by Jana DeLeon
“But I meant on the man side of things. I know the Sinful Ladies have their motto and all, but Gertie hasn’t lost her eye for a good-looking man. I just wondered if maybe she wishes she’d taken the commitment route.”
“Lord help us all. A man wouldn’t have lasted a week with that woman.” Ida Belle laughed and shook her head. “Gertie never came across a man who made her think twice about changing things. Maybe if she had…maybe. But I don’t think so. I think Gertie is happiest being her own woman with no one to answer to. She’s always had, as you say, the eye for a good-looking man, but it’s never progressed beyond a fling. I think she likes the idea of romance but not the practicality of a day-to-day relationship.”
I nodded. It made perfect sense. Gertie had always talked a good game when it came to men but I’d never heard her lament anything lasting. “The day-to-day is definitely not like what the movies portray.”
“A little fling here and there gives Gertie energy. Makes her feel young and vital again.”
“I thought hanging out with me did that,” I joked.
She smiled. “I think the men are offering up something a little different.”
“I don’t know. Otis offered up crime and a murder.”
“Yes, but when you offer it up, you’re neither the criminal nor the victim.”
“Oh, yeah. I’m a much safer bet. Such a bore. I don’t know how you two stand me.”
“I’m not sure how we stood life without you.”
Chapter Fourteen
I was hurrying to grab my phone off the nightstand when I heard the knock on the door. Crap! Housekeeping was early. Ida Belle had left in her usual casual stroll ten minutes earlier, hot on her mission to find an inroad to gossip with the resort staff. I had actually overslept and then couldn’t seem to get everything together for my own morning assignment. First, Gertie had sent me back to my room to change out of the T-shirt and hiking shorts I’d put on to switch to a tank and shorter shorts. I was afraid it might be too much for the geeks to handle—after all, I wanted them talking, not stunned into silence—but Gertie assured me the partial paralysis I’d induce would only work in my favor.
After I’d changed, I’d grabbed my bag and started to run out when I remembered I’d left my phone. No means of communication wasn’t an option, so I had to reverse once more and jog back for the phone. Unfortunately, my tardiness and housekeeping’s efficiency had conspired to put me on the scene when I was supposed to be downstairs. We knew that eventually the staff would connect the three of us, but we were really trying to push that out as long as possible.
I froze, and Gertie and I stared at each other for several seconds. Finally, she waved at the coat closet.
“Get inside,” she said. “I’ll see if I can get them to start in the bedrooms. As soon as the coast is clear, you can run out.”
I dashed into the closet, leaving a tiny crack in the door so I could see when my window of opportunity appeared. Gertie waved the housekeeping crew inside and I frowned. Four women. Three bedrooms. Unless they tag-teamed the other rooms, my chances of making an escape just went downhill. Gertie shot a look in my direction and frowned.
They hurried in with their cart and three of them grabbed supplies and headed off for the bedrooms. The remaining housekeeper, a smiling young woman, stepped into the kitchen and sprayed the sink with cleaner.
Gertie grabbed a croissant and took a seat at the kitchen counter. “I’m just going to have a bite of breakfast before heading out. I won’t be in your way, will I?”
“Of course not, ma’am” the housekeeper said. “Take all the time you need. I’ll clean the counter last. Not that it needs much. You keep everything pretty neat.”
“I am convinced that people who make a filthy mess where they’re vacationing have dirty homes,” Gertie said.
“My momma says the same thing, but you wouldn’t believe the damage some people can do in a single night. I’d be embarrassed, but they don’t seem to care.”
Gertie nodded. “People aren’t being raised right anymore. Sounds like you are and that’s a credit to your mother.”
“I’ll tell her you said so. I’m Monica, by the way.”
“I’m Gertie. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Monica. Hopefully my words will get you a little credit with your mother.”
Monica rolled her eyes. “She’s always on me—get your education, never depend on a man for money. She’s biased, of course, because my dad took off on us when I was five. But I get what she’s saying.”
“It’s hard for a woman, especially one with a young child. A good career helps. Not worrying about how to make rent is a lot off one’s shoulders.”
Monica nodded as she scrubbed. “That’s exactly what momma says. She never likes anyone I go out with. Says none of them have enough ambition.”
“Finding a quality man is no easy task,” Gertie said. “I’ve never managed it myself.”
Monica stopped scrubbing and stared at her. “You never married?”
“Nope. And my life has been just fine. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not opposed to marriage. I just never found anyone I was willing to put the work in with.”
“That’s interesting. Most women of your generation were married with children so young. It’s refreshing to meet someone who took a different direction and isn’t unhappy about it.”
“No point in being unhappy, is there? It was my choice, after all.” She took a sip of coffee. “I heard that man who got killed here at the resort was hitting up women for money.”
Monica froze for a minute, then nodded. “I think he got money from my boss.”
“Oh no,” Gertie said. “That’s horrible. Your boss is an older lady?”
“In her sixties, I would guess. And like you, she’s never been married, but I don’t think it’s necessarily from a lack of desire. She’s just…I don’t know, odd. I’ve seen her around men and she kinda sends mixed signals. And since she’s not exactly the kind of woman men flock to, she really should work on her technique. That and she really should get rid of some of those cats. I think she’s up to five.”
Gertie nodded. “A hazard I’ve managed to avoid. I guess your boss heard about the scamming after he was killed. How did she take it all?”
Monica frowned. “She seemed shocked but not really surprised, if that makes sense. But I think she might have known about the scamming before he died. I heard her on the phone a couple days ago trying to get her bank to stop payment on a check, but apparently it had already cleared. She sounded really angry and started crying when she hung up the phone. I was waiting to speak with her but I just left before she saw me standing there.”
“I imagine he ran straight to the bank with any checks before women could change their minds. What a horrible man. I’m not surprised someone killed him.”
“Monica!” One of the other housekeepers hurried into the living room, a disapproving look on her face. “You shouldn’t be talking about Ms. Rawlins to guests. You shouldn’t be talking about her to anyone. It’s her private business and I don’t think she’d like it spread around.”
Monica looked chagrined. “I’m sorry, Penny. I didn’t mean to gossip. I guess I’m still a little uncomfortable with the whole thing and talking it out makes me feel better.”
Some of the irritation left Penny’s face. “We’re all still upset. It’s not every day you find yourself in the middle of things you usually see on the news. But we have to be careful. The police are investigating, and we don’t want to say things that might put Ms. Rawlins in a bad light. She’s already got enough to deal with. We don’t want that idiot deputy that questioned us accusing her of things she didn’t do.”
Monica glanced over at Gertie, and I could tell she wasn’t completely convinced of her boss’s innocence. But she nodded at Penny.
“You’re right,” Monica said. “It won’t happen again.”
“No harm done,” Gertie said. “Your boss’s secret is safe with me.”
P
enny gave her a grateful look, then turned and headed straight for the closet. “I’m going to take a couple hangers out of the coat closet,” she said. “I need them in the bedroom.”
“You don’t have to—” Gertie started to protest, but it was too late. Penny had already grabbed the closet door, so I did the only thing that seemed plausible.
I dropped onto the ground and pretended to be asleep.
Penny yanked open the door and let out a strangled cry when she saw me slumped against the back wall of the closet. I bolted up as a startled person was likely to do and Penny jumped backward, falling into a recliner.
Penny motioned to Monica as the other two housekeepers ran into the room. “Call security!”
Gertie hurried over as I stood up. “That’s not necessary. She’s supposed to be here. Well, not in the closet exactly, although I suppose as long as you pay your bill management doesn’t really care where you sleep.”
“This woman is staying in the room?” Penny asked, pushing herself up from the chair.
Gertie nodded. “This is Fortune. The vacation was actually her idea. She’s treating me and our other friend.”
Gertie looked over at the other two housekeepers. “It’s okay. She didn’t mean to startle anyone.”
They didn’t look convinced but went back to the bedrooms.
Penny gave me a suspicious look. “Why were you sleeping in the closet?”
I was intending to go with a “too many margaritas” defense, but Gertie started in before I could even get the words out.
“She’s been doing that some,” Gertie said. “Although I hoped she wouldn’t feel inclined to do so here. There was a burglary at her house. The burglar startled her in bed and if her cousin hadn’t been visiting and scared him away, we’re not sure what would have happened.”
Monica gave me a sympathetic look. “How frightening! You poor thing. I’d sleep in closets too if that happened to me.”
“I’m sure you’re safe in the condo, ma’am,” Penny said. She appeared to accept the explanation but still gave me the side-eye as if she was clearly certain I was unstable.
“I bet that’s what the dead guy thought,” I said. “Someone got into his room. You got into this room.”
Monica and Penny gave each other wary glances as if they’d just realized the implications of the access their job provided.
“I assure you,” Penny said, “housekeeping only enters the room to do our jobs. We’re never alone and we always knock. We’re done with our job by three p.m. and we have to turn in the access card. They keep a log and everything.”
“Sure, but you’re not the only ones with access,” I said. “What about maintenance or security or the front desk? They can just stick a card in that machine thingy and get a room key to anything.”
“Yes, but all of that is tracked,” Penny assured me. “Management can see every card made and where and when it was used. I promise you that no one can just come into your room without someone knowing.”
“Then security must know who went into that man’s room, or at least what key accessed it, right?” I asked.
Both their eyes widened.
“They would,” Monica said. “But if they knew, wouldn’t they tell the police?” She looked at Penny.
“I…I guess so,” Penny said. “I mean, I’m sure they would.”
“But no one has been arrested,” Monica said.
“Maybe they didn’t use a card,” Penny said. “Maybe it was someone he brought back to his room. Or someone he let in.”
Monica relaxed a bit. “I didn’t think about that.” She reached over and squeezed my arm. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about. You’re safe here. But would you like me to put an extra pillow and blanket in the closet?”
“That’s nice,” Gertie said, “but let’s not encourage her.” She gave me a once-over. “Looks like you showered and dressed last night. You’d better get downstairs before Ida Belle sends out the troops to find you. She left some time ago to meet up for breakfast.”
I nodded and said a quick thanks to Penny and Monica before hurrying out of the room. If I stayed much longer, God only knew what kind of stories Gertie would make up. Penny was probably ready to call a shrink for me as it was.
I made my way downstairs and headed for a hallway just past the front desk. Ida Belle had done a bit of recon on her way to breakfast and had texted me the location of the business offices. Since this wasn’t the CIA, I figured the door would prominently display the department and I wasn’t disappointed. The last door had a big brass sign on it that read Security.
Without even thinking, I made a note of the length of the hall and the fact that the fire exit was located next to the security department. I caught myself when I was mentally calculating the amount of time it would take me to sprint down the hallway versus around the building via the fire exit and shook my head.
This wasn’t a terrorist cell in the sandbox where I use to work. It was a vacation resort. And the targets inside probably had IQs higher than their body weight. I tugged my tank top down just a bit and knocked on the door. A couple seconds later, it opened.
Probably midtwenties but he looks thirteen. Five feet ten. One hundred forty pounds including the iPhone in his hand and giant radio attached to the belt. Probably a huge threat in cyberspace. Not so much in the hallway.
I gave him a second to speak, but he didn’t seem capable, so I pushed forward.
“Hi, I’m Candy. I’m having this problem with my phone and I know it’s not your job or anything, but one of the maids said you guys might be able to help…”
I almost choked on the “Candy” part, but I had to give Gertie credit when his eyes widened. I suppose all those years teaching sexually charged teens had given her an insight or two.
“I, uh…yeah, I can probably help you,” he finally managed, looking at the floor the entire time.
“Can I come in?” I asked.
He looked pained and I figured it was against the rules and he was about to refuse, so I laid it on thick.
“I kinda hurt my foot yesterday,” I said. “If you could offer me a chair, that would be great. I can’t believe some guy left his radio right there in the middle of the beach. It was so embarrassing. I tripped over it and fell right into a sand castle. Broke the string on my bikini top on the way down. Showed my goodies to half of Florida. I thought I was going to die.”
The color drained from his face, and I thought the resort was about to have a second death on its hands.
“In…come,” he sputtered and stepped back to allow me to enter. He leaned over to look down the hallway before closing the door behind us.
I popped over to an office chair behind a set of monitors and took a seat. “So what’s your name?” I asked.
“Uh, me?” He pointed to himself.
“Of course, you. Wait, let me guess. You look like a Liam, like that actor.”
His white face shifted to red and he looked a little frightened. Maybe I’d pushed too hard. He might think I was on drugs.
“I, uh, most people think I look like Sheldon,” he said.
I pursed my lips, then smiled. “You mean like on Big Bang Theory? I love that show.”
He gave me a shy smile, finally managing to look at my face. Well, my chin. But hey, at least he wasn’t staring at my chest, so I considered it a win.
“So you’re not a Liam,” I said.
“Nothing that cool. I’m Stewart.” He sighed. “Named after my dad. You’d think he would have known better.”
“You don’t look like a Stewart, so I’m going to call you Stu. Is that okay?”
“Sure. That would be great.” He looked both pleased that I’d hit on something reasonably cool and somewhat upset that the thought hadn’t occurred to him before.
“So what’s wrong with your phone?” he asked as he sat in the chair next to me.
“I’m not sure. I just got it, so it’s probably me, but I took a picture and tried t
o text it to my friend, but it wouldn’t go.” I unlocked the phone and handed it to him.
“It’s probably something in your settings. Let me just check a few things.”
It was definitely something in my settings. I knew because I’d changed them this morning. I figured it wouldn’t take Stewart two seconds to figure it out, but I also figured my compliments and bubbly former cheerleader routine had him roped in. At this point, he’d probably give me his Social Security number and birth date.
“Here’s the problem,” he said. “There’s a couple of settings that are wrong. I’m not sure how they got this way…this isn’t how the phone comes.”
“I probably did it. I was trying to fix it myself from a YouTube video and I bet I made it worse. I don’t know why these things have to be so hard. You have to be a genius to do anything with them.”
He blushed again and handed me back my phone. “Not really, but it helps if you know a couple things.”
“It’s fixed? Just like that? Oh wow, thank you so much.” I gave him a huge smile and he finally managed to look me in the eye for a second. I felt a tiny twinge of regret for playing him, as he seemed like a genuinely nice guy, but there was a murderer on the loose and I needed to keep Gertie out of jail. Guilt had no place in a mission. All this living as a regular person was making me soft. It was time to get on to the real reason for my visit.
I waved my hand at all the monitors. “This is something else. Do you really watch these all day? I mean, how do you keep up?”
“Two people work each shift, so it’s not like I have to watch them alone.”
I glanced around and frowned. “But you’re the only one here.”
“My coworker is up fixing the cameras on the tenth floor right now.”
I perked up. The tenth floor was where Otis’s room was.
“What’s wrong with them?” I asked. “I mean, I don’t have to worry about security on my floor, do I? You guys can fix stuff like you did my phone, right?”
“It depends on what the problem is. Right now, he’s just making an adjustment to the direction of the cameras so the coverage area is wider. There was a problem with the wiring on that floor recently and we just got it fixed night before last. The cameras were moved some in the process and need to be tweaked.”