Crown Jewel

by Fern Michaels

  “I hope so, too,” Lee Ann said. “No, no, let’s not hope. Let’s make it happen. Now, if you need us, call.”

  “I will. Thanks for all your help this evening.”

  “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for that little girl,” Lorraine said, pointing to Gracie. “She made it happen. I wish Armand was here so he could meet everyone.” Her voice was so sad, it brought tears to Roxy’s eyes.

  “I think he’s watching. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to find out Philip is orchestrating everything from…up there. I know he’s smiling down on all of us.”

  Lorraine patted Roxy’s hand as Lee Ann ushered her out of the room.

  “It’s just you and me, kid,” Roxy said, sitting down on a chair close to the bed. She stared at Gracie, wondering if she’d ever been that young. She smiled when she remembered the panic on Max’s face. And the love. “I think, my dear, you’re going to get the brass ring,” she whispered.

  The lobby of the resort was as busy at eleven o’clock at night as it was at eleven o’clock in the morning. Sleep was something that came with a question mark. Or an exclamation point. Still, it wasn’t rowdy, but it was noisy as little groups tried to figure out the best way to get to St. John’s, where all the action was.

  Tyler sensed his brother’s approach. It was uncanny the way he was so tuned to a brother he never knew existed until a few months ago. He turned and grinned.

  “Yo, Bro. There’s miserable, and then there’s miserable. You fall into the latter category. I heard about Gracie. Is she okay?”

  “Yeah, the doctor said she’d be okay, but her vacation is spoiled. I don’t know who was looking forward to it more, she or I. I swear to God, Ty, I told her not to stay out in the sun. I told her to ease into it and to use a good sunblock. She listened, but she fell asleep under a palm tree in the shade, then the sun moved on. The rest is history. Roxy and the ladies took care of her until the doctor showed up. They kicked me out. They’re taking turns sitting with her.”

  Tyler clapped his brother on the back. He looked around, his gaze sweeping the lobby for any sign of trouble. Seeing none, he said, “The place doesn’t look like it’s going to implode anytime soon. Let’s catch a beer. I’m buying. Besides, I want to talk to you about something.”

  “I want to talk to you about something, too,” Max said, following his brother. As always, both young men were totally oblivious of the admiring glances being sent their way.

  Max perched himself on one of the barstools close to the door. In the holiday atmosphere, you had to be alert for any sign of trouble.

  Tyler handed Max a bottle of Corona. They clinked their bottles, grinning at each other. “What did you want to talk to me about, Ty?”

  “This,” Tyler said, setting his beer bottle down on the high bar table. He fished in his pocket to withdraw a small jeweler’s box. He opened it.

  Max gaped. He looked at the sappy look on his brother’s face. “So, who are you giving this to?”

  “What do you mean who am I giving this to? Donna, of course.”

  “What happened to Rosalie, Corinda, Miriam, and Stephanie?” Max needled.

  “Nothing happened to them. They’re all nice girls. They helped me see that Donna is the one for me.”

  Max continued to needle. “Does Donna know? Did you tell Roxy or Ricky?”

  “No. Should I have told them? I don’t have to ask permission, you know.”

  Max shrugged. “When are you going to give it to her?”

  “Tomorrow. Okay, that’s my news. What did you want to talk about?”

  “I called Ricky ‘Dad.’ Twice. I called him ‘Dad’ twice, Tyler. It seemed like the most natural thing in the world. I was panicking over Gracie.”

  “How’d he take it?” Curiosity rang in Tyler’s voice.

  “He didn’t. I think he heard me. Hell, I was yelling at the top of my lungs. I guess he rolled with it.”

  “So, are you going to be calling him Dad from now on or what?”

  “I don’t know. I guess if it feels right, I will. He feels like my father. He really does. How about you? Have you called him ‘Dad’ yet?”

  “No. I think of him that way, though. I bet he marries Roxy before the end of the year. Ten bucks, Bro.”

  Max snorted. “That’s a sucker bet. I feel like we’re a family. Do you feel that way, Tyler?”

  “Yeah, I do. Want another beer?”

  “Sure. Uh-oh, scratch that beer, Bro. Do you see what I’m seeing?”

  “Oh, shit! Where’s Pop?”

  “Dad drove the doctor to St. John’s. He’ll be lucky if he gets back here by three in the morning. Hop to it, Bro.”

  “It’s true, they do all look alike. I see eight of them,” Tyler said. “They wear these microphones inside their sleeves. Then they bring their wrists up to their faces and talk into them. I saw that in a movie.”

  “I saw the same movie. Let’s head them off at the pass. They look pretty fit to me.”

  “It’s an illusion. We’re the ones who are fit.” Tyler grimaced.

  The brothers watched as the Secret Service agents fanned out across the lobby. “They have no jurisdiction here,” Tyler hissed in his brother’s ear.

  “I don’t think it matters. Remember this, they’re packing. Don’t even think about starting anything. Like our father says, courtesy goes a long way. C’mon, let’s beard this lion.”

  Long-legged, purposeful, synchronized strides brought them right up to the courtesy desk and into the face of the agent who had just identified himself as Special Agent Zirconie.

  “I’m Max Lam. This is my brother, Tyler Lam. What is it you want, Agent Zirconie?”

  “I’d like to speak with Ricky Lam. Can you tell me where he is?”

  “He isn’t here. He’s in St. John’s. I’m not sure when he’ll be back with everything going on. I can give him a message.”

  “We’ll wait.”

  Max looked at his brother. “How about waiting someplace other than the lobby. People are already staring at you. You guys need to dress down when you come to a place like this. In case you haven’t noticed, you reek Secret Service. Sit in the bar. You can see everyone coming or going through the lobby. My father will enter through the lobby.”

  “We’ll stay in the lobby,” Agent Zirconie said.

  “No, Agent Zirconie, you won’t stay in the lobby,” Max said. “I run this resort. What I say goes. You have no jurisdiction here. This is not the good old USA, in case you had forgotten. Before you bring it to a firestorm, you might want to call the vice president to make sure he’s okay with your hanging out in my lobby. Retreating is not a dirty word. I’ll clear the bar for you.”

  Agent Zirconie eyed the two brothers for a full minute before allowing his gaze to sweep across the milling crowds in the lobby. Whatever he saw in the brothers’ faces convinced him to move off. A cell phone materialized in his hand.

  “We can take him,” Max whispered.

  “What’s with that we stuff? Remember the last time we ended up in jail? In case you forgot, I haven’t. There are eight of them. Eight. We number two.”

  Agent Zirconie returned. “We’ll wait in the bar. There’s no need to clear it. Notify us the minute Mr. Lam returns. No funny stuff, boys. And, no, you couldn’t take me, even on your best day.”

  “That’s a matter of opinion,” Max said coldly.

  The agent murmured something into his sleeve. He looked up at Max, and said, “No, it’s a fact.”

  The brothers watched as the agent made his way to the bar to sit down on the same stool Max had vacated.

  “What now?” Tyler hissed.

  “Now you go upstairs and tell Roxy to call Ricky. I don’t know if he took his cell phone with him or not. I’ll stay down here and keep my eyes open. Those guys aren’t stupid. They probably have agents covering all the entrances and exits, and one of them is probably out at the end of the driveway. Just because we only saw eight doesn’t mean there aren’t more outsid
e. Look nonchalant, Bro.”

  Tyler sauntered off, his destination the kitchen and the outside entrance that would take him up to the Calypso Bar. From there he took the elevator that would carry him to the fourth floor, where he let himself into Max’s suite.

  “How is she?”

  “She’s sleeping.” Roxy said. “She really hasn’t moved. It’s a restful sleep. What’s going on?”

  Tyler filled her in.

  “Your father had his cell phone. Let’s see if he has it turned on.” She dialed the number and waited. Ricky picked up almost immediately. Roxy handed the phone to Tyler.

  “It’s going down, Dad. What do you want us to do? They’re waiting for you in the lobby. Hell, they’re all over the place.”

  Ricky thought he was going to bust wide open. Dad. His son just called him “Dad.”

  “Don’t do anything, and don’t antagonize them either. I heard on the radio that the vice president arrived a little while ago. The locals have recommended he stay in his quarters for security reasons. That has to mean his agents are here to take me to him. I don’t want to do that in the middle of the night. Morning will be time enough. I want Lorraine to be with me when we meet. I’m going to go to one of the casinos and hang out till morning. I doubt they have much authority over here, but I don’t want to cause any problems at this stage.

  “Show them some hospitality, and don’t let Max piss them off. Don’t tell me he already did that!”

  “Sort of, kind of, but not really. They act like they’re programmed. The word robot comes to mind,” Tyler said grimly. “I guess I’ll see you in the morning then.”

  “Yes, around seven or so. Tell Lorraine to be ready to leave as soon as I get there.”

  “Will do.”

  After Tyler relayed his father’s plan to Roxy, she sighed. “I can’t wait for all this to be over.” She stood up, rolling her shoulders back and forth. The door opened, and Lorraine Farquar stepped into the room.

  She walked over to the bed and stared down at Gracie. “I think she looks a lot better, don’t you?” she whispered. Roxy nodded.

  “Get some sleep, dear. I brought a book with me. The time will pass quickly.”

  “Ma’am, I was just speaking with my father. The vice president is on the island. Dad wants you to be ready to go with him at seven o’clock in the morning. There are Secret Service agents all over the place. As far as I know, no one knows you’re here but us. My father wants to keep it that way.”

  Lorraine nodded before she shooed them out of the room.

  “I’m going to bed unless you need me, Tyler.”

  “We got it covered, Roxy. Hey, wait a minute. I want to show you something.”

  Roxy stared down at the diamond winking at her in its velvet nest. “It’s beautiful. I’m assuming it’s for Donna. I’m so happy for you, Tyler. When are you going to give it to her?”

  “Tomorrow. Today, actually,” he said, looking down at his watch. “Sleep tight, Roxy.”

  “You, too, Tyler,” Roxy said as she headed for the elevator.

  It was a beautiful house, with beautifully landscaped grounds. It was a pity he couldn’t appreciate the beauty at such a late hour. His host or hostess was absent, thanks to whoever made the last-minute arrangements. There was a live-in housekeeper to see to his needs and, of course, the agents guarding him.

  He’d tried to cloak the whole trip in secrecy but knew word had leaked out. Possibly by either his host or his hostess because they were American. In the end it probably wasn’t going to matter.

  It was one minute to midnight according to his watch. Somewhere in the house, a clock chimed the hour. Any hope of meeting with Ricky Lam so late was just wishful thinking. Still, he wasn’t going to call off his agents. That movie star needed to know exactly who he was dealing with. The morning would be soon enough.

  He had finally relaxed. In just a few hours he would be able to lay all this nonsense to rest. Hollywood would have to find someone else to torture because it sure as hell wasn’t going to be him.

  They converged on him like a swarm of locusts when he walked through the lobby at six forty-five the following morning. Agent Zirconie identified himself before he drew him aside, and said quietly, “The vice president of the United States would like you to accompany me to where he’s staying. You can drive your own car if you like. He said the two of you had a phone conversation in which you said you would agree to meet with him. The vice president is on a very tight schedule, Mr. Lam.”

  “This might surprise you, Agent Zirconie, but I’m on a pretty tight schedule myself. I need time to shower and shave. I can be ready in half an hour, not one minute sooner. I also need a cup of coffee.”

  “I find that satisfactory, Mr. Lam. I’ll be waiting right here for you.”

  Ricky nodded as he made his way to the elevator. The minute the door closed behind him, his clenched fist shot in the air.

  Roxy was brushing her teeth when Ricky entered their suite. He kissed her lightly on the cheek before reaching across her to turn on the shower. “I have half an hour to shave and get dressed. Call Lorraine for me and have her come to this room. We’ll meet the agents together. Did you order coffee? How’s Gracie?”

  “It’s on the way, and Gracie is doing okay. Max is with her now. She’s going to be doing a lot of sleeping. That’s a good thing, Ricky. Are you nervous?”

  “Hell yes, I’m nervous. I imagine Lorraine is a physical wreck. It doesn’t matter because we’re going to do what we have to do so Philly can rest in peace. I could really use some coffee, Roxy. By the way, I won sixty-six dollars at the casino last night. How would you like to go to lunch?”

  “I’d love it if you’re buying! Coffee’s here,” she called as she opened the door. While the waiter poured the coffee, Roxy rang Lorraine Farquar’s room.

  “It’s Roxy, Lorraine. She’s doing fine, she’s sleeping. Ricky wants you to come down to our room by seven. Secret Service agents have been in the lobby all evening. They don’t know about you, yet. I’ll talk to you later.”

  Roxy carried the cup of coffee into the bathroom, along with Ricky’s one cigarette.

  She returned to the sitting room and turned on the television. It was too early for the talk shows and gossip, so she was forced to settle for local news, which bored her to tears.

  She closed her eyes and thought about Philip Lam. She hoped he was in a better place. A place where he was finally at peace. Her eyes snapped open when Ricky snapped his fingers.

  She smiled. “What is it, Oh Mighty Sir? Ooh, you look good, and you smell good, too.” And he did, in his creased khakis and white button-down shirt, whose sleeves were rolled to the middle of his arms. She did love his deep tan and the whitish crinkles around his eyes. Her heartbeat quickened.

  “What were you thinking just now?” Ricky asked.

  “Before or after I opened my eyes and saw how delectable you looked?”

  “Before.”

  “I was thinking about your brother, hoping he’s in a better place and finally at peace.”

  Ricky sat down opposite her. He propped his elbows on his knees and stared at her. “That’s so strange, Roxy. I was thinking almost the same thing. Actually, I was talking to him in my mind. I was telling him we were in the home stretch. Where’s the file?”

  Roxy pointed to the table. “It’s all there. I guess the agents will have to look through it.”

  “It doesn’t matter to me if they see it. They can’t repeat or talk about it. The vice president might have some objections, but I don’t much care.” He got up when a knock sounded at the door. He opened it to admit Lorraine Farquar.

  She looks scared out of her wits, was Roxy’s first thought. In the time it took her heart to beat twice, she was across the room. “You can do this, Lorraine. You’re the big player in this game. Don’t let the man or his office intimidate you. Think about that wonderful new family you have now. Think in terms of all the years that man robbed from you. Ricky
will be right there beside you.”

  “Bless your heart, Roxy, for everything. Yes, I’m very nervous. I know I can do it because I have to do it. For Caleb. That’s my son’s name.”

  Roxy and Ricky watched in awe as the older woman’s shoulders stiffened and her gaze grew determined and defiant. “I’m ready now, Ricky, to rip out that son of a bitch’s guts.”

  “Attagirl, Lorraine. Kick ass and take names later. That was always your son’s motto.” Roxy grinned.

  “I’m so glad you told me that, dear. Thank you. I just love hearing things about him.”

  He was dressed in a charcoal gray suit. His shirt was pristine white, his tie conservative. Every hair was in place. He didn’t think he would be nervous, but he was.

  He hadn’t slept a wink. Instead, he’d paced, rehearsing what he was going to say to the movie star. When he felt he had it down pat, he practiced in front of the vanity mirror to make sure every facial expression, every nuance was letter-perfect. He’d always been a quick study as well as a quick starter.

  The first rule in intimidation was to have your adversaries sitting while you remained standing, so you could tower above them. And if the tide turned in the adversaries’ direction, you never let them see you sweat. You smiled like you knew a secret you weren’t ready to divulge.

  Everyone had a price. What was Ricky Lam’s? He had to admit he didn’t know. It couldn’t be money, the man was a millionaire many times over. He owned vast amounts of real estate and these resorts. He already had all the fame he could handle. Power. One could never have enough power. Power was the most powerful aphrodisiac in the world. Power was the one thing the man didn’t have. A man, any man, would be a fool not to covet power. When he was president, he would appoint him ambassador to some god-forsaken place. If that didn’t work, possibly a more important role in his new administration.

  That’s exactly what he would do.

  The knock on the front door was so loud, Nolan almost jumped out of his skin. Not bothering to wait for the housekeeper, he opened it himself. He felt his insides start to crumble when he looked into Lorraine Farquar’s eyes. She shouldered her way past him as though he were a homeless vagrant. Ricky Lam followed.