CHAPTER NINE
After Bernie left, I said to Rhonda, “Let’s take a break on the beach. I want to talk about Lorraine and Arthur. Lorraine needs more and more time away from the hotel to be with him. While it’s understandable, and I don’t have any problem with her doing so, it leaves the hotel needing more help.”
“I agree. I’m glad they got married when they did because Arthur’s health is beginning to fail,” said Rhonda. “Angie told me she and Reggie are concerned.”
We left the office and headed to the beach. Even though it was a bit windy, it felt freeing to be out in fresh air.
I kicked off my sandals and headed right to the water’s lacy edge. There was something about standing in the water, admiring the birds above me and those little ones skittering along the sand that anchored me. The scene gave me a moment to breathe and to let go of the tension in my shoulders.
Rhonda stood on the sand behind me looking back at the hotel.
I turned around and took it in.
The two-story, pink stucco building reminded me of a lazy Roseate Spoonbill nestled on the sand enjoying the sun.
In truth, it was a stunning hotel offering an array of services to pampered guests.
Rhonda and I often referred to it as our baby, and we shared a mother’s pride when we looked at what we’d created.
“What did you want to talk about regarding Lorraine?” asked Rhonda.
“I think we need to give Annette a raise and the title of Wedding Planner to match Lorraine. Then we should move Lauren from assistant to Lorraine to Wedding Planning Office Manager. It gives both Annette and Lauren a little more authority without taking away anything from Lorraine.”
“Wow! You have been thinking of this for a while,” said Rhonda. “It sounds okay to me. But we still need to keep Annette as Special Events Coordinator.”
“I agree. It’s just with Lorraine gone, I’d like to be able to introduce Annette as one of our wedding planners.”
Rhonda gave me a thoughtful nod. “You’re right. It’ll make our wedding guests happy to be able to deal directly with a wedding planner, whether it’s Lorraine or Annette.”
I heard my name being called and turned to see Brock walking toward us.
“Oh, that bastard. Let’s hurry back to the hotel,” said Rhonda. “He’s nothing but bad news.”
“I want to hear what he obviously wants to tell us. Look at him waving his hand to us.”
“I wonder if he’s heard about your car tires,” Rhonda said.
“There’s no way for him to know anything about it. If he mentions it, we know he had something to do with it,” I said, growing angry as I talked.
I forced myself to remain calm as Brock walked up to us with a swagger I’d come to detest.
“Hello, ladies,” he said. “How are things going with your new chef? I heard he wants to come back and work for Jonny.”
“I don’t know where you heard such a thing. He’s happy at The Beach House Hotel,” I said. “How’s the new restaurant coming along? When will the renovations be done?”
“Not for a couple more weeks,” said Brock. “It’s going to be beautiful. A real showcase.” He cocked an eyebrow. “I heard you had a little trouble at the hotel last night.”
I frowned and shook my head. “Not that I know of. What are you talking about?”
“Oh, nothing. Just a rumor, I guess. A lot of them are floating around about how people are tired of The Beach House Hotel and can’t wait for Osteria Arno to open. Guess you’ll be working hard to try and compete.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it, Brock. Our guests love us just the way we are,” said Rhonda.
“We’ll see. Want to put money on it?” sneered Brock.
“Sure,” said Rhonda. “How much?”
“A couple thousand?” taunted Brock.
I kept quiet. A couple of thousand wasn’t much to Rhonda but it could mean quite a bit to Brock who was always struggling to keep up the image of a wealthy man. It worried me he was so confident.
Rhonda held out her hand. “Okay, five thousand dollars that your restaurant won’t ruin the business at our dining room.”
“Oh, well, I didn’t mean to make such a big wager.
Let’s not go there,” said Brock, backpedaling as fast as he could.
He liked people to think he had a lot of money, but we knew he didn’t.
“Let’s just see what happens. The proof is in the pudding, as they say.
Okay, I’d better go. I’m helping to furnish the restaurant with items from my import business. ”
As he trotted away, I turned to Rhonda with a triumphant grin. “That’s how Brock was able to go into business with Jonny Arno’s group. I bet he’s not charging them for decorative items in exchange for a very small part of the business.”
“It makes me wonder how Jonny is financing the rest of it,” said Rhonda. “On our way back to the office, let’s check in with Chet. I want to know if he’s unhappy working with us. I don’t want any second thoughts about hiring him.”
“Fair enough,” I said. “I can tell you he’s been busy all morning and is even willing to split shifts because of the wedding.”
“We also need to see how Harper did at the bar last night. I hear it was mobbed with wedding guests and weekend warriors,” said Rhonda. She checked her watch. “Harper’s not due in for a while.”
“I think she might be serving drinks at the luncheon today,” I said. “Let’s find out.”
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We went inside the hotel and right to the kitchen. Breakfast was over, and lunch was being prepared along with some items for the wedding dinner and regular offerings on the dinner menu.
We caught Chet’s eye and motioned for him to come talk to us standing at the door.
He trotted over. “Hi. What’s up?”
Rhonda gave him a stern look. “We heard from someone associated with Osteria Arno that you want to go work for them when they open. Is that true?”
“What? No. Absolutely not. Who told you that?” he said, clearly upset. “This might have to do with a phone call I received last night. A man called and told me he was speaking for Jonny. That Jonny was sorry he fired me and wants me back to cook for him. I told him to eff off.”
I shot Rhonda a worried look. “I don’t like the sound of this.”
“Did he say anything more?” Rhonda asked Chet.
“Yeah. He told me I’d be sorry,” said Chet. “I figure it’s Jonny being a bully again.”
“We have an empty staff apartment here at the hotel over the garage and spa,” I said. “Why don’t you move in there until things calm down?”
“Great idea,” said Rhonda. “Where are you staying now?”
Chet gave an embarrassed shrug. “At a cheap motel outside of town. Harper and I are sharing the cost.”
“During your break today why don’t you check out? We’ll get housekeeping to prepare the apartment for you. And Harper, if that’s what you two want to do,” I said.
Chet held up a hand. “We’re just friends. But, yeah, it would help her too. Thanks.”
“We just don’t want anything to happen to you,” said Rhonda. “You’ve been totally open with us. We want you working here.”
“I want that, too,” said Chet. “I’m already learning a lot from Jean-Luc, who’s nothing like Jonny. Thanks. I’ve got to get back to work.”
Chet left us and I turned to Rhonda. “I really like him. Let’s hope we can keep him safe here at the hotel. The thought of him being vulnerable in a motel is pretty frightening.”
“I agree,” said Rhonda. “Jonny Arno is not a nice man and doesn’t want anyone else to succeed. Let’s tell Bernie and security what we’re doing with the apartment.”
By the time we held a short meeting with them, it was time for Harper to show up to help with the luncheon.
Rhonda and I checked the private dining room. A total of twenty-four people were invited for lunch with Enrico, including Bernie and a couple of other people in hospitality and several members of the business community in the area.
When Harper walked across the lobby wearing her uniform of a black skirt and white blouse, she saw us and waved.
“Thank you,” she said as she approached. “I got a call from Chet. He told me we have a place to stay right here on the hotel property. That’s so gracious of you.”
“We think it’ll be safer for you,” I said.
Harper grimaced. “I understand Jonny’s people are threatening Chet.
A friend of mine who still lives in Miami said she’s heard that the owners of Chez Michel are trying to make Jonny pay for not keeping his part of the contract agreement to increase sales.
He must be desperate to succeed here on this coast.”
“How did last night go at the bar?” Rhonda asked.
“Great. The wedding crowd is a bunch of drinkers. And several others came in, including young people who’d seen your new ad for canapes at the hotel.
A few of them mentioned they were friends of Angie and Liz.
I kept watch on what they were drinking and eating.
I agree that we can do better with that age group.
There’s definitely a place for them here. ”
“I hope you’re making careful notes for Angie and Liz so you can come up with plans the three of you agree on,” I said.
“Oh, yes,” said Harper. “Sorry, I have to go meet Annette.”
We followed her into the private dining room. Instead of a long table like last night, four round tables for six were spread across the area. A small bar was set up in the back corner and a dais held a lectern and a microphone.
Each table held a small centerpiece with the same Italian flag color theme as last night.
Annette walked into the room behind us. “I think we’re ready. The four waitresses are coming, and I see Harper is here.”
“Thanks, Annette. How is the wedding dinner shaping up?”
“Fine. Lauren and Lorraine are handling that.” She greeted four waitresses who arrived with a cart holding iced water pitchers. “Okay, we have four minutes until our guests arrive. Please pour the water in the goblets and remove the cart.”
Not wanting to be in their way, Rhonda and I left.
Outside the door, we saw Caterina and Philippa standing with Lindsay.
“How did the tour go?” I asked.