CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The next day, Rhonda and I were working in our office when Everly came to see us.
“Hi, Everly. Is everything all right?” I asked.
“I’m here on a scouting mission for my friend, Brock. He told me he’d pay me money if I could find out who’s staying in the private houses. I’m going to take him up on his offer. He’s helping me with some issues, and I’ll help him.”
“As cute and friendly as all that is,” said Rhonda, “we have as little to do with Brock as possible.”
“And it’s company policy that our guests have a right to seclusion.” I stood, hoping to end the conversation.
“We know that doesn’t interest you, but most of our guests appreciate that,” said Rhonda. “Those houses are off-limits for Brock and for you. Get it?”
Everly frowned. “Who are you to talk to me that way? I’ll do what I damn well please.”
I herded Everly in the direction of the door and walked her out of the office. “If I were you, I’d be careful about any deals with Brock Goodwin. Just a word of warning. You’ve signed an NDA promising you’d respect the privacy of others. I expect you to honor it. Understand?”
Without responding, she turned and walked away.
When I returned, Rhonda was just hanging up the phone. “I’ve canceled my trip.”
“Wait! Don’t do that. Everything will settle down. It’s just been a bad morning,” I said.
“It’s going to get worse if Everly finds out Darryl is staying here. We have to do something about it,” said Rhonda grimly. “You know how it is when I get a funny feeling about things.”
I gave her a thoughtful nod. It was true. She seemed to know ahead of time when trouble was about to happen. “What do you think we should do?”
“We need to get Darryl and Abbie off the property to a safe place,” she said, giving me a steady look. “Thank goodness, Tina won’t be an issue.”
“Okay, you’re right. Darryl and Abbie can stay at my house. Heaven knows they won’t be bothered there.”
“I don’t dare have them at my place with my kids, who’d be more than ready to tell anyone about it,” said Rhonda. “But Robbie is older and won’t have to deal with neighbors asking.”
“You’re right. Let’s go talk to Darryl now before any news gets out about his stay here,” I said. “I don’t trust Everly to honor her agreement to protect our guests’ privacy.”
Full of resolve, we started to walk over to the house where Darryl was staying.
“Our hotel’s reputation can’t be destroyed by a selfish, promo-seeking bitch,” said Rhonda. “We’ve worked too hard to let that happen.”
“I agree. I wish there was a way to get rid of Everly, but Bernie thinks it would create unwelcome attention.”
“Yeah, talk about ruining our reputation,” said Rhonda.
###
Once again, Rhonda and I slipped away from the hotel and took a secluded path to the houses. We walked with purpose.
“Why is it that every time there’s a problem at the hotel, Brock is somehow involved?” said Rhonda with unmistakable anger. “I’m sick to death of his interference. I’m going to find a way to get back at him.”
I slung my arm around Rhonda. “I wouldn’t worry about it. He always ends up in trouble. How he gets away with it is another issue.”
When we got to Darryl’s house, he was swimming in the pool. We rang the bell and waited for him to answer the door.
He arrived at the door wet and with a towel wrapped around his waist. Seeing him like this, I was amazed by his trimmer, healthier self. His shaved head had in some strange way made his eyes look bigger. Though not handsome like a movie star, his appearance was very appealing and as before, made me want to hug him like a sister would.
“Hello, what brings you here?” he said, indicating for us to come inside.
“We think it’s going to be better for you to spend some time away from the hotel,” I said. “You and Abbie are both welcome to spend a few days at my house until we can be sure Everly won’t discover you’re staying here.”
“She’s been talking to Brock Goodwin, and together, they’re determined to learn who’s staying in the houses,” said Rhonda.
“We told Everly that guests have a right to their privacy,” I said.
Darryl made a face. “You won’t get far with that. I was very mistaken about her, completely fooled. And now, I’m pretty sure, she’s involved with drug use, which is why she wants more money even though she got a more-than-fair settlement.”
“What do you say? Are you willing to move until things calm down?” said Rhonda. “We’re going to try to get her to leave the hotel. But we must be careful because of the hotel’s reputation.”
“I promise you comfortable surroundings,” I said, trying to encourage him.
“Okay,” he said. “The last thing I want is for Everly to discover I’m here. This has been a wonderful stay for me. Especially with Abbie’s help.”
“Abbie is going to go with you,” said Rhonda with satisfaction.
“When are we leaving?” he asked.
“As soon as possible,” I said. “We’ll get someone from security to drive you over. I’m going to my house right after we talk to Abbie.”
“And I’ll stay here and see that you both get off safely,” said Rhonda. “We’re all going to feel better when this happens.”
“Definitely,” said Darryl.
“Be sure and bring your swim trunks, I’ve got a nice pool,” I said, waving goodbye to him.
We walked along another private path to the house where Abbie was staying. Tina should’ve already left for her flight.
Abbie answered the door looking relaxed in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. She smiled when she saw us, lighting her dark brown eyes, giving them a sense of mystery.
We explained the situation to her. “Okay. I know what kind of pressure Darryl is under and I want to help in any way I can. When are we leaving?”
“As soon as you can pack up,” said Rhonda.
What we couldn’t say was that we didn’t want a battle to break out between Darryl and Everly here at the hotel where Everly would use any method she could to get publicity out of it. Publicity that might hurt the hotel. We’d never had a situation quite like this.
###
When I arrived home, I saw Liana’s car in the driveway and realized it was time for her to pick up Robbie at school.
I went inside. Cindy greeted me with happy wiggles as Liana said, “You’re home early. Do you want me to leave?”
“No, I’m here because we’re going to have guests staying with us for a few days. Guests that we’re hiding for a while.”
Liana’s lips curved. “A little bit of intrigue, huh?”
“You could say that. I do ask that you don’t mention it to anyone. You’ll see why when you meet them.”
Liana held up her palm. “I promise. Want me to pick up Robbie?”
“Yes, please. I want to make sure our two guest rooms are ready. Thanks.”
After Liana left, I went to the guest wing of the house, which branched off just beyond Robbie’s room. We had not one but two guest rooms for Vaughn’s children and their families. It worked well. Adults in one room and children in another. Both had ensuite bathrooms, which made it easy to have two different groups at once.
Rhonda called to say that a security car had left the hotel carrying Darryl and Abbie. “I’ll follow as soon as I talk to Bernie about how we want to get rid of Everly.”
“Okay. I know you’re upset with her, but let’s be careful about how we handle it,” I said.
“I will,” Rhonda said.
###
Moments later, I heard a car pull into the driveway and walked out the front door to greet my guests.
Darryl and Abbie emerged from the car and stood gazing around.
“Beautiful property,” said Darryl. “And lots of isolation here.”
“We have just a few neighbors and none of them close to us, which makes it nice. My husband enjoys being able to do his own thing here.”
I led them inside and showed them to their rooms.
“This is very nice, Ann,” said Abbie. “It’s no hardship to be here.”
I chuckled. “The food might not be as tasty. But we can order meals from the hotel anytime. It shouldn’t upset your schedule too much.”
“The food at the hotel has been outstanding,” said Abbie. “Darryl has been eating well but losing weight, which helps me do my part of his health routine.”
“Are you talking about me?” asked Darryl, coming into the room.
“Saying only good things,” said Abbie returning his grin.
“Thanks for having us here,” said Darryl. “The more I’ve thought about it, the more I realize what harm Everly could do to all of us. One of the security people told me he saw her on television with the guy you don’t like.”
“Brock Goodwin?” I asked.
He nodded. “There’s something about the two of them together that makes me uneasy. They look as if they’re up to no good. At least, that’s the feeling I get.”
“You’re probably right. Let me show you the rest of the house. I want you to be comfortable here.”
I introduced them to Cindy and walked with them throughout the house. “Feel free to use the kitchen anytime and help yourself to anything you want.”
Outside, I showed them the pool and spa. They’re heated and are available anytime. The sailboat you see is Vaughn’s beloved Zephyr. If you stay long enough, he’ll be more than willing to take you out on it. He should be home soon.”
“I’d like that,” said Darryl.
“I’ll call Vaughn and check with him to see when he’s coming home. He just left town, but I never know when his schedule might change.”
Rhonda arrived with a message that we would meet with Bernie in a half-hour, and while she was sitting with Darryl and Abbie on the lanai, I quickly called Vaughn.
He answered right away. “Hey, I was about to call you. We’ve got enough sick cast members that shooting has been postponed for a week while other work is being done on the film.”
“Great! Does that mean you’ll come home?” I said, thrilled to hear the news.
“Yes, I’ll fly out tomorrow. I’ll let you know when. It’s chaotic here.”
Vaughn ended the call, and I let out a sigh of relief. Having Vaughn act as host would make things much easier.
I went out to the lanai.
Cindy, who’d been sitting with Darryl suddenly barked and leapt off the couch.
“Oh, that must be my son, Robbie, coming home from school,” I said.
We all looked up as Robbie walked onto the lanai. He gazed at our guests curiously but addressed Rhonda. “Hi, Aunt Rhonda. Willow and Drew didn’t come with you?”
“Not this time,” said Rhonda, motioning him forward. As he neared her, she wrapped an arm around him, pulled him close, and quickly kissed him on the cheek.
He stepped back, and though I knew he was embarrassed, he smiled. He loved Rhonda. Both of my children did.
Liana came into the room, and I introduced her before walking both Robbie and her to the kitchen.
I ruffled Robbie’s hair and turned to Liana. “Rhonda and I are going to leave for the hotel shortly. I want to make sure Darryl and Abbie are comfortable before we do.”
“Yes, I understand,” said Liana, and I thought how lucky I was to have her help.