CHAPTER FOURTEEN
After making sure that Darryl and Abbie were comfortable with their plans to swim in the pool and relax at my house, Rhonda and I headed back to the hotel.
“It’s a PR nightmare,” said Rhonda, filling me in on the way. “A Miami television newsperson wants to set up an interview with Everly. Everly said it was fine, but the woman calling wanted to make sure it was okay with the hotel to do the interview here.”
“And what did Bernie say?” I asked.
“He said he would send them an agreement stating what was allowed and what wasn’t. He told her it would have to be signed before they could set a time and date for any interview at the hotel.”
“Good for him,” I said. “Hopefully, it will become a non-issue, but we have to find a way to get Everly to leave.”
###
At the hotel, we joined Bernie in his office.
“Any word from the Miami newsperson?” Rhonda asked after we’d taken our seats.
“I have the signed agreement in my hands,” said Bernie. “It was just sent to me. Now we need to figure out a time and place.”
“I think we should hold off as long as we can,” I said.
“An hour or so ago, Everly called down to the Front Desk wanting to know when she could give her interview. They’re paying her quite a bit of money for an exclusive, and she wants it set up right away.” Bernie shook his head. “Her words were slurred and full of foul language.”
“Why don’t Rhonda and I talk to her to see if she’s going to be reasonable about respecting our rules,” I suggested.
“Let’s give her a while to collect herself, and then we’ll go visit her,” said Rhonda. “I need some time to think about how we want to approach her. I still want her gone from the hotel. Maybe we can work that in somehow.”
“That sounds reasonable,” said Bernie. “Darryl and Abbie are comfortable at your house, Annie?”
“Yes, they’re grateful to be away from the hotel until things have calmed down here,” I said.
Bernie stood. “Okay, then, we have a plan for Everly. I’ll see to the VIP group meeting in the library.”
“Let’s go sit on the sunset deck,” I said. “Being in the sea breeze always clears my mind.”
“Okay,” said Rhonda. “It’s been quite a day. After we visit Everly, I’ll treat you to a margarita. I think we’ve earned one.”
I grinned. “Okay, and then I’m going to pick up dinner at the hotel and take it home. I want to make sure it’s all food Abbie approves of. Darryl is making a lot of progress.”
“He’s looking good, really good,” said Rhonda. “Do you think Everly is putting on this show of hers to try and get him back?”
“If so, she doesn’t understand the man at all,” I said. “He’s not someone who constantly seeks attention. He’s funny and charming on television but a rather quiet person away from it.”
Outside, we’d just taken our seats on the deck when we saw a figure walking toward us.
“Run, Annie!” said Rhonda, getting to her feet.
I pulled her back into her chair. “Stop. We can’t let Brock keep us from enjoying our own property.”
“But just seeing him makes me want to smack that smirk off his face,” Rhonda said, twitching in her seat.
“Let’s see what he has to say this time. Bet it’s about that photograph,” I murmured as he came closer.
“’ Afternoon, ladies,” said Brock. “Guess you saw my picture in the paper. It made front-page news. But then, I think Everly likes me. I’ve helped her get acquainted with the neighborhood. In fact, I’m going to visit her later on.”
When neither Rhonda nor I spoke, he shrugged. “Guess I beat you this time.”
“See you later,” I said before Rhonda could tell him off. If it kept him from the houses on the property, I was glad to let Brock think he was ahead of the game he was constantly playing with us.
As Brock walked away, his chest puffed out with self-importance.
Before she could follow him, I took hold of Rhonda’s arm. “Forget it.”
“Someday I won’t,” she said, giving me a challenging look. “And not even you, with all your sweet ways, will be able to stop me from wringing his fuckin’ neck.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it.
Rhonda joined in. “Honestly, that man drives me crazy.”
“Me, too,” I said. “Now, let’s go take care of another annoying person.”
As we prepared to head back to the hotel, I paused for a moment, gazing at the building we loved like a child. We couldn’t let anyone harm it. We’d made it such a classy, beloved place for people to enjoy.
“Our baby, huh?” said Rhonda.
I smiled and nodded. “Let’s keep it safe.”
###
We went inside the hotel and climbed the stairway to The Presidential Suite.
At the top, we faced the thick, carved wooden door of the suite. I was about to knock when I noticed the door wasn’t closed properly.
“Hello?” I called and waited for an answer.
“Maybe she’s gone,” said Rhonda. “We’d better check.”
We stepped inside to the front entrance, and I called out again.
“The living room is a mess,” grumbled Rhonda as we began to check out all the rooms, looking for her.
“The kitchen is a disaster,” I said, passing through it.
We went to the master bedroom and let out gasps of horror.
Everly lay on the floor motionless, oddly sprawled atop the carpet, as if she’d fallen.
Rhonda gripped my arm. “Maybe she’s drunk. Bernie made it sound as if she’d been drinking.”
I stared at the still body, studying it, my heart sinking. “I don’t think she’s drunk. I’m pretty sure she’s dead.”
I walked over to her and held my hand in front of her nose and mouth. There was no breath. Her lips were blue and her skin … I couldn’t look any longer. Feeling sick, I turned away. I’d seen death before.
“Oh, my God, Annie, what are we going to do?” Rhonda said.
“We need to call 911 and let Bernie know what’s happened.”
Rhonda grabbed hold of the door frame on her way out of the room. “Oh, God! I think I’m going to throw up.”
I stumbled out of the room behind her.
In the living room, while Rhonda called 911, I called our security office and then called Bernie. In a fog, I told them what we’d found. I had the sense to make sure they wouldn’t make a commotion when they came to see. We didn’t want our other guests to be aware. I could hear Rhonda telling people the same thing on her call.
We both ended our calls and faced one another.
“We’ve had only one other guest die in the hotel,” I said, still in shock.
“I can’t believe it. Everly sure knows how to shake things up,” said Rhonda. “I can’t go back in that room.”
Bernie and a member of our security team arrived together.
They went to check out the scene and returned to the living room.
“We found needles in the bathroom,” said Bernie. “We’re not touching anything. We’ll wait for the police to arrive.”
“I’m going to go down to the lobby to talk to the front desk staff and explain the need for discretion,” I said.
“I’m leaving with you,” said Rhonda. “I’ll talk to others in our reception staff, tell them what has happened.”
“Thanks,” said Bernie. “I’ll wait here with the body. I’m sure the police will want to talk to you about this. I’ll meet you in your office as soon as I can. We’ll want to release some sort of statement.”
###
Rhonda and I went downstairs together. I couldn’t stop shivering. “Is this the result of the bad feeling you had?”
Rhonda sighed. “Something like it. I knew I shouldn’t leave for vacation, but I didn’t think it would be because someone died here.”
“We’ve gotten through a lot of traumatic situations. I know we can do it again,” I said, trying to reassure myself along with her. “As soon as possible, I’ll go home and talk to Darryl. He won’t want to be anywhere near the hotel. As soon as word gets out, newspeople will be everywhere trying to get what scraps of information they can.”
“Let’s make sure Bernie schedules more security,” said Rhonda.
“It’s going to be a bit tricky to balance things out,” I said. “We want to make a good impression of the hotel for being an elegant place to stay, and a hotel that truly does respect the privacy of their guests.”
“Everly’s family will need to be notified. How are we going to find out who they are?” said Rhonda. “Darryl?”
“We can ask him for information about who to call. I imagine funeral arrangements will be taken care of someplace else. There’s no reason for any ceremony here at the hotel,” I said, becoming angry that Everly had caused more headaches for us. Yet, a part of me felt devastated to know that she’d died alone, away from home.
“It’s sad,” said Rhonda. “I’ve already talked to my kids about the danger of drugs. They don’t understand all about the deaths because of their ages; they simply know it’s bad for them.”
“Robbie’s at an age where we talk seriously about drugs killing people. His school is aware of any problems and is quick to report them.” After seeing what had happened to Everly, I wanted to cry at the thought of anyone in my family being caught up in addiction. Whether Everly killed herself on purpose or it happened because of her use, it was such a terrible, terrible waste.