CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
I didn’t know how Jonny’s death would be described in various news reports, but I hoped it was made clear that The Beach House Hotel had nothing to do with it. Rhonda and I had worked too hard to be embroiled in a murder.
“We have to meet with Bernie. News like this is important, and we’ll want him to be able to make some kind of statement, speaking for us,” I said.
“You’re right. After all the news of the conflict between us, the media will want some reaction from the hotel.”
We pulled into my parking spot at the rear of the hotel and went inside directly to Bernie’s office.
We knocked on his door and opened it.
Bernie looked up and waved for us to come inside while continuing to talk on the phone. “Terri, I’ll have to get back to you. Yes, we understand the fairness of letting you know our reaction to such news.”
With a bewildered look, Bernie said, “Did you know Jonny Arno was killed today?”
“That’s what we want to talk to you about,” said Rhonda.
“We heard about it and want to prepare a media statement about the Beach House Hotel’s reaction to it.”
“We can’t say we’re pleased?” teased Bernie, which coming from him was a huge joke. “By the way, the graffiti was covered up on the sunset building early this morning.”
“That may make things easier,” I said. “We want to be sympathetic to the killing without saying much about the so-called competition between us.”
“Wise decision. Polite, a bit aloof. Got it,” said Bernie. “Why don’t I handle it and give a draft to you to look over before I make a statement? We’ll also increase security here at the hotel.”
“Thank you, Bernie,” I said. “Rhonda and I are going home.”
“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Rhonda said. “Thanks for your help.”
We rose and left the office.
“I feel as if I’ve lived a lifetime since this morning,” I said to Rhonda throwing an arm around her shoulder. “It’s a good thing we ran into your childhood friend.”
“It’s just like Nonna told me many times,” said Rhonda. “How you treat people can become a blessing or a curse. This time it was a big blessing.”`
We went to our cars and headed to our homes.
###
As I pulled into my driveway, Vaughn emerged from the house with Cindy at his heels.
I parked the car and got out. Without saying anything, I went into his arms.
Vaughn hugged me and then studied my face. “I heard on the news that Jonny Arno was killed. Did that have anything to do with you?
“No,” I said. “But we had graffiti damage done to the sunset building this morning. I think it was done by an amateur, perhaps one of Jonny’s supporters.”
“I’m sorry he was killed, but Jonny Arno was a despicable man,” said Vaughn.
“I’d heard the rumor that his backers weren’t happy with him,” I said.
“I’m not sure we’ll ever know all the real facts, but I understand he was fired for ruining business at Chez Michel’s, the restaurant in Miami.
I also heard he bought a flashy new car and overspent on Osteria Arno.
I’m guessing that was just the beginning of his troubles. ”
“I wouldn’t be surprised. Something was off with that whole restaurant deal. I want you to promise me you’ll be especially watchful about the people around you.”
“Bernie has promised to increase security at the hotel, and I feel perfectly safe here at home with you,” I said.
“I was able to delay my business trip again but then I have to leave,” said Vaughn.
“No problem.” I didn’t want him to know anything about the day’s activities.
“Come on inside,” said Vaughn. “Let’s go for a swim in the pool and relax.
He had no idea how wonderful that sounded to me.
Later that night, after Robbie had gone to bed, I sat in Vaughn’s lap on the lanai cuddling with him. Life could be full of cruelty and unhappiness but being with him made me happy and mentally prepared to move forward.
###
After I awoke from a restless night of nightmares, I tiptoed away from the bed and prepared for a walk on the beach. It would be another step in getting rid of the ugliness of yesterday’s events.
While Vaughn and Robbie slept, I quietly left the house and drove to the hotel. After all the tension caused by Jonny’s behavior, I was ready to begin the day with a fresh outlook, one without worry.
When I pulled into my parking space behind the hotel, I was surprised to see Rhonda’s car there. Curious, I went inside to talk to her.
She was sitting in the office at her computer.
“Hi, what are you doing here so early?” I asked.
Rhonda shook her head and sighed. “I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking how close we’d been to a disaster if we’d entered the restaurant. We might’ve been killed by either man.”
I plopped down in my desk chair and faced her. “My dreams last night were exactly about that. I couldn’t wait to leave the house and get here. A walk on the beach might help us both.”
Rhonda got to her feet. “I was hoping you’d be here early. Let’s do it.”
We left the building and walked out onto the sand.
The sun was a glowing orb in the sky, a symbol of promise.
As usual, joggers and shell collectors were present, but it was an excellent time and place for us to unwind.
The hotel business was full of surprises and interesting people.
Not all of them were satisfying experiences.
As we stood looking out at the water, Rhonda spoke. “Ya know, Annie, I’ve been thinking. We’ve gone through a lot of ups and downs, but I wouldn’t want to be in business with anyone but you. More than that, you’re my best friend.”
“And you are mine,” I said turning and giving her a hug.
“Well, well, what is this? A love fest for two?” came a familiar voice we hated.
Brock jogged up to us.
“Did you hear about Jonny Arno? It’s all over the news,” said Rhonda, and I knew she was trying to find out how Jonny’s death might affect him.
Brock drew a deep breath and kicked at the sand with the toe of his sneaker in an uncharacteristic vulnerable pose. “Yes, it’s a real shame. I’m still trying to come to terms with it. No matter what Jonny told others, we were business partners.”
“Of a kind,” I said. I knew that instead of putting money into the enterprise, he’d donated items from his import business.
He grimaced. “Yeah. I don’t know what’s going to happen with the restaurant.” He studied Rhonda. “You women certainly didn’t help. I heard you were offering a special Italian dinner at the hotel. Wasn’t that going a little overboard on competition with Jonny?”
“All the restaurants in the area do what’s right for them. That’s how they survive in a competitive market,” I said quickly.
“Yeah, mind your own damn business,” said Rhonda unable to hold back.
“Don’t think your troubles are going away. I have a job to do as president of the Neighborhood Association,” said Brock getting back his fighting spirit.
“You be careful yourself,” said Rhonda.
He gazed at the sunset building and said, “Good that you got that graffiti covered up, huh?”
My eyes widened, and I sent Rhonda a silent message not to say anything.
“Ciao,” said Brock waving to us before taking off in a jog down the beach.
Watching him go, Rhonda muttered, “That ass!”
I grabbed hold of her arm. “Listen. Brock talked about cleaning up the graffiti. How did he know it was there? We saw it early in the morning. Earlier than this time. And Bernie said they got it cleaned up right away.”
“You think he had something to do with it?” Rhonda asked.
“Maybe he didn’t do it, but I think he knew about it,” I said.
“It wouldn’t surprise me,” said Rhonda. “C’mon, I’ve got to walk off some of my anger.”
###
We headed up the beach, past the guesthouses, to the next major hotel and then turned around and walked back to our own.
As we returned, Catarina called to us and walked our way.
“Ann and Rhonda, I’m so glad I saw you. Enrico has returned to The Beach House Hotel with two very important guests. Philippa’s and Luciano’s grandfathers. They’re staying in the guesthouse with Enrico and me, and I want to do something special for them. Like the dinner you had for Enrico.”
I turned to Rhonda.
A sparkle returned to her eyes, and I could see her mind working.
Sure enough, she said, “I have an even better idea. I’d like to invite all of you in the family to my house for dinner tomorrow evening. Chet and I will prepare a similar meal there.”
“Oh, that would be fantastic,” said Catarina. “I want both men to see what a delightful place this hotel is and why we’d want to buy a house here. Tomorrow is perfect. They’ll have had a chance to rest a little after their flights.”
“Are they here about the kids?” Rhonda asked.
“They’re here, in part, to see for themselves that their intended plan would never work. Seeing the kids and talking face-to-face will help settle this situation. It was a sweet dream between two dear old friends and the wives they loved. That’s all.”
“We’re delighted they’re here,” I said. “Hopefully, they’ll spread the word about our hotel. We love having international visitors.”
Catarina chuckled. “They both have large extended families. It could be a very lucrative thing for you.”
“I will give you a call later to officially welcome you to dinner at my house,” said Rhonda. “I need to get permission from Jean-Luc and others to have Chet and Philippa available. We’ll check on Harper and Luciano.”
“Thank you. A visit to your home is a lovely gesture,” said Catarina, turning as two white-haired men made their way to the sand. “Here the grandfathers are now. Come meet Enrico’s father, Angelo Ferrara, and our family friend, Giovanni Bolino.”
We followed Catarina to greet them.
She made the introductions, and I couldn’t help thinking how adorable the men were. Small in stature, their eyes held a hint of amusement as I shook hands with each of them.
“Sei bellisssima,” Giovanni said softly, smiling at me.
Angelo turned to him and nodded.
“You will be my guests,” said Rhonda. “For true Italian food.”
“Ah, grazie mille,” said Angelo.
“We’ll see you tomorrow,” said Catarina.
“Enjoy your day,” I said, and followed Rhonda back to where we’d left our shoes.
Smiling gleefully, Rhonda rubbed her hands together. “This is going to be so fun. I’m so happy we’re going to be a part of it.”
“Hold on, we can’t get too involved,” I said.
“We’ll see,” said Rhonda, beginning to hum a song.