Olivia took a moment to take the man’s cookie order, bag it and take his money before returning to Hendrix. Her elbows on the counter, Her chin cradled in her palm.
“Oh, no. It’s the same thing. Once you start rolling over on the little things, it’s easy to roll over on the big things. You give up your power on this, and you’ll give up your power on anything.” She pointed a finger at Hendrix. “Mr. Cosgrove...”
“What does my eleventh grade history teacher have to do with anything?”
“Remember the essay you wrote on the Tuskegee airmen and he said there were no black pilots in World War II? I lugged thirty-two books down to the school and threw them on his desk daring him to give you an F on an A+ paper.”
Hendrix had been embarrassed, but that was the one defining moment when her grandmother had fought for her. She’d earned that A+ and she wasn’t going to let Mr. Cosgrove cheat her out of it. “I know you’re right, but this is not just about me, this is about Miss. E., Donovan and Jasper. They don’t have twenty million dollars to throw away on something this stupid.”
Her grandmother glared at her with a look so fierce Hendrix shrank back. “Are you going to let them win something this stupid?”
Hendrix shook her head.
“Then you go back there and fight. Now tell me about Donovan.”
She should have never told Grams about him. She was like a dog with a bone. “Grandma, he’s a lousy dancer, but a phenomenal cook. He’s the best lover I’ve ever had and makes me laugh. He just gets me.”
Olivia’s eyebrows arched. “If he gets you, then why are you afraid he won’t back you up against this lawsuit?”
“I’m not afraid he won’t, I’m afraid he will. And if we get a judge who sympathizes with small businesses, there’s a chance we’ll lose. I wanted to be a part of that bakery. Mitzi promised she would sell me half the bakery when she retired. And I saved every penny to make that happen. Her daughters told me no, so I left. They made me feel like I’m nothing, that I’m disposable and unimportant.” Suddenly she knew. “Susan and Lisa aren’t after me. I’m just the excuse they need to get the twenty million dollars. Maybe I’m barking up the paranoia tree.”
“Rule number one,” her grandmother said, then lowered her voice to a whisper, “of paranoia is just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean they aren’t after you.”
Hendrix was just the means to an end—and the end was twenty million dollars. Anger, so great, rose in her. She jumped off the stool. Lisa and Susan were evil. They were just plain evil. “They’re not interested in my recipes. They know their business is failing and they’re looking for a financial cushion.” The Mariposa was that financial cushion. If her reputation ended up being hurt by all this, it would just be a bonus for Lisa and Susan. The high-end food service was a small community. Donovan’s reputation would be damaged, as well. She and the casino would be years recovering.
“If you want to take this job,” Olivia said, “you have to wait until the lawsuit is settled. If they’re willing to stand by you, you need to stand by them.”
Hendrix nodded, suddenly anxious to return to Reno. But not just yet. She needed Grams to keep building her up so she could return with a strong fight.
The tiny bell over the door jangled as the lunch customers started crowding in. Olivia’s afternoon servers came from the kitchen, tying on aprons and ready to work. Olivia greeted people and quickly seated them. Hendrix washed out the cups she and her grandmother had used and went into the back to begin baking. Her mind reeled with new resolve.
* * *
Donovan entered the control room. He glanced around the large room. Several security people sat at different monitors observing action in the casino, the lobby, the pool area and spa, and the parking structure. A low murmur of conversation was the only sound in the room. Scott sat in front of a monitor. He looked up as Donovan crossed the room.
“What is so important that you had to get me out of bed at—” Donovan looked at his watch “—1:34 a.m.?” He stalked over to Scott who was hunched over a monitor in the control room.
“You have a visitor in the kitchen.” Scott pointed at the monitor he was watching.
Donovan leaned over his brother’s shoulder. A figure dressed in black wandered around the kitchen poking at the new appliances and opening cabinet doors. The figure wore baggy clothes, a hoodie and a scarf over the lower part of the face. Despite the attempt to cover up, he had the feeling it was a woman.
“Do you know who it is?”
Scott pushed back from the desk. “Not yet. Let’s go find out.” A young woman took his place at the monitor. He inserted an earbud, rambled off something softly and the woman gave him a thumbs-up. Scott led the way out of the control room to the hallway and the service elevators.
“Are you thinking this is the vandal?” Donovan asked.
“I’m certain it’s the vandal.” The elevator door slid open with a small hissing sound. “I’ve been working the night shifts to keep an eye on things.” He hit the button for the main floor. “I just had a feeling that all those new appliances would be a huge temptation.”
In the lobby, Scott led the way through the casino to the restaurant and into the kitchen. It was empty. The intruder had already moved on. Scott tilted his head, listening. Then he gestured to Donovan to follow him down the hall leading to Donovan’s office.
Donovan heard a sound coming from his office. Scott raced in. Donovan stood in the doorway listening to the sounds of the struggle. He heard several grunts and a moment later, Scott reappeared tugging a young woman into the hallway.
“Look what I foun
d,” Scott said.
Donovan recognized her. Michelle Cruz. She worked in the diner. As Scott had mentioned, her brother had been the executive chef before quitting after an altercation with Manny Torres, Nina’s father.
The woman glared at him as Scott dragged her down the hallway despite her struggles. Once she was safely deposited in the interrogation room, Scott went into his office.
“Aren’t you going to talk to her?” Donovan asked.
“I’m calling her union rep first. I want this interrogation to be completely legal.” He tapped busily on his phone.
Donovan returned to the observation room and waited. The woman tapped her fingers on the table. She looked around, her face composed and calm. She wouldn’t be easy to rattle.
A half hour later, Scott entered the room with a small, fussy-looking man in tow.
Michelle looked up and just smiled.
Scott sat down across from her. “So, can you tell me exactly what you were doing in the kitchen at one-thirty in the morning?”
“I want a lawyer.” Michelle said as she glanced at the union rep.
The man nodded and dug his phone out of his pocket. He turned away and dialed, spoke briefly and then disconnected.
“All right,” Scott said agreeably. “The lawyer is taken care of. But you aren’t under arrest. You don’t have to say anything. You don’t even have to listen to me. But I’m going to talk anyway.”
Donovan watched Michelle closely. She looked completely unconcerned.
Scott leaned forward slightly and began telling her about the tampering in the kitchen. “You do realize that these violations could add up to a serious enough situation that the hotel kitchens would be closed down permanently. This would put you and a number of other people out of a job. And with you being the sole source of income in your family...”
She looked up sharply. “How do you know that?”
Scott shrugged. “It’s my business to know.”
The union rep interrupted, “Are you accusing Miss Cruz of something?”
“I’m just laying my cards on the table,” Scott said. “Did you ever stop to think that you might not find another job if you lose this one?”
“Are you saying you could blackball Miss Cruz in the industry?” The union rep frowned at Scott.
“I can’t do anything of the sort. But Reno is a small town.” Scott sat back waiting. “You have not only jeopardized your job, but the jobs of a hundred and twenty-seven other employees in the restaurant, diner, bars and kitchens. All for your brother’s petty revenge, and to this day he has still not gotten another job.”
Michelle started to look worried.
“You have two small children,” Scott continued, “your mother and your brother to support. How is that going to go for you? Your brother isn’t going to take any responsibility for the vandalism. It’s all going to be on you.”
Donovan cringed. He’d never seen his brother in such an intimidating manner. He understood why Scott was good at what he did.
“I understand he wants revenge. I’m not a nice guy, either. But in his place, I would never involve anyone else who could be hurt. Your brother doesn’t give a crap about you. He’s not the type of man you should want to help.”
She pressed her lips together firmly, though a worried look appeared in her eyes.
A second later, a knock sounded on the door and a man dressed in a black suit, a power tie and a slick haircut entered. He glanced around the room. “I’d like a moment with my client.”
Scott nodded as he stood up and left the room. He stepped into the observation room and turned off the audio. “Privileged information.” He stepped back out into the hall and gestured for Donovan.
“What are you going to offer her?”
“I’ll get her another job in another hotel. She can’t stay here.”
“What about her brother? What can he be charged with?”
“Conspiracy to commit vandalism and property damage is probably the only thing we could get him on. Even then, assuming we can prove his involvement, he’ll just get a tap on the wrist and community service.”
The lawyer opened the door. “You can come in.”
Donovan followed Scott into the interrogation room. He hung back in the corner watching the proceedings intently.
“My client is willing to cooperate if you’ll help her get another job.”
Scott nodded. “I’ll have another job for her by end of business today.”
Michelle nodded. “My brother was very angry when Mr. Torres scolded him. He lost respect from from the other chefs and kitchen staff. All he could do was quit the job. But he couldn’t find another one, so he just got angrier and angrier.” She paused suddenly looking weary. “I was wrong to make trouble, but I wanted to help him.”
“Vandalizing my kitchen doesn’t help your brother,” Scott said quietly.
Michelle shrugged. Donovan felt sorry for her.
“Family is important. I’m sorry for what I did. I didn’t mean for the fire to start. That really was an accident on my part.”
The lawyer cleared his throat. “Everything else is just a misdemeanor and won’t go anywhere. And even if you got this in front of a judge, he could dismiss everything as a series of minor pranks.”
“I can bring charges against her brother for conspiracy to commit property damage.”
“Another charge that won’t go anywhere.” The lawyer waved his hand.
“It would be on his record,” Donovan said.
The lawyer glanced at Donovan. “It would, but would that make you feel better?”
“Miss E. would be the better person and walk away,” Scott murmured to his brother. “I think we should, too. But,” he said to Michelle, “I strongly suggest you talk to your brother, Ms. Cruz. Let him know that we are aware of what he’s done, and we’ll be suspicious of anything that happens from now on. That should be enough.”
Michelle looked relieved. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to be a good sister. Miguel worked hard to get into the position he was in and he felt the loss deeply.”
Donovan smiled at her. “I understand. Food service at high levels can be cutthroat. I have a friend in Denver who is looking for a sous chef. I’m willing to give you the contact information. After that, Miguel will have to figure it out for himself.”
“Thank you.” Tears welled in her eyes. “Thank you. I did not expect such generosity.”
“Then we’re done here,” the lawyer said, standing up.
Michelle stood, as well, and headed to the door. She paused on the threshold and turned back to face Scott. “I heard about the cabinet order and the floor tiles being changed. Just so you know, that wasn’t me.”
Chapter 14
Donovan stood in the center of the restaurant. He held a blueprint in one hand while workers brought in the center buffet and started positioning the cases. He was excited. In just a couple more weeks, the restaurant would be back in business.
Lenore Abernathy entered the restaurant, looking around. She looked extremely chic in a black-and-white suit with a vivid purple floral scarf around her neck. “This restaurant is going to be really nice,” she said glancing at the blueprint he held. “Your new menu is going to be a hit.”
“Thank you.” Praise from Lenore Abernathy was always welcome.
“I’m not the least bit surprised,” she continued. “You were a star in Paris.”
“I hear a but in there,” Donovan said.
Her eyebrows rose. “The but is, if I had my way, you would be doing it all without that exquisite pastry chef of yours.”
Donovan felt a lurch in his heart so painful his stomach clenched. “What do you mean?”
“I made her an offer she can’t refuse.” Lenore waved her hand dramaticall
y. “Hendrix is going to be the toast of New York and you know how hard it is to impress New Yorkers.”
Donovan shook his head. “Hendrix accepted a job offer from you?” Hendrix hadn’t said a word. Just when he thought their relationship was finally on firm ground now this news came.
“Not yet,” Lenore said, “but she will.” She glided away after a tiny wave of her hand. “Back to New York.”
Donovan was dumbfounded. When was Hendrix planning to tell him about the job offer? Anger rose, slowly at first and then to fever pitch. She’d used him and that hurt.
Suddenly Miss E. approached with a look of concern on her face. “Is everything all right, Donovan?”
“Lenore Abernathy offered Hendrix a job and seems pretty certain she’s going to accept it.”
Miss E. tilted her head. “Hendrix told you this?”
“Lenore Abernathy told.”
“And what does Hendrix have to say?”
“Lenore...”
“All you have is what Lenore Abernathy said.”
“Yes, but...”
She shook a finger at him. “You need to talk to Hendrix and get her side. Until you talk to her, you have no idea what is going on.”
“Then I’ll talk to her.” Donovan stormed out of the restaurant. “As soon as she gets back from visiting her grandmother, I’ll be talking to her,” he said out loud to himself.
* * *
Hendrix had barely dropped her suitcase in her bedroom when her phone rang.
“Hendrix, this is Vanessa.” She sounded rushed. “I need you see you right away. I’m convening a meeting at the hotel in thirty minutes.”
“Tell me it’s good news.”
“Just get to the hotel.”
“I’ll be there,” Hendrix replied. “And I have something for you, too.”
She jumped back in her VW and headed to the hotel, her thoughts churning. Something must have happened. What had Lisa and Susan done now?
Hendrix parked her car and ran through the lobby and into the administrative center of the hotel. When she arrived in the conference room, she saw that everyone was there, including Donovan. She felt her heart soar at the sight of him. She’d missed him the three days she’d been at her grandmother’s.
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