Josh had drifted off to freshen their cocktails when she was approached by none other than Bernard Baldwin. Now that she knew he’d been some sort of mentor to Alex in the Environmental Division, she had even less respect for the man. If that was possible. She hadn’t liked him when she’d met him and now she knew why. Whatever bogus leadership he’d given Alex hadn’t done any good.
“Willow,” Bernard’s voice boomed across the lawn, causing a few heads to whip around. “It’s so good to see you. How long has it been?”
She knew exactly how much time had passed.
“Five years. Alex’s funeral.”
His expression turned suitably sad. “Such a sorrowful day. You were to be admired though. You stayed strong through the service, a real tower of strength.”
She scrunched up her forehead and pursed her lips. “Was I a tower of strength before or after you agreed with Candace and Ambrose that they should fight Alex’s will? That a greedy little gold digger like me shouldn’t get a cent?”
The man should get an Oscar. He didn’t even break a sweat at her sarcastic tone or words.
“I think you misunderstood the situation,” he replied smoothly. “I never said that. Candace and Ambrose were justifiably upset so I was simply supporting them in their time of need. In the end, they didn’t fight you and isn’t that what’s important?”
“No,” she shot back. “That’s not what was important but I don’t think you’ll ever understand, so let’s just move along. I didn’t know you were a member, Bernard, but Archer told me that you were Alex’s mentor when he first joined.”
He waved his half-full glass and smiled. “I would hardly call myself a mentor. I was his division head and very lucky to have him on my team. Alex was very devoted to our mission.”
“And what mission was that?”
“The preservation and allocation of this earth’s natural resources. He worked tirelessly toward that goal.”
Funny how she never saw any of that. “What exactly did he do?”
“All sorts of things. As I said, I was lucky to have a man like him. I don’t have to tell you how passionate he was about the issues he cared about.”
It was as if they were talking about two different people. Two different Alex Vaughns, walking around in one body.
Willow decided to go for the jugular. She’d played it safe all night but Bernard was someone who might have a clue as to what was going on with her late husband. He’d been high enough in Evandria’s pecking order to know some of their secrets.
“Was his brother Grant also in your division?”
Bernard froze for a split second but recovered quickly. This guy was good. “I don’t know what division Grant joined. But you can ask him yourself if you like.”
It felt like someone had taken a baseball bat to her sternum, knocking the breath from her lungs. “He’s here?”
Amazingly, she sounded almost normal.
“I’m told he’ll be here tomorrow,” Bernard shrugged. “He usually comes in early in the morning and lands at the airstrip. He flies his own plane.”
Josh sidled up next to her, a drink in each hand. “Sorry it took so long. I met Archer on the way back. He invited us to go horseback riding Sunday morning before we head back to town. I told him I had to check with you.”
She wouldn’t turn down any time with Caldwell. “I think that sounds like a wonderful idea.”
“He said to let the front desk know and they’d get a message to him.”
Josh was eyeing Bernard up and down as he handed Willow her glass. “Josh, this is Bernard Baldwin. Bernard, this is Dr. Josh Coleman.”
The older man’s brows went up. “Medical doctor or PhD?”
“Veterinary medicine, actually.”
Baldwin nodded. “I’m told it’s harder to get in veterinary school than it is medical school.”
“That’s true.”
The conversation seemed to falter. Josh wasn’t one to toot his own horn and from his stiff as a board stance he’d taken an instant dislike to Bernard. The oil tycoon scowled at his glass and then looked around, snapping his fingers at a passing waiter.
“Get me a new drink,” Baldwin growled at the youth. “Scotch. Neat. And don’t take all damn day.”
Willow had seen this behavior from him before. He treated most people like dirt under his feet. Another reason she hadn’t liked him much.
“The kid’s just trying to do his job,” Josh said between gritted teeth. “I’ve always taken the road that says you shouldn’t piss off people that serve you food or drink. You might find something unwanted in that scotch, like a big wad of spit.”
If anyone had spoken to Bernard Baldwin like that, it hadn’t been recently and he clearly didn’t like it. His expression hardened and his fingers tightened on his empty highball glass.
“Everyone needs to do their job. If they do that, they won’t be in trouble.”
“And your job is to tell him how to do his job?” Josh wrapped his arm around Willow’s waist, his hand on her hip. “How about a walk?”
“I’d love one.” She wiggled her fingers in a buh-bye motion. “It was…interesting seeing you again, Bernard. Have a lovely evening.”
When they were about twenty feet away, Josh leaned down to whisper in Willow’s ear. “That guy is a real asshole. I don’t know how I’m sure of that since I only spent a few minutes in his company, but I know.”
“He is,” she confirmed with a little laugh. “Believe it or not, that was one of his better moments. Usually he’s far more insufferable and arrogant.”
“How charming.”
Willow stopped and pulled Josh away from the milling guests. “I’m glad I ran into him. I asked him about Grant. Apparently he’ll be here in the morning.”
She watched several emotions flit across Josh’s handsome features, the last one resignation.
“Is there any way to talk you out of walking up to him and introducing yourself? We need to play this the right way. We don’t want to put him on the defensive.”
“I completely agree. I’m going to keep my distance until we decide how to approach him.”
Laughing out loud at Josh’s shocked expression, she turned on her heel and headed for the resort.
“Where are you going?”
After seeing that waiter, she’d had an idea. It might be a waste of time but she thought it was worth a try.
“The kitchen. Maybe someone who works here remembers Alex.”
Willow stood outside the door of the bustling kitchen, watching servers rush in and out of the swinging doors. Now that she was here, she wasn’t sure how to proceed. Did she waltz in and pass around a photo of Alex? Did she pretend she needed something else, and then try and bring him into the conversation somehow?
“Ma’am, can I help you? Is there something you need?”
Startled, Willow swung around to see a petite redhead, probably in her mid-twenties, wearing a server’s uniform.
“Can I help you, ma’am?” the girl repeated.
Think. Think. Think. And make it fast.
“An ice pack.” Willow’s fingers tightened around her purse. “I need an ice pack. My husband was playing tennis earlier and hurt his finger but only just now told me about it. You know how men can be.”
The girl relaxed and smiled. “Of course we can help you with that but there is a twenty-four hour medical team on staff. I’d be happy to call them for you.”
Knowing this place, it was a clone of Marcus Welby, MD.
“He’d be mortified if anyone knew he’d injured himself. Besides, it looks quite minor. I think some ice should do it.”
“We have a first aid kit in the kitchen. I know it has an ice pack in it.”
The girl moved toward the door and Willow didn’t hesitate, stepping right behind her. This was her ticket into the kitchen.
Get her talking.
“I’m Willow, by the way. What’s your name?”
The server led the way throug
h the labyrinth of shelves, counters, and workers. The hum of conversation seemed to go quiet as Willow followed.
“Sherry. Willow’s a pretty name. Kind of unusual.”
Sherry brought them to a double sink near the back of the kitchen and dug into the cabinet on the wall.
“Thank you. Sherry is a lovely name too.” Willow’s gaze darted around the room, and she could feel the weight of a dozen or so set of eyes on her. It felt like every single person was looking straight at her. “Have you worked here long?”
“A few years.” Sherry placed a large, white plastic case on the counter. “Now let’s see. One ice pack coming up.”
“Sherry!” A woman’s sharp voice caught Willow’s attention. Around her own age, the female wasn’t in a uniform but she wasn’t in evening clothes either. A blue pencil skirt and white blouse paired with sensible shoes. A scowl. Maybe the dining manager? “I’ll help Mrs. Vaughn. You need to get back out to the party.”
Face flushed, Sherry nodded and hurried out of the kitchen, leaving Willow with Nurse Ratchet.
“I’m sorry,” Willow apologized although she really wasn’t. This woman knew who she was but they’d never met. “I was hoping to get an ice pack for my husband’s finger. He played tennis this afternoon and kind of overdid it. My name’s Willow, by the way.”
The woman didn’t offer her name in return. She flipped open the plastic case and rummaged through the band-aids and burn cream. “You are supposed to call the medical office.”
So much for friendly.
“Hubby was a little embarrassed, I think, and I just can’t say no to him. Who could say no to this cutie?”
Willow held up her phone so the woman could see the screen. She’d pulled up a scanned-in photo of Alex, hoping to get a reaction, but the female gave it a cursory glance before turning back to the first aid kit.
Grabbing a foil pack, the woman smacked it against the countertop and then squeezed it between her fingers. “The chemicals are mixing so it should get cold.”
“Thank you,” Willow said, taking the cold pack. This entire field trip to the kitchen hadn’t turned out quite like she’d planned. “I appreciate the help.”
With one last glance, Willow turned on her high heel and exited through the swinging doors, only to find Josh waiting on the other side, wearing a worried frown.
“I was about to come in there and get you.”
Rolling her eyes, she shoved the cold pack into her purse. “I was fine although I feel really dumb. I walked in there without a plan or a clue. Stop me next time I do that, okay?”
Josh snorted. “Will you listen?”
She was going to have to learn how because this had been an utter disaster. Josh was right. They needed to plan every move.
“If I don’t just remind me of tonight. I’ll get the message.”
He was grinning, that cat that ate the canary smile she loved so much. “Are you going to ask me what I was doing while you were batting zero in the kitchen?”
Sighing, she decided to humor him. “Josh, what were you doing while I was in the kitchen? Pissing off billionaires again?”
“That was the plan,” he smirked as they wandered into the lobby. “But then I saw one of the staff leave the party and head for The Clubhouse. I followed them and saw how they access the building. A key card. All we need is to get one of those and we’re in.”
“All we need,” she repeated. “You make it sound so simple. Where do you propose we get one of these magical key cards?”
Josh tapped her on the nose playfully. “Simple, honey. We steal it.”
Chapter Thirteen
“You have an amazing backhand. Do you play tennis a lot?”
That question was posed by a pretty redhead in a sunshine yellow tennis dress and white sneakers. She was also currently flirting with Josh, leaning over the tennis net and looking up at him, batting her eyelashes.
“When I get a chance,” Josh replied. “Not as much as I would like to.”
It was Willow’s turn to serve in this mixed doubles match and Janice, the wife of a banker, spent much of the time in between points and games coming on to Josh. Right in front of said banker who didn’t seem to care one way or the other. He had what looked like a permanent smile on his face no matter how badly they were losing or how his spouse was embarrassing him.
Janice reached up and squeezed Josh’s bicep and giggled like a schoolgirl. “I don’t believe it. With muscles like that, you must play every day.”
Shrugging, Josh bounced a stray tennis ball on the court before tucking it into the pocket of his shorts. “I work out as much as I can. Mostly I run.”
Holy crap on a cracker. Was he flirting back with this Mary Sue?
Janice’s gaze swept Josh’s tanned and muscular legs. “I can see that.”
For fuck’s sake. Were they here to solve a mystery or get Josh laid?
“Are we ready?” Willow asked, her voice sharper than she’d intended but it seem to do the trick. Janice got back into position and so did Josh, but not before throwing a quizzical glance over his shoulder.
Did he really not know why she was impatient? If they’d spent half as much time playing tennis as they’d spent flirting, this match would be done.
Even if he didn’t know why, Josh appeared to get the hint. She and Josh could have creamed the other duo but Willow wasn’t that type of player. They won the set with a respectable six to two.
“You guys are so good,” gushed Janice as they packed up their racquets and balls. “We are definitely going to want a rematch next time we come. You are going to join, aren’t you, Willow? This organization really needs someone like you. You’re so dedicated to the charities you work with and Evandria can help you do that on a much larger scale.”
Willow had no intention of joining unless she needed to for some reason to get at the truth, but Janice didn’t need to know that. For all intents and purposes, she wanted everyone to think she was a heartbeat away from being one of them.
“I just can’t believe I waited this long to join. Evandria is such an amazing organization. But of course, I’m still learning about it. What have you gained and learned from being a member?”
Janice seemed to perk right up at the question. Caldwell had paired them with her and her husband and now Willow could see it was for a specific reason. They were the rah-rah cheerleaders out to pull her to the dark side. Used car salesmen showing her the vanity mirror when she wanted to check out the engine.
“I’m so glad you asked. Being part of Evandria has exposed me to the societal injustices in our world. So many people go to sleep not knowing where their next meal is coming from while people like you and I live in luxury. We have to make sure that everyone has a chance in this world, not necessarily to become wealthy, but they need opportunities to make a good living. I want to be part of that.”
It sounded rehearsed, although Willow didn’t disagree with the sentiment.
The banker husband Thad finally spoke. “Evandria has given me more confidence. Because of the challenges that I’ve taken on through them, I’ve gained so much self-awareness. It’s the kind of thing they don’t teach in school. It can only be found when a person is placed out of their comfort zone.”
“Comfort zone?” Josh repeated. “Can you expand on that?”
Thad nodded eagerly. “Some of the guys here like to go on adventures. Sort of Outward Bound kind of trips. We climb mountains and cliffs, sail, ski, hike, play cowboy and herd cattle. Anything and everything that gets us out of our business suits and the office. We challenge our bodies and our mind with survival trips. Evandria believes very deeply that challenge and sacrifice make us better people. When you complete one of these physical challenges you’re awarded a gold coin as a memento.”
That explained the four gold coins they’d found, although Willow had a hard time believing Alex had completed four physical challenges. Maybe it was before they’d met.
But one word jumped out at Wil
low. “Sacrifice? What kind of sacrifice?”
“Monetary, for one,” Thad replied, stuffing his racquet in the case. “By paying our dues we are giving back to the society that has already bestowed much on us. Also, we sacrifice our physical comfort. It helps bring us back down to earth and remind us of the suffering we seek to alleviate on this planet.”
Janice’s expression turned serious and she placed a hand on Willow’s shoulder. “I truly hope you join us here. What we are doing is so important and I’d hate for you to miss out on something this life-changing. Alex was so enthusiastic and a great asset to the organization. I just know you would be too.”
Hold everything. This is not a drill.
“You knew Alex? Did you know Frank Scott and Greg Nelson too?”
Janice was nodding but Thad stepped in between her and Willow. Janice must have gone off script.
“Everyone knew Alex,” he said simply. “He was a great man. Now how about we go get some drinks?”
Willow and Josh politely declined, feigning a business call that needed to be made. They headed back to the room but didn’t say anything until they were in the elevator.
“We actually do need to call Peyton,” Josh reminded her. “Ellis will have told her by now.”
Willow rubbed her temples. “I wasn’t kidding about the headache either. Just listening to them spout memorized propaganda is enough to make me nauseous.”
The elevator doors slid open. “We were set up with them for a reason, that’s for sure. Archer wants you as a member.”
They walked down the hall to their room. “Why? Because of my money or to shut me up and keep me from finding anything?”
“Maybe a little bit of both.”
“Have we bitten off more than we can chew here, Josh?” They halted outside of their room. They wouldn’t take this conversation inside where there might be listening devices planted. “Evandria has their fingers in the pockets of many of the most influential people in the world.”
Midnight Of No Return (Midnight Blue Beach Book 2) Page 9