Here and Gone

by Kelly Wood

  “No one!”

  “No one? Not even my father? Until your remodel, his hotel was the biggest and brightest on the strip,” Gray said.

  “Your father and I work together. It’s not him.” Frank waved off the suggestion but there was fear in his eyes. They glazed over as his mind went somewhere else.

  “Then who else? Who has a grudge?” I asked. I sat forward in the chair, eager to hear his response.

  “I, uh, I—”

  “Oh, come on. Nobody is liked by everyone.” I used the arms of the chair to propel myself to my feet. It was my turn to pace. “What about those two guys I met the first time I was here?”

  “Who? Sal and Tony?” Frank asked. He let go of Passion and sat in his desk chair. “It’s not them, either. Those two have been with me since the beginning. I glanced at Gray, realizing I’d forgotten to tell him last night about seeing them on the smoke-filled floor.

  I picked up where I’d left off. “Aren’t they Antonio’s sons? Why’d you get the family business and not them? If I’m not mistaken, you aren’t even related to Antonio Bianchi?”

  “You’re looking at this all wrong. They each own part of the business. I own a majority. Antonio made it very clear before he passed that it was in their best interest. I have a head for business. I did well in school. Neither of them had an interest in the tedious day-to-day affairs of running a company.”

  I listened to his words but was more focused on what he wasn’t saying. Frank had experience in interviews. The face of any good company knew how to put their best foot forward. I had a stuffed file full of examples of his doing just that.

  Gray and I locked eyes. An upspoken signal passed between us. I nodded my head slightly in receipt.

  “Stop with PR crap, Frank,” I said.

  “Excuse me?” Frank wasn’t used to subordinates talking back to him.

  “I did my homework. Sal was accused of heinous crimes but never convicted. The man would stab his own grandmother if it benefitted him. And Tony? He’s a playboy. Even more so than you. From my impression, he enjoys the benefits of the money.”

  “Your point?” Frank asked.

  “My point is you have the most money. The most power. The control. You’ve done the hard work rebuilding the hotel. All of your incomes will probably double. Why wouldn’t either of them want it now?”

  Frank took a moment to digest my thoughts. He shook his head when he came to his conclusion.

  “You’re wrong,” Frank said.

  “Really? How is the ownership broken down?”

  “I have sixty percent. Each of them has twenty.”

  “That’s a big difference in the money being split.”

  “You are barking up the wrong tree,” Frank said, sticking to his line of thinking.

  “Am I?” I faced Frank head-on, placing my hands on his desk and leaning down to look in his eyes. “Maybe after thirty years the seed of resentment has grown into a tree.”

  “Regan.” The exasperation in Passion’s voice was clear. Our dad pounded this into our heads growing up.

  “Passion, it’s true.” I turned my focus back to Frank. “When Antonio died, all of you were young. Sal and Tony could probably justify why their dad left the business to you to run. Fast forward thirty years. Seeing Frank with more money, more power, more prestige, more everything. The resentment could’ve built until they wanted to do something about it.”

  “I appreciate your thoughts on this, Regan, but you are wrong. Let’s keep brainstorming,” Frank said.

  I rolled my eyes and grunted in frustration. Frank may have tabled the theory, but it didn’t mean I couldn’t do more digging later. I let it slide, for now.

  “Fine. What about the other brother? The one that went missing?”

  “He’s dead,” Frank said.

  Frank’s comment was like a bucket of cold water to my face. So much for that theory.

  “He is? I must’ve missed that article. When did they find him?”

  “He hasn’t been found, but Guy was my best friend. I knew him inside and out. He loved Gracie and never would’ve left her by choice. He would’ve fought tooth and nail to return to her. He hasn’t.”

  “But we don’t know for sure.” I was unwilling to give up my line of thinking. Again.

  “Maybe this is all a mistake. Regan, I’m sorry we dragged you into this, but this is clearly over all of our heads,” Frank said.

  “Passion?” I asked.

  Passion hesitated as she looked at Frank. After a shaky breath, she turned her focus to me.

  “I’m sorry, Regan.”

  “Am I being fired?” I asked.

  “Yes.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Gray held me by the elbow as he ushered me out of Frank’s office, into the elevator, and then out of the hotel. I kept my mouth shut until we were on Las Vegas Boulevard and walking toward the Bellagio.

  “It’s like they gave a dog a bone. And then when he sunk his teeth into it? They wrestled it away,” I said.

  “Are you comparing yourself to a dog?” Gray asked.

  “Yes. No. I don’t know.”

  “I fought them not to get involved and Passion begged me. Begged me. And then, what? Eight hours later? They fire me! I wasn’t even being paid!” I talked with my arms flailing. I jumped and twisted while making my points. I stabbed at the air with my index finger.

  Gray stopped walking in front of the fountains. I grabbed the rail and pulled back. I bent my body, stretching my arms and back. With my head facing the sidewalk, I took deep breaths until my anger subsided.

  “I’m quitting.”

  “You were fired.”

  I glanced up at Gray, shooting daggers. “I know. I’m quitting the article. I’m done. Finished. Those two have pulled my last nerve.”

  I straightened up and leaned against Gray. His solid body helped to center me more. Gray wrapped one arm around my waist pulling my back to his chest. The fountains erupted in a dazzling display.

  “What would you like to do now?” Gray asked.

  “I don’t know. Honestly.”

  Gray rested his chin on the top of my head. We sat in silence until the show was over. I pondered what I wanted to happen.

  “Is the dog ready to give up the bone?”

  “No, but it is, technically, our honeymoon. I will give up the bone for that,” I said. I wrapped my arms over his.

  “What’s stopping you?” Gray asked.

  “Passion.”

  “She fired you.”

  “She’s flighty. It takes her awhile to figure out what she wants.” Gray heard the smile in my voice.

  “Must be a family trait.” Gray kissed the back of my neck. Another plus to the short hair? No obstruction for Gray to kiss me there whenever he’d like.

  “I think I’m worried about her. She’s with Frank a lot. She was with us when the pool blew and when my hair was fried. If the ‘prankster’ is escalating she could end up getting hurt.”

  Gray didn’t respond right away.

  “You know this is one of the things that drew me to you in the first place?”

  “My terrier-like persistence?” I laughed.

  “Your love of family. All of you are loyal to each other. You fight, but you will join forces to protect one another at a moment’s notice. Even if one of you is wrong.”

  “Isn’t your family like that, too?” I asked.

  “My family is kill or be killed. Always.”

  “Not anymore.” I rubbed the back of his hand. “Am I wrong on this? Wanting to find out what’s happening?” I tilted my head sideways to look up at him.

  “No. I don’t think so.”

  “There’s more to consider than just my family,” I pointed out.

  “Like?” Gray asked.

  “Yours.”

  “My family isn’t like yours, Regan. I wouldn’t even consider us a family in the conventional sense. They’re more just people I happen to know.”

 
“I get that. Kind of. But, are you prepared to face the fact that it could be your dad? Your mom?” As the thought occurred to me, I added, “Your uncle?”

  The silence stretched again. “As of yesterday, you became my family.”

  It was an answer, but yet, it wasn’t. I turned to face him. I wanted to make sure he understood the implications before we proceeded.

  “Gray, are you really sure you want to know your father is a bad guy? It’s one thing to know the stories, it’s another to face them.”

  “Regan, I’ve been facing them my whole life. I know who, and what, he is. If he is involved? Then so be it.”

  I searched his face for understanding. I looked for any clue that he wasn’t ready to really see who his father was. His face was open and honest, full of love. I decided to trust him and take his words at face value.

  “What’s the next step?” I asked.

  “Surprise visit to my father to ask a few questions. You’re supposed to meet Grace today. That’s a start.”

  “Do we split up?” I asked.

  “No. We are a unit now. Together for all of it.” Gray linked his hand in mine confirming his comment.

  “Okay. I think we should seek out Tony and Sal, also. Is there anyone else at the top of the list?” I asked.

  “I think that covers it. Dad, Sal, and Tony.”

  “What about Guy? He was never found. Frank does have what was originally Guy’s life.”

  “I think Frank is right. Guy has to be dead. Why wouldn’t he have come back otherwise?”

  “Maybe he couldn’t?” I suggested.

  “After thirty years? Come on. You’re letting your imagination run wild. You’ve always been a sucker for a good story.”

  “If he were dead, wouldn’t someone have stumbled upon the body by now?”

  “Someone may have. Bodies are found all the time without ever being identified.”

  “You have an answer for everything,” I said.

  “Regan, we have to let the clues lead us. We can’t force a square peg into a round hole because you like the idea.”

  I let it slide for now. We had three strong suspects to start with. Gray had a point. I did tend to jump to conclusions and my imagination had a tendency to flow freely. Just recently, I used Gray’s credit card to order a call girl because my imagination had run away with me. Of course, my hunch had been right.

  “What do we do now?” I asked.

  “We eat.”

  “I like to eat.”

  “You do.” Gray smiled and pinched my side affectionately.

  Chapter Thirty

  Gracie lived in the same gated community as Gray’s parents, right by the country club. Her home was small by country club standards. Most of the houses were grand McMansions. Gracie’s was a cozy ranch that could just have easily been in any neighborhood in my home town. I already felt right at home.

  “Hello. Welcome.” Gracie greeted us as she opened the door. She stepped back to allow us to enter. “I thought we’d have some iced tea out on the patio. It’s another perfect day to be outdoors.”

  “I agree,” I said. I shook Gracie’s hand. Gray hugged her affectionately. We followed Gracie through the house, exiting again onto a patio.

  “Days like today remind me of my childhood summers. Well, minus the humidity.”

  “Where did you grow up?” I asked.

  “In Ohio.” She sat on a chaise lounge overlooking the golf course. I took the chair next to her. Gray sat facing us at the table. “I recognize a Midwestern girl in you. The tea is unsweetened.” Gracie raised her glass in a toast and winked at me.

  “Oh, thank you! I miss regular old tea!” I picked up the glass next to my chair. North of the Mason Dixon line, sugar was optional in tea. I’d noticed over the years, the farther south you go, the sweeter the tea, while the farther west you go, tea wasn’t usually offered as an option.

  The patio was covered with a wooden pergola. Plants hung around the perimeter and ceiling fans were installed every few feet. It felt very warm and inviting. I’d have loved to cuddle up with a book here and waste away the afternoon. Gracie must have noticed me taking it all in.

  “I enjoy the outdoors. The fans help with the heat so I can enjoy it for longer,” Gracie said.

  “I like the outdoors, too. It’s very peaceful out here. You’d never guess you were in Vegas except for the mountains in the distance.”

  “This was the first place I found peace when I moved here. Right on this very golf course.”

  “What brought you to Vegas?” I asked.

  “My parents were killed in a car accident when I was seventeen. Mary Francis and Michael welcomed me into their home until I found my way. Mary Francis is my cousin.”

  I looked for a family resemblance but couldn’t find any. Mary Francis was dark-haired with dark eyes. She was cold and hard, like a beautiful statue. Gracie was blonde-haired and blue-eyed. She moved with grace, like a feline. Passion moved in— My mind snapped into focus. Passion could pass as Gracie’s daughter. I didn’t realize how much they looked alike until this moment.

  “I’m sorry about your parents,” I said, hoping Gracie didn’t notice my lack of attention.

  “It was a long time ago but thank you. The grass here reminded me of home. I would pack a lunch every day, walk over here and just sit on the grass. Only a small-town girl can truly appreciate the feel of grass under her feet.”

  “Ain’t that the truth. I used to go to Lincoln Park in Chicago and walk around the grass barefoot. There’s a joy in feeling the grass between your toes.” Gracie smiled and looked back at the course.

  “You get it, then? The green?” she asked.

  “I do. Other than parks, the only grass in Chicago is two feet by four feet patches.”

  I straightened my clothes and enjoyed the view before proceeding.

  “So, you’ve known Franky for a long time?” I prompted.

  “Oh, yes. He was the first person I met here outside of family.” Gracie blushed as she spoke. “I think he used to have a crush on me. A long ago, schoolyard crush. I’d see him watching me before walking over. Like he was getting up the nerve to talk to me.”

  A shiver went down my spine. “It’s hard to imagine him without his confidence. Do you think he still has a crush on you?”

  “Oh, no. Maybe up until recently, but I believe a certain dancer holds his interest now.”

  “That’s nice.” I was a romantic at heart. I wanted everyone to find someone. I gagged a little thinking the dancer she referred to was also my sister. I asked another question to get the image of Frank and Passion out of my head. “Why hasn’t he ever married? If you don’t mind my asking... you know, it’s just, he’s good-looking, rich, generous. I’d think women would flock to him.”

  “The women flock, but he’s always kept his distance. I think the hotel is his first true love. For him, it was the ticket out.”

  “Out?” I asked before sipping my tea.

  “Can we keep this off the record?”

  “Of course. The article is about the hotel, primarily. I just like to get to know the people involved, too, though. They are the heart and soul. The owners and how hands-on they are, the maids taking pride in the rooms’ appearance, the maintenance men we never see, but work so hard to keep everything running smoothly. Hotels fascinate me. They are their own little world.” I stopped talking when I realized I was babbling on. Other than Gray, no one knew I’d quit the article but I was still nervous at the deception.

  “I like that. Franky has always believed in personal touches with the clients. He walks the floor multiple times each day, just to say hello to strangers. He buys drinks and cheers on winners. It’s really quite nice to watch.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind for the article. It is a nice touch.” I took a deep breath before plunging back in. Some interviews went smoothly while others were like pulling teeth and made me nervous. “Back to ‘getting out.’ What were you referring to?”


  “Franky was raised by an abusive, alcoholic father and a weak mother. As far as life went, his prospects for the future were slim, except that he befriended Guy Bianchi.”

  “And that would make a difference?” I asked.

  “To Frank, it was everything. Guy was walking back to the hotel one night and cut down an alley. Guy thought he was invincible, even as a kid, but three men tried to jump him–”

  “Didn’t the men know who his father was? That seems like poor planning on their part,” I said, interrupting her.

  “Do you know who Guy’s father was?” Gracie sat up straighter and turned toward me.

  “Yes. I’ve spent a few hours at the library already.” My cheeks burned. I knew I was only doing my (fake) job, but I always felt like a Nosey Nellie when I did my research.

  “It’s okay. Guy can’t hide it. It just... is what it is,” Gracie said.

  “You talk about him like he’s still alive,” I said.

  “Who? Guy?”

  “Yes. Like he could come back.”

  Gracie chuckled. “I guess, in my mind, he still haunts me. It’s like he’s here and gone all at the same time. Everywhere I look, I see him. Sometimes, I swear, I catch a glimpse of him but I know he’s gone.” Gracie looked away as sadness filled her eyes.

  “I didn’t realize you were so close to the situation with the Bianchis,” I said.

  Surprise caused Gracie to sit up straighter. She looked to Gray first and then to me.

  “You don’t know? I assumed Gray filled you in on the family history.”

  “Some.”

  “Guy was my husband.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  “What?!” I sat up too quickly, spilling tea on my skirt. I wiped it off with my hand, but little drops had already soaked into the fabric. “The articles I read said nothing about Guy being married. Actually, I could only find one small article on his disappearance. I looked for any follow-up articles on what transpired but couldn’t find a single word.”

  “That was Mr. Bianchi’s doing. He kept it all as hush hush as he could.” Grace swung her legs around to the side of the chair. With her arms resting on her knees, she was leaning toward me. I turned in my chair to look at her head-on.