Chapter 8
It turned out Roni’s second client wasn’t her last appointment of the day.
After half a day of fielding questions from neighbors and friends, Celeste and Natalie had scheduled an interview with Holly Brooks, editor of the Brookwell Bugle, to set the record straight.
They’d left text messages with both Roni and Brayden to meet them as soon as possible.
Instead of spending the afternoon on her quiet private beach with Brayden, Roni found herself in the Bugle office, hoping this would be quick and painless.
Located in an historic brick storefront a couple blocks off Central Avenue, the front office was modern on the inside.
There was a cozy seating area in the window, two large desks set further back, and a conference table in the back corner.
The walls were decorated with articles and photos, past to present.
An oddly comforting blend of stale coffee, old paper, and freshly printed newsprint drifted through the air. Roni had come inside on a few occasions, mainly with a short blurb for a summer class or ad copy for events at the Hideaway. Quick, no-stress visits.
Unlike today. Despite being flanked by her sisters and Brayden, she was a ball of nerves as they waited. What did Holly know? What did she think? And how would those factors translate into any article she might decide to write?
As a journalist, Holly was a stickler for facts and transparency. She was passionate about the community and residents, persistent in her efforts to highlight everything that made Brookwell Island special.
Holly came out of the back room, a bright smile on her face, her laptop tucked under one arm.
“Hey, y’all. Come on back.” She waved them over to the conference table.
“Anyone need refreshment? We keep the fridge stocked with water and soft drinks. Or help yourself to coffee or tea.” She tipped her head toward a beverage bar stocked with a single-cup coffee maker, drink cooler, and hot water spigot.
“This is new,” Celeste observed. “Nice.”
“Right? Vince and I were so excited about the upgrade,” Holly gushed. “Friends of mine helped build it, offsetting the labor cost. The rest came out of our operating budget.”
Of course, Holly would volunteer those details, Roni thought, hiding her smile.
When they were all seated, Brayden stepped back, taking up a watchful position near the door.
Roni popped up. “One second.” She darted after him. “You can stay.” She wanted him close.
“My job is protection.” His smile was so kind and tender and she knew Natalie clocked it.
“But—”
“You’ve got this,” he said, his voice low. “You know the facts, though you can’t spill everything on the record yet.”
“That’s just it. I need you over there where you can stop me,” she pleaded. Her frustration was still too close to the surface. If challenged, she was likely to say too much. She watched him reconsider. “Please.”
“All right.” He looked up. “Mind if I lock this front door, Holly?”
The reporter frowned, considering. “No. I guess not.”
“Great.” He walked back to the conference table, taking a chair at the end of the table, giving him the best view of the entire space.
Roni grabbed a bottle of sparkling water and chose the seat between Natalie and Brayden, quickly tucking her shaking hands under the table.
Nat elbowed her immediately. “No romance my butt,” she whispered. “About time.”
Roni glared at her little sister, for all the good it did.
“Thanks for seeing us on such short notice, Holly,” Celeste began. With her perfect posture and calm voice, she was embracing every ounce of her first-daughter energy. “The rumors were taking on a life of their own today.”
“Of course,” Holly said. “Y’all have been an integral part of the community for a long time. As hospitality goes, you’ve been a fabulous example of what it means to do business here. I appreciate that more than you know.”
“And yet you ran that splash piece on Indigo Reef.” Roni immediately held up her hands, as her sisters glared at her. “Sorry. I know that’s your job.”
“It is. They’re suggesting the development will attract more high-value tourists,” Holly explained. “Long before this morning’s events, I planned to get your comments. I’ve heard the construction work has been rough on your business.”
Roni managed to keep her mouth shut this time as Celeste replied, “We’ve had to adjust a few bookings to create a better experience for our guests. And yes, we’ve put new bookings on hold. I’m excited to share our alternative plans.”
Holly pulled out a voice recorder and set it in the middle of the table. “Do you mind?”
Her sisters immediately agreed, but Roni silently checked with Brayden first. At his nearly imperceptible nod, she gave her consent as well. This time, everyone noticed her checking with him.
Couldn’t be helped. She didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize the little bit of momentum they’d gained this morning.
“Great.” Holly pressed the red button to start the recording.
After giving the date, time, location, and names of everyone present, she continued.
“I’ll start by saying I was out at the Hideaway this morning.
We keep a police scanner in the back,” Holly explained.
“No one from law enforcement gave me much, other than the warrant to search a shed for stolen property. Public record.”
Celeste’s smile was the one Roni knew masked sharp daggers. “I’m sure the public record shows that no stolen goods were found.”
“Only a bunch of my supplies,” Nat volunteered.
“We’re just waiting for any comment or confirmation from Chief Caldwell,” Holly confirmed.
“Do you have any idea how today’s issue got so blown out of proportion?” Celeste queried.
Roni muttered, “Vanbeck.”
Celeste stared at her. “I didn’t realize he was in town.”
“You know him?”
“Only because his name is listed as lead counsel on the website and all the paperwork they’ve thrown at us.”
“That’s right,” Holly interjected, taking control of the interview again. “And, off the record, I’m sure Veronica is right. He strikes me as capable of a stunt like that.”
Roni hoped that meant Holly was somewhat sympathetic to the situation.
“What kind of paperwork has he thrown at you?” the reporter asked Celeste.
“A mess of nonsense,” Natalie answered, her voice tight. “They’re trying to force us out.”
“Let’s start with the positives,” Celeste intervened smoothly.
She shot Natalie a warning look before reaching into her bag for a manilla folder.
“We want to make sure the town knows the Hideaway is thriving.” She nudged the folder toward Holly.
“We might not be the most pleasant place to host tourists right now, but we are launching a series of community-centered events during the evenings, after construction wraps up. Tomorrow night at seven, we’re hosting a free sunset shag dance class on our beach for the local dance club.
We’re also coordinating a sunset ‘paint-and-sip’ with Sharon Trumble next week. ”
“Wow. That’s a coup.” Holly smiled, her pen flying across a yellow legal pad.
“Sharon’s name alone will draw a crowd. The town loves her.
And a beach event is a great way to remind everyone why the Hideaway’s private shoreline is so special.
” She paused, her expression turning serious as she looked at Veronica.
“But y’all want to clear up this report of stolen equipment, right? ”
“Yes, please.” Roni took a slow, steady breath.
She needed to follow Celeste’s example and stay calm.
“As you saw, the police department and a sheriff’s deputy visited the Hideaway this morning.
Brayden and I were there and we cooperated fully.
” She exchanged another look with Brayden.
“It’s my understanding the warrant was issued because an eye witness saw someone moving valuable electronics from the construction site to our shed.
Law enforcement executed the search and found nothing other than our belongings.
Based on the conversation at the time, I was of the impression Deputy Morton plans to interview Silas Vanbeck and the witness. ”
Holly’s eyebrows shot up. “The tip-off was false?”
“I can’t speak to the witness statement or what prompted that. But any claims that I was on Indigo Reef property or that any of us interfered with their operation are incorrect.” Roni stopped herself before she got carried away with opinions and speculation.
“But there’s been no activity at the construction site today,” Holly pushed. “Do you know why they’ve stopped working?”
Roni turned to Brayden and he leaned forward. “Off the record?”
“Okay.” Holly put her pen down and turned off the recorder. “You have my word.”
“Indigo Reef claimed the Electronic Control Modules—the computer brains—had been stolen directly out of their heavy machinery to interfere with their progress and stop the noise,” he said.
“We had nothing to do with any kind of theft. Chief Caldwell and Deputy Morton thanked us for our time and cooperation. We’re all here, basically victims of a misunderstanding,” he finished with a relaxed smile.
Roni wanted to stand up and cheer.
“You’re implying that they bricked their own multi-million-dollar site to stage a grand theft frame-job against the Hargraves?”
“Yes,” Brayden replied, his voice low. “That is my theory and not an official statement. And having sworn to a judge that their site is disabled without those computer modules, they can’t run a single machine next door without exposing their lie.”
“Desperation,” Holly murmured, shaking her head. “That is a high-stakes gamble for a real estate group. Not solid proof, but it would seem they’re actively trying to destroy your credibility so you’ll accept a buyout.”
Roni nodded along with her sisters. “But we aren’t selling,” Celeste stated. “You can put that on the record.”
Holly gave her a tight smile. “One more question for Brayden. Can you tell me why the Guardian Agency is involved?”