"You mean a guest who's left without checking out?"
"Yes. It's not necessarily that we suspect anyone of wrongdoing," Jack hesitated before continuing. "It's unlikely, but we need to make certain no one ventured into the blast area besides Max and his visitors. We want to account for everyone while we try to reach the crew in the control room. Nor do we want guests wandering into what's still a dangerous area."
"Got it. I'll call Kendra Harris, the hotel manager, and get the process started. We don't need guests who are upset to take matters into their own hands."
Kendra was relieved to hear from me. She'd tried to reach Max, hoping to do as I suggested—evacuate the hotel guests and offer to pay their expenses. Routing them through the Visitor Center was an added wrinkle, but she quickly understood the rationale. Some members of her staff would be moved right away to the Visitor Center to assist guests. Evacuating the rest would take more time since some needed to remain in the hotel while moving guests. She reminded me that there were staff members and guests in shops and exhibits underground.
I called Bob Gilligan, the manager of New Arcadia Resort Sales and Services, asking how many staff people that could be. In a few minutes, he'd given me his best estimate. Security was trying to find them and escort them to the hotel or Visitor Center.
"Jack, when you said there wouldn't be overwhelming numbers of people to interview, did you and Frank realize we're talking about twelve hundred Marley World staff members in addition to the nine hundred hotel guests?"
"What?" Jack asked. His mouth was hanging open when we were suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door. I assumed it was Frank, but my phone rang before I could ask Jack to check. Suddenly, we had a new problem on our hands.
"UNREGISTERED VISITOR SEEKING ENTRY!" The voice did not at all sound like Felix. "I REPEAT. UNREGISTERED VISITOR SEEKING ENTRY."
I heard sounds like locks clicking even though we'd hadn't unlocked the door to our suite yet today. Jack and I both went on alert. Miles and Ella suddenly reappeared. Jack put his fingers to his lips, and I shut off my phone. He waved his arm at a pair of palm tree pictures hanging on the wall nearby. They slid apart, revealing a wall safe. In it were Jack's firearm and holster.
Where was I when he packed that? I wondered. Or when he stowed it away, for that matter.
3 Havoc and Rebellion
"System override," a man called out from the hallway, and the voice stopped. "Jack, it's me, Frank."
I dashed the few steps to the door and opened it, turning my phone back on at the same time. It began to ring again.
"Hello," I said.
"Hello," two voices replied, almost in the same breath. A woof accompanied the hello from the woman at the door. At her side was a gorgeous white standard poodle on a leash and wearing a glittery collar. As she and the dog stepped into the suite, Miles took a few steps back, then sat down, keeping his eyes on the poodle. Ella hid behind him.
"Georgie," the voice on the phone said. "Is everything all right?"
"Yes, Charlie," I replied, stepping toward Jessica Huntington to hug her. "For the moment, but we've had to make quick decisions. Where are you?"
"I'm at the airport in San Francisco. As soon as I land at LAX, I'll transfer to a helicopter and will get to you as soon as I can. Stacy is meeting me at the helipad, and we'll put out a general statement reassuring the public that there's been an accident, but they're in no danger. We'll also announce a press conference we'll hold late this afternoon once we can coordinate with the local officials. I've already been on the phone with the mayor of Palm Springs. She's agreed to issue a similar message and to participate in the press conference. Until I arrive, you'll have to do whatever seems prudent while you're there, on the ground."
"Will do. I plan to evacuate guests from New Arcadia. Until we're sure it's safe, we'll also ask nonessential workers to leave."
"Go ahead, then. Don't wait for me. Any word from Max?"
"No, not yet. Hopefully, by the time you arrive, we'll know more about where Max is."
"Okay. The plane is boarding. I've got to go." With that, Charlie ended his call. I slipped my phone into a pocket, and Frank apologized.
"Sorry about not registering Anastasia," Frank said. "It completely slipped my mind that she counts as a guest."
"Welcome back to Palm Springs," Jessica said, putting her arm around me and giving me another hug. I smiled, pleased to see her. Her green eyes exuded concern, but things must not be that bad if Frank had allowed her to visit us at the hotel. "You've now officially entered the vortex of heinousness that seems to follow me everywhere."
"The vortex of what…?" I asked as my phone rang again. Had Charlie changed his mind? Was he putting someone else in charge? A sudden wave of insecurity had swept over me when Charlie echoed the point Jack had already made--ready or not, I'm "it."
That's when Anastasia decided not to wait for humans to introduce her. She bowed as if inviting Miles to play. When Miles backed off, Jessica pulled Anastasia closer.
"Anastasia, that kitty doesn't know you yet. It's too early to expect to play," Jessica said.
"I wish Miles and I could play, Anastasia. I have to take a phone call," I said. "You are such a beautiful girl."
"Hello," I said to my new caller.
"Did you reach Charlie?" Carol asked.
"Yes, but it's going to be several hours before he and Stacy can get here. They're issuing a 'nothing to worry about' press release, but that won't keep matters under control for long, which reminds me that I need to make sure the Visitor Center staff keep all unauthorized people, including the press, out of here for now. We're sending all guests and nonessential employees home as quickly as we can do that."
"I take it you and Jack aren't returning to the O.C."
"Not until Jack says he's ready to leave New Arcadia. For now, I'm moving to the Visitor Center to work. I'm not sure where we'll be after that."
"You'll be with me—at my house," Jessica said with a bright smile.
As Jessica spoke, Miles crept closer to Anastasia. The sweet poodle had been sitting next to Jessica. Now she stood, wagged her tail, and lowered her head as she'd done earlier. When she woofed, Miles hauled off and punched her!
"Miles! No! Anastasia is a good dog, see?" I said, stepping forward and rubbing the sweet girl's soft ears. When Anastasia leaned her head against me, little Ella sidled up to us, mewed, and cuddled the poodle. Anastasia was so happy she wiggled all over.
"Down," Jessica said, and Anastasia settled onto the floor. Ella hesitated, then touched noses with the soft poodle and snuggled between Anastasia's paws. Miles finally moved close enough to sniff Anastasia, then settled into the Sphinx position, assessing the newest stranger in our midst.
"Georgie," Carol said. "Do you need me to talk to Miles?"
"The cats do love you, and a familiar voice might be a comfort to Miles, but we've reached a standoff for the moment. What's up?"
"I'm not sure what this means, but Rita called me back. She said Charlie and Max quarreled before Max left for New Arcadia to meet with potential investors. It's not the first time they've been at odds."
"That's for sure. Charlie's the money man who pays the bills for Max's wild schemes. Was this argument about something else?" I asked.
"No. It was definitely about money. Max was going on and on with ideas for further innovations he could introduce with the money he hoped to raise from investors. Charlie said that wasn't possible because they needed any new investment funds to keep New Arcadia up and running until they could earn revenue from the resort and sales of residential properties."
"That the usual disagreements they have. What made Rita call you about it, Carol?"
"Rita said Charlie was so angry she was afraid he'd was going to have a stroke. His face was bright red, he was shouting, and spit was flying. At one point, he told Max that he couldn't work with him anymore if he would no longer take his word for it on financial matters. Max was hopping mad too and told Cha
rlie it was fine with him if he wanted to retire or find another job."
"Those two! That does sound serious. Charlie's acting as if he's still on the job and didn't mention a word about their argument."
"Rita stepped in and suggested they postpone further discussion until after Max met with the potential investors. She told them there was no reason to fight about the money when they don't even have it yet."
"That was a good move," I commented. "Rita's worked with those two long enough to handle them."
"Rita wanted to make sure you were in the loop because it may not be over. Before Max left for New Arcadia, he gave her a document to send you. It's marked 'Personal,' and Max directed her not to deliver it to you until after you were back from your anniversary celebration. Under the circumstances, she thought you might want to read it sooner rather than later."
"Rita's right. I hope it's not a notice from Max that Charlie's resigning and today is his last day. Anything like that should go to the Board of Directors' Chairperson, not me. Please, have Rita send it to me." I bit my bottom lip. All eyes were on me as Frank, Jack, and Jessica listened to my end of the conversation. I shrugged. Until I read the letter, the conversation wasn't over.
As Miles stood and stretched, I wondered what the heck I was going to do with him and Ella. Then Miles kinked his tail, and having communicated a secret message to his two furry companions, the three of them went from zero to sixty down the hall to the master suite. Jessica dashed after Anastasia, who still wore her leash that was dragging behind her as she ran.
"Uh, Georgie, are you still there? Rita already sent the letter to me. That's why I asked if you were coming back here. I can have a courier deliver it if you tell me where."
"Sorry, the furry beasts tore out of here on a romp. Please have it delivered to the Visitor Center. Tell the courier that anyone at the reception desk can sign for me if I'm not there."
Jessica had disappeared into the master bedroom and hollered for Anastasia to get off the bed. When Jessica commanded her to "come," Anastasia's reply was a series of woofs and a woo-woo-woo. Then, she galloped like a small pony from the bedroom with Miles and Ella on her heels. They whizzed past us, ran through the kitchen, and down the hall toward the guest rooms.
"Sorry," Jessica said as she tried to catch up with them, issuing another command for Anastasia to come! Miles bellowed from one of the guest suites as Anastasia woofed again.
"Don't apologize. You've now entered the vortex of feline delinquency. Miles and his partner in crime are to blame."
"Carol, I've got to go. Thanks so much," I said, about to hang up. "Wait! Can you do one more thing? Um…" I wasn't sure how open I should be about asking Carol to snoop on Charlie in front of Frank. Jack might not appreciate it either.
"Say no more. You're wondering what business Charlie had in San Francisco. Rita told me what was on his itinerary, but I could hear anxiety and doubt in her voice. I bet you'd both like to know if he interviewed for a job, wouldn't you? I'm on it!"
"You're a wonder, Carol. Thanks."
Maybe when Charlie gets here, he'll have more to say about the dispute with Max, I thought, rationalizing that a nasty row wasn't the sort of thing you talk about in a busy airport. That's especially true if it had led him to do something as extreme as except an interview for a new job. Charlie might not be more inclined to tell me when he got here, given the crisis we were facing. A situation that would leave Charlie permanently in charge if Max was dead or no longer able to run the company. I gulped, just thinking about the possibility. Then I ducked.
"Miles!" I bellowed as he flew down the hall and barely missed me when he launched himself up onto the back of the sofa next to me. To my astonishment, Anastasia, who was not far behind Miles, hurdled the couch and landed on the floor close enough to the coffee table to rattle it.
"I give up!" Jessica said as she strode down the hall with Ella in her arms and carrying her poodle's leash. "Anastasia wriggled out of her collar. Ella's the only culprit slow enough for me to catch. I'm sure your blue-eyed baby let me do it."
Ella reached up and patted Jessica's face. When Jessica held her closer, Ella gurgled. Then she squirmed to be let down. The second Ella's paws hit the floor, she sprang into action, murmuring as she fled.
"You might as well let her go," I suggested. "I'm sure they sense the stress we're all under and are acting it out. They're also excited to have Anastasia as a new paly since this is more than a simple case of pent up energy. They'll wear themselves to a frazzle, and that'll make it easier to coax Miles and Ella into their cat carrier to move them. When our CFO, Charlie Magnum, arrives to step in for Max, we'll gladly take you up on the offer. That's if you haven't changed your mind after you've seen what havoc these two Siamese can create."
"Havoc is at the eye of the vortex of heinousness. We're used to it, aren't we, Frank?"
Before Frank could say anything in response to Jessica's question, his phone rang again. Jack's did too. Someone also knocked on the door of our suite. When I heard the pleading voice of the hotel manager calling my name, I took a step toward the door. Jessica, who was closer, let her in.
"Georgie, I need your help!" Kendra said as she entered the room. When she realized there were other people in the room, she shut up. A woman about my age, Kendra wore a precision hair cut that was a little longer and darker than the one Jessica sported standing next to her. There was a slightly wild look in Kendra's eyes, and her face was flushed.
"Excuse me for barging in," she added after I did a quick round of introductions. Jack and Frank barely acknowledged her as they spoke on their phones.
"Come on in and let me shut the door," Jessica said, smiling. "Georgie was just about to go downstairs to find you and see how things are going."
"Would you like to sit down?" I asked. Kendra had been in resort management at Marvelous Marley World for at least twenty years. I'd never seen the usually composed woman so rattled before. Even in difficult situations, she'd always been in control, although that hadn't ever included an emergency that required the evacuation of hotel guests.
"What is it? Have the security people found a bomb, or has a guest been injured?"
"No, no, no! The news from security is reassuring so far. They claim it's all clear here at the resort and in the tunnels directly below us. Security is doing a last check to be sure employees and guests are all topside. Thankfully, the guests are scared but not injured. They're now leaving in an orderly fashion, which wasn't the case at first. Not everyone is happy about the idea of being moved to another resort. Some want to go home. I'm so glad you authorized us to pay for everything related to their stay here and their relocation. We also had gift cards for fancy chocolates that we were saving for the grand opening, and I've been giving those away too." Kendra took a deep breath, and her speech slowed as she resumed. "Thanks for convincing Max chocolate's an almost universal source of comfort. Our associates from the gift shop brought boxes they had on hand, which we're feeding to guests to soothe their frazzled nerves."
"Are your staff able to work from the Visitor Center?" I asked, hoping Kendra would get to the point. Everything she'd said thus far sounded as if she had the process under control.
"Yes, that's going to be fine too. The Visitor Center staff have remote access to the checkout screens, so they've jumped in to help relocate guests. We've been in constant communication as we send guests overland in minibusses to the Visitor Center about twenty at a time. As soon as one bus is loaded, another pulls up, and we load the next one. Those who want to go home, rather than move to another resort, check out here. By the time they get to the Visitor Center, if they had a car parked underground, the valets have it waiting for them. We have taxis and shuttles on call for those who didn't arrive by car to take them to the airport. We'll have made arrangements for all nine hundred guests in less than two more hours. They'll be at the Visitor Center quicker than that."
I glanced at Jack, who was on his phone. When I caught his eye
, he gave me a thumbs-up. The worried expression on his face fled for a moment. Jessica was studying Frank, who wore the same grim look as he typed something into his phone. I forced myself to focus on Kendra, still not understanding why she'd arrived in a state of near hysteria.
"You're handling this emergency remarkably well. What can I do to help?"
"You must come with me to the kitchen at once," Kendra exclaimed, balling up her fists and thrusting them down at her sides. "Larry has gone mad. He's barred everyone from the kitchen and refuses to leave. His crew has joined him in his ridiculous rebellion. Larry's not outright threatening me, but he's hanging onto one of those big ugly cleavers he uses to hack through bones. There's blood on it, so it's like a scene from one of those slasher films," she said. "Maybe, you need to take your husband with you and arrest Larry if he won't leave peacefully."
"I'm sure that won't be necessary," I offered. "Larry and I go way back. I'll talk sense into him."
"Frank and I have to leave immediately, but I'm sure you and Georgie can handle Larry," Jack reassured Kendra as he ended his call and shoved the phone in his pocket. Then he dashed toward me and crushed me with a kiss. He held onto me a moment longer as he whispered in my ear. "They've found a body, but before you panic, it's not Max."
Then Frank gave Jessica the same goodbye treatment, albeit with less discretion about the dead body. As he stepped toward the door to leave, Frank admonished us.
"I'm trusting you two not to do anything risky."
"Moi?" she asked with feigned surprise. Frank tried to maintain a stern demeanor but finally shook his head. I had a distinct feeling I was watching an interaction between them that had played out many times before.
"I trust you'll get out of here as soon as Georgie's free to go. Jack's right that we have to go. They've found a man's body near the entrance to the tunnels not far from the blast site," Frank said. Jack and I made eye contact as we played out an old scene of our own.
A Merry Christmas Anniversary Mystery Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery #9 (Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery Series) Page 3